How to Keep African American Black Hair Healthy
African American hair can be challenging to maintain and keep healthy. Without adequate moisture, the hair can become dry and brittle, causing it to break off or thin out. African Americans use different techniques to restore and continue to have healthy hair. Persistence and experimentation is needed to find out what works best for each individual's hair.
- Difficulty:
- Moderate
Instructions
Things You'll Need
- Gently shampoo and conditioner
- Moisturizers
- Satin scarf and/or pillow case
-
-
1
Avoid harsh shampoos that strip the strands, especially those that contain sodium sulfates in their ingredients. Use conditioners that are advertised to add elasticity and moisture to the hair. Try to use a deep conditioner once every two weeks.
-
2
Find a hair moisturizer that suits you. Try natural products, such Shea butter, to soften the hair. You can add oils of your choice to the Shea butter that will best match your hair's needs and your scent preferences.
-
3
Reduce the use of hair relaxers, spritz and gels. These products, especially relaxers, can cause extreme damage to the hair follicles that keeps them from growing properly. The use of spritz and gels can cause the hair to harden, which makes it more likely to break. Once these areas become damaged or thinned out, they can be difficult to restore.
-
4
Try to avoid the excessive heat used by pressing combs, straightening and curling irons and blow dryers. There are more reasonable ways to obtain straight tresses, such as roller setting or wet wrapping. If using a heat-based tool is necessary because of time limitations, dry the hair halfway and let it air dry to finish.
-
5
Style the hair in ways that will protect it. Experiment with braids, twists and other styles that will protect the hair from heat, chemicals and the environment. These styles can be kept in for weeks; however, make sure not to use too many products during this period to avoid buildup. Also, when applying these protective hairstyles, try not to pull the strands to tightly. Misusing these techniques can thin the hair and cause balding if they're not done carefully.
-
6
Wrap the hair at night. Sleep on a satin scarf and/or pillows that will reduce the moisture lost from the hair. You can even wrap your hair in a scarf or bandana, which will prevent it from getting tangled.
-
1
