The Ultimate Guide to Promoting 4C Hair Growth

“How to grow hair faster” is arguably one of the most searched questions within the natural hair community online. YouTube is flooded with countless videos offering a myriad of hair growth hacks specifically for 4C hair—the most notorious hair type, often prone to breakage, dryness, and tangling. From DIY hair potions like onion juice and rice water to the use of specific hair oils, the advice can be overwhelming and sometimes contradictory. For instance, washing your hair every day for “faster growth” is a tip that you probably shouldn’t follow.

The reality is that 4C hair doesn’t grow any slower than other hair types. It can achieve great lengths; however, due to its unique structure, it is more susceptible to breakage, which can make it seem like it’s not growing. Many people with this unique hair type find that they lose new length to breakage, leading to the misconception that their hair growth is stunted. Fortunately, there are effective strategies to help you retain your new length and unlock the potential for even greater lengths with your natural hair. Read on as we uncover the basics to achieving longer (and healthier) 4C hair. While these tips don’t necessarily make hair grow faster, they promote hair growth and help you retain that new length, helping you notice progress, and ensuring that the growth you achieve is not lost to breakage.

1. Moisturize Regularly (and Seal)

Moisturizing is the cornerstone of 4C hair care. Due to the tight curl pattern, natural oils from the scalp have a harder time traveling down the hair shaft, leading to dryness. To combat this, regular moisturizing is crucial.

Steps for Effective Moisturization:

• Use a Water-Based Moisturizer: Start with a water-based moisturizer, leave-in conditioner or even a spray bottle with plain water. Water is the best hydrating agent for your hair. Imagine your hair as a plant—it needs water to thrive.
• Seal in the Moisture: After applying your moisturizer, seal in the hydration with natural oils. Sealing helps to lock in moisture and prevent it from evaporating. Think of it like putting a lid on a jar to keep the contents fresh. Some excellent oils for 4C hair include:
  • Coconut Oil: Known for its ability to penetrate the hair shaft, coconut oil helps to reduce protein loss and moisturize the hair.
  • Olive Oil: Rich in vitamins A and E, olive oil helps to strengthen the hair and add shine.
  • Jojoba Oil: This oil closely mimics the natural oils of the scalp, making it an excellent sealant.
  • Castor Oil: Popular for its ability to thicken hair and promote growth, castor oil is a great addition to your hair care routine. Enjoy the befits of castor oil in our Tanzanite Hair Oil.
  • Avocado Oil: Extracted from the pulp and seed of the avocado fruit and found in products like Livara Emerald Hair Food, avocado oil is rich in vitamins and minerals that nourish the hair and scalp, promoting healthy hair growth.

2. Deep Conditioning

Deep conditioning is essential for maintaining the health and strength of 4C hair. It’s like giving your hair a nourishing meal that helps it stay strong and hydrated.

What is Deep Conditioning? Deep conditioning is the use of special deep conditioning treatments that penetrate deeper into the hair shaft compared to regular conditioners like the Livara 2in1 Sapphire Deep Conditioner and Leave-In Treatment. They deliver intense hydration and nutrients, helping to repair and strengthen the hair. Deep conditioning is best done after shampooing your hair.

Benefits of Deep Conditioning:

• Moisture Retention: Deep conditioners penetrate the hair shaft to deliver moisture and nutrients that regular conditioners can’t.
• Strengthens Hair: By fortifying the hair with proteins and essential oils, deep conditioning treatments help to reduce breakage and improve elasticity.
• Improves Manageability: Well-conditioned hair is easier to detangle and style, reducing the risk of breakage during manipulation.

Incorporate deep conditioning treatments into your hair care routine at least once a week or once every two weeks to keep your hair strong and moisturized.

3. Protective Styling

Protective styling is a fantastic way to shield your 4C hair from environmental damage and reduce manipulation. While 4C hair is beautiful and unique, it’s best not to have your natural hair out all the time. Instead, keep it in protective styles most of the time if you’re looking to prevent breakage and promote growth.

What is Protective Styling? Protective styling involves styles that protect your ends from damage and reduce the need for daily handling. These styles help to minimize breakage and retain length. Examples include braids, twists, buns, and cornrows.

Why Protective Styling is Important:

• Reduces Breakage: By tucking your ends away, you minimize their exposure to friction and environmental factors, reducing the risk of breakage.
• Less Manipulation: Protective styles require less daily handling, which means less stress on your hair.

Tips for Protective Styling:

• Avoid Tension: Make sure your protective styles are not too tight to avoid putting stress on your scalp and edges.
• Switch It Up: Don’t leave protective styles in for too long; change them up every few weeks to prevent matting and tangling.

4. Low Manipulation

Low manipulation is crucial for 4C hair because excessive handling can lead to breakage. The less you manipulate your hair, the better.

What is Low Manipulation? Low manipulation means not doing too much to your hair all the time. This includes avoiding constant combing, pulling, and styling, which can all cause breakage. Think of it as giving your hair a break from the hustle and bustle.

How to Embrace Low Manipulation:

• Choose Simple Styles: Opt for styles that don’t require daily maintenance, such as twist-outs, braid-outs, or even leaving your hair in its natural state.
• Detangle Gently: When you do need to detangle, be gentle. Use your fingers or a wide-tooth comb and start from the ends, working your way up to the roots.
• Limit Washing: Instead of washing your hair every day, wash it less frequently to avoid stripping it of its natural oils.

5. Avoid Heat

Heat can be damaging to 4C hair if overused. High temperatures can strip the hair of its natural moisture, leading to dryness and breakage.

Why is Heat Damaging? When you apply heat to your hair, it alters the protein structure of your hair shaft. Over time, this can lead to weakened hair that is more prone to breakage. Think of it like cooking an egg—the heat changes its structure permanently.

Heat-Free Drying:

• Air Dry: Instead of using a blow dryer, let your hair air dry. Patience pays off, as this method is much gentler on your hair.
• Stretching Methods: If you want to stretch your hair without heat, try methods like banding, African threading, or twist-outs.

Additional Helpful Tips

1. Take Care of Your Ends The ends of your hair are the oldest and most fragile parts. They need extra care to prevent breakage.

• Moisturize and Seal: Regularly moisturize your ends and seal with an oil to keep them from breaking.

2. Protect Your Edges The hair along your hairline is delicate and can easily break if stressed.

• Avoid Tight Styles: Prevent styles that over-pull on the hair, such as high buns and ponytails.

3. Always Comb Hair When Moisturized Combing dry hair can lead to a lot of breakage, especially when the hair is dry. Always comb your hair either when it’s moisturized or after moisturizing it to minimize breakage.

4. Healthy Diet Eating a balanced diet rich in vitamins and minerals can support hair growth. Include foods high in vitamins A, C, D, E, zinc, iron, and omega-3 fatty acids.

5. Stay Hydrated Drinking plenty of water helps keep your hair hydrated from the inside out, supporting overall hair health and growth.

6. Use Satin or Silk Sleep with a satin or silk scarf, bonnet, or pillowcase to reduce friction between your hair and beddings, and prevent breakage.

Consistency and patience are key when it comes to hair growth. By following these tips and taking good care of your hair, you can promote healthy growth and maintain the length of your 4C hair. Once again, while these tips don’t necessarily guarantee faster hair growth, they promote hair growth and help you retain the new length you achieve, ensuring that the growth you achieve is not lost to breakage. Remember, you are a gem.

We would love to hear from you! What’s your favorite hack for promoting growth in 4C hair? Let us know in the comments below!