BY SAMINU MACHUNGA
For some, keeping natural hair is just another trend to jump on, and for others it’s their preferred hairdo all year round. Regardless of the category you fall under, you need all the tools to keep your natural hair lush and healthy.
Here are some guidelines, tips and products that can help you on your natural hair journey.
Shampoo
There are different types of shampoos and the type you chose to use for natural hair matters a lot.
Clarifying shampoo to deep clean your hair from dirt, oil, chemical and product build-up. It is typically recommended to wash your hair with a clarifying shampoo once a month.
Chelating shampoo sucks out all the impurities, hard water scum, and scalp residues to energise your hair.
Dry shampoo does not remove dirt as much as the others but its main job is to remove excess oil from the hair. It helps people who straighten their hair often.
Conditioners
Natural or not, conditioners are an essential.
Deep conditioner helps to maintain the elasticity of the hair and restore moisture. It also restores and maintains the strength of the hair strand.
For hair to remain healthy, it needs a balanced diet of oils, proteins and nutrients. Too much of these can damage the hair.
Balancing conditioner helps restore the balance, add softness and moisture as well as repair weakness in the hair.
Protein-rich conditioner. The hair is made up of a protein called keratin. Each time it is washed, we lose a certain amount of protein, therefore, pre-treating or deep conditioning before washing helps to prevent breakage. You should ensure that you buy products that are rich in protein. Such products usually have words like “repairing”, “reconstruction”, “strengthening” and “rebuilding” on them.
Edge control
This helps in smoothening out the hair and laying the edges.
Shea butter
Shea butter helps to soften the hair, seal moisture and it is very good for scalp therapy because it does not clog the pores.
Natural Oils
These are some of the natural oils to take care of natural hair.
Avocado oil protects the scalp and ensures healthy cell growth. It is one of the best products you can use on your hair as it helps to deep condition the hair, soften it and make it shine.
Olive oil is very good for sensitive hair and it prevents dandruff. You can also mix it with coconut oil for better effect.
Coconut oil helps to decrease protein loss and prevents hair loss. It has antibacterial, anti-fungal and antiviral properties.
Water
It’s the most natural moisturiser. Spraying your hair with water lightly helps a lot. Drinking water also helps to moisturise your hair from the inside.
Tips
- When going to bed, protect your hair by tying it, preferably with a silk scarf.
- Use a microfibre towel to dry your hair because it absorbs the excess moisture while a regular bath towel disrupts the cuticle layer of the hair
- Use organic products but more importantly find what works for you as everyone’s hair is different.