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How to Use Chebe Powder for Hair Growth & Hair Care Benefits

Beautiful young African American woman smiling at the camera with curly hair after using chebe powder for hair growth and length retention.

In the pursuit of growing longer hair, you may have searched all over the internet looking for the ultimate hair growth hack.

Rice water and castor oil are two of the most commonly mentioned hair growth aids. 

However, we’ll bet that most people haven’t heard about using chebe powder for hair growth.

Will chebe powder help you reach your ultimate hair growth goal?

If so, you’ll find a step-by-step guide on how to use chebe powder for hair growth. This article will tell you everything you need to know about this exciting hair growth treatment

Key Takeaways

  • Chebe Powder Origin and Composition: Originating from the Republic of Chad, Chebe powder, a key ingredient for hair care, is made from chebe seeds of the Croton zambesicus plant, along with other natural ingredients like shea butter and karkar oil. It’s renowned for improving hair strength and length, especially in afro-textured hair.
  • Benefits for Hair Types: For coarse, brittle, and afro-textured hair, Chebe powder aids in length retention and reduces hair breakage. It’s most effective on type 3 and 4 hair, providing moisture and improving curl definition without significant side effects.
  • Application Method for Best Results: Mix a teaspoon of Chebe powder with your favorite natural oils to create a moisturizing paste for first-time users. Apply to damp hair, avoiding the scalp, and leave as a deep treatment under protective styles for 3-5 days.
  • Real vs. Fake Chebe Powder: Genuine Chebe powder should have a fine, grainy texture and a dark brown color. It’s important to source original Chebe powder to avoid hair loss or a sensitive scalp reaction.
  • Frequency and Aftercare: Use Chebe powder treatment regularly, ideally every 3-5 days, for long hair growth and to maintain hair length. After use, a good idea is to follow up with a leave-in conditioner or hair grease mix to keep hair moisturized and to counteract any dryness.

What Is Chebe Powder?

Cute young black girl leaning on a wall and smiling after using chebe powder after reading a quote from Uchenna Okereke.

Chebe powder (or Chébé Powder) is a blend of several herbs, including the chebe plant (shébé seeds from croton zambesicus), clove, samour resin (Benjoin Djaoui), cherry seeds, musk ambrette, vegetable oil, and prunus mahaleb.

The powder has been around for centuries and originated in Chad, which is located in Central Africa. Chadian women have used the powder as part of their hair care ritual for ages.

Women who use the powder grow incredibly long hair, and people in Western countries have taken notice. The powder can be used on all hair types but is most commonly used on type 3 curly hair (3A, 3B, 3C) and type 4 kinky hair (4A, 4B, 4C).

Long natural hair secret from Chad in Africa : CHEBE POWDER

Chebe Powder Ingredients

Now that you know a little about chebe powder, let’s dive a little deeper into the ingredients.

Chebe powder’s formulation is not consistent across the board, and this is because various suppliers manufacture custom formulations of the powder.

Sahel Cosmetics: Traditional Chadian Chébé Powder with lavender croton, vegetable oil, resin (benjoin djaoui), musk ambrette, prunus mahaleb, and clove.
Sahel Cosmetics: Traditional Chadian Chébé Powder with lavender croton, vegetable oil, resin (benjoin djaoui), musk ambrette, prunus mahaleb, and clove.

However, the powder is typically made with a blend of the following all-natural ingredients: 

  • Clove
  • Prunus mahaleb
  • Resin
  • Musk ambrette
  • Vegetable oil

Some brands of Chebe powder may contain other herbs that aren’t listed above, but an essential element in the powder, of course, is the blended chebe.

Pretty black girl with curly hair looking into the distance.

Does Chebe Powder Increase Hair Growth?

The most widespread promise concerning chebe powder is that it increases hair growth. Most people take this to mean that the powder will make your hair grow from your scalp faster. However, this is not the case.

When using chebe powder, it may seem like your hair is growing faster, when in reality, your hair is growing at the same rate that it usually does. The key is that chebe powder can help you increase length retention by reducing breakage.

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Hair Growth Requires Time (and More Time)

At one point or another, you may have looked for a hair growth miracle, something that you can apply to your hair to make it grow by leaps and bounds.

