Thanks to the Natural Hair Movement, many women who used to use relaxers have decided to abandon them and return to their roots. Learning how to care for our naturally curly Afro hair! It's not a simple process—I've been there, and so have others. You just have to find what works best for your Afro hair!
Afro-American hair is the curliest of all hair types, and it's also the most fragile due to its structure. If you know your own curls and ringlets well, you'll know that our curly and kinky hair craves hydration. This isn't because our sebaceous glands don't produce enough oil, but because our hair is very curly, and therefore the oil from our scalp takes much longer to reach the entire length of our strands.
Why is Afro-curly hair so dry?
Great question! Moisturizing your Afro hair is crucial! But as we mentioned before, due to the curly nature of our hair, it takes much longer for the natural oils to penetrate the hair shaft and hydrate it. So, our Afro hair needs our help. We need to look for moisturizing 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 method—liquid, oil, cream. So, after washing your curls, add one of your favorite leave-in conditioners, use a light oil to seal in moisture, and a cream to style your hair. You could even use a gel or other styling product. This method isn't written in stone, so it can be modified; the important thing is to find what works for you! Mielle Organics Pomogranate and Honey is a line of products designed for type 4 Afro hair and is very hydrating.
Tip : Try to use hair products sparingly, we can be very generous when adding styling products to our hair, not only do products weigh down hair, but they also create buildup.
2. The Best Ways to Remove Knots from Afro Hair
Wow! How to get rid of knots and tangles from your curls... One of the biggest challenges for Afro-style hair and those with very tight curls is knots, including fairy knots on a strand of hair. These are best removed with scissors, as over time the strand of hair begins to break, causing breakage. So, to remove knots and tangles from your hair, we recommend using a wide-toothed comb, finger-detangling if you have time, or a detangling brush.
1. Always dampen your hair with a little water or add a pre-shampoo. This softens the hair and causes less breakage. Start detangling your hair in sections from the ends and work your way up to the roots. This will eliminate any breakage and knots, and you won't tear your hair trying to detangle it from the roots.
2. Once you get to the roots, gently try running the comb from the roots to the ends and see if your hair tangles. You may need to repeat this process on that section to make sure it's well-detangled.
3. You can make two braids with two strands to keep them apart...
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 afterward. If you like to wash your hair more often, you can replace shampoo with a co-wash during the week, and at the end of the month, use a deep cleansing shampoo that thoroughly cleanses 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 by the water. Keeping your hair wet for too long and too often can cause damage and breakage.
Some people tend to detangle their hair in the shower, but one thing to keep in mind is that hair is more fragile when wet.
5. How to dry Afro hair?
Less heat is better, however, using a hairdryer with a diffuser on low power or patting your hair dry with a microfiber towel to remove excess water is best.
6. Styling Afro Hair
Manipulate your Afro hair as little as possible, especially when styling it. Avoid tight braids, which can cause hair loss, breakage, and weakening. You can choose from several options for styling Afro hair: twists, wash-and-go, braids, or simply tying your hair into 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 aren't tight and easy to maintain.
Thick, rich curl creams moisturize 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 a spray like Keracare Coco Water , or use a spray bottle with water and then add your leave-in conditioner.
7. Silk Bonnet or Scarf for Afro Hair
Use a silk bonnet or scarf to tie your hair back while you sleep. This reduces friction, tangles, and helps prevent hair from drying out.
