How to get twa to grow?

If you aren’t aware of a TWA is, let’s start there! “TWA” stands for “Tiny Weeny Afro”, and refers to an afro that is short in length and on the smaller side in terms of volume. More often than not, it’s referring to the former, as some NaturAllista’s hair can be compressed and compact no matter the length! When discussing TWAs, it is normally in the context of it being the result of a big chop, and is typically something new NaturAllista’s will rock if they’ve suffered chemical or physical damage to their hair. Despite this common link between new NaturAllista and TWAs, a lot of long-time NaturAllista’s sport TWAs and not all new naturals will take the route of cutting their hair.

Whether you’re a NaturAllista who has just decided on doing the big chop or someone who has shorter hair, there are many styles you can pull off with your unbound curls or coils. Aside from how you style your TWA, how you care for it will help it remain healthy and flourish, if you so choose to grow it out. Here we’ll go over how to care for your TWA, how it can differ from caring for longer natural hair, and how caring for it can be slightly different depending on if your hair has been damaged or not. This can also be useful for those debating on whether they want to go big and cut their hair into a TWA!

First and foremost, let’s go over how to care for a TWA in general…

TWAs are just like any other hair length or style in terms of what they need to hydrate, remain moisturized, and maintain the hair’s health. Some may have the misconception that they require little to no maintenance, however this is far from the truth. You want to nurture and care for your TWA just as you would care for a fro that’s too big to fit into a baseball cap, as your hair needs looking after no matter the length. This brings us to our first point…

1. Don’t neglect your TWA just because the hair is shorter: no matter the length of your hair or the volume of your TWA, you want to care for it as normal. The only difference there should be is in the amount of product you use on your hair. Shorter hair naturally means less product. This, however, isn’t referring to the amount of product your hair normally takes in. If your hair normally is high porosity and takes a lot of product well, it will do so at any length. You just will not need the amount of product to cover a section of your hair that is, say 1 inch when stretched, that you would when covering a section that is 2 inches when stretched.

2. Keep in moisturized: don’t think that your TWA doesn’t need any product to stay moisturized. It’ll need more than a spritz of water every morning to stay hydrated; especially if you have kinkier coils that have trouble retaining moisture. Using leave-in conditioners and moisturizers are still a must if you want to maintain the physical health of your hair. Just because you’re wearing your hair out and it isn’t very long doesn’t mean it’s split-end-and-one-strand-knot-resistant! Our Hydrating Leave-In Conditioner is perfect for those who plan on doing wash-and-gos with their TWAs or wish to have a less defined fro. If you’re looking for more of a styling product, you can go for the Hydrating Moisturizer, as it will define your curls while also moisturizing them.

3. Protect your hair at night: this goes beyond using a satin bonnet or pillowcase. You also would benefit from separating your hair in some way so it doesn’t become matted and tangled as you sleep. As tempting as it is to just pop a bonnet over your afro, separating the hair in any way it will allow, even if it's a few clips here and there, will prevent any tangling from happening. This will make it easier for you to refresh your TWA and reduce breakage throughout the week.

4. Deep conditioning is still important: don’t get into the habit of not treating your hair the same as you would if it was longer! No matter how short your hair is, it still needs to be nurtured. Deep conditioning not only deeply hydrates the hair, but makes it so your hair is able to retain moisture better the more you deep condition. This will ultimately help reduce breakage and damage to the hair, no matter the length. One great thing about TWAs, like mentioned before, is that you won’t need as much product. Our Fresh Frozé Deep Conditioning Treatments come in 4oz packets. No matter the length of your TWA and the porosity of your hair, it’s a guarantee you won’t be using a full, or even a half of, a packet. The good thing is these treatments last 3 months in the freezer, allowing you to hang onto them a little longer than those with longer hair.

When it comes to differences between caring for long hair versus shorter lengths like TWAs, there really aren’t a lot. Hair needs what it needs to remain healthy and flourish, no matter the length. The only real difference you’ll come across is how you go about tying your hair up at night or protecting it while you’re sleeping. Like mentioned before, you don’t just want to pull a bonnet over your head and go to sleep. Your hair still has the ability to loop around itself, creating single strand knots and split ends.

However, if your TWA is shorter than an inch or so, it may be hard for you to put the hair into any kind of twist or braid. That’s fine! You could be a case of throwing on a bonnet and heading to bed. Your main goal is to make sure the hair is moisturized and lubricated enough so you won’t have to worry about it rubbing against itself. Simply spritzing your hair with some water and a little leave-in conditioner would help prevent this.

