How to Care for Black Natural Hair
Caring for natural black hair the right way will pay off with healthy curls and coils, whether your hair is a short afro or hangs down your back. Make sure you pamper this fragile hair type so that it can flourish. With gentle styling practices and basic daily care, black hair in its natural, unstraightened state can be healthy and beautiful. Does this Spark an idea?
Things You'll Need
- Shampoo
- Conditioner
- Wide tooth comb
- Soft bristle brush
- Natural oils
- Hair cover
Instructions
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How to Care for Black Natural Hair
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1
Shampoo and condition hair about once per week with products designed for dry hair. Cleanse hair in the shower, using the downward motion of the water to work shampoo through the hair. Concentrate on cleansing the scalp by rubbing with the balls of your fingers.
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2
Detangle hair when it's wet and saturated with conditioner. Use a wide-tooth comb for detangling. Begin at the bottom of the hair and work your way toward the roots until all tangles are combed out.
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3
Use natural products like jojoba oil, rosemary oil, and shea butter for moisturizing. You can massage oils into your scalp if you like. Concentrate moisturizers on the ends of the hair, which are usually the driest areas.
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4
Brush the hairline smooth with a soft brush. Brushes with firm plastic or nylon bristles are hard on black hair, so use a natural-bristle brush.
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5
Twist or braid the hair at night if it's long enough. This helps prevent tangles and makes it easier to style hair in the morning.
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6
Cover the hair at night with a silk or satin scarf or bonnet. If you prefer, sleep on a silk or satin pillowcase instead of covering the hair. This helps retain your hair's moisture, as regular pillowcases tend to rob black hair of its natural oils.
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7
See a barber or stylist regularly to have your ends trimmed. This may be anywhere from once a month to once every few months. Trimming the hair prevents split ends from working their way up the shaft and removes dead, dry ends.
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Tips & Warnings
Use gentle styling techniques to avoid pulling on the hair. Shampooing too often will dry out natural black hair. Use direct heat sparingly; too much heat on black hair will also dry it out.
Avoid hairstyles that pull on the hairline, such as tight braids. Hairstyles should not hurt. Don't pile hair on top of the head when shampooing. This can lead to tangles and mats. Avoid products that contain petrolatum and mineral oil. These ingredients clog pores and coat the hair shaft.
