Your hair needs to be moisturized daily, whether you shampooed or not, to replenish hydration that is lost through dry conditions or indoor heating. A simple oil can be applied to the roots of your hair to make your hair look softer and help you avoid flakes and dry scalp. Try sweet almond or coconut oil; apply a little to your fingertips and run your hands through your hair to distribute evenly. Apply a little oil each day, especially when your hair feels dry or brittle to the touch.
Choose a Style
Choose a hairstyle that speaks to you and works with your face shape. Shaving your head is one option, as is cutting it close to the scalp with clippers and. If you prefer a more ethnic look, hairstyles like a ‘fro, dreads, or braids can give you a low maintenance look that gives you a more individual style, but if you’re going to go that route, understand it requires some work! You don’t want to be a slave to your style, so choose something that is easy to maintain and that won’t need a lot of upkeep.
Product Selection
Choosing products that are specifically made for you can help you get healthier, better looking hair and skin. Most retail products readily available in drugstores are formulated for the smoother hair shafts of other ethnicities. Look for products free of alcohol and other drying ingredients and rich in oils and moisturizers. You may find that shopping at a beauty supply store or neighborhood barber shop will yield you a greater array of products you need
Product Recommendations
Brushes
One should never brush the hair while it is wet. The brush puts strain on the hair that can damage the follicles and cause early breakage and damage. This can seriously slow the natural growth of the hair. Even dry, one should use a wide toothed comb when styling the hair, if longer. This puts less stress on the strands and leads to less breakage.
A hard brush should mostly used for achieving deeper waves. To simply lay your hair down, a soft brush will do the trick, as it controls those random hairs that tend to stick up. A medium brush does a little bit of both. Try brands such as Diane, Annie, and Wave Encorcer.
Moisturizers
There are tons of moisturizers out there but it’s best to experiment with different products to see what works the best with your hair texture. Remember — the more natural, the better. Cream of Nature, Olive Creme, Carrot Creme, and Motions Moisturizer are common uses. Be on the look out for products containing shea butter, coconut oil, or olive oil.
Pomades and Greases
These are mainly used just for hold and definition, but pomades are a bit unhealthy for your hair due to the fact that they contain petroleum. If you do use products such as Indian Hemp, Doo Gro, Sportin Waves, Dax etc., make sure that you don’t use too much or else you’ll find yourself dealing with clogged pores and caking.
Skin & Hair Care Tips For Black Men was originally published on blackdoctor.org
