
Afro hair is a specific type of hair that encapsulates a variety of textures. It’s categorised by its tight, spring-like curls that are more prone to breakage than straighter hair types. This hair type is most popular in hotter climate regions, including Africa, with many people from these areas growing beautifully curly afro hair.
How to Look After Afro Hair
Afro hair is undoubtedly gorgeous, but that doesn’t mean it has no downsides. Compared to straight hair, afro hair can be tricky to manage, as it’s more prone to frizziness and breakage. The key here is to find a hair care routine that works with your locks rather than against them. With the right hair care products and techniques, your curls can look big, luscious, and full of life.
15 Tips for Looking After Afro Hair
- Use the LOC Method: One of your goals when getting into afro hair care is to keep it as moisturised and hydrated as possible, as this is essential for preventing breakage. A simple method that’s easy to remember is L.O.C, which stands for liquid, oil, and cream.
Liquid: Start with a hydrating spray that will instantly give your hair a boost of hydration. Ingredients like olive oil, avocado oil, aloe vera oil, and coconut oil work excellently here.
Oil: To seal in the moisture, follow the liquid with a pure hair oil – similar ingredients to the first step can work here.
Cream: Finally, apply the cream, layering it onto each section of the hair.
That’s it – a simple, three-step hair care routine for afro hair that will lock in the moisture and keep your hair hydrated and free from breakage.
- Don’t Wash Your Hair Too Often
You don’t need to wash your hair every other day to stay clean – only those who have fine, grease-prone hair should wash their hair daily! With afro hair, you can wash your hair once per week or even once per fortnight. That way, you prevent hair care products from building up on your scalp, avoid excessive damage from shampoo, and even benefit from the natural oils from your scalp.
- Know Your Afro Type
If you want to know how to look after your hair, you must know its characteristics through and through. That way, you can achieve optimal hair health. There are different types of afros, with the three main hair types being 4a, 4b, and 4c. Here is how to identify each:
4a: This hair type has s-shaped spirals, providing a very visible curl pattern that is not interlocked. These are well-defined curls and are often described as springy. Generally, 4a hair is easier to manage than other afro types. Celebrities with 4a hair include Kerry Washington and Yaya Dacosta.
4b: 4b has more dense curls compared to 4a. These curls are tighter and are in more of a zig-zag pattern. Some celebrities that have 4b hair types are Yvette Nicole Brown and Lauryn Hill.
4c: 4c afro hair is undoubtedly the thickest type – it has a variety of S-shaped and zig zag coils. It’s hard to identify individual strands of curls in this hair, though, as it doesn’t have much individual definition. Celebrities with 4c hair include Lupita Nyong’o and Teyonah Parris.
- Wear a Protective Style
Protective hairstyles can help people with afro hair care as they lock in moisture, reduce breakage, and encourage growth. Plus, it’s much easier to manage day-to-day! Some of the most popular protective styles include cornrows, box braids, dumbo twists, and flat twists. Choose one that works for your particular hair type.
- Don’t Go Overboard with Relaxers
Many people with afro hair choose to get relaxers for more manageable locks, which is understandable. However, don’t go overboard with them, as this could lead to damaged hair that’s even more difficult to style! As a general rule, only use relaxers every couple of months maximum and always go to a professional.
- Avoid Too-Tight Styles
While we mentioned protective hairstyles earlier – and these are beneficial – be aware that a too-tight protective style may lead to more damage. In fact, it can lead to traction alopecia – hair loss that may not grow back. Traction alopecia is particularly common with cornrows and dreadlocks, so that’s something to be aware of. You don’t want to have to go down the route of finding a hair loss treatment just because of your protective style!
- Condition, Condition, Condition
Afro hair can get dry quite easily, and your goal is to give it as much hydration as possible. To do this, apply plenty of conditioner every time you wash your hair – it’s a non-negotiable! A leave-in conditioner can work well, too, as it will stay in your hair even after your shower.
- Choose the Right Comb
There are lots of different types of hairbrushes and combs for a reason – not every brush works well with every hair type. Generally, a wide-tooth comb works well for afro hair care, with double-sided combs offering plenty of versatility.
- Find a Good Salon
When you go to the salon, you want your hairdresser to be accustomed to your hair type. When you sit in the chair, you want to have full faith that the person behind you will use the right tools and products to leave your hair beautiful and luscious at the end of it. Of course, you won’t find this in every salon, so do some research and find one that works for you, specifically looking out for salons that specialise in afro hair.
- Pre-poo the Hair
Caring for your hair starts before actually washing it. Most people with afros like to pre-treat their hair before using shampoo, as this can add moisture and untangle any knots that might be there. There are plenty of pre-shampoo treatments; choose one that’s highly hydrating. Ingredients like argan oil, castor oil, and monoi oil all work well.
- Understand Common Afro Hair Problems
Last but certainly not least, get to grips with the most common types of afro hair problems so you know what you’re up against and how to prevent them.
- Breakage
One of the most common problems people with afro hair experience is breakage, which usually happens after accumulative damage that can be prevented. The key here is to keep your hair as moisturised as possible, locking it in with a cream. You should also avoid using too much heat or chemicals on the hair as this can cause serious damage and increase the likelihood of breakage.
- Dandruff
Dandruff can occur in any hair type, including afros. Dandruff can be prevented by looking after both your hair and scalp. Brushing your hair, washing it at least once a week, and using a dandruff-fighting shampoo can be helpful.
- Itchiness
Itchy hair may occur after a build-up of hair care products. To soothe the scalp, wash your hair every week or two and avoid a dry scalp by using a highly moisturising hair oil such as argan.
- Hair Loss
There are several common causes of hair loss in afro hair, and that includes telogen effluvium, traction alopecia, and androgenetic alopecia. Telogen effluvium [1] is a hair loss condition caused by too much stress – while the hair does grow back, it can be tough to deal with and increase your stress levels even further, so try to incorporate some self-care into your routine. Traction alopecia, as we mentioned earlier, is a type of hair loss caused by hairstyles that are too tight (such as cornrows), so consider hairstyles when putting effort into afro hair care. Then, androgenetic alopecia is a genetic type of hair loss that can be treated with hair loss medications and a hair transplant.
Can You Get a Hair Transplant for Afro Hair?
Yes – it’s possible for people with afro hair to get a hair transplant. However, be aware that the procedure will be more complex compared to other hair types, as the hair is curly, which makes extracting a little trickier.
If you want good results from a hair transplant, always choose an experienced surgeon. A hair transplant clinic that has already worked on afro hair is the way to go here, as you can see that they know what they are doing with afro-textured hair. If you look at our patients gallery, you will see we have worked on various hair types and have experience with hair transplants for those with both straight and curly hair – with us, you’re in safe hands.
Hair Care for Afro Hair: In Summary
Caring for afro hair doesn’t have to be overly complicated. It all starts with understanding your hair type and working with it, whether that means choosing the right oil or using a pre-shampoo treatment every time you wash your hair. These tips will hopefully lead to a well-moisturised, beautiful afro that you can be proud of!
Keep in mind that we offer hair transplants for all hair types, so get in touch if you have experienced hair loss caused by androgenetic alopecia. Download our hair track app to schedule a consultation with one of our expert surgeons!
Sources:
1. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/24486-telogen-effluvium