When it comes to styling, again, you may not be able to put your hair in twists or braids for a twist/braid out.  Most naturals are aware of this once they decide on how short they want their hair, so keep that in mind and decide what you want before chopping.

Like mentioned before, a lot of naturals decide to cut their hair and rock a TWA to get rid of any damaged hair. Most of the time, this damage is from chemical treatments (like relaxers), that damage and restructure the whole length of the cuticle. This means that most naturals who choose to do the big chop into a TWA are getting rid of most, if not all of their hair down. Even though some may choose to buzz it all off, most decide to leave a little of their hair, aka a TWA, left around to play with. It is not necessarily a bad thing to keep the damaged hair around, however it does mean you will have to be extra careful and mindful of how you’re caring for your hair. Any new growth can suffer if not attended to properly; split ends and breakage are the two likely kinds of physical damage you will experience if not careful. Here are some tips on how to care for a TWA that has damaged hair:

1. Make sure you are deep conditioning whenever you wash. This will not only deeply moisturize your hair, but help to strengthen it against any further damage. When your hair is chemically damaged, it is often weak and in need of repair. Consistently deep conditioning will ensure you are providing your hair with the nutrients it needs to repair any damage that can be reversed and prevent any irreversible damage from causing more issues along the hair shaft. Our Strengthening Fresh Frozé Treatment with Moringa-Monoi and Carrot is perfect for hydrating the hair while also feeding it what it needs to remain strong and resistant against breakage and split ends.

2. Keep up with trims. You want to make sure you are keeping your hair as healthy as possible. Trimming will ensure you’re getting rid of any split ends, knots, or damaged hair that could travel up the cuticle to cause more damage.

3. Be realistic if your hair is experiencing extreme splitting or breakage. If you regularly trim and your hair still seems to split up its length and experience knots, you may need to cut off more hair than you initially planned. Some damage to the hair, especially if it is chemical, cannot be reversed or repaired. This is no fault of your own, your hair just cannot recover from the chemical breakdown. Your best, and time saving, option would be to cut off whatever damage is there. This may mean cutting your hair shorter than you’d like, but it would be the lesser of two “evils”. Evil is definitely a very strong word when applied to anything regarding hair, so try to see it in a positive light...it will always grow back! This may be a good time for you to experiment with wigs or just rock a short buzz. You may even find you have to cut off less than anticipated. The important thing is that you listen to your hair and pay attention to how it’s reacting to the length it’s being kept at!

4. Moisture, moisture, and more moisture. Without overdoing it, make sure your hair is being rehydrated and moisturized throughout the week. You want to reduce any breakage that may occur on the damaged ends of your hair. Since the ends of your hair are the oldest, and more often than not the most damaged, they are prone to breakage and splitting. Focusing on keeping the ends moisturized will prevent breakage from the bottom of your strands. Making sure the rest of your hair, up its length, is properly moisturized so it’s strong and resistant against any breakage or splitting that could travel up the hair from the ends. Making sure the base of your strands, closer to your follicles at the roots, are properly moisturized will prevent fraying at the root and damage new growth. Our Hydrating Moisturizer is a great option for shorter hair, as it is like a styler as well. It will define your curls while providing enough moisture to last you throughout the week.

5. Keep your scalp healthy. This could look like washing more thoroughly, paying more attention to your scalp instead of the strands of your hair (which is what we recommend anyways). Keeping a clean and healthy scalp will only encourage growth and allow your strands to receive the oil naturally produced by your scalp. If your scalp is dry and not producing enough oil to keep itself and your roots nourished, you could use a light oil to help. Our Hydrating Oil Blend is perfect for the scalp, as it isn’t too heavy and will not clog your pores. This allows your scalp to absorb the oil, nourishing it and encouraging it to produce more oil than it is.

6. Don’t be afraid to experiment with different styles that will also protect your hair. If your TWA is at a certain length, you may be able to utilize some protective styles like flat twists, braids, or twist outs. This will allow you to give your hair a break from any manipulation or tension on the hair, which will mitigate any breakage or excess damage.

Trying to grow hair longer or get thicker hair can feel like an endless waiting game. While hair is the fastest-growing tissue in the human body, according to the Trichological Society, the average rate of growth is 0.5 to 1.7 centimeters per month or anywhere from about two to eight inches per year. That growth can feel minimal — especially when you're waiting for it to happen.

It’s normal to shed between 50 and 100 hairs a day, according to the American Academy of Dermatology Association (AAD), but if you think your growth is really stunted, there are certain tweaks you can make to your day-to-day haircare regimen to boost hair growth. You can try using a different hair brush, adjusting how often you use your hair dryer to dial down damage to your hair or adding in hair growth oils and foods to make hair grow quicker to your routine.

