How To Grow Kinky Curly Hair Faster

Thinking of how to grow kinky curly hair faster? We have all been there – long, luscious locks are coveted, but if you have kinky curly hair, the stakes are higher. We know there is no magic potion to hasten hair growth, but we can always make a few changes in our lifestyle and hair care routine to lend a helping hand. Unfortunately, kinky curly hair is difficult to grow. So, check out our article that can guide you to achieve your hair length goals. Keep reading to learn more.

Before You Get Started

• Ensuring healthy growth for kin
  ky curly hair largely depends on the hair care routine. Figure out your curl type and the products that work best for you to establish a routine.
• Consider getting a protective hairstyle done to keep your hair safe against damage for several weeks at a stretch. These styles do not promote fast growth, but they prevent breakage, thereby ensuring stable growth.
• As kinky hair is extremely delicate, steer clear from chemical and heat styling to keep damage at bay.

What Is Kinky Curly Hair?

Ever wondered how curls are formed? The bonds formed between the disulfides and keratins in your hair shafts make your cuticles bend and form curls.

Andre Walker, Oprah Winfrey’s renowned hair stylist, came up with the classification of curls into 4 different types. Type 1 is straight hair, type 2 is wavy hair, and type 3 is curly. Kinky hair is classified as type 4 and is further divided into 3 sub-types. Let’s take a closer look.

Type 4: Kinky Hair

Kinky hair usually follows a zigzag pattern. Though it looks thick and resilient, it is actually the most fragile hair type. Kinky hair has the same frequency of hair growth as all the other hair types, but lack of proper care can lead to breakage, which hinders hair growth.

Type 4A (Soft) – It is the most fragile of all hair types. These curls are tightly coiled and have an irrefutable ‘Z’ pattern. This hair type can experience extreme dryness.

Type 4B (Wiry) – This hair type lacks a definite curl pattern. It looks puffed up and is highly susceptible to dryness.

Type 4C (Wiry) – This hair type experiences 70% shrinkage. This means that even if the length of your hair is 10 inches, it appears only 3 inches long.

Growing your hair can be a daunting task, especially if you have kinky curly hair that is extremely prone to shrinkage. But it’s totally possible to accelerate your hair growth by following some hair maintenance tips. Scroll down to check them out!

Maintenance Tips To Make Your Kinky Curly Hair Grow Faster

1. Washing Your Hair

• Prepare Your Hair For Wash

As a pre-shampooing hair routine apply coconut oil to your hair a couple of hours before you wash it. Massaging your scalp opens up the pores and helps them absorb nutrients. It also prevents the chemicals in the shampoo from building up on your scalp.

• Use A Pre-Shampoo

Pre-shampoo or pre-poo is a conditioning treatment applied to wet hair before shampooing. It acts as a protective layer that prevents drying or breakage caused by chemical-filled shampoos. Divide your hair into sections and coat each hair strand with the pre-shampoo treatment. Let it sit for 30 minutes and rinse before shampooing your hair. This will lock the natural oils and moisture in your hair when you shampoo it. Some of the best pre-shampoo hair treatments can be made at home with ingredients such as extra virgin oil, coconut oil, avocado oil, yogurt, and shea butter.

• Use The Right Shampoo

Different hair types have different needs. Textured hair is delicate and brittle, so it needs a gentle shampoo. It is essential to use a sulfate-free shampoo as it prevents your hair from becoming frizzy and dry. Most shampoos on the market are filled with chemicals that damage your fragile hair. Therefore, to get the best results, use an organic shampoo that contains jojoba, argan, or marula oil. These lightweight hair oils do not weigh delicate hair down and neither do they clog pores in the scalp.

• Section Your Hair Before Washing

Washing your hair all at once can lead to tangles. Hence, divide your hair into four sections and wash one section at a time.

• Focus On Your Scalp

Dirt, oil, and other residues can build up on your scalp. These pollutants act as a barrier to hair growth. It is important to cleanse your scalp to keep your hair clean and fresh. Therefore, use an organic shampoo that can clean your scalp without stripping off its natural oils. This would provide adequate hair scalp care if preceded by hair massage.

Curly Hair Expert, Casey Simmons says, “Use a scalp scrubber when shampooing. Scrub your scalp to get rid of dirt and build up and unclog pores so that your hair follicles can grow out easily.”

2. Keeping Your Hair Moisturized

• Use A Conditioner After Every Wash

Shampoos tend to strip away the natural oils from your hair and scalp. Use a conditioner that keeps your hair moisturized throughout the day. Look for a conditioner that is specifically made for curly hair. These hair care products soften your locks. For best results, leave the conditioner in your hair for 5 minutes before washing it off.

