As with any other race, African Americans desire healthy, luscious hair and smooth, glowing skin. Keeping your hair and skin in optimum health enables you to put your best foot forward every day. Healthy hair and skin doesn't happen by accident, however. Giving extra attention to both of these is essential for not only looking your best, but also helping you defy the ravages of aging. Devising a well-rounded beauty regimen guarantees you a foundation for looking and feeling your best for years to come.
Hair Care
Step 1
Wash your at least every other week. A clean scalp is essential for providing a fresh, unclogged environment for the hair to breath and flourish. Choose alcohol-free shampoos as those with alcohol tend to dry out African American hair. Follow shampoo with a conditioner. Be sure to select a conditioner specially formulated for your type of hair. For instance, if you have chemically treated hair, choose a conditioner specifically meant to nourish chemically treated hair.
Step 2
Deep condition your hair, or use a hot oil treatment at least once a month. These types of treatments are meant to restore life to hair that is dry and brittle, as well as add moisture.
Step 3
Apply a leave-in conditioner to your hair every day. Different than a deep conditioner, a leave-in conditioner is meant to stay on the hair to protect it from damage due to harsh styling practices, harsh weather and sun damage. It also helps keep the hair moist and soft and helps protect your ends from drying out.
Step 4
Steer clear of any hair product that contains mineral or petroleum oil. Products with these ingredients inhibit air from getting to the hair follicles, essentially blocking them. The end result of this is a lack of hair growth and hair that is dull and lifeless. Do not use thick pomades on your hair, because they weigh the hair down.
Step 5
Minimize, if not avoid altogether, the use of heat and chemical styling on your hair. Hair styling aids like flat irons, blow dryers and curling irons may offer the convenience of quick style changes, but they are detrimental to the overall health of your hair. Try wet-setting your hair instead. Curls derived from wet sets usually last longer anyway, thus preventing the need for heat styling over the course of the week.
Step 6
Visit your hairstylist for a hair trim at least every eight to 12 weeks.
Step 7
Experiment low-manipulation hairstyles. This refers to styles that require little to no tugging and pulling of the hair at all. Too much tugging or vigorous combing results in hair breakage. Hair weaves, wigs and braids are good hairstyling methods that allow you to leave your hair alone for periods of time and eliminate the need for heat styling tools.
Step 8
Tie your hair up at night in a scarf, or sleep on a satin pillowcase to avoid rubbing and breaking of the hair during sleep.
Skin Care
Step 1
Adopt a regular skincare regimen. This includes both morning and night skincare. Use a makeup remover to remove your makeup at the end of the day. Never sleep with makeup on. When cleansing your skin, do so gently. Too much vigorous rubbing and scrubbing can cause skin irritations.
Step 2
Cleanse your skin using tepid water, gently massaging it using circular motions. Never wash your skin with hot water as this can lead to broken capillaries.
Step 3
Refrain from skin cleansers, astringents and toners that contain fragrances, alcohol, dyes or propylene glycol. These products can damage the skin and cause skin irritations. Be sure to also avoid products containing high concentrations of alpha-hydroxy acid. Select skin cleansing products that have been formulated for your particular skin type.
Step 4
Avoid skin cleansing products that are abrasive; loofah sponges should be avoided as well.
Step 5
Apply a skin protectant when in the sun. Applying it 20 minutes before sun exposure will allow your skin to absorb the protectant, providing a protective shield before you step out into the sun. Sunscreen should be applied generously on all areas of exposed skin. Read the expiration date of your sunscreen, and store in an area away from the heat and the sun to prevent it from spoiling prematurely.
Tips and Warnings
- Eat a healthy, balanced diet containing lean proteins and lots of vegetables and fruits to nourish your body from the inside out. Drink lots of water every day, and take a multivitamin Exercising on a regular basis promotes better health of your hair and skin.
- Visit a dermatologist if you have experience persistent itchiness or flaking of the scalp. Visit a dermatologist for other problems, such as severe hair damage and hair loss. Never attempt to solve your hair loss problems by covering them up with weaves or braided hairstyles as these will lead to even more damage. If you notice skin changes, such as spots on the skin that change in size or shape or other skin changes that are disconcerting to you, see your dermatologist immediately.
Things You'll Need
- Shampoo
- Conditioner
- Deep conditioning treatment or hot oil treatment
- Leave-in conditioner
- Setting lotion
- Hairstylist appointment
- Hair weaves or wig(s)
- Satin scarf or satin pillowcase
- Makeup remover
- Skin cleanser
- Sunscreen
References
- Women's Health: A Complete Guide for all Ages: Skin and Hair Health
- Dr. Susan Taylor's Brown Skin: Nurture and Heal: Healthy Hair
- Dr. Susan Taylor's Brown Skin: Nurture and Heal: Skin Care Tips for Healthy Skin
- Pennsylvania Child Welfare Training Program: Hair and Skin Care for African American and Biracial Children
- MayoClinic.com: Skin Care: 5 Tips for Healthy Skin
- Natural Aging Skin Solutions: Washing Your Face Correctly
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