Afro American hair possesses the same basic structure but also more fragility than other hair types. The daily styling processes employed by many Afro Americans often leave hair dry, brittle, damaged and in need of repair. Use a proper hair care regimen to restore luster and sheen to tired, lifeless locks. You can turn dull, limp hair into bouncy, behaving hair by following basic care guidelines.
Step 1
Shampoo your hair no more than once a week. Select a shampoo formulated for moisturizing hair. Shampoos with balanced pH values help preserve the natural acidity level of your hair, thus allowing for manageability and shine. Use a clarifying shampoo every four to six weeks to remove built-up residue left on the hair by styling products.
Step 2
Follow each shampoo with an instant conditioner to make the hair soft and manageable and protect it from damage by acting as a barrier.
Step 3
Use a deep or penetrating conditioner at least once a month. Deep conditioners absorb into the hair to give it an improved and healthier appearance. Leave a deep conditioner on your hair for at least 15 minutes before rinsing it out.
Step 4
De-tangle your hair while it is wet, preferably during the conditioning process. Conditioners provide slippage to the hair, making it easier to de-tangle. Never de-tangle your hair when it is dry, as this leads to hair breakage.
Step 5
Airdry your hair instead of using a blow dryer. Blow-drying not only robs your hair of moisture but makes it brittle.
Step 6
Apply a leave-in conditioner or hair lotion to your hair daily. One of the keys to healthy Afro hair is moisture. Use hair products containing natural oils and avoid those containing mineral and petroleum oils. The latter will clog your hair follicles.
Step 7
Experiment with hairstyles that require as little heat as possible. Nothing dries Afro hair out quicker than excessive heat styling. If using hair accessories, use them sparingly, as these can pull your hair out during removal.
Step 8
Sleep with your head wrapped in a scarf at night or sleep on a satin pillowcase. Either method will protect your hair from pulling and breaking while you sleep.
Tips and Warnings
- Get your hair trimmed every eight weeks. Watch what you eat. A balanced diet and lots of water are just as important as the products applied directly to the hair for maintaining your hair's health.
Things You'll Need
- Shampoo, conditioner
- Deep conditioner
- Hot oil treatment
- Wide-tooth comb
- Leave-in conditioner
- Hair lotion
- Scarf
- Satin pillowcase
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