• Use A Deep Conditioner

A deep conditioner penetrates deep into each hair strand and revives dull and damaged hair. It controls frizz and repairs brittle and broken strands. Conditioners containing argan oil or keratin are the best choices. These deep conditioners nourish your hair thoroughly from root to tip. They can be prepared at home with mayonnaise and other natural conditioning ingredients

• Moisturize Your Hair Daily

Textured hair is highly prone to damage. To avoid this, apply a leave-in conditioner daily to retain the hair moisture. Choose an organic conditioner that has coconut, shea butter, or olive oil.

• Use A Hair Oil

Regular oiling can improve the health of your hair drastically. In textured hair, the natural oils that are secreted by your scalp find it difficult to reach to the ends of your hair. This is because the kinky curls act as an obstruction. So, oil your hair twice or thrice a week to promote healthy hair growth. Massage the oil into your scalp and let it sit for a couple of hours. Use castor oil or argan oil for best results.

3. Keeping Your Hair Healthy

• Remove Tangles Gently

Textured hair can get tangled easily. You can risk causing severe damage by brushing it hard. Remove tangles gently with the help of a wide-toothed comb or your fingers. Using your fingers is the most gentle way to remove knots. Always start from the ends and move upwards. Detangle your hair as many times as you can since kinky hair can get tangled pretty often.

• Trim The Ends

The ends of your hair are prone to dryness and split ends. These can stunt the growth of your hair and make it look dull. To prevent this, get your hair trimmed once every two months. Hair trimming or hair cutting is also believed to improve hair growth.

• Go Sparse On The Shampoo

Limit the number of times you wash your hair in a week. Washing your hair more than 1 to 2 times a week can strip off its natural oils, leaving it dry and limp. Most of the shampoos today contain harmful chemicals that can damage your hair.

• Avoid Heat Styling Tools

Though blow drying your hair gives effective results, it also comes with a lot of cons. The excess heat can weaken your hair follicles and cause breakage. Instead, gently rub your hair with a microfiber towel or let it air dry naturally. For better results, wrap a silk scarf around your head and let it dry overnight.

4. Styling

• Use A Wide-Toothed Comb

Textured hair needs extra care while detangling as it is delicate and prone to breakage, so you need to be careful while choosing the hair styling equipment. This is why you need to use a wide-toothed comb to untangle your hair. It helps control unruly hair and untangles hair without being too harsh on your locks. On the other hand, a fine-toothed brush can disrupt the structure of your curls and cause breakage.

Quick Tip

Brushing curly hair too much can cause breakage. Finger combing is recommended for curly hair when the hair is damp to loosen the curls.

• Wear Your Kinky Curly Hair In Protective Styles

Textured hair is extremely vulnerable to environmental stressors like dust, strong, pollution, and sun rays that can weaken it and prevent it from growing. Protective styles protect your hair from these stressors, prevent breakage and split ends, and encourage new hair growth. Hair braiding, hair twisting, hair wrapping, and hair plopping are a few methods of doing protective styles. Here are some chic hairstyles that can protect your hair and give it a glam look.

1. Goddess Braid

The protective hairstyle involves weaving thick and oversized cornrow(s) around the head. These braids can be kept for at least eight weeks. The micro braids running down the scalp from the center add versatility to the style.

2. Braided Updo

This is yet another stylish way to update your plain box braids. You can go for micro box braids and weave them with red or dark caramel extensions to add a hint of warmth to your natural hair color. The braids stay safe in the bun and you can also wrap a scarf around it to protect your hair from damage.

3. Box Braids

The square-shaped partitions in this style protect your hair from breakage and promote hair growth. They are low maintenance and can be worn in various patterns and styles. They can last for months. They do not get tangled and are very easy to style.

4. Bantu Knots

Bantu knots look super cool and give off a very 90s vibe. They are not actual knots, but coiled buns. These twisted buns are very comfortable and protect the ends from breakage. They preserve your curls and help them last longer.

5. Cornrows

This unisex protective hairstyle offers easy maintenance and can be left in for weeks. In this style, the hair is braided very close to the scalp in underhand and upward motions to make the braids pop over the scalp.

6. Havana Twists

Slightly different from cornrows where three sections are used, Havana twists are done using two sections of hair and hair extensions. The process involves taking big chunks of hair and twisting them along with hair extensions. Since the twists are big, the tension on your scalp is minimal.

