African-American hair is curlier, dryer, coarser, and sometimes more brittle than the hair from those who are not off African descent. First and foremost hair care does not begin on the scalp but from within and it is essential that you eat healthy.
African-American Hair Care Tips
- Your diet must include fish, lean meat, green leafy vegetables, pulses, legumes, nuts, and fruits to keep both the body and hair healthy.
- Drinking at least 5-6 litres of water a day is essential to keep your body and scalp hydrated.
- Massage your hair regularly to stimulate the scalp so that it produces enough oil to battle the dry hair. Heat a little coconut, olive or almond oil and massage into your scalp. Leave it on overnight or if you are in a hurry, let it soak into your hair and scalp for an hour or so before washing it off with a mild shampoo.
- Shampooing on a daily basis may not be a good idea as it strips the hair of its essential oils and you may shampoo it once in every three days or so. In case you engage in daily activities which cause you to sweat more, you can rinse out your hair with water but do not use shampoo too frequently. However, if you feel the need to use a shampoo, you can go ahead but make sure it is mild and has low PH levels.
- It is advisable to not use a 2 in 1 shampoo with conditioner as this does not suit dry hair. Use a separate shampoo and conditioner instead.
- While washing your hair, rub it into your hair and in only one direction to avoid unnecessary tangling.
- Shower with cold water or if it’s too cold outside, use warm water but never water that is piping hot as this can damage the roots of your hair.
- After shampooing, oil your hair while it is still moist and use a wide toothed comb to brush out to the ends of your hair.
- Do not at any cost rub your hair dry after a wash as this will only damage it. Instead gently blot out the water and allow it to take its time and dry naturally. Since hair is extremely fragile when it is wet, do not brush it out. Use your fingers to disentangle it and let it dry a bit before using a comb.
- Use a satin or silk pillow case rather than a cotton one as hair often gets caught on cotton pillowcases especially if you toss and turn a lot in your sleep.
- Avoid shampoos that have alcohol as an ingredient as these will only dry out the hair and cause damage.