African hair varies widely, from slightly wavy to very frizzy, but generally tends to be drier and curlier than Caucasoid or Asian hair. Basic care for African hair is not too different from other hair, you need to wash it once a week to keep it from losing its natural oils, and use conditioner and moisturizer regularly to protect it from drying out too much. You should also change your combing habits and the hairstyle you choose to avoid breakage and breakage as African hair tends to be brittle and prone to breakage if not cared for properly.
Step
Method 1 of 3: Washing and Moisturizing African Hair
Step 1. Wash your hair with shampoo once a week
African hair naturally tends to be dry with very few natural oils. Therefore, there is no need to use shampoo more than once a week. Washing your hair with shampoo several times a week or every other day can deprive your hair of the natural oils it needs, making it drier, more frizzy and more prone to breakage.
- African hair rarely becomes too oily like Caucasoid or Asian hair if it is not washed for a few days.
- Do not wash tangled hair as this can make the condition worse. Take care of the tangles first before washing them.
Step 2. Use conditioner after shampooing your hair
Since African hair tends to dry out, it's important to use a conditioner after shampooing your hair to restore moisture. When using conditioner, pay extra attention to the ends of your hair, which tend to be more brittle. Leave the conditioner on your hair for a few minutes before rinsing it off.
Step 3. Apply leave-in conditioner to clean hair
After washing your hair, apply a leave-in conditioner (in generous amounts) on still wet hair to increase the moisture in your hair. Try to find a conditioner that contains coconut oil, shea butter or cocoa butter.
Step 4. Do a complementary shampoo in between washes if you have a high level of physical activity
If you like to exercise or tend to sweat a lot, maybe washing your hair once a week is not enough. Instead of shampooing, wash your hair with conditioner in between your weekly shampooing schedule.
- Conditioner will gently wash away sweat or dirt that has accumulated and does not strip away the natural oils that nourish the hair.
- In addition to applying conditioner to your hair shaft, make sure you also apply it to your scalp.
Step 5. Use a no-rinse moisturizer every day
Use a leave-in conditioner or moisturizer in between weekly hair washes to ensure that your hair stays hydrated and protected from damage. Opt for a lightweight, leave-in moisturizer formulated for African hair earlier in the day before you style your hair.
- Try to find a moisturizer that contains essential oils, which will be absorbed by the hair and moisturize it. Avoid products that contain lanolin or other oily ingredients because they will stick to the surface of the hair and make it limp.
- Spray hair with water, then apply moisturizer. Or, buy a moisturizer that can be used on dry hair. Use moisturizer all over your hair, but pay extra attention to the ends, as these are the oldest and driest areas.
Step 6. Do deep conditioning your hair once a month
In addition to regular hair care, do a deep conditioning treatment every month or two to see the difference in your hair and make it more moisturized and less brittle. For deep conditioning treatments, use the product according to the directions on the label or go to a professional salon for best results.
Try to choose products that contain coconut oil, shea butter, or argan oil for best results
Method 2 of 3: Untangling and Styling African Hair
Step 1. Handle tangles using special products and combs
Before washing your hair, it's important to treat the tangles as they form so they don't get worse. Start by spraying the creases with a mixture consisting of 3 parts water, 1 part olive or coconut oil. Apply the conditioner you normally use directly to the tangled areas, starting from the roots to the tips of your hair. Then use your fingers to untwist the hair, a section at a time.
- Once the tangles begin to partly unravel, use a special wide-tooth comb to carefully comb the hair, starting from the ends of the hair in a downward combing motion.
- It's important never to try to comb or untangle your hair when it's completely dry. If you do, you'll be in big trouble and it could potentially damage your hair. Wetting your hair and using a product will make tangled hair smoother, making knots easier to handle.
Step 2. Use a hairdryer with a comb to straighten your hair
If you want to straighten your hair naturally, let your hair half dry first, then spray your hair with a heat protectant. Then, use the comb that comes with the hairdryer to comb through the hair while the heat will help straighten it.
Step 3. Style your hair in a style that won't damage or stress your hair
If you don't want to untangle your hair and want to style it a certain way, choose a style that won't damage your hair and doesn't require daily manipulation or styling.
- Braids, including box braids and cornrows, are classic styles that don't damage hair. If your hair isn't long, you can use synthetic hair to give it extra length.
- Hair twists, including Senegalese twists and two-strand twists, can be a hair style option that won't damage your hair. Just like braids, you can also add synthetic hair or even beads to enhance the look of your hair.
- You can also apply updo styles such as auxiliary knots or buns.
Step 4. Choose a patch of hair that is sewn into the hair braid (sewn-in)
Using a hair patch can protect your hair as long as you choose a type that is sewn, not glued. So, if you decide to use a hair patch, go to a professional salon to do it, unless you are very experienced doing it yourself. Visit your stylist every two or three weeks to make sure the stitches stay tight and don't pull on your natural hair.
- Sticky hair that uses glue often rips natural hair when removed while sewn-in hair can be removed without causing hair damage.
- Wigs can be an alternative if you don't want to use sticky hair. All you have to do is tie your hair up, put on a wig cap, and put on the wig.
Step 5. Let the hair rest after two sessions of fixing the hair paste
You can use hair sticks for between one and a half to three months, depending on your stylist's advice. After the second patch, you should remove it and let the hair rest for about 3 weeks. Using hair sticks for months can be torturous to the hair and scalp.
Step 6. Perform hair relaxing (hair straightening process using ultrasonic iron and keratin) with professional help
Hair relaxing can cause damage to some extent, but the damage is much less if done professionally than if done alone. After the first session, you should do "touch ups" for the hair at the roots every few weeks to adjust it to the straightened hair. Do not do hair relaxing for the entire hair twice in a row because it can cause severe hair damage.
Method 3 of 3: Building Healthy Hair Through Lifestyle
Step 1. Consume foods that are high in nutrients for healthy hair
Make sure your diet contains plenty of fatty acids, B vitamins, folic acid and protein to improve hair health and strength. Some foods that contain these nutrients include salmon and other fatty fish, nuts and eggs.
Step 2. Use a silk or satin pillowcase
One of the main causes of hair breakage is the friction that occurs when hair rubs against pillowcases at night. Treat this damage by using a silk or satin pillowcase, which creates less friction and doesn't absorb moisture from the hair as cotton pillowcases tend to do.
If you don't want to buy a silk pillowcase, you can wrap your hair in a silk or satin scarf at night
Step 3. Wear a silk shirt for shoulder length hair
If your hair touches your shoulders, the constant rubbing of your hair against a cotton shirt or shirt of other absorbent material can suck in moisture and cause hair to break. If your natural hair is shoulder length, try wearing a silk or satin shirt when you want to let your hair down.
Tips
- African hair texture varies, depending on each individual. So experiment with different conditioners and moisturizers until you find a product that provides the right amount of moisture.
- If your hair looks thin, talk to your doctor. Hairstyles that pull the hair out or manipulate the hair aggressively can cause thinning of the hair, especially around the temples.
- Babies with African hair can sometimes experience flaky scalp and eczema. Consult a doctor if you notice any of the above conditions.
