How to Keep Afro Hair Soft

Afro hair that feels hard and brittle is usually dry. For the softest Afro, make sure your hair is moisturized. Gentle treatment and proper moisture levels are required to keep the hair of African Americans in the best condition. Although Afro hair doesn't feel the same as naturally straight hair, it can still feel cottony soft with proper care. Once you understand what softness is when it comes to this hair type, you'll realize when your hair is in good condition and when it needs extra pampering.

Things You'll Need

• Shampoo
• Conditioner
• Deep conditioner
• Natural oils
• Daily moisturizers
• Hair cover

Instructions

1. Shampoo and condition Afro hair once or twice a week. Use products that are designed for dry hair.

2. Deep condition hair once or twice a month. Comb the conditioner throughout the hair, but concentrate it on the ends, which are usually drier than the rest of the hair.

3. Use products that are as close to natural as possible on Afro hair. Good oils to try include coconut and jojoba, which is similar to the body's natural sebum. Unrefined shea butter is another natural product that works well on dry hair.

4. Moisturize the hair daily with natural oils or a moisturizing cream.

5. Comb products through the hair to ensure that all of it is moisturized. The best way to comb through Afro hair is to begin at the ends and work your way toward the scalp. This prevents excess pulling, which leads to breakage.

6. Cover hair before sleeping. Whether you use a scarf or wrap, the material should be satiny or silky. This prevents Afro textured hair from rubbing on cotton pillowcases and drying out. You can also use a silk pillowcase if you don't want to wear a cover.

Tips & Warnings

• Afro hair is usually dry by nature; the kinks and coils in the hair make it difficult for scalp oils to travel down the hair shaft and reach the ends. This is why you should look for products designed for dry hair.

• Avoid too much heat styling. Direct heat from flat and curling irons and indirect heat from blow dryers pull moisture from black hair.

• Avoid harsh chemicals such as hair relaxers and at-home hair color if possible. Chemicals break down the hair's bonds and strip away the natural moisture.

• Do not use products that contain petrolatum. This is a heavy, greasy product that coats the hair but doesn't moisturize it.

References

• Treasured Locks
• Grow Afro Hair Long