One reason many black men keep their hair short is because it has a unique texture and quality about it that makes it tend toward dryness and brittleness. This can cause the strands to break off if one tries to let them grow beyond a certain length.
Fortunately, this can be overcome by keeping the hair and scalp properly nourished. If one can not get the proper nutrients in his diet, he might want to consider taking vitamins to grow African American hair.
One should take between five and ten thousand IU of vitamin A each day between his diet and the use of dietary supplements. This key vitamin helps to rid the entire body of free radicals and helps to keep the hair properly hydrated.
Hydration is critical for black hair in order to prevent breakage. However, one should not exceed fifty thousand total IU of this vitamin as it can cause hair loss. Vitamin E is an antioxidant that has been linked in several studies to improved health in both the hair and the skin.
It helps to increase blood flow to the follicles, ensuring that vital nutrients that promote the growth of the hair are transported to them. The recommended dosage of this nutrient is between fifty and four hundred IU each day.
Many of the B-complex vitamins have been linked to improved hair health. It is recommended that one consume a minimum of twenty five micrograms each of thiamin (B1), riboflavin (B2), niacinamide (B3) and pantothenic acid (B5). Folic acid (B6) is even more vital. The dosage for this is four hundred to eight hundred micrograms.
All of these vitamins are found in common foods such as bread and cereals. They can also be obtained in a single B-complex dietary supplement. If one prefers, he can also get each of them separately and supplement only the ones in which he is deficient.
It is recommended that one take biotin in the form of a dietary supplement with a dosage of between five hundred and one thousand micrograms. This nutrient helps the body to metabolize foods better from all of the major food groups.
That helps to ensure that the follicles receive proper nourishment along with all the cells of the body. A Harvard University group has linked biotin with strength, texture, and function of the hair, making it one of the most important nutrients for those who want to grow their hair longer.
In addition to working from the inside with vitamins to grow African American hair, it is essential to take proper care of it outside as well. One should avoid shampooing too often as this strips essential oils from the hair and allows it to dry out.
It is necessary to choose a shampoo and a conditioner that are designed for black hair. This hair type is very different from that of any other race or ethnic group and requires its own unique balance of moisturizers.
One should also avoid using chemical straighteners, perms, dyes, and other substances such as these because they will damage the hair, possibly leading to it breaking. It is best to avoid blow drying the hair if possible, and to use only the cool setting if one must be used. Ironing the hair to straighten it can also be damaging due to the heat from the iron.
By avoiding doing things to the hair that are known to cause damage and taking vitamins to grow African American hair, it is possible for men (and women) to keep their hair healthy enough to be able to grow it to any length they desire without fear that will become brittle and break off.
