The Tide women’s desk
took some time out this week to find out from women what they feel about their hairs and guess their responses, “I like my hairs long and silky; only a handful could settle for short, natural hairs.
Of course, hairs naturally set the pace for women’s beauty. Little wonder a little girl of five could be concerned about making her hairs long, she defies all odds, suffers the pains and discomfort of hair plaiting and weaving, all in a bid to make her hairs long.
Every woman wants a mane of soft, silky, touchable strands, but the reality is that it takes patience, determination and commitment to grow long hairs.
Available research records have shown that hairs grow only about a half inch per month but the greatest enemy of hair growth is its breakage hence, the biggest challenge is about stopping breakage and keeping strands strong.
For Jessica Prince, a beauty analyst, the fight against hair breakage starts from the shower. The dirts in the scalp occasioned by the hairs’ exposure to the outside environment, sweat, and the oil regularly applied to the hairs, can best be described as anti-hair growth agent. Mrs Alex-Naenwi Patience, of Gborsi Resources, declares that the menace of this anti-hair growth agent can only be effectively combated by using warm water to wash the hair so that the scalp can regain its freshness while still retaining the firmness of the strands.
She explains that some long hairs are naturally endowed while others are induced. Mrs Naenwi said that while the natural long hairs grow with ease, the induced takes some measure to develop which include hair treatment such as Omega growth, Duotex, Perm repair, Hair fertiliser to mention a few.
In her view, it is imperative to trim the hair after each retouching.
But for Mrs Catherine Okedu-Kamalu a stylist, growing the hair begins with the choice of an hair relaxer, she explains that different relaxers go with different hair texture and using the right relaxer for a hair type is a step in a right direction – She insists that conscious effort must be made by the hair dresser not to apply relaxer on the tips of the hair as that aids breakages.
Mrs Catherine pointed out an error ladies usually make in using different hair dressers for same hair which she complains does not make for continuity, stressing that hairs are better managed by people who know the history of the hair.
“Another important rule in growing long hair is regular steaming,” she said. Steam allows the pulse in the scalp to open especially with the use of egg which contains protein and oil coupled with conditioning which helps to restore the natural oil feeling.
Jessica says it is better to go sulphate-free. According to her, over washing can dry out hairs so the less you shampoo, the more hydrated it will be and the longer it will grow without breaking.
Therefore, when you do shampoo, consider a sulphate-free formular; they often contain less harsh detergent or none at all and helps preserve the hairs’ natural oil.
Pirade Mirmirani, a faculty member of the American Academy of Dermatology says “while lathering, remember that ‘shampoo is meant to remove product build-up and oil from the scalp, not the hair fibre.’”
Shampoo containing peppermint or eucalyptus oil helps to stimulate the scalp. The tingling sensation experience while massaging scalp helps increase circulation and blood flow to the follicles, thereby boosting growth. Meanwhile, Phillip Kingsley, a trichologist, has advised that scalp be massaged 30 seconds prior to washing as such measure is capable of growing the hair an extra inch in one year.
Another option is botanical leave-in-treatment which has been proven to stimulate hair growth when applied to clean root two or three times per week.
Experts say that when hair is well hydrated, it becomes less likely to dry out and split hence the need to apply conditioner even on days when shampoos are skipped.
For Hair stylist, Oribe Salon, hairs should be treated gently like a delicate fabric, but also needs to be regularly nourished.
Ranella Hirsch, a dermatologist, recommends applying a deep conditioning product at least once a week is recommended.
·Maybe you may need to know that if you be not careful, your hair brush can actually do more harm than good. Ripping through wet tangles creates split ends, so try gently running a wide-tooth plastic comb from roots to ends.
“When blow-drying with a round brush” don’t pull too hard or you can break and pull out hairs. When you are not styling, avoid a brush altogether. “Brushing 100 strokes a day is completely old fashion and not a good idea says Phillip Kingsley.
Applying hot tools directly to the hair can fry the cuticle, so coat wet locks with a creamy moisturising product for protection. Beauticians say the best tools to prevent hair damage are ionic dryers and ceramic irons with uniformly heated plates so you don’t have to go over the same section more than once. And for waves, hot rollers can be gentler than curling irons.
Check your medications, you may need to know that some birth control pills can cause hair thinning? Although, it may not typically a direct cause and effect, any change in a woman’s hormonal situation, can lead to hair loss.
·Manage your stress. “stress causes the release of cortisol and other hormones that contribute to hair thinning. However, the good news is that you can reverse the problem by getting your stress under control.
Steer clear of scissors. Contrary to what some stylists say, hair cuts don’t stimulate growth, if you are trying to grow your hair, do not cut the length no matter how fried it is, says Josh, instead ask for the ends to be trimmed.

Sylvia ThankGod-Amadi