Undisputable facts of life: death comes afterlife, you will always want a snack going past the fridge, and afro hair is naturally dry. Afro hair tends to be fragile, porous and dry, partly because the coiled structure prevents oil produced naturally by the scalp from spreading evenly through the hair. The problems become more pronounced if the hair is heat-styled or over-processed. Every kink, curl or coil is a point where breakage can occur. But never fear, here are some tips to help you keep your hair hydrated and your coils popping.
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Water, Water, Water
Not really a shocking twist but a big key to staying hydrated is getting water into the dry hair strands, lots and lots of it. Start by washing your hair with a water-based, sulfate-free shampoo and warm water. Sulfate-based shampoos will strip away too much of the natural oils needed to keep your hair healthy and prevent dryness. Cantu’s award-winning Sulfate-Free Cleansing Cream Shampoo cleanses and moisturizes, helping to reduce breakage during shampooing.
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Deep Conditioning
Hair cleansed; you can now start putting the moisture back in. Cantu’s Deep Nourishing Hair & Scalp Masque is made with Rhassoul Clay to combat dryness, frizz, & scalp flakiness. Using a shower cap with your masque creates a natural steam effect that opens up the hair cuticles and really allows all that hydrating goodness to penetrate the hair shaft. Be sure to use cool water when you rinse it out to close the open cuticles.
The LCO Method
Afro hair has low porosity, which in essence means it is difficult to get moisture in. An easy way to do this is by using the LCO method! Liquid (water or water-based leave-in), Cream (moisturizer), and then Oil. This method locks the most moisture in.
Leave-in conditioners perform best on damp hair to help retain all that wonderful hydration. Cantu’s Leave-In Conditioning Lotion is ideal as it traps moisture in the strands giving you stronger, healthier hair. Add in a styling cream, and then complete with an oil to seal the moisture into the hair shaft. Cantu’s Coconut Curling Cream followed by the Dry Deny Moisture Seal Gel Oil locks in moisture and shine, leaving you with smooth, frizz-free, ready to style coils.
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So, by this point, you’ve spent a good amount of time getting all that moisture sealed into your now luscious locks. All you need now are a few helpful hints to keep it all in till your next wash day.
- Wearing protective styles keep your ends protected and prevents excess dryness and breakage so you can look fabulous while retaining your moisture for longer!
- Spritz water over your hair daily, paying special attention to the ends. Water is a basic moisturizing agent for the hair, and you should never run a comb through your hair without applying some water on it first.
- Invest in a silk scarf or a satin bonnet. The satin helps to keep moisture that is already in your hair from escaping like it would with a cotton pillowcase and prevent snags or split ends from friction.
- Finally, trim your ends. Split ends are a major culprit when it comes to dryness, so getting rid of them is key.
The most important thing you need to do is to develop a consistent personal regimen. It can be as simple as cleansing and moisturizing, with a regular deep condition. Decide how often you’re going to cleanse and moisturize your hair and how often you’re going to style it. After all, showing your hair a little love is a great way to show yourself a little love too.
