How To Take Care Of Naturally Curly African American Hair

Start With Regular Cleansing

African American hair is naturally dry and brittle, so it's important to start with a regular cleansing routine. It’s best to use a moisturizing shampoo and conditioner that is specifically designed for curly African American hair. When shampooing, use a gentle, circular motion to scrub the scalp. Rinse the scalp thoroughly and then apply conditioner to the mid-lengths and ends. Leave the conditioner in for at least five minutes before rinsing so that the product can really penetrate the hair shafts.

Detangle Carefully

After shampooing and conditioning, detangle the hair while it is still wet. Start at the ends and work your way up to the roots. Use a wide-tooth comb or a special detangling brush to gently remove knots and tangles. Be sure to use a slow, gentle motion so that the hair does not break. If the comb gets stuck, use your fingers to carefully loosen the knot before continuing with the comb.

Moisturize For Softness

Moisturizing is key to keeping curly African American hair soft and manageable. Moisturizing products such as leave-in conditioners, oils, and creamy styling products should be used on a regular basis. These products help to coat the hair shafts and lock in moisture, which will help to keep the hair soft and prevent it from becoming brittle and dry. It is especially important to moisturize the ends of the hair, as this is where the most damage usually occurs.

Try Protective Styling

Protective styling is a great way to keep the hair healthy and free from damage. It involves putting the hair into a style that protects the ends from friction and other elements that can cause breakage. Popular protective styles for curly African American hair include braids, twists, buns, and updos. These styles should be kept in for no longer than two weeks to avoid over-manipulation of the hair.

Treat Your Hair With Care

Finally, it is important to treat your curly African American hair with care. Avoid using harsh styling tools such as curling irons and hot rollers, as these can cause heat damage. Use a wide-tooth comb or a special detangling brush to detangle the hair, and be sure to use a heat protectant product before blow-drying or flat-ironing. Additionally, it is important to get regular trims to keep the ends of the hair healthy and free from split ends.