Overview
Chemical treatments, weaves and heat straightening can wreak havoc on African American hair. Before you put your hair through these damaging styling regimens, you should know that most hair products on the market are not made for your African American hair texture and color. To properly take care of your hair and prevent breakage, you must be as friendly to your locks as possible to seal in moisture. While it may mean forgoing some of your favorite styling tricks, it will reward you with smoother, more manageable, beautifully healthy hair.
Step 1
Cut away the damaged parts of your hair. Hair breakage occurs from the bottom up, so even if the roots of your hair are healthy, broken ends can threaten them by splitting upwards. The only way to start a healthy hair regimen is to get rid of the damaged portion and start from scratch with better habits.
Step 2
Embrace the natural texture and color of your hair by forgoing chemical treatments like relaxing and dying your hair, suggests TreasuredLocks.com. While you may long for smooth, shiny locks, your natural texture–be it kinky, curly or rough–is the healthiest way to leave your hair. Ask your stylist for a haircut that works with your natural texture, so that you’re confident enough to leave it as-is.
Step 3
Moisturize your hair daily. While African American hair typically doesn’t need to be washed daily, you should still add moisture, as it has the tendency to dry out. Instead of conditioning, obtain a bottle of sweet almond or coconut oil, and use a little on the ends to hydrate the drier ends and give your hair a radiant sheen. When you do wash your hair, make sure you follow up with a hydrating conditioner specifically formulated for dry hair.
Step 4
Avoid using heated styling tools on your hair, says HairFinder.com. Since it is likely already dry, using straighteners, blow dryers and curling irons can singe or burn your hair, breaking it and leaving it unkempt. Instead, allow your hair to dry naturally. If you must use a hair dryer, stop when it is 80 percent dry and then allow it to air dry.
Step 5
Choose a bonded weave over a braided weave, if possible. Braided weaves can cause what is known as traction alopecia, says Dr. Basil M. Hantash, instructor of dermatology and plastic surgery at Stanford University School of Medicine. In an interview with BlackStarNews.com, Dr. Hantash explains that traction alopecia is caused by the pulling of the hair necessary to braid it in preparation for a braided weave. Switch to a bonded weave, which uses glue to bond the tracks to the hair, to avoid breakage and hair loss.
