African American Hair Care

Hair Care Basics…

African American hair grows from the roots, and out of the opening. You should picture your hair as a collection of fine fibers. The slightest neglect, will make it difficult for you to take care of your hair. You should treat it as gently as possible.

The African American hairs are essentially made of keratin, a protein made up of amino acids, which needs to be nourished from the inside- out.
The hair will also tend to be dryer and more prone to breakage than Caucasian hair. This is due to its structure that makes it more difficult for the oils to work their way down from the scalp to the ends of the hair. Relaxers are an essential part of African American hair care, unfortunately, they weakened the hair and decrease the capability for the scalp to naturally oil itself.

Since African American hair is kinky, it tends to tangle much more than other hair types. These tangles may cause breakage if not handled properly. A simple rule to follow is to always gently comb from the bottom upwards and never aggressively attack the tangles, as this will guarantee your hair to break.

Using the right hair products is crucial. There are plenty of quality high-end African American hair care products to choose from. Try and avoid just going to your local convenience store and grabbing anything off the shelf. Your stylist should be able to suggest which brand will work for you.


A few suggestions at managing your hair…

• Excessively combing your hair will certainly lead to breakage.
• When braiding your hair, avoid pulling it so tight.
• Hair straighteners and hot combs work wonders when used in moderation.

• Use hair oil to moisturize your curls.
• Trim your hair every 4-6 weeks.
• Shampoo no more than 1-2 times a week, as washing your hair will dry it out. Always apply a moisturizing cream after washing your hair.

• By wearing either a satin or silk scarf to sleep, you will help prevent hair from tangling, drying or frizzing, as well as reducing the chance of breakage.

• Always use a leave-in conditioner after washing your hair.
• Comb your hair out while you're conditioning it. This will help to relieve the pain and remove the tangles while it's wet.

• Shea butter is an excellent way to oil your scalp on a daily basis.
• Do a deep conditioner or hot oil treatment once a month.
• Avoid heat on your hair as much as possible. Heat, together with perms and relaxers are very damaging to hair.

• Always remember to wait until your hair is completely dry before you apply any relaxers.