Wash Conditioner
Wash Conditioner should i wash out my hair conditioner now or in the morning? i put some hair conditioner in as a treatment about an hour or two ago, and put a shower cap on, should i wash it out...
Wash Conditioner
♥
The Best Way To Wash Afro Hair
The appearance of afro and curly hair can fool you into thinking that it's stronger than it actually is. Afro hair in particular behaves very differently to caucasian hair when it is wet. Here are some tips that I have pulled together after doing some research on what is good (and bad) for curly hair when it comes to getting it clean.
The first thing to note is that hair doesn't have to be washed with shampoo. Some people use a conditioner only (CO) washing regime, washing with conditioner instead of shampoo. Conditioner is gentler on your hair than shampoo, and may suit afro/curly hair better.
If you do use shampoo, make sure that it doesn't contain sulfates.
If you are struggling to get hold of a sulfate-free shampoo, sulfate is the mildest form and will do the least damage.
When CO-washing, don't use a conditioner that contains silicones as these coat the hair and will remain there after washing.
Don't use shampoo more than once a week, as shampooing strips hair of its natural oils. It's a good idea to give hair time to recover between shampoos. As CO-washing is gentler, you can use it between shampoos, or rinse your hair with plain water.
Only lather, rinse, repeat if you feel that your hair is particularly dirty - one application of shampoo/conditioner is generally fine. If you use a lot of products on your hair, it might be a good idea to use a clarifying shampoo once a month. This will get all the gels, conditioners and creams off your hair so you can start again with really clean hair.
When you are actually lathering and washing, take care to avoid tangling your hair - don't bunch it up on top of your head or in your hands. Start at the scalp, applying shampoo (or conditioner) and rubbing carefully with your finger tips. Carry on working the lather along your hair right down to the tips.
After rinsing, apply a non-silicone conditioner or hot oil treatment to your hair and leave in for 30 to 45 minutes. If you can, apply gentle heat with a hood or hot towel (heated on a radiator or in a tumble dryer) as this will help the conditioner to penetrate the hair shaft and do more good. Rinse your hair and towel dry it. Try not to squeeze or ring your hair too much. You might need a couple of towels - one to soak up the initial majority of the water, and a second to get your hair somewhere approaching dry. Apply a non-silicone leave-in conditioner, and you are ready to comb your damp hair.
Never brush wet afro or curly hair, as the moisture it has absorbed will make it easier to stretch to breaking point. A comb is much better for removing tangles without causing breakage.
Separate your hair into small sections and comb through a section at a time with a wide toothed comb, starting at the tips of the hair and working your way up to the roots, combing out the tangles bit by bit. Take your time to reduce the stress you put on your hair and avoid breakage. When you have detangled your whole head of hair in this way, you can use a finer comb on it if you feel the need to.
Once your hair is free of tangles, prepare it for drying. Natural air-drying is best, as heat from a dryer is likely to damage your tresses. If you really want the effect you get from a hairdryer, try not to use one every time you wash - save it for special occasions.
Before you do anything further you need to introduce some moisture into your hair. Apply a skin moisturiser with some shea butter in it to your scalp and hair. If your hair needs a little more moisture, add a rich leave-in conditioner.
To minimise shrinkage and tangling as your hair dries, wrap or plait your wet hair. This can have the added advantage of putting waves or crimps in your hair. Don't pull your hair into a tight ponytail or tight braids - if done too much this can damage your follicles beyond repair, causing traction allopecia - bald spots due to tension on your hair.
In summary
· Don't use shampoo too often.
· Avoid sulfates and silicones.
· COMB wet hair from tips to roots.
· Find a moisturiser to suit your hair.
· Try not to apply heat.
Visit www.afro-haircare.com for more afro hair tips.
About the Author
Emma Holman-Daley runs the website www.afro-haircare.com