A beauty queen has revealed her hair care routine that helped her grow back her locks after losing her 4C curls.
Ngozi Onwuchekwa, 46, struggled with her self-esteem when she went bald following treatment for a rare form of cancer.
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Onwuchekwa, who was born in Nigeria but lives in London, England, has become an advocate for Sarcoma UK after her battle with the deadly disease rhabdomyosarcoma.
Speaking to The US Sun, she spoke about the impact of cancer on her mental health and how 80% of her hair has grown back.
BREAKING POINT
Onwuchekwa said she had “long, thick 4C afro curls” before starting chemotherapy, after spending about 10 years growing her hair to shoulder length.
“Deep conditioning wasn’t just a routine for me, it was a lifeline for my hair,” she said.
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“Regular deep conditioning treatments keep it moisturized, nourished, healthy and shiny.
“The moisture helped prevent tangles and breakage, which is important for maintaining the length and growth of my hair.”
She confessed that her self-esteem “took a hit” when she went bald, triggering a battle with anxiety and depression.
“I wanted to feel like myself again and wondered if my hair would ever grow back,” she said.
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“I had to rely on hats, scarves, headscarves and wigs to cover my head.
“For many women, our hair is closely linked to our identity. That’s why my hair loss was extremely stressful at the beginning.”
HEROES FOR HAIR GROWTH
Onwuchekwa said that within six months of a special hair care routine, there was “significant” hair regrowth.
“When my disease went into remission, I drank at least two liters of water a day,” she said.
“I have incorporated vitamin supplements such as vitamin D, C, B12, B2, iron, zinc and omega-6 fatty acids into my routine and it has made a noticeable difference in stimulating hair growth.
“Regular and gentle scalp massages also helped improve blood circulation.”
She continues to drink at least two liters of water a day and admits that her diet has also changed.
“My diet includes sunflower seeds, salmon, Greek yogurt, blackberries, collagen, peptides, bone broth and lentils,” she said.
Onwuchekwa revealed that within 12 months her hair was long enough to wear in a small bun.
After a two-year remission, my hair showed signs of recovery and grew back to about 80% of its original density.
Ngozi Onwuchekwa
However, her curls looked and felt different than before chemotherapy.
She said her curls had “lost some of their density” and were lighter and weaker.
“As the new hair growth became more visible, I realized how important it is to be cautious and not rush into protective hairstyles like cornrows, braids, weaves or chemical straightening,” she said.
“Treating too early could have led to severe hair breakage.”
DAILY HABITS
Onwuchekwa consulted a dermatologist before she began reintroducing cornrows, braids and wigs into her hair care routine.
“After a two-year remission, my hair is showing signs of recovery and has grown back to about 80% of its original density,” she said.
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“It’s still not as strong or as long as it used to be. I wear a silk bonnet or scarf every night to protect it.
“Instead of using hair straighteners that can damage delicate hair, I prefer to give myself regular head massages to stimulate growth, take vitamins for hair growth, eat right to promote growth, and wash my hair with sulfate-free shampoo.”
She said sulfate-free shampoos help 4C Afro hair retain moisture and remove buildup without stripping the hair of its natural oils.
She also makes sure not to wash her curls too often.
LIFE LESSON
Onwuchekwa won the “Mrs. Exceptional Lady Universe” crown at the 2023 Mrs. Universe beauty pageant in Miami.
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“The experience of losing my hair and being bald for almost two years taught me so much,” she said.
“As a cancer patient and survivor, I had to overcome many insecurities.
“Although for many women hair is a big part of our identity, I realized that it is not the only thing that defines me.
“This experience helped me discover a new inner strength and understand that my appearance does not determine my worth.
“I realized that true beauty and strength come from within and not from external characteristics.
“It’s not that I don’t care about how I look, but I know now that life goes on whether I have hair or not, and that it can still be beautiful.
“There is just so much to be grateful for.”
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