Wednesday, March 1, 2017

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How to Read Egyptian Hieroglyphics

Posted: 01 Mar 2017 04:00 PM PST

Hieroglyphs were developed by the ancient Egyptians as a way to integrate writing into their artwork. Rather than letters, like we see in modern English, ancient Egyptians used symbols. These symbols, or hieroglyphs (or glyphs for short), can have more than one meaning depending on how they are written. The steps below will help you understand the basics of Egyptian hieroglyphs and can be used as a starting place for further education on the subject.

EditSteps

EditLearning the Ancient Egyptian Alphabet

  1. Obtain a visual chart of the Egyptian hieroglyphic alphabet. Because hieroglyphics are images and not letters, like we use in modern English, it's quite difficult to describe how to read them if you can't visually see them. Start your learning process by obtaining a visual alphabet chart from the internet. Print the chart out and keep it with you while you learn.[1]
    Read Egyptian Hieroglyphics Step 1.png
  2. Learn how to pronounce the hieroglyphs. Even though some glyphs can be translated into a letter from the English alphabet, they don't all sound exactly the same as the English letter. The URL where you obtained the glyph alphabet should also contain a chart that shows what each glyph's pronunciation sounds like. Print this chart off as well and keep it with you as reference.[2]
    Read Egyptian Hieroglyphics Step 2.png
    • For example, the bird-like hieroglyph translates to what looks like a three, '3,' but is pronounced as 'ah.'
    • Technically speaking, the pronunciations are a guess from Egyptologists. Since the Egyptian hieroglyphs are a dead language, there is no one around to demonstrate how the sounds are pronounced. Instead, Egyptologists had to make educated guesses based on a later form of the Egyptian language called Coptic.
  3. Learn the difference between an ideogram and a phonogram. Egyptian hieroglyphics have two main types: ideograms and phonograms. Ideograms were drawings that directly represented the object being written about. Phonograms were drawings that represented sounds. Since the Ancient Egyptians didn't write vowels, phonograms mostly represent consonant sounds.[3][4]
    Read Egyptian Hieroglyphics Step 3.png
    • Phonograms can represent one sound or multiple sounds. Refer to the glyph alphabet you downloaded for specific examples.
    • Ideograms, in addition to having a literal translation (e.g. a glyph that's a pair of legs might mean movement or walking), may also have a not-so-literal translation (e.g. the same leg glyph combined with other glyphs might actually refer to giving directions).
    • Egyptian hieroglyphs were normally created with phonograms at the start of a word and ideograms at the end of a word. In this case, the hieroglyph is also referred to as a determinative.
  4. Create your own sentences with hieroglyphs. Hieroglyphs represent sounds, not letters. As such, there are no glyphs that are silent like there are letters in the English language that are silent. In order to spell a word using hieroglyphs, you need to be sure each sound in the word is represented by a glyph.[5]
    Read Egyptian Hieroglyphics Step 4.png
    • For example, the word 'freight' is spelled using seven letters, but only contains four sounds. The sounds are 'f,' 'r,' 'long a,' and 't.' Therefore, in order to spell the word freight using hieroglyphs, you need to use the glyphs for each of the four sounds. In this case it would be the horned viper plus a lion laying down plus an arm plus a bread loaf.
    • Not all sounds that are found in the English language have an associated sound (and therefore glyph) in ancient Egyptian.
    • Because a lot of vowels are silent in the English language, they aren't used when spelling a word in ancient Egyptian. This means it can be hard to decipher what word is being spelled because there could be more than one possible translation. This is where determinatives come in. Use a determinative glyph after spelling a word in hieroglyphics in order to help describe the word properly.

