Due to lack of moisture, the hair can become dry and brittle when summer commences. Afro hair is more vulnerable to this, and as a result, you can experience breakage or hair loss. People with Afro hair may find it more difficult to take care of afro hair in the warmer months, particularly if it has been overwashed or the wrong products have been used. But don’t worry, we’ve enlisted the help of Afro hair experts to have their best tips and tricks to take care of afro hair in perfect condition while the weather warms.
10 Incredible tips to take care of Afro hair
1. Water Should Be Your Hair’s Best Friend
When it comes to your afro hair, water is an absolute must. One of the most important factors in maintaining healthy natural hair is water. We recommend that you drink 8 glasses of water a day and regularly apply water to your hair.
You can apply water to the hair in several ways, including detangling. For its curly form, naturally kinky hair is more prone to knots and tangles. Attempting to comb through dry, messy hair would almost definitely leave you with a serious headache and hair breakage. Always detangle your hair while it is wet or while standing under a showerhead to make it easier to detangle. It’s also a good idea to keep a spray bottle of water on hand. The moisturizing method also requires the use of water. Use enough water on your hair to make it softer and shinier.
2. Hydrate Your Afro Hair Always
Moisture is also favorite of your afro hair. Kinky hair dries quickly and loses moisture. So it must be hydrated daily to prevent this. Before styling your hair, always apply hydrating milk, cream, or oil. When wearing protective styles such as braids or twists, use a highly conditioning product to keep the hair moisturized for the whole time.
Another tip for caring for your afro hair and refreshing your curls is to use a hydrating hair mask regularly. If your hair is very dry, a high hydration method is a good second option for hydrating it. Because it brings the most hydration and locks in moisture to your hair, the maximum hydration method is the most common and successful method for hydrating your afro hair.
3. Use A Sulfate-Free Shampoo
Many shampoos contain sodium lauryl sulfate, ammonium laureth sulfate, or ammonium lauryl sulfate. They also cause natural hair to become dry and brittle. Once a week, use a sulfate-free shampoo (and conditioner) to add moisture to your hair while also being gentler on your scalp. To strengthen and moisturize your scalp, use the Jamaican Black Castor Oil shampoo with shea butter and apple cider vinegar.
If using sulfate-free shampoo regularly is out of your price range, a less affordable alternative will be to wash your hair with black soap, preferably the local kind available in markets. Much better, you should make your own sulfate-free natural hair shampoo at home.
4. Oiling Your Hair Frequently
Kinky hair, by Naturally, needs a lot of oil. You should use oils daily as part of a natural routine. Oils are essential for maintaining and ensuring the health of your natural hair. Depending on the oil form, oils may be used to moisturize the hair or lock in existing moisture.
For oils that absorb into the hair shaft while also hydrating, use coconut oil, olive oil, or avocado oil. These oils are best used after a leave-in conditioner and to add moisture to tighter textures of hair.
Oils like Jamaican black castor oil, grapeseed oil, and jojoba oil are great for sealing in moisture and keeping hair hydrated for a long time.
5. Eat Healthy Meals For Your Hair Needs
According to one study, nutritious foods are not only beneficial for the body; they also help in the growth of healthier hair. A healthy diet high in low-fat proteins, dairy products, fruits, vegetables, and whole grains can help hair development. For a healthy scalp, eat foods rich in Omega-3 fatty acids, such as tuna, walnuts, and avocados.
To improve your hair, increase your protein intake by eating foods like poultry and eggs. Consume foods rich in vitamins A and C, such as spinach and asparagus, to keep the hair hydrated.
6. Sleep With A Satin Scarf Or Bonnet
Always wear a satin scarf or bonnet before going to bed. It keeps your hair from tangling and breaking when you sleep. Invest in a pillowcase made of smooth satin or silk as well. Sleeping with loose hair on a cotton pillowcase can cause dry hair, hair breakage, and hair loss due to friction with the cotton. A silk or satin pillowcase is much gentler on the hair and helps in the preservation of moisture.
7. Let Your Hair Breathe
With the recent craze of hiding your hair under a wig, it’s easy to forget the importance of enabling your hair to breathe. Under-wig protective styles, such as braids and twists, should be taken out and refreshed every three months. After removing a style, remember to deep condition and seal your hair. Instead of hiding your natural hair back into a weave after you’ve taken out a style, experiment with different ways, such as Bantu knots, flat twists, or high puffs. This helps your hair to breathe and helps you to show off your wonderful afro crown.
8. Trim Your Hair Regularly
One of your bad habits is probably letting your hair grow with all of its split ends. Regular split end trimming is an essential part of the natural hair journey. Split ends indicate hair damage, which, if remain unattended, will cause the hair to split and damage its health. Inspect your hair for split ends every couple of weeks and trim them yourself or have a hairstylist do it for you.
Run your fingers through a few strands of your hair to check for splitting. This will show whether or not there has been any breakfast along the strand. If the trim split ends past the point of the split, it will simply break. Even if you don’t think you have split ends, if your hair feels rough as you run your fingertips through it, this is a symptom of hair damage.
9. Cover Up Hair During Harsh Weather Conditions
Wear a hat or headscarf over your hair if you live in the tropics, where the temperature is more dangerous. Weather can damage afro hair, especially if there is a lot of direct exposure to wind whips, heat fries, or rain. These weather conditions dehydrate the hair, making it frizzy and unmanageable. If you have to go out in such weather, carry a protective layer for your hair, such as a headscarf or umbrella.
10. Always Use A Wide Tooth Comb
Natural hair can tangle and knot, making it difficult to comb through. It is recommended that you use combs with wider, softer teeth, such as the wide-tooth comb, to reduce the risk of hair loss and breakage. Wide-tooth combs have enough space between the rows to allow you to pass through your hair without tearing it up. They make detangling hair less painful and harmful. Make sure your hair is damp enough before combing it or spray it with water, and then finger detangle before combing through. Also, comb in sections, preferably 4 – 8 parts.
The Bottom Line
If you strictly adhere to these techniques and steps, take care of afro hair would become a breeze. You’ll be on your way to adopting a routine that works for you and helps you achieve great-looking, healthy hair sooner than you expect.