7. Cornrows Updo

This hairstyle involves cornrows that are twisted into a bun. It is a formal hairstyle that gives you an elegant and chic look. It keeps your hair from getting tangled and protects your tresses from damage as they are safely braided in place. It also aids hair growth.

8. Boosting Hair Growth

There are many misconceptions about the growth of textured hair. If given proper care, your hair can grow to a great extent. Casey Simmons recommends that you speak to a doctor about how nutrients and their specific hair supplements can help grow hair. For instance, biotin (vitamin B7) and panthenol (vitamin B5) stimulate keratin, the primary protein found in hair that aids follicle growth.”

You can follow the hair tips given below to boost hair growth:

• Follow A Vitamin-Rich Diet

Your hair needs certain vitamins to grow. Many a time, your diet lacks these vitamins. Therefore, to make your kinky curly hair grow quickly, you need to consume foods rich in these hair vitamins.

Vitamin A – This vitamin helps in the secretion of sebum, which keeps your hair moisturized. It is mostly found in pumpkins, spinach, and kale.

Vitamin B – Vitamin B is responsible for carrying oxygen and nutrients to the scalp, which promotes rapid hair growth. It is found in almonds, whole grains, and dark leafy vegetables.

Vitamin E – It is an antioxidant that can prevent oxidative stress. It has a high nutrient value. It is usually found in sunflower seeds, almonds, spinach, and avocado.

• Have A Balanced Diet

Did you know that your hair grows up to 0.5 inches per month and 6 inches per year? But its speed depends on various factors, including your diet. A balanced diet is one of the best ways to keep your hair healthy and nourished. Including the following foods in your diet can help the growth process immensely:

1. Berries
2. Spinach
3. Sweet potatoes
4. Avocado
5. Nuts
6. Citrus fruits
7. Carrots

• Natural Hair Packs

Keratin is the protein that is responsible for the structure of your hair strands. But constant use of harsh chemicals and heating treatments can break down this protein, leaving your hair dry and lifeless. To restore the health of your hair, you can opt for simple home hair remedies. Hair packs can keep your natural hair healthy and beautiful. Natural hair care masks help promote better hair elasticity, hair texture, hair thickness, hair volume, and hair lengthening while providing hair protection for overall hair health. Following are some DIY hair packs that boost your hair growth.

I. Avocado Mask

You Will Need

• 2 avocados
• 2-3 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 tablespoon organic honey
• 2-3 tablespoons coconut milk

Process

1. Scoop the avocado pulp into a blender and add the coconut milk.
2. Blend the mixture well.
3. Transfer the mixture to a bowl and add the rest of the ingredients.
4. Mix thoroughly.

How To Apply

1. Divide your hair into four sections.
2. Start applying the mask from the roots.
3. Coat all your hair with the mask, concentrating on the ends.
4. Tie your hair into a bun and let it sit for 30 to 40 minutes.
5. Rinse your hair with cold water and shampoo it as usual.

Why It Works

Avocado is rich in vitamin E, amino acids, and fatty acids. Hence, it aids hair growth. This mask also promotes hair strengthening and hair nourishment. It prevents breakage and tangles and nourishes your hair. It also reduces frizz and moisturizes the cuticles.

II. Banana Hair Mask

You Will Need

• 1 ripe banana
• 2 tablespoons coconut oil
• 2-3 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 tablespoon honey

Process

1. Mash the banana in a bowl.
2. Add the coconut oil, honey, and olive oil.
3. Mix it thoroughly.
4. Blend all the ingredients for a smoother consistency.

How To Apply

1. Take a good chunk of this mask and start applying it onto your hair.
2. Concentrate on the dry ends.
3. Coat your hair with the mask from the roots to the tips.
4. Tie your hair in a bun
5. And let it sit for 30 minutes.
6. Rinse with cold water and shampoo your hair.

Why This Works

Banana is a natural source of biotin that keeps frizz and roughness at bay. It also prevents hair fall. Coconut oil keeps your hair moisturized, and honey adds shine to your hair. Olive oil soothes dry strands and promotes a healthy scalp. On the whole, this mask will keep your hair healthy and soft. With regular application, your hair can grow quite quickly.

III. Castor Oil And Aloe Vera Hair Mask

You Need

• 1 aloe vera leaf
• 2 tablespoons castor oil
• 1 tablespoon honey
• 2 tablespoons coconut oil

Process

1. Scoop out the pulp from the aloe vera leaf into a bowl.
2. Add the coconut oil, castor oil, and honey. Mix thoroughly.
3. Transfer this mixture into a clean bottle with a nozzle.

