African-American hair is recognizable by its vibrant texture and often requires a careful upkeep of oiling and styling to maintain. According to the Treasured Locks website, African-American hair differs from Caucasian or European hair in the amount of cuticle, or outer layer, that surrounds the inner cortex and melanin layers. African-American hair is more prone to breakage and dryness than Caucasian hair, but with patience, determination and an eye for detail, you can learn the optimal techniques for taking care of African-American hair.
Step 1
Wash your hair at least once a week with warm water and an anti-dandruff shampoo. Rub the shampoo and warm water into a thick lather and let it sit in your hair for at least a minute to reduce the risk of dandruff or itchy scalp. Rinse the shampoo out completely with warm water and apply a leave-in conditioner in your hair as required.
Step 2
Brush your hair at least once each day using a hair brush to remove kinks and knots. Follow this up by running a fine-tooth comb through your hair to remove any minor knots and make sure your hair is fully prepared for oiling.
Step 3
Apply oil to your hair on a weekly or biweekly basis depending on the thickness of your hair. Gauge the amount of oil your hair requires by comparing the thickness of your hair with the recommended dosage on your oil product. While some products advise daily oil application for reducing the risk of dandruff and dry scalp, most African-American men and women can maintain healthy hair with a weekly application.
Step 4
Wrap your hair in a head wrap immediately before going to bed. While African-American men and women with shorter hair can often get away without using a head wrap, a head wrap can potentially protect longer hair.
Step 5
Use silk or satin pillowcases. The rough fibers of cotton pillowcases can rub and pull your hair. If desired, replace your cotton pillowcases with silk or satin pillowcases to mitigate the damage caused by cotton.
Step 6
Trim your split ends once every two or three months to limit the damage caused by broken hair follicles. Wet your hair sufficiently so that it is relatively straight, and cut an even line along the damaged or frayed ends of your hair with the help of a mirror. For best results, enlist a family member or friend to cut the hair behind your head to ensure an even cut.
Tips and Warnings
- While it may be tempting to get a new perm or other heat-styled hair job every few weeks, constant exposure to flatirons and heat-styling devices can ultimately make your hair more brittle. Protect your hair follicles by opting for heat-free styles as often as you can.
- Consult your personal physician if you experience symptoms such as scalp blisters, brittle hair or accelerated hair loss.
Things You'll Need
- Anti-dandruff shampoo
- African American hair oil product
- Hair brush
- Fine-tooth comb
- Head wrap
- Hair scissors
- Mirror
- Leave-in conditioner (optional)
- Silk or satin pillowcases (optional)
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