Hair growth requires time, but many different factors can determine your hair growth rate. It’s just that the most important factor is time.

Black female with bouncy curls wearing an orange shirt showing the before and after results of chebe powder.

Here are a few additional factors that influence your hair’s growth rate:

  • Nutrition – Eating a well-balanced diet with enough fruits, vegetables, protein, and zinc ensures that your hair growth is maximized.
  • Genetics – Your genes are a substantial determinant of how quickly your hair grows.
  • Age – Starting at approximately age 30, people begin to see a diminished hair growth rate. 
  • Gender – Males grow hair faster than females in general due to testosterone. 

Therefore, there aren’t any magical growth herbs or powders that can speed up your hair’s growth rate. According to the Trichological Society, vitamins, supplements, and hair products won’t increase your hair’s growth rate.

It’s important to understand that (on average) human hair grows about 1/2 inch a month or approximately six inches per year, regardless of what you apply to your hair. 

Full body photo of African American girl with medium hair length wearing a striped shirt and jeans.

Chebe Powder Increases Length Retention

After reading the previous section, you may be thinking that there’s no point in using chebe powder. That couldn’t be further from the truth.

Chadian women who use this powder grow hair down to their hips or even longer, and many believe that the powder is why. 

Length retention is the key to achieving long hair, and chebe powder increases length retention by reducing split ends and hair breakage. 

When your hair is truly healthy and strong, the ends will not break off as frequently as the hair grows, and you’ll be able to “retain” (or keep) more of your length. This is truly the key to long hair, increasing your length retention to keep the hair you’ve grown.

How to Use Chebe Powder to Get Long Hair 

Chebe powder gives your hair the nutrients and moisture that it needs to be healthy. The powder locks in moisture to help you retain length.

To reap the full benefits of chebe powder, it’s essential to use the powder correctly. In this section, you’ll learn exactly how to use chebe powder to get long hair. 

Chebe Powder for SUPER LONG NATURAL HAIR and length retention | African Hair secret

Prepare Your Hair 

Chebe powder should be applied to clean, damp hair (not wet hair). If your hair is wet or dry, this treatment may not be as effective.

Wash your hair very thoroughly so that there is no buildup on your strands. 

We recommend using a shampoo that does not have sulfates. A sulfate-free cleanser will get your hair clean without stripping it of all its natural moisture. 

After washing your hair, tie a microfiber towel or t-shirt around your head before you go to mix up your chebe powder. 

Chebe Powder Sahel Cosmet scaled
How to use: Choose a small area, for example, the inside of your wrist, apply a small amount of product to the area, and wait for 24 hours. During this time, keep checking for signs of negative reactions, such as swelling, redness, itching, or burning. If you’re developing any of the symptoms above, wash the area off with water and stop using it. If you pass this patch test, you can mix chebe powder with the remaining ingredients and create your hair mask.

Gather Your Ingredients

To make the length retention treatment, you will need to gather the following supplies: 

  • Chebe powder 
  • Essential Oil of your choice (olive oil and coconut oil are used widely)
  • Two bowls
  • A teaspoon
  • Heating apparatus (microwave)

Once you have all of your supplies, you’re ready to start mixing! 

Pretty black girl checking the length of her hair by pulling one of her strands.

Mix the Powder

Mixing chebe powder is very easy. Take the following steps to get your mixture ready in just a few minutes.

Chebe Powder the Traditional Way | How to Mix & Apply for Length Retention | [HIGHLY REQUESTED]
  1. Measure four heaping teaspoonfuls of chebe powder and put it into one of the bowls.
  2. Add three teaspoons of coconut oil and five teaspoons of extra virgin olive oil to the second bowl. If you chose different essential oils, feel free to use them during this step.
  3. Put the oil mixture in the microwave for 30-40 seconds. This will melt the coconut oil and make it easy to mix with the powder. 
  4. Pour the oil into the bowl with the powder. 
  5. Mix all of the ingredients with a spoon. Be careful to stir down to the bottom of the bowl, as the powder may settle. 

The powder should have the consistency of runny applesauce. If the mixture is too thick (i.e., heavy mixture), add more olive oil or coconut oil. If it is too thin, add more powder.

