Afro hair usually isn't easy to handle but finding the right tools and methods for caring for your natural kink, will set you on the path to embracing your natural curls and kinky hair. We have suggested some very useful ways to make caring for your afro hair a breeze, so you can have that healthy bounce and flaunt your natural mane proudly.
Use More water
When it comes to your afro hair, water is an absolute necessity. Water is one of the keys to maintaining healthy natural hair. It is recommended that you drink eight glasses of water a day and consistently apply water to your hair.
One of the ways to use water for your hair is through the detangling process. Due to its curly nature, naturally frizzy hair is more susceptible to knots and tangles. Attempting to comb dry, tangled hair will likely leave you with a weird headache and hair breakage. You should always detangle your hair when it is damp or under a shower head for an easier process. Also, having a water spray bottle helps. Water is also used during the hydration process. For softer, shinier hair, use water on your hair often.
Daily wash routine
The biggest benefit of rocking afro hair is that you don't have to wash it so often like other hair types. However, you should wash your hair once a week or every two weeks, to avoid dryness and frizz. You can do this by adopting a daily wash routine.
For your daily wash routine, use a moisturizing shampoo and conditioner to refresh your afro curls. Keep in mind not to use hot water when washing your hair, as it dries your hair and wicks away moisture. Instead, use lukewarm water to clean your hair properly.
Keep moisturize your afro hair
Another favorite thing for your afro is humidity. Frizzy hair tends to dry out quickly and lose moisture, so to avoid that you always have to moisturize your hair. Before styling your hair, make sure you always apply moisturizing milk, cream, or oil to it. For those times when you have protective styles like braids or twists, use a highly conditioning product to keep your hair well hydrated for the duration.
Another tip for taking care of your hair and refreshing your curls is to treat your hair often with a moisturizing hair mask. For overly dry hair, a maximum hydration method is a second option to hydrate your hair. The maximum hydration method is a popular and effective hydration process, it provides and retains moisture in your hair.
Use only protective styles
Just like the name suggests, protective styles help prevent your hair from breaking, falling out, or getting damaged. Protective afro hairstyles that you can use include wearing wigs, weaves, buns, Bantu knots, braids, or twists. In cases where you are doing braids or twists, make sure your hairstylist is relieving yourself on your edges as well to reduce the strain on your scalp.
With protective styles, you reduce the chances of overcoming, over-styling, or damaging your hair with heat. It's also a great way to detangle your afro hair much easier. Remember to avoid dirt build-up when wearing your protective styles and to oil your hair and scalp daily to keep your follicles healthy.
Keep Using a sulfate-free shampoo
You may find that many shampoos contain chemicals such as ammonium lauryl sulfate, ammonium laureth sulfate, or sodium lauryl sulfate. And they tend to dry out and break your natural hair. It is recommended that you use a sulfate-free shampoo (and conditioner) every week to add more hydration to your hair, while being gentler on your scalp. You can use Jamaican Black Castor Oil Shampoo with Shea Butter and Apple Cider Vinegar, which strengthens and restores your frizzy curls.
However, if having to regularly buy sulfate-free shampoo is a bit over your budget, a more reasonable option would be to wash your hair with black soap, preferably the one sold in the markets. Or better yet, you can make your own natural hair shampoo.
How to make a homemade natural hair shampoo
Keep Oil your hair frequently
Naturally, frizzy hair needs a lot of oil. Oils should be part of your natural daily routine. Oils play a key role in maintaining and ensuring that your natural hair stays healthy. The oils can be used to hydrate your hair or seal in the already existing moisture, it just depends on the type of oil.
For oils that absorb into the hair shaft and also hydrate the hair, you need to invest in using coconut oil, olive oil, or avocado oil. These oils are best applied after using a leave-in conditioner and for tighter textures, to add the necessary moisture to your hair.
Oils like Jamaican Black Castor Oil, Grapeseed Oil, or Jojoba Oil are great for locking in moisture in hair and keeping it hydrated for an extended period of time.
