Caring for natural kinky hair

Many people assume that going natural is a lot of work. If you have just gone natural after having relaxed hair for a long time, get out of the mindset of dealing with relaxed hair. Even in its natural state, the hair still needs to be nurtured. So what do you do to keep it healthy?

Nourishment: Just like your body is a reflection of what you eat, your hair too, reflects the same. You should eat a lot of fruits, vegetables and drink a lot of water. Always use reputable hair products. Even though it is natural, use a conditioner after you shampoo your hair.

Blow dry: You want your hair to stay natural, so do not blow dry it as this may damage it and heat damage is irreversible. Let your hair dry naturally. If, for some reason you must straighten your hair, ensure you use a heat protectant.

Moisturise: Never comb your hair when it’s dry. The best way to comb it is when it is wet and full of conditioner. Your hair craves moisture in its natural state. The best source of moisture for your hair is water. Mix some leave-in conditioner in a spray bottle with water and then use oil to seal in the moisture (such as castor oil, olive oil or coconut oil). Oil is not moisture. Your hair can only get moisture from water or products that have water as the highest ingredient.

Co-wash: You don’t always have to shampoo your hair. You can use conditioner instead of shampoo to wash your hair. Some shampoos contain chemicals (such as SLS) that strip the hair of its natural oils, leaving it brittle and dry. Do your research online to find the right shampoo for your hair type.

Conditioning: Deep condition your hair once a week or every two weeks. A deep conditioner is a product that gives your hair more solid conditioning foundation than what regular conditioners can provide. For better results with deep conditioning, add honey, shea butter, olive oil or any other non-mineral oil you fancy to your shampoo. Once you apply this to your hair, cover it with a shower cap for 20 minutes under a dryer. You could also sit under the sun with the cap for an hour with a towel wrapped around your head on the cap.

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