How To Apply

1. Since the consistency is very liquidy, you can spray it all over your hair.
2. Make sure you apply it to every inch of your hair.
3. Tie your hair up in a bun and let it sit for 30 to 40 minutes.
4. Rinse your hair with cold water and shampoo it.

Why This Works

Castor oil promotes hair growth. It also fights dandruff and has anti-inflammatory and antifungal properties that keep your scalp healthy. Aloe vera nourishes your hair and smoothens dry strands. All these ingredients improve the condition of your hair and prevent hair fall. This mask strengthens your hair follicles from within and enhances the texture of your hair.

Quick Tip

You can also add 2-3 drops of tea tree oil to this mixture, as it has antiseptic and antifungal properties. It may minimize dandruff and keep the scalp healthy.

6. Avoid These Things To Grow Your Hair Quickly

• Heat Styling Tools

Kinky hair is prone to damage as it is quite fragile. Therefore, it dries out and breaks easily. Continuous exposure to heat can worsen this problem. Blow dryers and flat irons emit extreme levels of heat. Hair diffusing, hair air-drying, hair blow-drying, hair straightening, and hair curling use heat styling tools. This damages the outer layer of your hair shafts and obstructs their growth.

• Chemical-Filled Hair Products

The most important step while choosing hair products is to avoid shampoos with SLS as it strips your hair of its natural oils. Go for natural products that protect your hair and enhance your curls. If you are a regular user of relaxers and texturizers, try limiting their usage. Avoid hair coloring, hair perming, and hair bleaching, which use harsh chemicals. The chemicals in these products build up on your scalp and cause hair fall. Harsh chemicals can also weaken your hair and decrease its resilience.

• Emotional Stress

When you are under stress, there are a lot of physical changes that occur in your body. One of them is hair fall. Telogen effluvium is the term used for hair fall caused by stress. It is seen in people who neglect their regular sleep cycle. There is something called the rest cycle of hair, where 80 % of your hair is in growth mode, and 10-20% is in resting mode. Stress causes an imbalance in this cycle, resulting in hair fall.

Infographic: 8 Tips To Grow Out Your Kinky Curly Hair Faster

Taking care of your natural hair and growing them out requires proper care and attention. You can accelerate your hair growth and minimize breakage simply by making a few hair care changes. In the infographic below, we have highlighted the 8 essential tips that will help you grow out your curly locks faster. Check it out!

Illustration: StyleCraze Design Team

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does kinky hair grow slow?

Kinky hair grows in waves or curls, which is why the shrinkage occurs. The coils or twists in this hair type cause shrinkage, where kinky hair appears shorter.

Is kinky hair the same as curly hair?

Kinky hair is often associated with 4A-C hair types and is just another term for tight curly or coily hair.

How long does it take for kinky hair to grow?

With the above-mentioned remedies and tricks, you can expect your kinky hair to show improvement in 1-2 months.

Will cutting my kinky curly hair make it grow faster?

No, there is no research to support that cutting kinky, curly hair can make it grow faster.

Does kinky, curly hair have protein?

Yes, all hair types are made up of fibrous proteins, which provide the hair with elasticity, strength, structure, and luster.

Image: Stable Diffusion/StyleCraze Design Team

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Casey SimmonsCurly Hair Expert

   

Casey Simmons is a curly hair expert with over 20 years of experience in management, operations, and consulting. She has done extensive consumer research and worked directly with chemists and the factory to create curl enhancing products built for simple routines. Through quality products, care and styling routines she has been able to encourage people to wear their natural curls...more

Arshiya SyedaSenior Editor

 

Arshiya Syeda is a senior editor at StyleCraze with 7 years of experience. Prior to that, she was a content writer and combined her writing and research skills to write over 200 high-performing articles on hairstyles, hair care, and skin care. She holds a bachelor's degree in literature and psychology from Osmania University, Hyderabad, and a post-graduate diploma in psychological...more

Subhrojyoti MukherjeeAssociate Editor

Subhrojyoti is an associate editor at StyleCraze with four years of experience. He has a master’s degree in English from Presidency University, Kolkata, and has also done a post-graduate certificate course in Editing and Publishing from Jadavpur University, Kolkata. He has a deep understanding of the nuances involved in beauty and lifestyle content. Prior to this, he worked across various...more

Shreya MukherjeeBeauty & Lifestyle Writer

Shreya is a beauty and lifestyle writer with two years of experience. After graduating from Christ University, Bengaluru, she started as a writer for a non-profit organization, Bhumi, as an intern. She then wrote for a progressive content website. Shreya started out writing for ship-breaking industries and display board industries, but as she began experimenting and indulging with makeup and...more