EditReading Ancient Egyptian Hieroglyphs

  1. Determine in which direction hieroglyphs should be read. Hieroglyphs can actually be read in almost any direction: left to right, right to left, and top to bottom. To determine how to read a specific set of glyphs, start by locating a glyph with a head. If the head is facing to the left, start reading from the left and work you way towards the head. If the head is facing the right, start reading from the right and work you way towards the head.[6]
    Read Egyptian Hieroglyphics Step 5.png
    • If the glyphs appear in vertical columns, always start at the top and work your way down. However, you still need to determine if you read right to left or left to right.
    • Note that some glyphs may be grouped together to save space. Tall glyphs are usually drawn on their own while short glyphs may be stacked on top of one another. This means one line of hieroglyphs may require you to read both horizontally and vertically.
  2. Deciphering ancient Egyptian hieroglyphic nouns. Hieroglyphs have two types of nouns, gender nouns (masculine vs. feminine) and quantity nouns (singular, plural, or dual).[7]
    Read Egyptian Hieroglyphics Step 6.png
    • In most, but not all cases, when a noun is followed by the bread loaf glyph it indicates that the word is feminine. If the noun doesn't have a bread loaf glyph, it is likely masculine.
    • A noun that is plural may be represented by either the quail chick glyph or the rope curl glyph. For example, the glyph containing water and a man means 'brother' (singular). The same glyph with a quail chick included means 'brothers.'
    • A noun that is dual may be represented by two backwards slashes. For example, the glyph containing water, a rope curl, two backwards slashes, and two men means 'the two brothers.'
    • Sometimes dual and plural nouns do not contain these extra glyphs, instead vertical lines or multiple glyphs of the same type will indicate how many of those items are being referred to.
  3. Learn ancient Egyptian hieroglyphic suffix pronouns. A pronoun is a substitute for a noun and is normally used after the noun (also known as the antecedent) is first used. For example, in the sentence "Bob tripped as he climbed the stairs," 'Bob' is the noun and 'he' is the pronoun. In ancient Egyptian pronouns also exist, but may not always follow an antecedent.[8]
    Read Egyptian Hieroglyphics Step 7.png
    • Suffix pronouns must be attached to nouns, verbs, or prepositions, they are not individual words. They are the most common pronouns in ancient Egyptian.
    • My, me, and I is represented by either a person glyph or a reed leaf glyph.
    • You and your is represented by basket with handle glyph when it is referring to a masculine singular noun. And is represented by a bread loaf glyph or tethering rope glyph when it is referring to a singular feminine noun.
    • He, his, it, and its is represented by a horned viper glyph when it is referring to a masculine singular noun. And is is represented by a folded cloth glyph when it is referring to a singular feminine noun.
    • Our, us, and we are represented by the water glyph on top of three vertical lines.
    • Your and you (the plural versions) are represented by either the bread loaf glyph or the tethering rope glyph on top of the water glyph and three vertical lines.
    • Their, them, and they are represented by a folded cloth glyph or a door bolt glyph plus the water glyph and three vertical lines.
  4. Grasp the idea of ancient Egyptian hieroglyphic prepositions. Prepositions are words like under, beside, on top, near, between, until, etc. that make other words in a sentence make sense in terms of time and space. For example, in the sentence "the cat was under the table," the word 'under' is the preposition.[9]
    Read Egyptian Hieroglyphics Step 8.png
    • The owl glyph is one of the most versatile prepositions in ancient Egyptian. Most of the time it translates to 'in' but can also mean 'for, during, from, with, and through.'
    • The mouth glyph is another versatile preposition that can mean 'against, concerning, and in order to,' depending on the context of the sentence where its contained.
    • Prepositions can also be combined with nouns to make a compound preposition.
  5. Understand ancient Egyptian hieroglyphic adjectives. Adjectives are words that describe nouns. For example, in the sentence "the pink umbrella," the word 'pink' is the adjective as it is describing the noun 'umbrella.' In ancient Egyptian, adjectives can be used as both modifiers of nouns and as nouns themselves.[10]
    Read Egyptian Hieroglyphics Step 9.png
    • Adjectives that are used as modifiers will always follow the noun, pronoun, or noun phrase they modify. These types of adjectives will also have the same gender and plurality as the noun.
    • Adjectives that are used as nouns have the same rules as nouns in terms of feminine versus masculine and singular versus plural versus dual.

