Most black women are born with naturally curly hair. The curl pattern may vary between tightly coiled, small curls, to larger z-shaped curls, and often there are several different curl patterns throughout the hair. The multiple bends along each hair strand provide multiple stress points that are vulnerable to breakage. If the hair is permanently straightened, the chemical relaxing process may cause the hair to lose moisture making it even more fragile. By following a careful hair regime focused on maintaining moisture and preventing breakage, black women can grow healthy hair.
Step 1
Shampoo your hair weekly with a gentle, moisturizing shampoo. Use a shampoo that does not contain sulfites that can strip a black woman's hair of much needed oils. Use a moisturizing conditioner to add moisture back to your hair after shampooing. To increase penetration, detangle hair with a wide-tooth comb after applying the conditioner and cover your hair with a plastic chemical processing cap. Allow the steam from your shower to heat the conditioner for three to five minutes before rinsing the conditioner out.
Step 2
Use a reconstructing deep conditioner every two weeks to help strengthen your hair. Shampoo as usual and then apply the deep conditioner as directed by the manufacturer. Increase penetration by sitting under a hooded dryer or wrap your hair in saran wrap before covering with a plastic chemical processing cap.
Step 3
Allow hair to air dry whenever possible to avoid unnecessary high heat. Always apply a natural hair oil like olive or coconut oil to damp hair to help seal in moisture before drying. To help air dried hair dry straighter, pull the hair back into a low ponytail with a fabric scrunchie while drying. If blow drying is necessary, allow the hair to air dry until it is only slightly damp to the touch so that it takes less time to blow dry.
Step 4
Use protective styling methods like wet sets whenever possible to avoid subjecting your hair to large amounts of heat styling. For a straight hairstyle, try wrap setting your hair. Comb hair down and around your head in a clockwise direction. Wrap with a satin scarf to hold hair in place at night as you sleep. In the morning, remove the scarf and comb out hair gently in the opposite direction of the wrap.
Step 5
Detangle hair carefully each night with a large tooth comb and apply a leave-in cream detangling conditioner to help add moisture back in to the hair. Make sure to apply a small amount of natural hair oil after using the leave-in to seal in the moisture. Cover your hair with a satin scarf or sleep on a satin pillowcase to protect hair while sleeping.
Things You'll Need
- Large tooth comb
- Soft bristle brush
- Natural hair oil
- Moisturizing shampoo
- Deep reconstructing conditioner
- Moisturizing conditioner
- Cream leave-in conditioner
- Chemical processing cap
- Hooded hair dryer (optional)
- Satin pillow case (optional)
- Satin hair scarf (optional)
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