Afro hair is in fashion for both men and women. If you have curly hair, all you need is a little patience and some hair care tips to get the result you've always wanted. Hair can be damaged by a variety of factors, so it is very important to treat it carefully to have an afro look.
Steps
Part 1 of 3: Protect Hair from Damage
Step 1. Use the right comb
Classic brushes and combs tend to damage curly hair by ruffling it. Instead, detangle them with a wide-toothed comb, an afro comb, or just your fingers.
- Don't comb them more than necessary! Just remove the knots with a comb or your fingers.
- If you have a lot of knots, try buying a detangling spray specifically for afro hair. In this way, combing them will be much easier and more pleasant.
Step 2. Don't wash them too often
Curly hair is prone to dryness, so it does not require as frequent washing as oily ones. Try to shampoo three times a week (if they get greasy, even less) to prevent them from drying out excessively.
- You should avoid over-washing, but it's also important to shampoo often enough to keep your hair and scalp clean. The exact frequency depends on your hair type and how much oil your scalp produces.
- Choose your shampoo carefully, as many ingredients found in common products can make your hair break. Try to avoid shampoos containing sulfates, polysorbates, isopropyl alcohol, formaldehyde, hydrolyzed collagen, parabens, propylene glycol, or polyethylene glycol.
Step 3. Feed them thoroughly
Wash your hair, then apply a nourishing conditioner to keep it soft and healthy. To make sure it penetrates well, leave it on before rinsing it off.
- If you are planning to buy conditioner, look for one that contains ingredients such as cationic surfactants, cationic polymers, emollients, oils and silicones.
- You can also make a nourishing conditioner at home. You will find several recipes online, but some of the most used ingredients include mayonnaise, avocado, aloe vera, shea butter, glycerin, coconut oil, argan oil, olive oil, jojoba oil, eggs and honey.
- Try not to massage it into your scalp, otherwise it can cause scaling.
- For best results, cover wet hair with a plastic cap and apply a jet of hot air while the conditioner is on. You can do this by sitting under a drying helmet for 20-30 minutes or by wrapping your hair with a warm, damp towel for two hours. If you opt for the latter method, you need to frequently remove the towel and soak it in hot water to maintain an ideal temperature. If you don't help with any heat source, the conditioner should be left on for much longer.
Step 4. Moisturize your hair
It is essential to have healthy afro hair. There are numerous moisturizing products suitable for this type of hair, so you have to experiment to find the most suitable one.
- Water moisturizes the hair, but only if it is absorbed by the shaft. Try using an oil that penetrates them deeply, such as coconut, avocado, or olive oil. Apply it to damp hair so it can retain water.
- Complete the styling with a cream or oil to maintain good hydration. Castor oil, shea butter, grapeseed and jojoba oil are fine.
Step 5. Avoid overdoing the styling
If you feel like your hair isn't growing, you may be overdoing your styling, causing it to break. Try to treat them more gently, avoiding aggressive treatments as much as possible.
- Chemical treatments, such as dye and permanent ironing, can cause them to crack, so they won't grow as fast. Consequently, avoid them.
- Tools that require heat, such as straighteners, curling irons, and hairdryers, can be just as harmful, so use them as little as possible.
Step 6. Be careful with hairstyles that are supposed to protect your hair, such as braids or twists
Many people decide to make them when they decide to grow their hair, but also after they have achieved the desired length. They can help as they protect the tips from damage. In addition, they allow you to style your hair when it reaches a length that is difficult to manage. However, it is possible that they will damage them, so be careful.
- Make sure the braids aren't too tight. If your scalp hurts, they are probably damaging your hair as well.
- Don't wear these hairstyles for more than four weeks at a time. In any case, it would be better to remove them first.
- Continue to moisturize your hair daily, even if it is braided.
Part 2 of 3: Grow Hair
Step 1. Take care of yourself
If you are in good health, your hair will grow quickly and be stronger. To keep them long and healthy, start looking after them from the inside.
- Foods rich in protein, iron, biotin and zinc are known to promote hair growth. Vitamins A and B are also essential for having them healthy. Try to integrate them to have a balanced diet.
- Hydration is also very important. If the body does not get enough water, the hair will become dry and brittle.
Step 2. Try to be patient
It takes months for the hair to get long enough to get an authentic afro hairstyle, so you have to wait. Typically, they grow about an inch per month, but this can vary slightly depending on the person.
- The more curls they are, the longer it will take for them to grow. Don't give up because sooner or later you will get the desired effect!
- Each hair grows according to natural cycles, so there are times (usually a few weeks that repeat every few years) in which growth is latent. There is nothing you can do in these times, just be patient and remember that they will pass.
Step 3. Tick them off
A cut won't make them grow sooner, but it will keep them tidy and disciplined. If you see that the tips are starting to show signs of damage, it is good to trim them, however long you want them!
Hair care products can prevent split ends, but nothing can repair existing ones that need to be cut
Step 4. Enjoy the new look
Get the hair you've always dreamed of, enjoy it! If you want to keep her healthy, remember to take care of her the same way you did when she was growing up. However, it is important to keep hair nourished, hydrated and healthy.
Part 3 of 3: Styling the Afro Hair
Step 1. Bring them natural
Once washed and hydrated, you don't have to do too much to style them. Avoid styling products and hairdryers as much as possible.
Prevent frizz by wrapping them in a silk scarf before going to bed. This way they will always be in place, without the need to style them or use additional products
Step 2. Comb them
If you prefer a voluminous afro hairstyle, you should comb them after applying the conditioner. This will help you untangle the curls and get a full-bodied result. Use a wide-toothed or afro comb instead of a regular one.
- Comb them with extreme care. Work one strand at a time and run the comb from root to tip.
- You don't have to comb them every day, especially if they are short. Avoid doing this more than is necessary to get the desired volume, as overdoing it will damage them.
Step 3. Use accessories
If you are a woman, flaunt your hairstyle with style using different types of accessories: flower-shaped hair clips, headbands, scarves; you can choose simple or extravagant, it all depends on your personal taste.
Step 4. Consider a faux hawk
If you want to change up a bit, this hairstyle can enhance an afro hairstyle. It is particularly suitable for medium-long hair.
- Use a gel or similar product to comb your hair back, leaving the hair on the top of your head free.
- You can also make tight braids on either side of the head, leaving only the hair at the top loose.