EditGetting Help Learning Egyptian Hieroglyphics

  1. Buy a book on how to read hieroglyphics. One of the most recommended books that can teach you to read Egyptian hieroglyphics is How to Read Egyptian Hieroglyphs: A Step-by-Step Guide to Teach Yourself by Mark Collier and Bill Manley. The most recent version was published in 2003 and is available at a variety of online booksellers.[11]
    Read Egyptian Hieroglyphics Step 10.png
    • If you go to any online bookseller (e.g. Amazon, Book Depository, etc.) and search for "Egyptian Hieroglyphs" you'll be presented with a large number of options.
    • Read through the reviews on a bookseller's website or on Goodreads to determine which book may meet your specific needs.
    • Make sure the book can be returned, or try to get a look inside the book before you buy it, just in case it isn't what you wanted.
  2. Download an iPhone / iPad app. The Apple Store has a number of Egyptian-related apps that can be downloaded to either an iPhone or an iPad. One specific app, called Egyptian Hieroglyphs, was designed specifically to help teach the user how to read glyphs. The same developer also has an app that can turn a QWERTY keyboard into an Egyptian hieroglyphs keyboard.[12]
    Read Egyptian Hieroglyphics Step 11.png
    • Most of these are paid apps, but the costs are fairly low.
    • Keep in mind that these apps will have a decent variety of glyphs to learn from, but will not be complete.
  3. Follow the Royal Ontario Museum's activity website. The ROM's website (https://www.rom.on.ca/en/learn/activities/classroom/write-your-name-in-egyptian-hieroglyphs) contains step-by-step instructions on how to write your name in Egyptian hieroglyphs. The website contains all the info required to complete this simple task, but doesn't go into detail about more complicated hieroglyphs.
    Read Egyptian Hieroglyphics Step 12.png
    • The ROM also has an extensive Ancient Egyptian gallery with a number of artifacts on display. It may be worth the visit (if you're in the area) in order to get an idea of what actual hieroglyphs looked like when carved into stone and other materials.
  4. Install the JSesh editor on your computer. JSesh is an open source ancient Egyptian hieroglyphic editor that is free to download from the program's website at http://jsesh.qenherkhopeshef.org.
    Read Egyptian Hieroglyphics Step 13.png
    • The website also contains complete documentation and tutorials on how to use the software.
    • Technically, JSesh is designed for people who already know something about hieroglyphics, but can still be a useful tool while you're learning or if you want to challenge yourself.
  5. Study Egyptology. There are many in-class and online courses available on topics related to Ancient Egypt and Egyptology. For example:
    Read Egyptian Hieroglyphics Step 14.png
    • The University of Cambridge's has a workshop called Learn to read ancient Egyptian hieroglyphs. If you aren't able to attend the course in-person, download the course syllabus in PDF format. The syllabus contains a number of other helpful resources that you may find useful.[13]
    • Coursera has an online course called Ancient Egypt: A history in six objects, which is available for free for anyone who has internet access. While it doesn't teach hieroglyphics specifically, it does talk about Ancient Egypt by using actual artifacts from the time period.[14]
    • The University of Manchester has both a certificate and diploma program in Egyptology, all available online. They also have courses available that can be taken on their own, for those who are interested. While the programs are online, the ability to go to specific museums and libraries may be useful.[15]

EditTips

  • Names of gods and kings usually appear in front of noun phrases, but should be read after the noun phrase. This is called a honorific transposition.[16]
  • In addition to suffix pronouns, ancient Egyptian also has dependent pronouns, independent pronouns, and demonstrative pronouns. These additional pronouns have not been explained here.[17]

EditWarnings

  • Learning to read ancient Egyptian hieroglyphics will not be a quick and easy task. Those who study Egyptology can spend years learning how to read hieroglyphs properly. Not to mention that entire books have been written to teach people how to read hieroglyphs. This article outlines the basics, but is not a complete and total representation of everything there is to learn about Egyptian hieroglyphs.
  • Most ancient Egyptian hieroglyphic alphabets found online include only a subset of possible glyphs available. In order to get a full list of all possibly glyphs (which number in the thousands) you may need to obtain a book that specializes in ancient Egyptian hieroglyphs.

EditRelated wikiHows

EditSources and Citations


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How to Get Rid of a UTI Fast

Posted: 01 Mar 2017 08:00 AM PST

Urinary tract infections can be extremely uncomfortable, so it is little wonder that people suffering with them are eager to get rid of the infection fast. Prompt, quick treatment is also important to prevent the UTI from developing into a more serious condition. UTIs sometimes get better on their own within four of five days, and there are several home treatments you can try, but it is strongly recommended that you get professional medical treatment for the fastest and most thorough treatment.[1]

