The Ultimate Guide to Length Retention for Natural Hair
What is length retention?
If you're on a journey to longer, healthier natural hair, length retention should be at the top of your priority list. Length retention refers to minimising hair breakage and shedding so that your hair can actually grow longer over time. It's not enough to just focus on growth - you need strategies to keep that hard-earned new length from constantly breaking off.
There are many factors that can impact length retention, from your hair care practices to the products you use. Let's dive into some key tips for maximising length retention as a naturalista.
The keys to Maintaining length retention
Moisture, moisture, moisture.
Dry, brittle hair is far more prone to breakage than properly moisturised hair. Keeping your hair and ends moisturised with water-based leave-in conditioners and hydrating hair butters is crucial.
One line of products perfect for length retention moisture are the hair and body butters that we offer at Hair We Gro. These butters are packed with ultra-moisturising natural ingredients like:
Shea butter: An emollient that seals in moisture and protects strands
Castor oil: Packed with vitamin E and fatty acids to deeply condition
Mango butter: Provides lightweight slip and shine
Not only do our butters hydrate for stronger, more flexible hair, but they also come in lush seasonal scents like Summer Fruit (ideal for the upcoming summer season), Autumn Harvest, Winter Spice, and Spring Blossom.
Gentle handling
How you manipulate and style your hair can make or break your length retention efforts. Aggressive detangling, excessive combing, and tight hairstyles like braids put a lot of unnecessary stress on the hair. Instead, opt for gentle techniques:
Detangle with care, preferably on damp, conditioned hair if you have curls
Minimise shedding between washes by pineappling, wrapping, or low-tension hairstyles
Protect ends by tucking them away in updos or buns
Limit heat styling with blow dryers, flat irons, etc.
Trims for health
As counterintuitive as it may sound, regular trimming is key for retaining length over time. Leaving split, damaged ends unchecked allows them to travel further up the hair shaft, causing excess breakage. Trimming every 8-12 weeks removes these problem areas and allows your hair to stay stronger.
Low manipulation styles
Excessive pulling, combing, and re-styling can lead to major breakage over time. Stick to low-manipulation hairstyles like braids, twists, bantu knots and buns that minimise how much you have to disturb your hair day-to-day.
Deep conditioning
While daily moisture is crucial, you also want to incorporate more intensive deep conditioning treatments at least once a week or every two weeks. Look for deep conditioners with oils, butters, and other rich, penetrating ingredients to fortify strands from the inside out.
Protein/Moisture Balance
Having the right balance of protein and moisture is crucial. Too much protein can cause brittleness and excess shedding, while too little protein makes hair weak and prone to breakage. Using protein treatments periodically along with regular deep conditioning helps maintain this balance.
Scalp Care
Maintaining a healthy scalp environment is key. If you suffer from dandruff it’s important to up your hair care routine in order to treat the condition. Using scalp treatments, massages, not going to bed with damp hair and avoiding drying products help stop shedding and breakage from the roots.
Maintain length retention with our products
Don't skip trims, protect those ends at night, and treat your hair to ultra-hydrating butters and treatments. With the right practices and natural products like our nourishing hair and body butters, you'll be able to grow longer, stronger hair than ever before!
Length retention is a journey, but one that's well worth it when you see your gorgeous natural mane thriving. Be patient, consistent with your regimen, and ready to show off those incredible new lengths. Embrace the beauty within and around you, one luscious strand at a time.
