All naturally occurring hair is gorgeous, regardless of length or texture. Now, if one of your objectives for 2023 is to retain length, you may want to consider including chebe into your regimen.

“Chebe is a shrub that grows in the mountain ranges of my country, Chad,” says Salwa Petersen, the creator of the popular cosmetic brand of the same name. “Chadian women discovered millennia ago that the seeds have powerful hair strengthening properties.”

Alicia Bailey, a master cosmetologist and global education manager at Design Essentials, extols the virtues of the component when it comes to hair. “It helps to reduce split ends and breakage, keeps the hair moisturized and extremely soft, and provides easier detangling which in turn helps with length retention,” according to her.

Are you prepared to discover more about the extraordinary ingredient? Find out everything you need to know about chebe by reading on.

What is a chebe?

Chebe is “a shrub that grows in the mountain ranges” of Chad and is well-known for strengthening hair, as was previously reported. Thus, it is understandable why ladies have been using it for generations in this nation.

Petersen points out that not all chebe powder is made equal, even though the substance has begun to gain popularity in the west during the last several years.

“The kind that has that effect on hair only grows in a specific region in Chad,” she explains. “None of the powders I purchased online, even on Amazon, were chebe. What was it, I’m not sure, sand, henna, hash from cigarettes?” Whoa.

She explains that for this reason, it’s critical to understand who is involved in the sourcing process and where your chebe is coming from.

“Beware of people selling ‘African’ chebe, as it is a whole different variety and has no effect whatsoever on hair,” she cautions.

How is Chebe used?

Usually, the shrub is ground into a powder, combined with butters, water, and natural oils, and applied to the hair. Bailey says, “[You can use] shea butter or kakar oil.” “Or [you can use a] carrier oil of choice, like sesame or coconut.”

The Basara women of Chad traditionally get together, braid each drenched part, and alternately apply the moisturizing paste to each other’s strands. After that, the mixture is applied to the hair for a few days. If you’ve never sat between your mother’s knees before, however, don’t hesitate to use Petersen’s Chébé Du Tchad Hair Cream—it was made to be the ideal leave-in treatment. At least for those of us in North America.

How often ought one to utilize Chebe?

Top Hair Care Advice Direct From The Professionals

Chebe is often applied to hair two or three times each week. You actually can use it as frequently as you’d want, however.

“Some may opt to use it as a leave-in, or in oils or butters if they are unable to utilize it as the Basara women traditionally do,” Bailey notes. “The ladies of Basara often apply it to their hair twice a week. Every four days, they may reapply the mixture.”
What makes chebe good for the hair?The hair is kept hydrated and helps to maintain length by using the paste on the hair and wearing it in plaits, according to Bailey. Consequently, less damage and breakage occur, resulting in generally healthier hair. Read more

“Lots of women, especially Black women with textured hair, feel their hair is not growing,” Petersen states. “Their hair grows, it just breaks faster than it grows.”

Chebe has been elevated to a whole new level by Petersen’s line in particular, which incorporates the finest qualities of the component into their goods.

“The proprietary patented extract I made out of my chebe seeds allow us unprecedented access to all the active molecules of the seed, hence multiplying its powers and repairing hair inside out, as if it was new,” she adds.

Does anybody have to refrain from using Chebe?

Fine haired people could get a heavy sense, according to Bailey. With very few exceptions, chebe is, in general, a product that benefits everyone.

“It may also be challenging for people with locks or protective styles to use traditional chebe powder as it can get tangled into the style and not rinse out properly,” Petersen explains. “But there are no contraindications as long as you get the actual product from Chad. You may do a patch test for additional safety, and consulting your healthcare professional is advised if you are pregnant or nursing.”