African-American hair is unique in both structure and appearance and it is also prone to damage and injury. Over 50% of Black women will report hair loss and hair thinning as their main concern. The key to beautiful and healthy hair is moisture combined with gentle treatment.
In absence of these components, your hair can become brittle and dry pretty easily, thereby shedding at a faster rate. And even though caring for African-American hair calls for a little bit of extra effort and time, the end results are definitely worth it.
To help maximize and retain moisture in your hair this summer, follow the below-mentioned natural black hair care tips as recommended by specialists:
1. Cut Back on the Hair Washing
Wash your hair once on a weekly or bi-weekly basis. The more frequently you wash your hair, the more you strip it of its moisture, leaving you with dull and dry hair. For this reason, you should rinse your hair every 7 – 10 days, but you can also get away with washing it once every two weeks. This will help prevent product buildup and dryness. When shampooing your hair, remember to use warm or cool water (not hot). If you must wash your hair more frequently, dilute your shampoo with 50% shampoo and 50% water.
You might have to experiment or switch between different shampoos, but quality moisturizing and/or professional shampoos made specifically for black hair can make a world of difference. Invest in one that is designed for your hair type and offer sufficient hydration to your scalp and hair.
2. Use A Conditioner Every Time You Shampoo
Conditioners are designed to moisturize your hair, especially after the components in your shampoo have stripped them of their natural oils. If you are pressed for time then investing in a good leave-in conditioner will do the trick. Furthermore, these conditioners are quite effective for hair growth as they have the ability to penetrate deep into your hair cuticles thus curing them completely.
In addition to using a good shampoo and conditioner, use a good-quality deep yet light conditioner for warm/hot weather every week or two for 10 to 15 minutes that will help seal the strands and lock your hair’s moisture, thereby preventing dry hair. If you blow dry your hair often, then make sure to use a lightweight crème before and after you are done blow drying.
When picking a conditioner to treat your black hair, you should always go for a moisturizing formula that comprises of natural ingredients and humectants such as good-quality oils, and vegetable glycerin.
For those of you that don’t mind the process, you can also consider co-washing, which is the process of washing hair with just a conditioner every 3 – 5 days. It will help moisturize your hair, thus keeping them manageable. Focus the conditioner on your hair ends; avoid applying it to your scalp as it can make the hair look extra greasy.
3. Oil Your Hair
A warm oil massage is a relaxing and at the same very effective way of restoring moisture and treating your dry scalp. Massaging with oil stimulates the natural oil production, enhances blood circulation to your scalp and hair follicles and offers key nutrients to the scalp. It also assists in restoring your scalp’s moisture level, relieving the distress and frizz associated with it.
When massaging, use olive oil or coconut oil for best results.
- Warm 2 – 3 tablespoons of olive oil.
- Use it to massage your whole scalp
- Wrap your hair in a towel and let it sit for 1 to 2 hours
- Rinse the oil from your hair, then wash with a mild shampoo
- Repeat this process once or twice every week in order to keep your scalp free from dryness and your hair moisturized.
4. Dry Gently
If you don’t have the time to air-dry your hair and usually go for towel-drying, then it is essential that you start by gently blotting your hair – avoid twisting or rubbing- since your locks can easily dry out and start shedding. Soft t-shirts or microfiber towels make excellent substitutes since they are not too harsh on the hair strands as well as the scalp. Another smart tip is to invest in a high-quality dryer that will be gentler on the scalp and hair. Moreover, make it a point to cut down on your drying time in order to retain moisture.
With these hair care tips, you can welcome summer wholeheartedly. That’s it for this week. As always …
Dedicated To Your Beauty,
Juliette Samuel
Aestheticican/Author/Publisher
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