These are the secrets and home remedies that grow hair fast, according to top dermatologists, celebrity hairstylists, skincare experts and our own Good Housekeeping Institute Beauty Lab pros.

It may seem counterintuitive, but if you want long hair that's actually healthy, you need to get regular trims. "While haircuts don't make your hair grow any faster, they get rid of split ends that break your hair," explains Michael Dueñas, a celebrity hairstylist based in Los Angeles. "Eliminating the breakage gives the appearance that your hair is growing faster." After all, a split end that breaks can lead to your hair losing length — not to mention shine, volume and smoothness.

Having long, strong hair doesn't just depend on which products you put on your hair; it also depends on what you put into your body. "To promote hair growth, you need to 'feed' the hair from the inside," explains Francesca Fusco, M.D., a dermatologist in NYC. So what foods make hair grow quicker? Those high in protein, the building blocks of hair, including meats and other sources. "Try increasing your protein intake with foods like fish, beans, nuts and whole grains," she recommends. Even if you're not a meat lover, you should still aim to maintain a diet high in protein for hair growth. Women who don't get enough of it often experience "more hair shedding," Dr. Fusco says.

And steer clear of trendy "cleanses" for a multitude of reasons. "Doing a cleanse is terrible for your hair because you're depriving your body of nutrients," Dueñas warns. "After doing a cleanse even for a week, you'll notice slower hair growth and lackluster locks."

If your diet isn't supplying you with enough nutrition, a supplement could make a world of difference. "Look for a multivitamin that's formulated and labeled 'for hair, skin and nails,'" Dr. Fusco suggests. "Those contain important vitamins like biotin and C and B that can support hair health." Good Housekeeping Institute Nutrition Lab deputy director Stefani Sassos suggests these vitamins and minerals to contribute to healthier hair:

How often you shampoo your hair does actually impact your hair's health. "Shampooing your hair [only] two to three times a week allows your natural oils to penetrate your hair, allowing it to hydrate and repair itself," explains Ken Paves, a celebrity hairstylist in L.A. For thicker and fuller-looking hair fast, choose a shampoo labeled "volumizing" or "thickening."

Coating your strands in a silky deep conditioner or hair mask or a hair detangler regularly can also help to prevent damage while detangling strands, according to GH Beauty Lab pros. Slather on a store-bought or DIY hair mask from root to tip once a week: One with cinnamon can stimulate blood circulation to encourage stronger, longer hair in no time, says Liana Zingarino, a freelance hair stylist based in New York City.

As chic as platinum hair looks, going from a darker shade to light blonde could stand between you and your longest-possible hair. "When the cuticle of the hair is damaged from bleach, you can have more breakage or split ends," explains Elizabeth Hiserodt, senior colorist at Cutler Salon in New York City. "The fewer chemical treatments, the better your hair will grow."

"Stop over-styling your hair," says Paves. If you must use heat, he recommends decreasing the temperature and always using a heat protectant — otherwise, you risk damaging your hair, leading to breakage and frizz.

Going to bed with unbrushed hair may seem tempting when you're tired, but giving your hair a few quick strokes can be great for your hair and scalp's overall health. "Starting at the scalp, use a boar bristle brush to distribute your scalp's oils evenly onto your hair so it stays naturally moisturized," recommends Meri Kate O'Connor, celebrity stylist and colorist at Cooper in West Hollywood, CA. Bonus: This simple step each night also helps increase circulation, which helps make your scalp healthier.

8. Keep your showers cooler and focus on scalp care.

A hot shower can dehydrate your skin — and it's also rough on your hair. "Turn the water temperature down when cleansing," recommends Paves, and give your scalp a little extra love. Massage with your fingers as you shampoo to deeply de-gunk and help boost circulation.

Hair is especially susceptible to breakage when it's wet, so instead, detangle hair before shampooing. “Water exposure swells and stretches the hair’s shaft, which causes the shingle-like outer layer to lift, and adding stress from brushing in that state can cause it to break,” says Good Housekeeping Institute Beauty Lab senior chemist Sabina Wizemann.

If you have to detangle hair when wet, do it the right way: Apply a top-rated leave-in conditioner from roots to ends and use a gentler wide-tooth comb or detangling brush to reduce friction, working from the ends up in small sections to prevent tearing hair, Wizemann advises.

Getting better hair overnight is possible — all you need is to switch up your pillowcase and reap the hair-healthy benefits of silk. "Silk is easier on hair — it helps avoid tangles and breakage," says Jesleen Ahluwalia, M.D., assistant clinical professor of dermatology at Mount Sinai in NYC. The less breakage your hair experiences, the longer your hair will be. In fact, they're so good that the Good Housekeeping Institute even conducted an entire study to find the best silk pillowcases.

