No Hangtime?! Reasons why your hair growth may be stagnant
Since the pandemic sis, I have become my own personal trainer, lash tech, nail tech, esthetician, and beautician. I feel like I have made some progress. I've lost a few pounds, my skin is glowing, and I have even discovered why my hair has been the same length for the past 2 years without me actually getting a hair cut in the same style.
We all have moments when our hair seems like it has just reached its full potential. So we either just roll with the punches and make the most of it or we get a good lace front wig (Please NO GORILLA GLUE, lol j/k).
There may actually be a reason or a combination of reasons as to why your hair growth may be stagnant. Let's explore them together shall we:
Reason #1: Excessive heat
I know, I know.....I was guilty of this as well. My hair is natural but I wear my hair straight most of the time. I used to straighten my hair once every 1-2 weeks. Not to mention curling it for certain styles in between. Flat irons, curling irons, and/or other heated styling tools can leave your hair brittle, making it easier for hair breakage.
Solution: A good protein treatment and/or deep condition can help to revive some of that brittleness in your strands.
Reason #2: Breakage from styling stress
I love braids, weaves, and wigs like the next woman but too much of a good thing can do damage. Too much pulling and tugging at your hair can cause your strands to literally break especially if they are too tight. Too much tension can create serious issues such a alopecia and breakage near the edges and roots.
Solution: Protective styles are great for keeping your hands out of your hair. However, try wearing a protective style for 4-8 weeks. Give your hair at least a week to recover and breath. This can also be a good time to wash and condition your hair in between styles. Also, sleeping on a silk/satin pillow case or wearing a silk/satin bonnet at night can help to protect your strands.
Reason #3: Dry hair/scalp
My daughter has low porosity hair which simply means your hair does not easily allow moisture into the hair shaft. Dry hair can make it easy for your hair to break. Also if your scalp is dry, this can cause scratching which creates damage to your hair follicles leading to some hair loss.
Solution: Using oils such as coconut oil, tea tree oil, castor oil, and aloe vera can help prevent dry scalp. Using apple cider vinegar, witch hazel, and olive oil can be used as home remedies to help rid your scalp of unwanted dandruff. You can also just use water to help put moisture back into your strands.
Reason #4: Lack of exercise/diet
The saying is true "you are what you eat." What you put in your body will show and there are so many vitamins and nutrients you may be lacking in your diet.
Solution: Its very simple sis.......stay active and drink plenty of water. This may sound cliche' but it helps to keep your hair hydrated. Check out one of our previous on different foods to help promote hair growth:
Reason #5: Too many split ends or Too many trims/dustings
I too was guilty of both. I went from being afraid to get my ends trimmed to being obsessed with the look of smooth freshly trimmed hair. As stated above, my hair stayed the same length for 2 years and this was part of the reason why.
Solution: Try trimming your hair every 6-8 weeks just to keep a hair routine. This will also leave time for your hair to grow and you will visibly see the length retention. Keeping a routine will keep your tresses healthy and strong.
Reason #6: Underlining health issues
Sometimes you can do everything right but your hair still seems like it has reached a peak point. Health related issues such as hormone deficiency, eczema, psoriasis, alopecia, and even thyroid disease can be cause of stagnant growth or even hair loss.
Solution: Please consult with your doctor for any instructions on what to take and how to prevent any further hair loss/damage.
Reason #7: Stress
Stress can definitely create hair loss. After my mother passed away, I experienced a lot of hair shedding and stunted growth. Stress can effect you in ways you never thought it could.
Solution: Figure out your stress triggers and explore options that help you to deal with your stress. Check out our post below on ways to destress: https://www.sugarandchique.com/post/mental-diet-but-make-it-a-lifestyle-change
Now that we know what we may have been doing wrong, it's time to get it right sis. Soon we will have long and healthy tresses with little to no stress all 2021.
As always, if you enjoyed this post, please leave a comment below and let us know. We love to hear from you.
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