If you feel like your type 4 hair never gets longer, here's the truth: your hair is growing. The problem is that the ends break off about as fast as new hair comes in. Length retention is about keeping what you grow.
1. Keep your hair moisturized
Dry hair is brittle hair, and brittle hair breaks. Layer water or a spray, a cream leave-in, then a butter and an oil (the LCO method) so moisture lasts. Our LCO guide shows exactly how.
2. Treat your ends like gold
Your ends are the oldest part of your hair. Seal them every few days with a hair butter like our Fenugreek Infused Hair Butter, then a few drops of our Maximum Strength Hair Oil, and keep them tucked away in protective styles.
3. Detangle gently
Always detangle on damp hair. Mist with water and smooth in a moisturizer like our Maximum Strength Leave-In first, then start with your fingers and work from the ends up. If your hair is really matted, reach for something with a lot of slip, like aloe vera or flaxseed gel, so your strands can release without snapping. Rushing is the number one cause of breakage.
4. Choose low-manipulation styles
Twists, braids and buns mean less combing and touching. Before you put your hair up, apply our Nourish Me Now Hair Spray, Maximum Strength Leave-In and Fenugreek Infused Hair Butter so your style starts out moisturized. To keep that moisture going, spritz with Nourish Me Now and massage our Maximum Strength Hair Oil into your scalp a few times a week.
5. Sleep on satin
Cotton pillowcases pull moisture out of your hair and cause friction. A satin bonnet or pillowcase is one of the cheapest things you can do for your length.
6. Care for your scalp
A clean, nourished scalp is the foundation of healthy hair. Massaging a few drops of our Maximum Strength Hair Oil into your scalp 3–4 times a week is a calming ritual that keeps your scalp moisturized.
7. Be consistent
Length retention isn't about one miracle product. It's simple habits, repeated every week. Take a photo today and compare in three months.
Not sure where to start? Our Complete LCO Kit has everything for a full moisture routine, and the Hydrate & Seal Duo is the easiest two-step version.
Free download: track your wash days, trims and length checks for 12 weeks with my free Wash, Trim & Length Tracker.