Specialized Hair Care Tips

As you have probably learned from sampling various hair care products, there is

no single wonder product that can suit all hair types. What gives your friend

added body, shine, and strength will not necessarily give you the same results. In truth, an ill-suited product can worsen your hair problems. To help you make a more informed hair care choice, it is best to try out tips and tricks geared towards a specific hair type. Enumerated below are some key tips for the three most common hair categories and the way they can best benefit your hair type.

Caring for Wavy Hair

Though wavy hair seems relatively easy to manage compared to the last two hair

types, it still poses a lot of styling and hair care problems. Frizz, flyaway ends

and a lack of body are the most common complaints of women with this hair

type. Aside from these issues, some women also complain that wavy hair has the tendency to look dull and retain a course texture despite copious amounts of brushing. The best way to address these issues is to treat each strand individually and apply more hydrating products. Avoid shampooing your hair too often to avoid drying out the strands. Another option is to use a more potent conditioner or to coat each strand with a leave-on conditioner for added moisture. A boar bristle brush will also help you remove some of the coarseness in your hair while adding their much needed body and volume. However, make sure that your hair is completely dry before your start brushing to lessen the chances of frizz. To hasten the drying process and create softer waves, use a blow dryer on a low heat setting while gently scrunching your hair.

Additionally, you should regularly get your hair trimmed since wavy hair is prone to split ends. Nevertheless, you should avoid over-styling your hair and damaging its natural waves. Instead, include a hydrating hair gel in your product

arsenal since it can add definition without drying out your hair.

Caring for Curly Hair

Though a full head of bouncy curls might seem fun and low maintenance, those

tight curls still carry their own set of challenges. As such, you need to apply a

specific set of tips and tricks to ensure that your curly hair will remain healthy

and strong. The most common issue of this hair type is the lack of strength and dryness that makes it prone to breakage. However, once you use hair-straightening products to tame these wild curls, another issue arises. While humidity often causes wavy hair to frizz, it can cause curly hair to puff out into strange shapes that can often result to even more hours of straightening and styling. In truth, over-styling curly hair and constantly subjecting it to a flat iron can do more harm than good. Curly hair follows a natural pattern and disrupting that pattern can cause significant damage. Likewise, avoiding regular showers to

prevent newly straightened hair from reverting to its curly form only increases

your hair’s fragility. After all, similar to wavy hair, curly hair needs constant

moisture and hydration. As curly hair grows, it will naturally grow upwards and outwards instead of falling straight down your back. This means that if you constantly deprive this hair type of moisture, it will likely turn into a large and unruly afro. Though some women might embrace that look, it is still not a wise decision to let your hair grow into unmanageable and unhealthy proportions.

As with most African American hair types, applying more moisturizing products

is the key to achieving healthier and stronger hair. Heavy conditioners, gels,

crèmes, and butters can also help you tame the more unruly curls and create a

uniform appearance. Aside from adding much needed moisture and shine, these

hair care products also help hair fall straight down your back instead of growing

into a huge puff of curls. Though it is recommended to wash your hair regularly, you should also attempt to undertake conditioner only showers. Leave-in conditioners are also recommended after a regular shampoo. Before your hair dries, gently apply a small amount of styling product to make your curls more defined. As much as possible, avoid using a towel to dry your hair to avoid breakage. Air drying your hair or using a blow dryer on a low setting will achieve better results. Unlike wavy hair, it is not recommended that you subject your curly hair to constant brushing. However if you ever do feel the urge to brush, instead of using large brushes it is better if you use wide toothed combs on your curly hair. Using this type of comb will help you create beautiful ringlets without damaging your natural curls. While getting regular trims from an expert stylist is essential to keep this hair type healthy, getting the right shape and style is more important. A hairstylist who has vast experience and knowledge in African American hair types will be able to give you the best style and shape that best suit your needs.

Caring for Kinky or Wiry Hair

More than any other hair type, kinky and wiry hair is known as the most fragile

and driest type. Kinky hair also has the tendency to look very coarse and dry

despite its bouncy appearance. It often has very little shine and no amount of

brushing can bring out a natural sheen. Although this hair type has the tendency to shrink and grow into a tighter curl instead of growing out, it is still possible to achieve a long hairstyle with the aid of the proper hair care products.

Compared to the previous types, having an arsenal of moisturizing products for

this hair type is not only suggested, but also required. The best way to combat

dryness and lessen hair shrinkage is to constantly apply moisturizing

conditioners and after shower butters. Additionally, it is best to stay away from styling tools such as straighteners and chemical treatments. Heat and rough handling can cause this hair type to break and cause near irreversible damage. You must handle this hair type with additional care and attention. Choose to invest in silk or satin pillowcases that cause less friction. Avoid using excessive force while brushing and use soft boar bristle brushes that are much gentler on delicate hair strands. If possible, you can opt to run your fingers to arrange your curls and detangle any knots. Take your time with your styling routine since rushing could cause you to apply too much force. Deep condition your hair at least once or twice a week to keep it moisturized. Lessening styling and combing to only every few days can also help you keep your hair in tiptop shape.