Does it feel like your hair has been stuck at the same length for months, maybe even years? Like your hair just isn’t growing?
Well your hair is growing. It’s just that your ends are breaking off at a certain point thus losing all the length that you would have otherwise had. Most of the time this is a result of dry hair.
I suffered a lot from breakage after I colored my hair last year using box color. Within a year all the hair was seemingly gone from my hair, not because it faded but because my hair had grown out and the dyed parts all broke off. My ends were severely damaged and dry and it wasn’t till I took notice and changed up my regimen with these tips that my hair began to retain length again.
Here are some tips to retain length:
Pre-poo with Aloe Vera Gel.
Aloe Vera helps to repair dead skin cells on the scalp, this helps promote hair growth, prevent itching, reduce dandruff and it also conditions your hair and leaves it smooth and shiny. I recommend buying an actual aloe vera leaf instead of premade gels because these can often times contain other ingredients that are harmful to the hair. The leaves are super cheap (less than $3) and can be found at any local grocery store. You cut off a piece of the leaf and open it up to get the gel inside. I cut them open and rub the pieces focusing on the root first and then going down the length of the hair. One leaf has lasted me up to 6 washes! 
Seal your Ends with an Oil.
I personally use coconut oil for my ends but I also know that Jamaican Black Castor Oil is really good to seal your ends because of how thick it is. Sealing your ends will protect and prevent your ends from splitting and breaking off. 
Finger Detangle and/or Comb Starting at the Ends.
Combing from root to tip is not only painful but it puts a lot of stress on your hair that can lead to tons of shedding and hair loss. Finger detangling for me works best when my hair is wet. I usually finger detangle when I pre-poo with aloe vera and also when I have conditioner in my hair, and then one final go through when my hair is wet after the shower. For those who don’t have the patience to finger detangle, comb your hair with a wide tooth comb and start at the ends and work your way up. 
Sleeping with a satin scarf, bonnet, or pillowcase.
Cotton can dry your hair out and case tangling, using a satin pillowcase if you don’t like to wrap your hair at night helps and you’ll wake up with frizz free hair. If you don’t want to shed the money for a satin pillowcase or still want the extra assurance, a bonnet or headscarf works just as well.
Ditch the Towel, Use a T-Shirt.
My sister swears by this method and her hair has definitely been thanking her for it. After washing your hair it’s best to use an old t-shirt to dry your hair as the towel creates frizz.
Use a Protein Treatment.
There are a lot of different protein treatments out there, from store bought to DIY. I personally use a store bought deep conditioner for every other wash or every two washes depending on how my hair is feeling. However, the night before every wash I detangle and put coconut oil in my hair and leave it in overnight, putting on a plastic cap to trap heat. This always leaves my hair feeling soft and giving it some shine even after the shampoo strips my hair.
By steadily following these tips you will notice change and less breakage in your ends. Your hair will retain more moisture and you will also see less frizz. As with everything else of course, everything takes time so be patient with your hair! Everyone’s journey is different as well. So what may work for me may not work for you, but these tips generally work for all hair types. Keep experimenting and once you find what works best, stick to it. Good luck!
