How to Keep Black Kinky Hair From Breaking
African American men and women often find hair care difficult. Kinky, textured curls are fragile and prone to breakage. On top of that, the desire for straighter, glossier, more manageable hair leads some to treat their hair with chemicals and straightening irons, which tend to damage the hair. To prevent kinky, textured curls from breaking and improve the health of the hair, give it special care. Does this Spark an idea?
Instructions
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Minimize your hair's exposure to direct heat from hair dryers, curling irons, or flat irons, especially if you use relaxers or similar products. Relaxers make textured hair more fragile. Never use flat irons or curling irons on hair that is still damp. This can cause the hair to overheat, break and become damaged.
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Wash your hair only once a week. This is less than typical, but it can actually be healthier. Textured hair is at its most vulnerable when it is wet. To keep hair hydrated and healthy-looking, use a leave-in or spray-on conditioner.
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Consider going natural. Although some people enjoy the look of smoother, straightened hair, the relaxing process can be damaging. Relaxers weaken the hair shaft and reduce the amount of oil it receives from the scalp. The kinkier the hair, the more prone to damage. The structure of textured hair makes it more difficult for the oils to work their way from the scalp to the ends.
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Comb or brush hair gently and carefully. Thick, kinky hair tends to tangle more easily. Pulling out these tangles can cause the hair to break. Never yank the comb through the hair. Work any tangles out slowly.
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Avoid tying the hair back too tightly with elastic bands. Tying hair too tightly can cause breakage, especially if you pull the bands out roughly at the end of the day.
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References
- Photo Credit beautiful african american woman image by Elke Dennis from Fotolia.com