EditSteps

EditSeeking Medical Treatment for a UTI

  1. Recognize the symptoms. A urinary tract infection (UTI) is very common, but can be unpleasant and very uncomfortable. UTIs are an infection of your upper urinary tract (kidney and ureters), lower urinary tract (bladder and urethra), or both.[2]
    Get Rid of a UTI Fast Step 1 Version 2.jpg
    • If you develop a UTI you will likely feel a burning sensation when you urinate as well as a need to urinate often.
    • You may also feel pain in your lower abdomen.[3]
  2. Know the different symptoms for an upper or lower urinary tract infection. There are different symptoms for the different infections. It can be useful to think about your symptoms so you can explain them clearly if you need to go to the doctor. Symptoms of lower UTIs include: needing to urinate more often, cloudy or bloody urine, back pain, very unpleasant smelling urine, and generally feeling unwell.[4]
    Get Rid of a UTI Fast Step 2 Version 2.jpg
    • If you have an upper UTI you may experience a high temperature (over 38 degrees C, or 100 Fahrenheit).
    • You may also be nauseous, and shiver uncontrollably.
    • Other symptoms include vomiting and diarrhea.[5]
  3. Know when to seek medical treatment. 25-40%of mild UTIs will spontaneously resolve, but that still leaves more than half who could be putting themselves at risk for a complication by not seeking medical care. Make an appointment with your doctor straight away if you are experiencing a UTI and you develop a high temperature or your symptoms suddenly get worse.[6]
    Get Rid of a UTI Fast Step 3 Version 2.jpg
    • If you are pregnant or diabetic you should contact your doctor immediately.
    • Going to see a doctor will enable you to get a clear diagnosis. What you think is a UTI could be a yeast infection or something else.[7]
    • Your doctor will likely have you take a urine test to determine if you have a UTI and what bacteria might be causing it.[8] These cultures usually take 48 hours to complete.
  4. Take a course of antibiotics. UTIs are bacterial infections, and as such, doctor prescribed antibiotics are the most thorough, most recommended treatment to consider. Antibiotics are particularly recommended for women who suffer frequent UTIs. Longer-term courses of antibiotics can help prevent the infection recurring.[9]
    Get Rid of a UTI Fast Step 4 Version 2.jpg
    • Antibiotics typically prescribed to treat a UTI are nitrofurantoin (branded as Furadantin, Macrobid, or Macrodantin), and sulfamethoxazole with trimethoprim (branded as Bactrim, or Septra).[10]However, ciprofloxacin (known as Cipro), fosfomycin (known as Monurol) and levofloxacin (known as Levaquin) are also prescribed[11].
    • In addition to antibiotics, AZO is an over the counter bladder analgesic that can help.
  5. Complete the course of antibiotics. Take a one- to seven-day course of antibiotics, with your doctor's prescription and advice. Most women are put on a 3 to 5 day antibiotic. Men might be put on an antibiotic for 7 to 14 days. While symptoms usually clear up around three days after antibiotic treatment, it can take up to five days for all the bacteria in your urinary tract to die off.[12] It may take even longer for men.
    Get Rid of a UTI Fast Step 5 Version 2.jpg
    • It is vital that you finish all of the antibiotics that your doctor prescribes, unless your doctor tells you otherwise.
    • If you stop taking your antibiotics before the course is over, you're not allowing the antibiotics to completely kill the bacteria.[13]
    • If your symptoms continue after you have taken all your antibiotics, or you don't feel any better after a few days, contact your doctor again.[14]
  6. Be aware of potential complications. There are potentially serious complications from a severe UTI, which could lead to kidney failure or blood poisoning. These are not common, and they normally only affect people with a pre-existing health problem, such as diabetes. If you have a weakened immune system you are more susceptible to complications and infections.[15]
    Get Rid of a UTI Fast Step 6 Version 2.jpg
    • Pregnant women with UTIs are at risk for life threatening complications and should always be examined by a physician.
    • Men who have recurrent UTIs are at risk of developing inflammation of the prostate, known as prostatitis.[16]
    • You may require hospital treatment for a severe upper UTI, or if there are complications.
    • This will still involve antibiotics, but you will be closely monitored and perhaps put on a drip to keep you hydrated.[17]

