7 Mistakes Keeping Your Natural Hair From Growing — And How To Fix Them🪷
1. Inconsistent Wash Day Routine
Why Routine Matters
Skipping wash days leads to buildup that blocks moisture and slows growth-but more importantly, your routine is the cornerstone of your entire natural hair journey.
How Dirty Hair Slows Growth
Everything else you do for your hair works because you are starting with a clean, healthy foundation. Dirty or product-clogged hair cannot absorb moisture, treatments, oils, or conditioners the right way.
Stay Consistent
Clean hair is a MUST. Consistent cleansing removes buildup, allowing your products to perform optimally and setting the stage for real growth and long-term hair health.
💛Fix: Create a weekly or biweekly routine and use a journal or tracker to stay consistent.
If you prefer a full wash day planner, this is the one I recommend:
If you need a gentle, moisture-rich shampoo to start your wash day right, I share my full review of the Dove Coconut Hydration line here.
2. Not Deep Conditioning Regularly
Why Deep Conditioning Matters
Dry hair breaks more easily. Deep conditioning infuses moisture and strengthens strands. Deep conditioning is one of the most important steps in a natural hair routine because it replenishes the moisture and nutrients your hair loses through daily styling, washing, and environmental exposure. Natural hair is naturally drier than other hair types, so it needs regular, targeted moisture to stay soft, strong, and healthy.
Bonus Tip-Use a hair steamer during deep conditioning to help your products penetrate more effectively and boost moisture retention. A steam conditioning routine opens the hair cuticle, allowing moisture and nutrients to absorb deeply into your strands for softer, healthier curls.
👉This is my favorite deep-conditioner.
💛Fix: Deep condition every wash day and use heat or steam for better penetration.
This is the steamer I use and love.
3. Using the Wrong Products for Your Hair Type
Why product choice matters
Products that don’t match your porosity or density won’t perform well.
💛Fix: Learn your porosity and choose products that support moisture retention and elasticity.
4. Lack of Protective Styling
Why protective styles help growth
Wearing your hair out daily exposes it to friction and breakage. There are so many styles that allow you to be stylish while protecting the ends of your hair. Below are a few of my personal favorites.
💛Fix: Incorporate low-manipulation or protective styles weekly to reduce stress on your strands.
5. Too Much Heat or Improper Heat Use
How heat causes damage
Excessive heat causes breakage and long-term damage. Heat damages natural hair when temperatures rise high enough to weaken the structure of the strand. Your hair is made of keratin, and when heat is applied too often or too hot, it breaks down the protein bonds that keep your hair strong and flexible.
💛Fix: Use heat sparingly, apply heat protectant, and choose low settings when possible.
6. Neglecting Your Scalp
A dirty, irritated scalp slows growth and causes shedding. A healthy scalp is the foundation of healthy hair. When your scalp is clogged with oil, sweat, or product buildup, it becomes harder for your follicles to function properly. Over time, this can lead to itching, inflammation, and slowed growth.
A clean, balanced scalp allows your hair to grow freely and helps your products work better.
💛Fix: Cleanse regularly, massage the scalp, and avoid heavy product buildup.
7. Not Tracking Progress
If you’re not monitoring what works, you’ll repeat the same mistakes.
Without tracking, it’s easy to repeat the same habits without realizing they’re holding your hair back. Journaling helps you see patterns-what products your hair loves, how often you should wash, and which routines actually lead to growth.
Tracking also keeps you motivated because you can look back and see how much your hair has improved over weeks and months.
💛Fix: Use a hair growth journal to track wash days, products, moisture levels, and results over time.
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