Eat healthy meals for your hair needs
As nutritious meals are essential for your body, they also contribute to stronger, healthier hair. A healthy and balanced meal rich in low-fat protein, dairy products, fruits, vegetables, and whole grains will promote the growth of your hair. For a healthy scalp, eat foods high in omega-3 fatty acids such as salmon, nuts, and avocados.
To have stronger hair, increase your protein intake in your diet by eating foods such as poultry and eggs. To keep your hair hydrated, you need to eat foods rich in vitamins A and C, like green leafy vegetables like spinach and asparagus.
Use your hairdryer less often
Unlike other hair types, afro-textured hair can appear very brittle. There is a higher risk of hair damage depending on how often you apply heat to your afro. The next time you need to blow dry your natural curls, put your hair dryer down, don't use it. Using a blow dryer on wet, natural hair involves having to use high heat and a lot of traction with a styling brush. It is imperative to avoid as much friction and heat as possible on your hair in order to reduce damage and tangles.
Air drying your hair is a better option and it protects your hair from excessive hair breakage. Remember to never towel dry your hair! Using a towel roughens the hair cuticle and causes frizz and breakage. Pat your hair dry with a soft old t-shirt instead.
Deeply condition your natural hair
It is important that you try to deeply condition your hair once a week or every two weeks, using a conditioner without mineral oil. Argan Oil Lavender Leave-In Smoothie Cream is a good choice of conditioner or you can use curling cream. Adding a deep conditioner to your hair routine will give your hair a good moisture balance in protein and improve the look and feel of your hair.
Regular deep conditioning of your hair will make it healthier, softer and less damaged. For afro-textured hair, deep conditioning usually works best after using a clarifying shampoo. If you want more protein balance in your hair, you can add honey, olive oil, shea butter, or any other natural oil to your conditioner.
Braid your hair before sleeping
Never go to bed without cutting your hair into a few braids. Braiding before sleep helps lock in moisture throughout the night. With braids, your locks will be held tightly together, sharing their moisture and preventing them from coming loose and rubbing against the pillow. Braiding before bed should be part of your nighttime routine.
Cut your hair regularly
One of your bad habits would probably be to allow your hair to grow out with all of its split ends. Part of the natural hair journey is to regularly cut your split ends. Split ends indicate hair damage and if left unattended they will continue to split and damage the health of your hair. Every two weeks, you should inspect your hair for split ends and cut it yourself or have a hairstylist do the job for you.
To check for parting, you can run your fingers along a few strands of hair. It can tell you if a breakfast took place along that strand. Make sure your filling ends beyond the point of separation, otherwise it will just continue to break. Even if you don't think you have split ends, if your hair is rough when you run your fingers over it, it is a sign of hair damage.
Get plenty of sleep regularly
As surprising as it may be, the best way to have healthier hair is to get regular sleep. Your body tends to heal its tissues while you are resting, so make sure you get plenty of sleep each day. Usually, people who suffer from insufficient sleep experience hair loss as the hair and follicles become weaker and weaker due to physical stress. 6-8 hours of sleep per night is recommended. The next day, not only will you feel better when you are more rested
Use a wide-tooth comb
Natural hair can form knots and tangles that make combing difficult. To reduce the risk of hair damage and breakage, it is recommended that you use combs that have larger, softer teeth, such as the wide-tooth comb. Wide tooth combs have enough space between rows to allow movement through your hair without tearing the ends. They make untangled hair less damaging and less painful.
Before combing your hair, make sure it is damp enough or spray it with water, then detangle it with your fingers first before combing it. Also paint in sections, preferably 4 to 8 sections.
Cleanse your scalp
Your scalp tends to itch occasionally from product buildup, dirt, and oils. In order to keep your scalp clean and healthy, it is important to clean it regularly. Hair growth begins in the follicle and new hair grows through these tiny pores in the scalp. If the pores are blocked, it becomes difficult for the new hair to grow, and you could have painful bumps and ingrown hairs. A dirty scalp can cause fungal infections, dandruff, stunted hair growth, and unhealthy hair.
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