EditAlleviating a UTI at Home

  1. Drink plenty of water. Antibiotics are the only way to really treat a UTI, but given that they often pass in a few days, there are things you can do to help ease the symptoms and make it less likely for the infection to recur. The most straightforward of these is just to drink plenty of water throughout the day, approximately a glass every hour.[18]
    Get Rid of a UTI Fast Step 7 Version 2.jpg
    • When you urinate your bladder is cleansed and this can help flush out bacteria.[19]
    • Do not hold in your urine. Holding in your urine can cause the UTI to get worse, by encouraging the bacteria to breed.
  2. Try some cranberry juice. Drinking cranberry juice is often cited as a home remedy for a UTI. While there is little evidence that cranberry juice can actually fight an infection, it may help prevent one.[20] If you have recurring UTIs try taking higher-strength cranberry capsules.[21] As with water, drinking plenty of fluids helps you to flush out and cleanse your system.
    Get Rid of a UTI Fast Step 8 Version 2.jpg
    • Do not take cranberry juice if you or your family has a history of kidney infection.
    • You should not take cranberry juice capsules if you are taking blood thinning medication.[22]
    • There is no medically specified dose of cranberry juice to take, as its effectiveness is not proven.[23]
    • One study found positive results for women who took either one tablet of concentrated cranberry juice a day, or drank 8oz of unsweetened cranberry juice three times a day for a year.[24]
  3. Take vitamin C supplements. Taking vitamin C supplements when you first start to feel the symptoms of a UTI can help to limit a developing infection. The vitamin C helps to acidify the urine, which discourages the bacteria from colonizing your bladder, while strengthening your body's immune defences.[25]
    Get Rid of a UTI Fast Step 9 Version 2.jpg
    • Try a 500mg dose every hour, but stop if your bowel movements become loose.[26]
    • You can combine vitamin C supplements with mild anti-inflammatory teas, such as goldenseal, echinacea, and nettle.
    • If the symptoms persist after a few days, go to doctor regardless.
  4. Avoid consuming irritants. There are certain things you consume which can be irritants, the effects of which are heightened when you have a UTI. The two biggest culprits to avoid are coffee and alcohol. Not only are they irritants, but they also dehydrate you which can make it more difficult to flush the bacteria from your urinary tract.[27]
    Get Rid of a UTI Fast Step 10 Version 2.jpg
    • You should also avoid soft drinks that contain citrus juices until after your UTI has cleared.[28]
    • Restricting caffeine and alcohol in your diet can also be used as a preventative measure against future UTIs if you are susceptible to these infections.

EditStaying Hygienic and Healthy

  1. Maintain excellent urinary hygiene. While proper hygiene is generally considered a preventative measure against urinary tract infections, it is also an essential part of getting rid of the infection sooner. The more you can incorporate healthy and hygienic practices, the better off you will be[29]
    Get Rid of a UTI Fast Step 11.jpg
    • Wipe from the front to the back after using the bathroom. This is especially important for women, who should always wipe from front to back.[30]
  2. Clean before and after sex. Sexual intercourse is one of the ways in which bacteria can be introduced to a woman's urethra, eventually ending up in the bladder.[31] In order to help prevent this, the genital and anal areas should be cleaned before and after sexual activity. Women should also urinate before and after sexual activity. Avoid body lotions and Massage oils as a lubricant unless it says it's safe. These have chemicals that can lead to an infection.
    Get Rid of a UTI Fast Step 12.jpg
    • Urinating after intercourse empties the bladder and flushes out bacteria.[32]
    • UTIs are not infectious and you cannot catch one from somebody else.[33]
  3. Wear the right clothing. Certain clothes can make it more difficult to get rid of your UTI. Tight-fitting underwear which is made of non-breathable materials can enable a moist and bacteria-friendly environment to develop adjacent to the bladder. For these reasons, go for cotton underwear, rather than non-absorbent fabrics like nylon.[34]
    Get Rid of a UTI Fast Step 13.jpg
    • Avoid tight-fitting pants or shorts. Tight garments can cause sweat and moisture to build up, creating an ideal breeding ground for bacteria.
    • Wearing the right underwear can help prevent infections developing or worsening, but it won't cure them.

EditVideo

EditTips

  • Don't have sexual intercourse while treating a UTI. You might introduce new bacteria and reduce the likelihood of complete recovery.
  • Drink lots of water, take medicine prescribed by your doctor.
  • Take some Ibuprofen to help with pain, while you are taking all the remedies.
  • Do not use lotions or massage oils as a lubricant unless it specifically says it can be used. Chemicals in some of these products can cause a UTI.
  • Get lots of rest as well and drink plenty of water.
  • Use a heating pad to minimize discomfort. While this will not get rid of the UTI, it may help ease your symptoms. The heating pad should be warm, but not hot, and you should apply it to your lower abdomen to relieve pressure, pain, and other discomfort associated with urinary tract infections.
  • Do not consume cranberry or take antibiotics - it will temporarily help, but will make you worse! Drink 8oz of water with a tablespoon of baking soda, then 8 oz of lemon water every hour. This will immediately soothe bladder pain.

