Hair care Tips for Ethnic Hair

Hair Care Tips for Ethnic hair

Most women with tough, thick, kinky ethnic hair struggle to maintain their hair whether it’s natural or chemically treated. It is easy to forget about our hair and treat it like a piece of sandpaper. The truth is our hair is very delicate and we need to look after it like it’s a silk cloth.

A head of healthy and shiny hair starts with a healthy scalp. Here are some helpful steps towards achieving healthy hair and scalp.

A clean and healthy scalp.

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-Daily shampooing is not recommended, ethnic hair is dryer than other types of hair, shampooing strips away the oils from your hair so try shampooing once every 3 to 7 days instead.

-If you engage in daily activities that cause you to sweat, it is recommended that you rinse your hair out with water and only use shampoo on occasion, but if you feel the need to use a mild shampoo, go ahead and do so.

-If you have very dry hair, don’t use a 2 in 1 shampoo and conditioner, use a separate shampoo and conditioner, 2 in 1's aren't suited as well for dry hair.

-When washing your hair rub only in one direction to avoid tangling.

-Shower with warm water, hot water can dry and/or irritate the scalp.

-Oil your scalp after shampooing, with your hair still moist, massage the oil into your scalp and brush out to the ends of your hair.

-Use a conditioner when you shower, it'll moisturize your hair, give it extra protection, add shine, reduce static, and makes it easier to untangle.

-Use a leave in conditioner, it'll hydrate and protect your hair. A leave in conditioner on your hair is the equivalent of moisturizer on your face.

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-Don't rub your hair dry with a towel, instead blot the water out of your hair, when you rub, it'll cause your hair to tangle and you'll also risk breakage.

-Limit your use of "hot" items on your hair such as blow dryers.

-Use a wide toothed comb or pick to comb your hair. It makes it easier to comb if your hair is slightly moist so the comb can slide easier across your hair. Using a leave in conditioner will also make your hair easier to comb. If your hair is very wet, wait until it dries more, hair is most fragile when it is wet.

-If you encounter a tough knot or tangle use your fingers to loosen it and then continue combing.

-Comb your hair to remove any tangles before brushing it, using a brush to detangle your hair will stretch your hair and may cause your hair to break off.

-Use a soft boar hairbrush on your hair daily which will distribute the oil at the root of your hair and scalp to the rest of your hair. Dampen the brush slightly before brushing.

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Dealing with dandruff.

What is Dandruff?
Dandruff is simply dead skin shedding from your head at a fast rate. Almost everyone has had dandruff at some point to one degree or another. People with a strong degree of dandruff will experience an itchy scalp.

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Causes of Dandruff:
The following are items that may cause dandruff:
Hormone imbalance.
Excessive perspiration
Allergic reactions
Excessive stress
Poor hygiene
Poor nutrition/health
Lack of sleep
Inherited genetic trait
inadequate shampooing and rinsing of the hair.
Tight fitting hats.
Excessive use of hair styling products (gel, mouse, hair dye, hair curler...)
Cold weather
Dry environment.
Excessive Heat
Even though dandruff is known as the drying of the scalp, it is most common in people with oily hair.

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Dandruff Treatment
Unfortunately there is no cure for dandruff yet (once you get it you may continue to have it), but there are ways that you can control and limit dandruff.

If you have only a mild case of dandruff, shampooing your hair with a regular shampoo daily or twice a day will usually do the trick.

Start out by trying a mild shampoo, stronger shampoos can irritate and dry out your hair making dandruff flaking worst.

If your standard shampoo doesn't get rid of your dandruff, buy an anti-dandruff shampoo and your dandruff condition should improve significantly in a couple of weeks.

Picking the right shampoo for your hair can be a process of trial and error, try out different shampoos to see which one works best for you and also rotating shampoos periodically can be good for your hair.

Once you have found an anti-dandruff shampoo that works for you, keep on using it or your dandruff will most likely reoccur.

Lather and rinse twice when using anti-dandruff shampoos, the first time cycle will clean your scalp, the second cycle will medicate it.

If you think you may have a severe case of dandruff, it is advised that you set up an appointment with a dermatologist.

Poor health may be the cause of your dandruff, so be sure to get enough sleep, eat nutritiously, and avoid stress inducing activities.

Something in your diet may be causing you to have an allergic reaction and trigger dandruff to occur, try limiting your diet and see if your dandruff gets any better. Some foods that commonly cause an allergic reaction causing dandruff include nuts, chocolate and shellfish.

If you have to scratch your head, avoid using your fingernails to scratch (you'll risk an infection if you do) instead use the pads of your fingers.

Wear a hat outside on days that are extremely cold, windy, and when you're going to be out in the sun for a lengthy period.

Use a humidifier to keep the air moist.

Limit the use of hair colouring and hair styling products with alcohol which dries out hair.

Make sure that you get an adequate amount of B6 in your diet, which will help prevent dandruff.

Massage your scalp with the pads of your fingers in a circular motion to increase circulation.

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Hair Loss and Damaged Hair Care

All people lose hair on a daily basis, but unfortunately many people will go through rapid hair loss without new hair coming in to replace it which results in thinning hair and possibly lead to some degree of baldness. Hereditary plays a major role in the severity of hair loss but improper care of your hair along with an unhealthy lifestyle may cause early hair loss.

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Hair Loss Prevention
Getting proper nutrition is essential for healthy hair.
Water, protein, biotin (part of the vitamin B complex), vitamins A, B6, B12, C, copper, iron, omega 3 fatty acids, zinc, calcium, folic acid, and magnesium all play a part in maintaining a healthy scalp, skin, and hair.

Use your fingertips to massage your scalp which will increase circulation in your scalp which is important for hair growth.

Gentle combing or brushing of your hair will help break up hardened oils that clog your pores. It is recommended that you comb or brush 100-200 strokes in the morning and at night.

Avoid excessive wind, sun, and heat (such as from hair dryers, hot showers, and curling irons) on your hair.

Tight fitting caps and hats will cause poor circulation in your scalp and will also cause build-up of sweat and grime.

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If you have live a high stressed life try reducing stress by taking some time out daily just to relax, excessive stress is believed to induce hair loss.

If you colour your hair, limit colouring it to once ever 2 months. Hair colouring damages your hair and the less frequently you colour it the better.

Avoid putting too much physical stress on your hair, brush/comb your hair gently, don't pull your hair when you brush and avoid braids and ponytails if possible, they place constant stress on your hair.

Get enough sleep.

Use a conditioner and trim any split ends.

See your doctor or a dermatologist for advice if you have concerns about hair loss and want to seek treatment.

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Hair Treatments
Get a hot oil treatment once a month which will remoisturize your scalp and hair.

Hair can get caught on cotton pillow cases and break when you are sleeping especially if you toss and turn a lot when you sleep. Using a satin or silk pillowcase where your hair will make it so that hair will slide across the pillowcase without getting caught.

An alternative to the silk pillowcase is to wear a silk or satin scarf over your hair before your sleep to prevent breakage.

Avoid hair products that contain alcohol which dry out your hair.
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