Due to the Natural Hair Movement, many girls who previously used relaxing treatments have decided to abandon them and return to their "roots". Learning how to take care of our naturally curly afro hair! It's not a process without trial and error, I've been there too and other people have been there too, you just have to find what works best for your afro hair!
Afro hair is the curliest of all hair types and is also the most fragile, due to its texture. If you know your curls and ringlets well, you'll know that our curly, frizzy hair craves moisture, and this isn't because our sebaceous glands don't produce enough oils, but because our hair is very curly. and therefore the oil from our scalp takes much longer to reach the entire length of our locks.
Why is natural hair so dry?
Great question! Moisturizing your afro hair is essential! But as we said before, due to the curly nature of our hair, it takes much longer for the natural oils to travel down the length of our hair and moisturize it. So our afro hair needs our help. We need to look for hydrating products , including shampoos, conditioners, thick butters, curl creams, leave-in conditioners, and so on!
1. Choose moisturizing products for afro-curly hair
One way to make your afro hair soft and hydrated is to use the LOC - liquid, oil, cream method. So after washing your curls, add one of your favorite leave-in conditioners, use a lightweight oil to seal in moisture and a cream to comb through your hair, you could even use a gel or other styling products. This method is not written in stone, so it can be changed; what's important is finding out what works for you! Mielle Organics Pomogranate and Honey are a line of products designed for type 4 afro hair, very hydrating.
Tip : Try to use hair products sparingly, we can be very generous when adding styling products to our hair, not only do the products weigh down the hair, they also create buildup.
2. Best Ways to Remove Knots from Natural Curls and Coils Hair
Oucch! How to get rid of knots and tangles from your curls… One of the biggest challenges for afro hair and very tight curl patterns are knots, which include fairy knots on a strand of hair, which are best removed with hair scissors as over time the strand of hair starts to break causing breakage. So, to remove knots and tangles from your hair, we recommend using a wide-toothed comb, finger combing if you have time, or a detangling brush.
1. Always moisten your hair with a little water or add a pre-shampoo, these soften the hair and cause less breakage. Start detangling the hair from the ends in sections and work upwards to the root, this will eliminate any loose hairs and knots, you won't tear your hair trying to detangle it from the roots.
2. Once you get to the roots, try gently running the comb from roots to ends and see if your hair gets tangled, you may need to repeat the process on that section to make sure it's well detangled.
3 .You can braid two strands to keep them out of the way...
4. How to wash Afro Hair?
Washing your afro hair once a week is a great place to start, use a hydrating shampoo and conditioner to follow. If you're someone who likes to wash your hair more often, you can replace your shampoo with a co-wash during the week and at the end of the month use a deep cleansing shampoo that thoroughly cleans your hair and removes product buildup.
Tip: Try not to keep your hair wet for too long, the hair shaft swells when wet and the cuticles are temporarily raised due to the water. If you keep your hair wet too long and too often, this can cause damage and breakage to the hair shaft.
Some people tend to detangle their hair in the shower, one thing to keep in mind is that hair is more fragile when wet.
5. How to Dry Natural Curly Hair?
Less heat is better, however, using a blow dryer with a diffuser on low power or patting your hair dry with a microfiber towel to remove excess water is better.
6. Styling Afro Hair
You can choose from several options: twist, wash n go, braids or simply put your hair in a bun. The important thing to remember is to moisturize your hair: the less time you spend manipulating your curls, the less breakage you'll have. Choose hairstyles that are not tight and easy to maintain.
Thick, rich curl creams will hydrate your curls, and shea butter will be your best friend, especially if you have very curly hair. Gels are perfect for hold, but there are also creams like Creme of Nature's Curl Definition Pudding that offer a soft hold for your curls and coils.
Refreshing your afro hair during the week is a great way to keep it hydrated. You can use sprays like Keracare Coco Water , or use a spray bottle with water and then add your leave-in conditioner.
7. Silk Bonnet or Hair Scarf
Use a silk bonnet or silk scarf to tie your hair back when you sleep, this reduces friction, knots and helps prevent hair from drying out.