EditWarnings

  • Taking cranberry daily as a preventative measure is very effective, but exercise caution when consuming cranberry juice with an active infection.
  • Because cranberry juice is very acidic, it can actually worsen an existing UTI. Acidic foods and drinks can irritate the already inflamed bladder.
  • If you do not notice a dramatic improvement in your symptoms after 24 to 36 hours of home treatment, you need to seek out professional medical help.
  • Even uncomplicated UTIs can develop into fatal kidney infections if allowed to fester for too long.
  • If home treatment does seem to work, you should still consider having a professional urine test taken to double-check for remaining bacteria.

EditThings You'll Need

  • Cranberry juice
  • Water
  • Vitamin C
  • Goldenseal, echinacea, and nettle supplements
  • Cotton undergarments
  • Loose-fitting pants or bottoms
  • Antibiotics

EditRelated wikiHows

EditSources and Citations


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How to Grow Longer Curly Hair

Posted: 01 Mar 2017 12:00 AM PST

Curly hair demands different care than its straight or wavy counterparts. Because it's a little more finicky, curly hair is also more vulnerable to premature breakage, potentially making it hard to grow it out to longer lengths. But with the right care, even curly hair can grow long. Read on to find out how.

EditSteps

EditWashing

  1. Limit your washes. Don't wash your hair every day. Daily washing strips hair of its natural oils, and because curly hair is typically prone to dryness, daily washing can lead to drier hair that's more likely to break. Instead, wash every other day or a few times a week.
    Grow Longer Curly Hair Step 1 Version 4.jpg
    • Don't "wash, rinse, and repeat"--that style advice may work for people with straighter hair, but it's no good for those with curly hair. When you wash your hair, only wash it once.
    • If needed, you can wash your hair with conditioner (called "co-washing") in-between washes. That way you won't be harming your hair with sulfates, which are found in most shampoos.[1]
  2. Wash and condition your hair in sections. Curly hair can be dense and unruly, sometimes making it difficult to reach all the parts of your hair. If you have particularly thick or curly hair, wash and condition your hair one section at a time.

    • How large each section should be will depend on the density of your hair--the denser it is, the smaller you should make each section.
    • Consider using a shampoo specifically targeted for curly hair; it may be more moisturizing and strip away less of your hair's natural oil.
  3. Use a rich, deep conditioner during every wash. You may even find it helpful to condition your ends between washes if they're particularly dry.

    • You might also consider using additional moisturizing/protective products after or between shampooing. A number of oils and serums are available that will help "seal" your hair cuticle and help protect it from damage.[2]
    • Apply the conditioner starting from the bottom of your hair. Generally, you won't need to apply conditioner higher than halfway up the length of your hair unless hair is noticeably dry near your scalp.[3]

EditStyling

  1. Use your fingers. Don't try to drag a fine-toothed comb or brush through your hair--it's only likely to cause damage and undue breakage. Instead, use your fingers or a very wide-toothed comb (like a pick) to detangle your hair before styling.

    • You should generally avoid brushing your hair, but particularly avoid brushing it when it's wet and thus more susceptible to damage.
  2. Press, don't rub, moisture out. When using a towel to dry your hair, don't rub the towel against your head--squeeze your hair gently with the towel instead. The friction of rubbing a towel against your hair will cause damage and lead to easy breakage.

    • You can also try replacing a towel with a cotton t-shirt or microfiber cloth to dry your hair. Both are generally softer and less abrasive than towels, so they can be gentler to use on hair.[4]
  3. Avoid heat-styling. This includes blow drying, curling, and straightening. Excessive heat changes the protein structure of hair, leading it to become more limp and less resilient (and thus more prone to breakage) over time.[5]

    • Although avoiding the blow dryer is optimal, sometimes it isn't practical. If you do need to blow dry your hair, do so with the dryer on a low setting and use a diffuser. You might also consider using a curl-styling cream before drying.
  4. Avoid wearing your hair in a bun or ponytail everyday. An occasional bun or ponytail won't cause irrevocable harm, but wearing a pulled-back style too frequently can cause wear and tear (ie, breakage).

