The care given to black hair depends on its texture; however, the most important considerations in caring for black hair is keeping it very clean, moisturized and trimmed. No matter what texture of black hair you may have, whether it's dry, normal, greasy, natural, chemically treated, permed, bleached or dyed, keeping black hair clean and moisturized is the key. Black hair doesn't have to be brittle and damaged; it can be healthy and beautiful.
pH-Balance Shampoo
Shampoo your hair with a pH-balanced shampoo. Shampoos made without protein or nutrients are too harsh for black hair and leave a sticky residue on the hair. Use a professional pH-balance shampoo for black hair. Whether your hair is normal, dry or color-treated, find a pH-balanced shampoo that is designed for your hair texture.
Moisturizing Conditioner
Moisturizing conditioner is a must for black hair. Conditioner should be used on a regular basis to restore lost moisture and give a beautiful, natural shine to the hair. Black hair is commonly more dry than other types of hair due to its structure. Oils are not able to easily reach down the hair shaft and moisturize the entire strand. Also, due to excess processing of the hair, such as the use of chemical relaxers and heat appliances, the hair loses moisture.
There are three type of conditioners beneficial for black hair. A low pH-balance conditioner that neutralizes alkaline deposits left on the hair after perming, bleaching or tinting hair is the best conditioner for any type of hair; it will add shine and detangle as well. A leave-in conditioner retains moisture and also protects hair against damage, but it is not better than a regular conditioner that can be washed out. A split-end conditioner is designed specifically for damaged hair.
Drying Hair
The best way to dry black hair is to naturally air-dry it. Always towel blot the hair and do not rub the hair harshly with a towel because black hair is very fragile. Air-drying the hair will naturally help the hair retain moisture, allowing your hair to look smooth, shiny and healthy. Part or section the hair while it is wet and put a very tiny of amount of hair cream or oil moisturizer on the scalp and ends before air drying.
Combing and Brushing Hair
Use a quality wide-toothed comb. Do not use a comb with sharp-tipped edges or an afro pick. Never brush the hair when it is wet, as the strands are more prone to breakage at this time. Choose a brush that has wide-set bristles because the wider the bristles are, the easier the brush will glide through your hair. Clean the brush at least once a week. Brush your hair for at least ten minutes a day and wear a satin scarf or cap or sleep on a satin pillow during the night.
Styling and Cutting
Black hair can be set in many traditional styles. Use a hair cream moisturizer or oil moisturizer instead of hair grease. Hair grease that is not applied properly will leave the hair feeling greasy and heavy. The regular usage of blow dryers, hair dryers, curling irons and flat irons can dry out and damage hair. Avoid using them as much as possible. Remove split ends at least every four to six weeks. Regular cutting of the ends is essential for black hair because as damaged ends can travel up to healthy hair and affect it.
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