All of us pay attention to the weather to make various decisions about what we’ll wear and even how to wear our hair. Here in Santa Monica (and most of Southern California, for that matter), we don’t have too many days where rain or excessive humidity will wreak havoc on our hair.
But without the right care, natural hair can easily become damaged, dry, and fragile, even in the most beautiful, sunny weather. There are quite a few ways to keep it hydrated and healthy while reducing any risk of it being damaged. If you have the right hair care products and hair tools, and properly care for them, your natural locks will stay healthy and gorgeous.
Wash It
The AAD (American Academy of Dermatology) recommends washing natural hair about once each week or less. Many women say that thinning hair and hair loss is one of their major hair-related concerns. However, there’s quite a bit you can do to minimize the damage and make sure your hair remains beautiful for as long as possible.
There are all kinds of hair care tips available, but for your natural look, you should really only wash your hair once every week or two. This prevents the build-up of the various hair care products that can end up drying your hair out.
Deep Conditioning
If you don’t want your hair to be too dry, use a deep conditioner every single time you wash your hair. Make sure you coat the ends of your hair with the conditioner since the ends tend to be the most fragile and oldest part of your hair.
After you shampoo your hair, apply a natural oil or a deep conditioner to your scalp and hair. Wrap your hair in a towel and don’t mess with it for about half an hour. If you use an oil, select one that will melt at body temperature so you can eliminate the necessity of heating it before use.
Combing While Wet
It’s easy to tangle curly hair, and this can make it easier to break when you brush it. Because of this, it’s best not to try to comb your textured hair when it’s dry. Instead, apply a leave-in conditioner or moisturizer while your hair is wet and then divide it into sections. Using a wide-tooth comb, comb each section with gentle strokes and focus on the ends first. Gradually move up the shaft of the hair until you’ve detangled each section.
Friction While Sleeping
When you move during your sleep, this can rub your hair against your pillow and cause it to be damaged. Additionally, there are some fabrics that can absorb moisture from your scalp and hair. If you want to avoid this, take off any tight headbands before you go to bed. Use a smooth satin or silk hair wrap to cut the friction and use a satin or silk pillowcase.
Black hair is both versatile and diverse. Hair that’s tightly coiled can be susceptible to breakage and dryness, so treat it gently. Adding a boost to its moisture level is critical if you want to keep it healthy.
Be wary of styles, treatments, or products that pull on your scalp or weaken your hair. If you discover that you are experiencing excessive shedding, thinning hair, or weakening hair, you’ll benefit from seeing a doctor, specifically a dermatologist, who has a lot of experience with caring for natural hair.