    • If you do wear your hair back, be sure to use non-tangle hair ties. Avoid ties with metal pieces and definitely stay away from raw rubber bands.

EditFurther Care

  1. Use protein or oil treatments. Protein and oil treatments are more intensively moisturizing and repairing, which means they help prevent breakage and keep hair healthy. Most people will benefit from using them anywhere from weekly to several times a month. Everyone's hair will respond a bit differently to various kinds of treatments, so you may need to try out a few different types before finding the one that's best for you.

    • If you choose to use a commercial protein treatment, it's often advisable that you balance it with a conditioning treatment afterward or hair may become stiff or vulnerable to breakage.
    • Natural protein treatments, like using egg or mayonnaise, may work for those whose hair doesn't respond well to commercial protein treatments.
    • Hair oils come in two major types: sealing and moisturizing. Sealing oils, like jojoba or almond oil, are meant to be used with damp hair to protect it and seal in moisture,[6] while moisturizing oils, like castor and avocado oil, are heavier and are meant for periodic deep conditioning.[7] Heating a moisturizing oil and gently massaging it into your scalp for between 5 and 20 minutes can also help moisturize hair and encourage hair growth.[8]
  2. Cover your hair at night. Protect your hair by covering it with a silk or satin bonnet, a bandana, or a scarf before going to bed. The added protection will help prevent unnecessary damage and breakage.[9][10]
    Grow Longer Curly Hair Step 9 Version 2.jpg
    • Alternatively, you can spritz your hair lightly with water and then cover your hair with a shower cap just before bed to create a naturally warm, moist environment that can help keep your hair moisturized and protected.
    • If putting on a hair cap doesn't appeal to you, you can also try sleeping on a silk or satin pillow, which will reduce friction against your hair.[11]
  3. Get regular trims. Though it may seem counter-intuitive to trim your hair when you're trying to grow it out, untrimmed ends tend to accumulate damage that leads to breakage--ultimately making it harder to grow your hair.[12]

    • Regularly trimming off dry, damaged, and split ends will improve your hair's overall health, helping it grow in healthier and more resilient.
    • On average, most people's hair will grow about 1/2 an inch per month. If you're noticing that your strands are breaking more than 1/2 an inch from the end, it will indeed seem like your hair can't grow past its current length.[13]
    • When going to a hair stylist, ask them to trim or cut your hair while it's dry--if they don't know to do so already. (Or, even better, before you even get this far, make sure the stylist you're seeing is experienced working with curly hair.) Because curly hair texture and length can differ significantly from wet to dry, dry cuts are best.[14]
  4. Relax. Stress can have a significant impact on the health of your hair; when you're stressed, your hair becomes more vulnerable to breakage and can begin to fall out in larger-than-normal amounts. So if you want long, healthy hair, you're going to need to relax a little. Also you need to do yoga if you have stress.
    Grow Longer Curly Hair Step 11.jpg
    • Try taking up meditation, yoga, or tai chi. All are great ways to reduce the kind of stress that can lead to hair loss and damage.[15]
  5. Take care of your whole body. Hair responds not only to the kinds of nutrients you put on it, but to the kinds of nutrients that go into it. To keep your hair healthy, you also need to take care of your body by giving it good nutrition and enough exercise.
    Grow Longer Curly Hair Step 12 Version 2.jpg
    • Eat a generally healthy, well-balanced diet. Be sure you're getting enough protein, iron, and omega-3 fatty acids, all of which are important to hair strength.[16]
    • Drink lots of water each day.
    • Get regular exercise. You don't need to become a gym rat, but getting 15-20 minutes of moderate exercise several times a week will improve your body's overall function, including hair growth.

EditVideo

EditTips

  • It is true, however, that some people's hair grows faster than others'.
  • Do not let anyone touch your hair because it can damage your hair!
  • Wearing your hair up helps you to avoid unnecessary breakage by protecting it from the weather and even you running your hands through it. It allows the hair to keep it's moisture while it's compacted together, but be sure to moisturize and seal it beforehand.
  • It's a myth that some people can't grow hair beyond a certain length. What in fact tends to happen is people with delicate or vulnerable hair have more difficulty growing their hair out past a certain length because of breakage.[17]
  • The curlier your hair, the drier it's likely to be because your scalp's natural oils can't travel down your strands as easily, resulting in drier-than-average ends.[18][19]

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