Pick up a bottle of Women's Rogaine, recommends GH beauty director April Franzino. "The active ingredient, minoxidil, is FDA-approved and proven to help stop hair loss and promote hair regrowth with continued use according to packaging instructions." For a more targeted solution, pick up Hers 2% Minoxidil Topical Solution and use the dropper applicator to focus on more specific problem areas.

But be wary of shampoos that claim to grow hair — hair growth from shampoo “has yet to be scientifically proven, at least in published research or to FDA’s standards,” says Jeni Thomas, Ph.D., principal scientist at Proctor & Gamble Beauty.

When to talk to your doctor about hair loss

Underlying causes of hair loss may be contributing to your hair's slow (or lack of) growth. It's estimated that more than 50% of women will experience noticeable hair loss, according to Cleveland Clinic — and that doesn’t count those born with wispy or sparse strands. “Hair that’s naturally thin in diameter [fine] or sparse is genetic,” says Joyce Davis, M.D., dermatologist in NYC. “Hair loss is often hereditary (or androgenic) thinning, which tends to be patchy.” Another common type of hair loss is telogen effluvium (TE), or allover shedding due to hormones or health issues such as thyroid or autoimmune disease and anemia.

With TE, hair generally grows back once the problem is treated; see a doctor for diagnosis. For androgenic loss, the over-the-counter topical minoxidil mentioned above is proven to grow hair with continued use. For all types, the professional treatment PRP (platelet-rich plasma) stimulates growth with scalp injections of your blood’s growth factors, Dr. Davis says. Consult a dermatologist to find out if it's right for you.

It’s been almost four months since I decided to grow my hair back out. I was totally loving my Tapered Fade after my Second Big Chop. But seeing old pics made me Nostalgic for my longer Tapered ‘Fro. So I vowed to stay away from the clippers and let my hair grow. Then I received the Tropic Isle Living Jamaican Strong Roots Trio for review, right on time for my hair growth journey. The trio contains Jamaica’s only indigenous spice- Red Pimento, which removes toxins, stimulates the scalp and nourishes hair for healthy growth. It’s also formulated with Jamaican Black Castor Oil which stimulates growth, repairs and protects the hair.

This 100% Natural Oil contains simply Jamaican Red Pimento Oil, Jamaican Black Castor Oil, Coconut Oil and Wheat Germ. It detoxifies the scalp and stimulates the follicle for growth, while moisturizing and nourishing hair. I use the oil as a pre-poo treatment. I apply to my scalp and gently massage it in. Then I put on a plastic cap and sit under my bonnet dryer for 20-30 minutes. My scalp gets really dry and itchy, especially in the crown. The hair growth oil soothes my scalp and relieves the itching. It also leaves my hair feeling soft, moisturized and easier to detangle.

This shampoo removes toxins from the scalp and gently, but thoroughly cleanses hair without stripping. It’s infused with natural oils including Jamaican Black Castor Oil and Red Pimento Oil to restore moisture. I use the shampoo to wash out the hair growth oil. Then I repeat the lather to give my hair and scalp a thorough cleansing. My hair is left feeling squeaky clean, yet soft and moisturized. With barely any tangling.

This lightweight, creamy conditioner makes it super easy to detangle my hair. I apply a generous amount and gently comb through my hair with a wide tooth comb to remove any tangles. I gently massage the conditioner into my scalp, and let it sit on my hair for a few minutes before rinsing. My hair is left feeling super soft and moisturized when I rinse out the conditioner.

My hair has grown out like wild weeds over the last few months. The only things I’ve been doing is using the Tropic Isle Living Jamaican Strong Roots Trio consistently, and wearing low manipulation styles. I wash, deep condition and style my hair every 10-14 days. In between this time I sleep with a satin bonnet. I lift my roots with a pick and gel my edges daily, and spray my hair with curl refresher when it’s feeling dry. That’s it. My hair has grown out long enough for a Twist Out already. But I’ve been lazy, so I do a combo of Finger Coils and Finger Shingling to make sure that my style lasts up to two weeks. Even working out 5 days a week.

My hair is growing in strong and healthy with minimal shedding, and no breakage. And my dry, itchy scalp is feeling relieved. These products will remain staples, and I’ve even added some more products from the collection to my arsenal!

• Get frequent trims.
• Eat the right diet.
• Add a hair-healthy vitamin to your a.m. routine.
• Shampoo less and hydrate more.
• Lay off the bleach.
• Avoid excessive heat styling.
• Brush hair regularly.
• Protect hair from physical damage.