Once the ingredients appear to be thoroughly mixed and the mixture is the right consistency, you’re ready to apply it to your hair. 

Apply the Mix to Your Hair

Your hair is clean, the chebe powder has been mixed with the oils, and now you’re ready to apply the mixture to your hair.

Take the following steps for thorough application: 

  • Gently detangle your hair. Using a wide-toothed comb or your fingers, gently detangle your hair so that you won’t have any trouble distributing the mixture through your strands. 
  • Section and braid or band your hair. Depending on the amount of hair you have, you may benefit from sectioning your hair into two or more sections. This will help to ensure that you get the mixture on all of your hair. Braid or band your sections to keep them separate.
  • Begin application. Apply the mixture to a section of your hair, focusing especially on the ends, as they are the weakest portion of the hair. Ensure that all of the hair in the section is covered, but avoid getting the powder on your scalp. 
  • Braid the section. Immediately after applying the powder, three-strand-plait (braid) your hair down to the ends. 
  • Repeat the above steps for all of the other sections. 
  • Wet your braids with water one last time. 
  • Cover your hair up. Use a conditioning cap, or a plastic bag, to cover up your hair. This will trap the heat from your scalp and increase the moisturizing properties of the powder. 
  • Allow the mixture to permeate your hair strands for as long as you want, but you should leave it on for at least 2 hours. Chadian women don’t rinse out the mixture. 
  • Rinse the powder out when you’re ready. 
Cute black female with her arms crossed wearing a purple t-shirt and jeans

How Often to Use Chebe Powder

You can use chebe powder as often as you want. Chadian women do a chebe powder treatment twice per week for maximum length retention.

If you have time, you can do treatments at that same frequency. Otherwise, you can do the treatment less often, like once or twice a month, and still get positive results and increased length retention. 

Beautiful African American female with curly hair sitting on a curb using her mobile phone wearing jeans, a yellow shirt and converse.

Make Sure Your Powder is Genuine

Unfortunately, not all chebe powder that is sold online, or even in person, is genuine. Therefore, it is imperative to check your powder for consistency before applying it to your hair.  

  • Look at the powder. It should be a very dark brown with white specks throughout. If your chebe powder does not look like this, it may not be genuine. 
  • Feel the powder. The powder should not feel like a typical powder. Chebe powder should be very grainy. If your powder feels smooth, it may not be real. 
  • Smell the powder. Authentic chebe powder smells a bit like coffee. If your powder does not have this scent, you may need to return it and continue searching for real chebe powder. 

The Sahel Cosmetics brand of chebe powder has been widely used and is believed to be 100% genuine. 

Dos and Don’ts 

Chébé / I am answering your questions about chébé powder !

Doing a chebe powder treatment is generally easy, but there is still room for mistakes. To avoid any headaches, read about the following do’s and don’ts before trying chebe powder:

Dos

  • Leave the powder on your hair for at least 2 hours. In order for the powder to do its work, it needs to be in contact with your hair for at least a couple of hours. Ensure that you have enough time to complete a full treatment before applying the chebe powder. 
  • Tie your hair up securely when doing an overnight treatment. If you don’t cover up your hair after applying the powder, you will have a sandy mess all over your bed, furniture, and floor. 
  • Detangle your hair before applying the powder. Trying to evenly apply chebe powder to tangled hair could be a painful and frustrating process. 

Don’ts 

  • Don’t apply the powder to your scalp. Chebe powder was not designed to be applied to the scalp. Some mistakenly apply the powder to their scalp and experience dandruff and other types of scalp irritation. Others put it on their scalp without any problems, but it is not recommended to put it on your scalp.
  • Don’t apply the powder to dirty hair. If your hair is dirty and/or full of buildup, the powder may not be effective. Wash your hair before you apply chebe powder. 

Pros and Cons 

Before you try a chebe powder treatment, it’s good to know all of the advantages and disadvantages. This way, you’ll be able to make an informed decision about whether this length retention method may be a good fit for you.

Black girl winking her left eye with a hair grease mix in her naturally curly hair strands.

Pros

Chebe powder is great for length retention, but that’s not its only benefit. We will go over the other benefits in this section.

