According to Cleverly Beauty, black people’s hair quickly dries out due to frequent washing. Indeed, black men’s hair requires extra care, making it more challenging to handle than other hair types. However, managing your afro doesn’t need to feel overwhelming. You only need to follow specific tips to provide your hair the best care it deserves.
But fret not because, in this article, we’ll show you the best hair care tips for black men.
Moisturize, Moisturize, Moisturize
Any hair type tends to dry out throughout the day, but black people’s hair is more prone. Because of this, keeping your locks smooth can be an everyday struggle, especially under varying conditions.
As a solution, try moisturizing your hair after washing to lock in moisture and prevent breakages due to dryness. Moreover, your hair can stay silky and manageable by keeping the scalp hydrated.
You can start by using a water-based moisturizing product. Then use oil (such as coconut or jojoba oils) to seal the moisture because water quickly evaporates from hair. Lastly, you can opt to apply a leave-in conditioner or moisturizing cream for best results.
Natural Products Work Best
Your hair and scalp will thank you for switching to natural products, especially sulfate-free shampoo, and natural oil conditioners. Organic shampoos contain natural ingredients such as coconut oil, aloe vera, and jojoba oil that promote healthy hair growth and eliminate excess oil buildup without removing moisture from your hair.
You’ll also do well in using silicone-free conditioner to guarantee that your scalp won’t be congested with heavy silicones. Products that contain silicone can temporarily increase smoothness at the expense of long-term damage caused by weighing down your hair strands.
You should also avoid products that contain alcohol or petroleum as they can lead to further hair and scalp damage.
Wash Your Hair Less Frequently
We get it; you shampoo your hair daily to remove yesterday’s hairstyling products, but you’re only doing more harm than good. You should reduce your shampooing frequency to once a week, primarily if you use products with sodium lauryl sulfate or SLS for your afro hair. These shampoos will damage and dry your hair and scalp if you wash your hair more than two times a week.
Despite being effective cleaners, sulfate-based shampoos contain harsh chemicals that remove your hair’s sebum or natural oils, resulting in dryness and irritation. They will also make your hair feel like an abrasive sponge.
Eat Nutritiously
You are what you eat; by extension, your hair becomes what you eat too. You can see noticeable impacts on your hair from what you eat. Try eating more unprocessed foods rich in healthy oils and fats, such as salmon, olives, almonds, and avocados, to supply your hair with the vitamins and nutrients it needs to be strong and healthy.
We also advise that you get adequate vitamins and minerals from supplements while eating a balanced diet. Vitamin-deficient people are more likely to suffer from hair loss and other issues.
To prevent this, try taking supplements rich in Vitamin B, which takes care of your hair’s general health; Vitamin C, which supports hair growth, renews tissues, and aids in the absorption of iron; and Vitamin E, which increases blood flow on the scalp.
Avoid Heat and Harsh Conditions
Heat causes lots of problems for your hair. Aside from drying your hair and scalp, it causes the strands to become brittle and easily break. To prevent this, try drying your hair with air or microfiber towels instead of blow drying it to lessen heat damage and avoid breaking.
Your hair and scalp also don’t do well under harsh conditions, just like your skin. For instance, rain can remove moisture and cause frizzy hair, while heat, as mentioned, increases the likelihood of breakages and dries your scalp.
If you want to keep your hair looking and feeling fabulous under different conditions, try covering it with a cap, shemagh, or bandana.
Comb Your Hair Properly
You should only comb or brush your hair once it’s completely dry to prevent breakage or damage. Additionally, you shouldn’t be detangling your hair with a brush or comb. Try to use oil to do this more easily.
Perhaps you’re also wondering why your hair doesn’t work well with a comb. Well, a standard comb or brush is usually acceptable when styling short hair, but you’ll do better with an afro comb or a wide tooth comb.
You can use hard brushes to shape your hair into more defined shapes or soft brushes to flatten or manage any stray hairs that may try to stick out.
Conclusion
Just because your hair is more challenging to style doesn’t mean that you can’t rock it confidently. With these proper styling and hair care techniques, your afro can turn heads without feeling like a burden.
