Let’s face it, our natural hair can be a lot to handle when it comes to taking proper care of it. Some naturals battle dryness, some battle hair that is coarse and dense making it difficult to comb and style while some others fight shrinkage. In this article, I will be sharing with you some helpful tips on how you can care for your afro-textured hair with ease.
- Moisturize Your Hair
As a natural hair queen, moisturizing is non-negotiable. Kinky hair tends to dry out quickly and lose its moisture. So, to prevent that, you have to consistently hydrate your hair. Before styling your hair, make sure you apply your liquid (this could be a leave-in conditioner or water), cream, and oil to it. You can do this in the morning and at night. For excessively dry hair, you can use a hair mask two to three times a week. You can also do the maximum hydration method to help your hair lock retain moisture for a longer period.
- Do Protective Styles
Protective styles help prevent your hair from breakage, shedding, or any other hair damage. Protective styles include braids, twists, buns, Bantu knots, etc. If you are someone who doesn’t like to put their hair in braided hairstyles, you can use a wig. For a variety of wig options to help you protect your natural hair check this wig collection.
- Use a Satin Bonnet
You should never go to sleep without putting your hair in a satin bonnet. This helps to keep your hair from tangling and breaking while you toss and turn in your sleep. Sleeping with uncovered hair on a cotton pillowcase can create friction as you toss and turn, leading to dryness, tangles, and breakage. The texture of a satin/silk bonnet is much more gentle on your hair, helping to also preserve its moisture.
- Use Sulfate-free Shampoos
Many shampoos contain chemicals such as sulfates, which can cause your natural hair to experience dryness and breakage. Thus, you should use sulfate-free shampoo to wash your hair. You can also wash your hair with African black soaps as they are safe. If you need professional guidance on selecting the right products, dermatology services in New Hampshire can provide personalized recommendations based on your hair type and needs.
- Trim Split Ends
Holding on to split ends can cause your hair breakage to worsen and eventually lead to damaged hair. How do you know that your hair has split ends? Simply run your fingers along the length of a few strands of your hair. If you get fairy knots, or your hair breaks easily, then it is a sign that you have split ends. To get rid of these, trim your hair every four to six months using a pair of hair shears. If you cannot do this yourself, you can visit a professional to help you.
- Try Clip-ins Extensions
There are days when you just feel too lazy to style your hair but you still have to go outside. On such days, you can try out kinky hair clip-ins. Clip-ins help to reduce styling time to 10 minutes or less, depending on how fast you are. It also helps to protect your hair against breakage and exposure to harsh weather conditions.
- Avoid Broken Hair Tools
Combs with broken teeth and brushes with hard bristles can cause pain and breakage to your natural hair when you use them. So, get rid of your broken hair tools and replace them with new ones,
Now that you have read this article, caring for your afro-textured hair should be easier. Do put all the tips you have learned into practice and watch how your hair becomes better!
