More black women and men are making the switch to natural hair every day. While it can present many challenges, there are so many advantages to embracing your natural textures.
If you’re not sure if you can handle making the transition back, we can help. Keep reading to find our natural black hair care tips to help you make the change.
1. Get to Know Your Hair Inside and Out
All hair is not created equal. Your hair will not react the same as your friends, siblings, or even your mother’s. That’s why it’s so important to take the time to learn how your hair responds to different styles and products.
If you’ve been using chemical relaxers, the transition to natural may be a challenge. Your hair will thank you, though, as relaxers are notoriously hard on your hair. They leave your tresses weak, brittle, and prone to breakage.
Give yourself time to get to know your natural hair texture. Try different tools, products, and techniques until you find something that works for you. Explore YouTube or Instagram to find inspiration and real-world tips.
2. Use the Right Styling Products
Anyone with textured hair can tell you that not all styling products are equal. When your hair has a mind of its own, you need products that can take charge. Here are some options worth investing in.
Leave-In Conditioners
A high-quality leave-in conditioner can cut back on frizz and add necessary moisture to your locks. They work by keeping your hair hydrated from the inside out. Look fo options chock full of moisturizing ingredients like shea butter and avocado oil.
Oils
Hair oils act as emollients to help lock in moisture. They can also strengthen your locks and protect them from heat damage.
Almond and jojoba oils are great picks as they’re both very versatile.
Almond oil can prevent split ends and also keep your skin healthy. It may also be able to treat scalp conditions like seborrheic dermatitis and psoriasis.
Jojoba oil is close in structure to the sebum that your scalp produces on its own. It can prevent hair breakage and strengthen your tresses. It can even reduce acne and stretch marks.
Heat Protectants
Heat protectant sprays are a must-have for anyone using heat tools on their hair. Your straightener or curling iron may reach temperatures over 400°F. You enter the danger zone with anything above 266°F, opening up your hair to heat damage.
The sprays create a lightweight barrier between your hair and the tool. They also seal in moisture while preventing frizz.
3. Use the Right Hair Tools
Before you try styling your hair, you need to have the right tools for the job. There are several essential pieces of equipment you’ll need.
Combs
One of our best black hair care tips for damaged hair is to use the right comb.
A wide-tooth comb, pick or brush designed specifically for natural hair is best for detangling. The spaces between the teeth will prevent end breakage. Combs with long teeth are great for working through sections of thick hair.
It’s worthwhile to invest in high-quality hair tools, too. While products from the dollar store are easy on the wallet, they won’t perform the same job as salon-grade options.
Diffusers
You need a diffuser attachment for your blow dryer for several reasons.
Diffusers can enhance the natural curl and texture of your tresses. They can maximize your volume while keeping frizz at bay. Not to mention the time you’ll save!
Diffusers come in different shapes and sizes, so it doesn’t hurt to have a few in your repertoire.
Clips
Trying to style or blow-dry your hair all at once is a disaster waiting to happen. If your hair is thick, you need to work with small sections at a time. Crocodile clips are great for gripping thick hair and holding sections in place.
Sleep Bonnets
A sleep bonnet can help preserve a good hair day when the hair Gods smile down upon you. They also help maintain your hair’s moisture and prevent friction that causes breakage and wild hair days.
Look for bonnets or scarves made of silk materials.
4. Try Supplementation
Supplementation is a great way to hit your nutritional (and hair) goals. While you should aim to hit your daily targets through the foods you eat, it’s not always possible.
Vitamins and supplements are an easy way to ensure you’re meeting your nutritional needs. Plus, who doesn’t like eating delicious gummy hair vitamins to help them hit those targets?
Choose supplements based on your hair goals.
Biotin for Hair Growth
Biotin is a great supplement to try if you’re hoping to grow your hair. Part of the Vitamin B family, your body needs biotin to maintain healthy skin, nails, and – you guessed it – hair.
Aim for around 30 to 100 mcg per day through either food or supplementation. Before reaching for a pill bottle, try adding more biotin-rich foods into your diet. Foods with the most biotin include:
- beef liver (30.8 mcg)
- eggs (10 mcg)
- salmon (5 mcg)
- sunflower seeds (2.6 mcg)
- almonds (1.5 mcg)
Vitamin C for Hair Growth & Shine
Most people know that Vitamin C is a powerful weapon for a stronger immune system. What many don’t know is that it’s also useful for creating collagen. Collagen is an essential part of the structure of your hair.
Vitamin C can also work wonders in preventing split ends and hair dullness. Hello, shine!
Aim for a minimum of 65 to 90 mg of Vitamin C per day. Try not to go over 2,000 mg. Find Vitamin C in foods like:
- guava
- kiwi
- bell peppers
- strawberries
- oranges
Omega-3 Fatty Acids for Reducing Hair Loss
Female pattern hair loss affects 40% of women. If you’re part of this statistic, Omega-3 fatty acids may be able to help.
Omega-3 supplements nourish hair and support regrowth. They can also help to reduce inflammation that causes hair loss in the first place.
Aim for a minimum of 250-500 mg of DHA and EPA every day. You can also find omega-3 fatty acids in foods like:
- mackerel
- salmon
- flax seeds
- chia seeds
- walnuts
5. Wash it Right
One of our favorite and easiest natural hair care tips is washing it right. Since African American hair is often fragile, you need to know how to prevent damage.
The American Academy of Dermatology suggests that hair with tight coils should only be washed once a week. If you wash too often, you risk removing sebum and drying out your scalp.
Ensure you’re using a high-quality sulfate-free shampoo. Sulfates are notorious for removing the hair’s natural oils, making it prone to breakage.
A conditioner needs to follow the shampoo with a special focus on hair ends. You may wish to use a deep conditioner or oil treatment a few times per month to add moisture to your hair.
If you choose to use thermal devices like blow-dryers or straighteners, use a heat protectant. Put it in your hair when it’s wet to help minimize any heat damage.
6. Comb it Right
You already know that you need the right combs to combat your natural hair. There’s a right and wrong way to use these combs, though. African-American hair can break very easily if you don’t take the right approach.
Never try to comb kinky hair when it’s dry. Use a moisturizing product like hair oils or leave-in conditioner before combing.
Avoid fine-tooth combs like the plague. They cause breakages and will take a long time to get through black hair.
Give yourself ample time for combing. Be patient and gentle. The rougher you are on your hair, the more likely it is you’ll damage it.
Avoid the urge to comb your hair throughout the day. This affects the curl structure and will be hard on your hair follicles. Less is more.
7. Go Easy With Heat Styling
Heat styling tools affect your hair’s cuticles and cause them to become brittle and dry.
If you must use a hair curler or straightener, don’t use it on the highest heat setting. Natural hair textures are prone to heat damage. If you relax your hair, it might even be more fragile thanks to the chemicals your stylist uses during the process.
Use your heat tool at a moderate temperature and use a heat protectant beforehand.
Put Our Natural Black Hair Care Tips to Work
Natural hair is beautiful and something you should be proud of. Although styling it may be difficult at first, you’ll be a pro with a little practice. Our natural black hair care tips will be indispensable as you learn to embrace your natural hair.
Keep reading our blogs for more hair and beauty tips to keep you looking your best.