Moisturized hair

The moisture retention properties of chebe powder are a key benefit. Mixing the powder with carrier oils, like coconut oil and olive oil, gives the hair a substantial dose of moisture. Upon rinsing out the powder, many women state that their hair feels deeply hydrated.

Softer hair

With consistent use of chebe powder, users report that their hair feels softer than ever. This is likely due to the moisturizing effect of using the powder. 

Easier detangling

For those with tightly coiled hair, detangling can be a time-consuming process. Detangling parched hair is even more difficult.

After a chebe powder treatment, the hair will be healthier and more pliable, making the detangling process more comfortable and less time-consuming. 

Cons

Many praise chebe powder for its many benefits, but the treatment does have a few disadvantages. Let’s get into all of them here.

Ingredients Can be Costly

While chebe powder is not the most expensive powder in the world, it is not exactly cheap. For a 250g (8 oz) bag of powder, expect to pay around $25.00. You’ll also need to buy the oils to mix with the powder. 

Application is Messy

When applying the mixture to your hair, it will get everywhere. The mixture has an oily, sandy consistency once it has been mixed, and it can be difficult to clean up. 

Difficult to Rinse Out

Perhaps the biggest disadvantage to using chebe powder is that it is notoriously difficult to rinse out of your hair.

You can rinse your hair for a half-hour and still not get it all out of your hair. Some get so tired of rinsing the mixture out that they give up and leave the chebe powder remnants in their hair. 

A black girl with textured hair styled with hair oils, like castor oil, jojoba oil (a carrier oil), and resin tree sap.

Does Chebe Powder Really Grow Hair?

Chebe powder is a natural hair care product that’s been used for centuries by women in Chad, Africa. It’s believed to have hair growth benefits due to its ability to strengthen hair, reduce breakage, and promote length retention. However, there’s limited scientific evidence, and the effectiveness of chebe powder for hair growth may vary depending on hair type and health.

How Long Does It Take to See Results from Chebe Powder?

The time it takes to see results from chebe powder depends on your hair type and health, as well as your frequency and consistency of using it. Generally, it’s recommended to use chebe powder as a part of a regular hair care routine for at least several weeks to several months to see noticeable improvements.

How Can You Tell if Chebe Powder Is Real?

To ensure the authenticity of chebe powder, purchase it from a reputable seller specializing in natural hair care products. It’s challenging to determine if it’s real, but chebe powder should only contain two ingredients: chebe powder and natural oil. Ensure it has a gritty, slightly sticky texture with an earthy or musky scent.

African American female wearing a casual outfit with a balayage twist-out hairdo styled with a leave-in styling product.

How Do You Use Chebe Powder for Hair Growth?

To use chebe powder for hair growth, mix it with a natural oil to form a paste and apply it to your hair, making sure to coat it from root to tip. Twist or braid each section of hair and leave for a few hours or overnight. Avoid using it too frequently or leaving it in for too long.

Can You Leave Chebe Powder in Your Hair?

Chebe powder can be left in your hair, but not longer than overnight. It’s very drying, so it can cause the hair to become brittle and prone to breakage if left for too long. Additionally, leaving the chebe paste in for a long time can make it difficult to rinse out, which can cause buildup on the scalp and hair.

Does Chebe Powder Damage Hair?

Chebe powder is not known to damage hair when used correctly. However, it is important to use it in moderation. Overuse or leaving it in the hair for too long can break the hair shaft from drying it out. Use it in combination with a natural oil to prevent the hair from becoming damaged.

How Long Can Your Hair Grow with Chebe Powder?

There is no specific timeframe for how long your hair can grow with chebe powder, as the results depend on your hair type, consistency, and genetics. It’s believed to strengthen hair and prevent breakage, which can help the hair grow longer over time. While using it, maintain a healthy diet and proper hair care routine to promote healthy hair growth.

Related Articles

Is Chebe Powder Worth It? Should You Try It?

If you’re dealing with dry hair or breakage and it seems like your hair is not growing, chebe powder is a product that’s worth a try.

It will strengthen your hair strands and decrease breakage so that you can retain more length (i.e., grow longer hair).

If you want to try this length retention treatment, feel free to buy the supplies and follow the instructions detailed within this article to see its effect on your hair. Also, click here for more information and content focused on hair growth.