Okay so I haven't had a perm in about a year and a half. I have never liked taking care of my hair. I'm not bald though lol. My hair is shoulder length. For the past year and a half or so, I would get a sew in every 2-4 months. I would wash my hair then braid it then sew in new hair all in the same day. I never got my hair trimmed at all in a about a year and a half, So my ends look horrible. My hair is super unhealthy and I want it to be healthy so I can finally wear it out again. I am African american and my hair is naturally course, thick and "nappy". I want a perm and I want my hair trimmed and colored black. but I don't know if thats the best thing to do. Basically I want my hair to be able to grow more and be more manageable. Whats that best, healthiest, and safest way to get my hair the way I need it? Also, I DO NOT get my hair professionally done. I never have. My sister or me does it. Any help would be greatly appreciated!
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I know you say that you never get it professionally done, but at this point if you go and get a conditioning treatment at a salon that would dramatically improve your hair and your ends. Otherwise use a really good shampoo and conditioner set that really helps with your ends, help detangle, and makes your hair manageable. Don't strain your hair, you could try more natural styles and don't overbrush your hair either. Stay out of the heat, regularly trim your hair (which works in the long run for natural healthy hair to grow long), and do not continue to perm your hair if you want it to grow out more. Try to work with your natural texture, so I really recommend that you go see a professional that deals with african american hair at the salon, ask about what tools are the best for your hair etc. Remove/trim all damaged ends immediately at once.
Practice a healthy lifestyle in terms of eating and fitness. This also helps in the long run.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jab8J3lBVJI Also check out this vid on conditioning naturally styled african american hair, or other videos in the signature series.
Check the ingredient list of your shampoo to make sure it's sulfate free, those are salts that make shampoos lather up but they also roughen up hair and dry it out. You'll get your hair much softer and healthier if you change over to sulfate free shampoos, try the ones from the Pro Natural’s hair care system. They're online, they have all these argan oil hair repair products you might want to try out. If I were you I would get the argan oil, that stuff helps hair soooo much! It's not even greasy, you put some on after a shower and leave it.