Whether you’re experiencing thinning in your crown or your overall head, this article will offer guidance for hair restoration.
Rub On Some Castor Oil
Castor oil is a miracle tonic for thinning hair, and Jamaican Black Castor Oil (JBCO) is even better for most naturals. You can get castor oil at any health store, but it’s probably best to get JBCO online.
Not all health stores carry it.
Massage the oil into your scalp before bed. Our bodies restore themselves during sleep, so that’s the optimal time to perform this regimen.
Do a Hot Oil Treatment
Hot oil treatments are not just great for thinning hair, but they strengthen and nourish the hair shaft and scalp. I have an article here with detailed steps you can follow and info on the benefits of various oils.
Take a Hair & Nails Vitamin
There are a variety of different hair and nail vitamins on the market. Typically they contain large amounts of vitamins B and E, which are great for the hair.
Give Yourself a Scalp Massage
Take 30 minutes out of each day and massage your scalp for at least 30 minutes.
If that feels too long, break it up into 6 intervals of 5 minutes per day.
Add some castor or jojoba oil to your fingertips for added benefits.
Massages stimulate blood flow and promote healthy hair growth.
Is Your Crown Thinning More?
If your crown is disproportionately thinner than other areas, there could be a few reasons…
- Your hair is exposed to the hot sun for a big part of the day, which can dry it out and cause breakage
- Have you been wearing tight ponytails?
- Do you skim over this area when moisturizing and give it less attention?
For many naturals, the crown area is the most textured/kinky area, which means there are more bends and turns.
As a result, moisture doesn’t make its way to all the strands.
Take time to give that area special attention when moisturizing and be gentle when detangling.
Many times, breakage in the crown area is simply a result of neglect.
Stop Wearing Tension-Causing Hairstyles
Sew-ins, tight ponytails, micro braids, extensions, any hairstyle that cause extreme amounts of tension over long periods of time will thin your hair.
If you are going to wear these styles, make sure they are loose and give your hair a break in between installs (at least 2 months).
You might think extensions are protective styles, but if you never give your hair a break and/or they are too tight, you can really damage your hair.
Sleep With a Satin Bonnet or Pillow Case
All that friction from cotton pillow cases is not good for your hair. The cotton sucks the moisture right out of your hair.
While pillows don’t typically cause excessive thinning, they can cause breakage.
Determine The Source
Thinning natural hair does not always begin with the hair. The problem could be rooted elsewhere in the body.
For example, if you’ve been stressed out for a long period of time, that can eventually unbalance your hormones and cause a host of problems. Hair loss is often one of them.
Do you have heavy periods? This can cause you to become anemic, thus your hair becomes thin.
If heavy periods are not your norm, see your doc. Many African American women in their 30s have fibroids and don’t realize it until they’ve grown to be quite large.
It doesn’t matter how much castor oil you rub on your scalp if there is another cause for your thinning tresses.
Use the Internet for reference, but confirm everything you read with a visit to your doc before making assumptions and spending too much time and money on self-help.
