Starting your natural hair journey can be a daunting task, especially with the overwhelming amount of information available. The natural hair movement has made significant strides, but the big chop and maintaining your natural hair can be challenging. Here are tips to get you started on a healthy natural hair care procedure.
1. Moisture, moisture, moisture
The most important thing for curly hair and kinky hair is to moisturize, and the best way to moisturize your coiled locks is with H20. Because, curly hair and kinky hair types are naturally dry, it is important that natural hair products for curly hair or kinky hair contain water. However, after wetting your hair, you should always seal the moisture in with an oil or a butter. Buying the right black hair products that contain natural ingredients and assist in retaining moisture is very important, there is a variety of products that can now be found online. It has a range of handmade natural hair products that maximize moisture retention and hair growth. Products that contains Aloe Vera, a natural conditioner assists in replenishing your hair with water and sealing your hair. It should be used every other day to replenish water back into the hair. This product can be used by lightly misting the length of your hair whether you are wearing your hair in a protective hairstyle or in an afro.
2. Never (ever) brush or comb your hair when it is dry
Curly and kinky hair can easily tangle and thus lead to breakage. Before passing a comb through your hair, ensure that your hair is wet and conditioned. You will be able to detangle your hair with more ease and avoid unnecessary breakage.
3. Avoid shampoos that contain Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS)
SLS is a foaming agent that is contained in many shampoos and acts as a cleaning agent. Basically, it’s a detergent for your hair. Although it does indeed get the ‘cleaning’ job done, it is also extremely drying to the hair, as it strips it of dirt as well as the natural oils it needs to remain healthy and moisturised. This is particularly harmful to curly/kinky hair textures as these hair types naturally lack moisture and natural oils and thus cannot afford to be stripped of the little moisture and oils that remain. You should, thus, opt for a shampoo that contains no SLS.
4. Clarify
Clarifying your scalp is extremely important in balancing the Ph of your hair and scalp (yes, they have their own Ph) and, if the former is compromised, it could lead to a lack of shine, dullness in the hair and overall poor hair health. Clarifying should be done every three weeks with Apple Cider Vinegar (ACV). Dilute one part of ACV to every three parts of water. It does have a bit of a harsh smell, but it subsides as your hair dries. Clarifying your hair with ACV gets rid of the gunk on your scalp (that has accumulated from using various hair products), closes the hair cuticles, adds shine and balances the pH of the scalp. After clarifying your scalp, rinse off the ACV and proceed with a conditioner.
5. Care for your ends
In order to avoid split ends (and having to trim your hair often), make sure that your ends are always moisturized and protected. Your ends are the oldest part of your hair and therefore the most fragile, to ensure that you do not need to trim your hair often, and to therefore retain more length, you should seal your ends regularly. Black Castor Oil is thick and works as a perfect moisture sealant for your dry ends.
6. Avoid direct heat styling
Regularly styling your hair, using direct heat, leads to split ends, dryness and breakage, which probably means you need to cut your hair more often than one who steers clear of heat. If your hair has undergone a chemical process, it is even more prone to breakage than natural hair. A great way to style relaxed hair, without exposing it to direct heat, is by setting your hair in curlers and sitting under the dryer. Although there is some heat exposure, it is not direct like a flat iron or blow-drying, which is the lesser of the two evils. The best approach is to not expose your hair to any heat, and let your hair air-dry.
7. Know and listen to your hair
If you’re experiencing abnormal shedding or breakage, you know something is either wrong with your diet, your hair regimen or your health. Either way, your hair (like your skin) will react, and this serves as a sign that should not be not ignored. You should, therefore, learn to listen and develop a sense of familiarity with your hair; it may be trying to tell you something you are overlooking. Continuous use of detrimental products or a regimen that is not suited to you can lead to breakage. What works for one may not work for you, our textures are so diverse. Learn more about your hair and it will reward you for it.
8. Do your oil treatments weekly
Doing an oil treatment once a week really goes a long way, whether you wear your hair in locks, braids, twists, a weave or an Afro. We recommend doing your oil treatments on days that don’t require you to be out and about. Use oils (which contains a blend of rich oils that promote hair growth and scalp health) to your hair masque. Once you’ve covered every strand of your hair, put on a plastic cap and keep it on for at least one hour. For extra penetration, wrap your head in a hot, wet towel. This will open the cuticles of your hair and it will allow the hair treatment to better penetrate your hair. Once you’re done, rinse your hair with warm water.
9. Low manipulation and protective styling
Protective styling is an excellent way to retain length in your hair, as brushing and combing your hair too often can lead to unnecessary shedding. Sometimes putting your hair away in braids or twists for a couple of weeks (never exceeding six weeks), can be extremely beneficial in giving your hair a break from often being manipulated.
10. Stock up on omega 3 essential fatty acids (EFAs)!
There is no doubt that a healthy diet is probably the most important way to maintain healthy hair and skin. Certain foods, however, are extremely beneficial in allowing our hair to grow well and long and omega 3 EFAs are one of them. Omega 3 EFAs can combat dry and brittle hair, hair loss, dry, flaky scalp and reduced circulation to the scalp. The benefits of omega 3 EFAs include adding lustre, sheen and elasticity to your hair. Foods that contain omega 3 EFAs are avocados, pumpkin seeds, walnuts and salmon.
