AFRICAN-AMERICAN HAIR: HAIR CARE AND STYLING TIPS

African American hair is very different from other types of hair. It’s especially fragile, vulnerable and grows more slowly as well as more brittle than Caucasian or Asian hair. Since it’s very unique in appearance and hair structure, African-American hair somehow brings the owners a very attractive beauty, mysterious but also a little wild. Black hair is like a “glamorous and enchanting girl” but very feeble and needs to carefully take care of every day. Here are some tips to properly take care of African-American hair, may take some extra effort, however, the silky and healthy results worth it.

Haircare tips

How often do you need to shampoo your Black hair?

Most of the experts recommend that you should wash your hair once every 1 or 2 weeks (or every 7 to 10 days is the most rational) to prevent dryness and product buildup. Generally, washing hair too often is not good for any type of hair, especially Black or African hair since this texture is drier and more brittle. The more often you shampoo, the more you strip your hair of its moisture. Remember that you always have to maintain and timely provide adequate moisture to the hair, simply by using a moisturizing shampoo and conditioner meant for Black hair or dry hair. In case you have to wash your hair more often, dilute your shampoo with 50% shampoo and 50% water, and use an additional moisturizing conditioner.

How to properly moisturize and add additional elasticity to African-American hair?

Because of the unique structure of the hair, it tends to become dehydrated and dry easily, leading to a lack of elasticity and therefore, the hair becomes brittle and easy to break. That’s why continuously enhancing hair’s moisture is the most important key to have healthy Black hair. Here are some tips to properly moisturize African-American hair:

• Conditioner is an essential “partner: “Co-washing”’ your hair with just moisturizing conditioner every 3-5 days. This not only provides moisture for hair but also keeps it manageable. Moreover, this process also keeps the natural curls less frizzy and more defined. A basic principle when using conditioner, do not apply it on your scalp as this may cause your hair to appear greasy. Focus on using the conditioner on the ends of your hair since this part is most vulnerable.

• Keep your hair away from products containing silicones and sulfates: Although silicones are great for making hair velvety and soft, the only thing can remove it – sulfates – is a big enemy of dry hair as this harsh cleaning agent will lead to dryness. If you don’t cleanse silicones from your hair properly, it will get too much build-up and finally looking greasy and dull. Instead of using silicones to make your hair smooth and silky, you can try some products that are washed out of your hair easily without any dryness, such as coconut oil or nourishing marks.

Choose the right hair care products

“Organic” ingredients are different from “natural” ingredients: Many people mistakenly think that these two terms are the same. But no, they are different and you should choose hair care products with “organic” ingredients over another one. “Organic” products are strictly produced from “safety” ingredients (such as avocado, coconut, etc.), which are all grown and harvested without any toxic chemicals or pesticides, etc. that can harm your health and your hair. Meanwhile, the term “natural” is more “flexible”.  A coconut hair care product can be natural because it has a coconut smell. “Natural” but not really “natural” – if you know what I mean.

Styling African-American hair

Comb hair carefully

Black hair is naturally curly, get tangled easily. Therefore, to untangle the frizzy hair, you must use a wide-tooth comb and gently start brushing from the hair tips to hair roots. If you have just washed your hair and it is still wet, don’t brush your hair right away as wet hair is very vulnerable, firstly, let’s it dry a little.

Use ceramic comb or iron to press hair, avoid heat styling and use a lower temperature and a treat protectant

Heat styling is never good for any type of hair, including Black hair, thus, you should only do this two times a month maximum if possible. You can add some hairspray to your hair while it is still wet to make the styling more effective. In addition, because the Black hair is more vulnerable than other textures, try to use the lowest temperature possible to avoid damaging the hair.

Should not use the high-stress hairstyles for long periods of time

Hairstyling is too tight may put lots of stress on your hair roots and scalp, leading to breakage and hair loss. Braids, cornrows, and weaves hair should not too tight, if it hurt while your hair is being styled, ask your stylist to redo it as pain also means damage.

Hopefully, this article is useful to you. Taking care of and styling African-American hair is not as easy as other types of hair. We wish you always have beautiful healthy hair. If you have any questions after reading this, please do not hesitate to leave your concerns in the comment section below. MACSARA is always glad to help.