How To Make Your Hair Curly African American

Download Article

Download Commodity

Because of its strong roll and tendency towards dryness, African American pilus can seem very difficult to grow to great lengths. But whether your hair is relaxed or natural, you tin all the same promote healthy hair growth and attain long locks with proper care. Apply products that protect your hair from breakage and seal in wet, and institute a regular healthy hair routine. You can also keep your pilus longer and stronger by protecting it from hazards similar heat, tangles, and styles that stress your pilus and scalp.

1
Option products that friction match your hair blazon. African American hair comes in a multifariousness of textures, and dissimilar types of pilus take different needs. In one case y'all've identified your hair type, you can ask your stylist for recommendations or do an online search for shampoo and other products made for your kind of hair.^[1] The curlier or kinkier your hair is, the more prone it volition be to dryness and breakage, and so these types of pilus need extra TLC to grow long and healthy. Examine your hair to determine if it is:
- Type 1: This blazon of hair is naturally directly, without waves, curls, or kinks.
- Type 2: This kind of hair is wavy, between curly and directly in texture. Hair with the loosest waves is chosen Type 2A, with 2B and 2C having denser waves.
- Type 3: This type of hair is curly, with s-shaped or spiral strands. 3A hair has the biggest curls, while 3C hair is tightly spiraled and close to kinky.
- Blazon iv: This kind of hair is kinky, with very tightly-coiled strands and a fluffy texture. The curls in Blazon 4A hair are S-shaped, while the curls in Types 4B-C are z-shaped.^[2]
2
Wash your hair no more than one time a week. Even if yous're using gentle shampoo, too much washing can strip the oils out of your hair and exit it dry and brittle. Endeavour washing your hair once a calendar week, and if that is too drying, space out your washes fifty-fifty more.
- If your hair gets greasy between washes, you can soak up excess oils with a dry shampoo.^[3]
- If you work out regularly, you may feel tempted to wash your hair after every gym session. This can be damaging, still. Instead of using shampoo each time you practise, launder your pilus with conditioner (co-wash) and so add together a picayune leave-in conditioner to lock in moisture.^[4]
Advertisement
iii
Comprise pre-shampoo into your regular launder routine . Pre-shampoo (or "pre-poo") is a treatment designed to lock in your pilus'south natural oils and wet during the washing procedure. Employ your pre-shampoo production to your dry hair in sections, working from ends to roots. Put on a plastic cap, and leave information technology on for 30 minutes or as directed on the package. Rinse before applying shampoo. Purchase a ready-made pre-shampoo, or make your own with household products, such as:
- Penetrating oils, like avocado, sunflower, babassu, coconut, or extra virgin olive oil
- Dearest
- Mango butter
- Yogurt
- Your favorite pilus conditioner
4
Use a sulfate-costless shampoo for your regular launder. ^[5] Sulfates tin can dry out your hair, making it more prone to frizz and breakage.^[6] Expect for shampoos and conditioners that say "sulfate-free" on the bottle, or cheque the ingredients and brand sure that "sodium lauryl sulfate," "sodium laureth sulfate," or "ammonium laureth sulfate" exercise not appear in the list.
- Using shampoo with sulfates in one case in a while can really exist benign, since it helps cleanse your pilus and scalp of built-up oils and clay that sulfate-costless shampoos tin can't suspension upward. There are also some sulfate-free clarifying shampoos formulated for African American hair bachelor. Apply a clarifying or sulfate shampoo once a calendar month to deep-clean your hair and remove stubborn buildup.^[vii]
- Shampoos containing organic oils, such as jojoba or argan oil, tin help keep your pilus moisturized, soft, and healthy.
5

Department your hair earlier washing. Unless your hair is very short, washing it all at once can lead to tangles and damage. Section your hair into 4-six braids or twists, and shampoo one section at a fourth dimension. Remove the complect or twist from each department before washing and rinsing, and and so re-braid or twist information technology before moving on to the adjacent one.^[8]
6

Focus on your scalp when you launder. The ends of your hair volition be the most decumbent to dryness and harm, while the scalp and roots are more prone developing a buildup of clay, oils, and sweat. Gently massage the shampoo into your scalp, and so allow the runoff suds to cleanse the lengths of your hair as you rinse.^[9]

1
Use a moisturizing conditioner after every launder. ^[10] Every time you wash your hair, the shampoo strips abroad natural oils and wet. Conditioner is essential for keeping your hair moisturized and healthy. Look for conditioners that are formulated for African American hair or for hair that is curly, dry, or prone to breakage.
- Nigh conditioners work best if they sit on your pilus for at least a few minutes before you rinse them out. Follow the instructions on the bottle to figure out how long to leave your conditioner in.
- Rinse your hair with cool water after workout to seal upwardly the cuticle and lock in moisture.
- You can also employ conditioner by itself to wash your hair between shampoos (co-washing). This is particularly common for those who have natural hair.
ii
Use deep conditioner at least one time a month. Deep conditioner penetrates further into the hair shaft than regular conditioner, helping to repair impairment caused by regular washing, styling, and exposure to the elements. Utilize deep conditioner to damp pilus after washing, and follow the directions on the bottle to determine how long to leave it on.
- If y'all wash your hair often, you lot may need to deep condition more often (up to one time a week).
- Deep conditioners containing ingredients like argan oil and keratin tin provide extra protection and nourishment for your pilus. Protein masks are likewise swell for repairing and conditioning stressed or damaged pilus.
- You tin likewise make your own deep conditioner with mayonnaise. Rub it into your locks and leave it in for 15 minutes. Rinse with your regular shampoo and conditioner. Echo this every one-ii weeks for ultra-soft curls.
iii
Moisturize your hair daily. Moisture is critical to keeping your hair resilient and healthy. Utilize your favorite moisturizer daily, if y'all tin. If every mean solar day is too much for your pilus, try decreasing applications to every other solar day.
- Applying your moisturizer before bed instead of in the morning can assistance prevent your pilus from feeling weighted down during the twenty-four hours.
- Kickoff with a water-based moisturizer, then seal it in with an oil or butter. Finally, lock information technology all in and set up your way with a moisturizing hair cream.
- Look for moisturizers containing ingredients similar shea butter, kokosnoot oil, or grapeseed oil.
four
Employ oils in your hair 1-3 times a week. Considering it takes such a long time for your hair's natural oils to travel to the ends of the strands, it'due south of import to infuse your hair with oils to supplement those your scalp already creates. Massage the oil into your scalp to moisturize and promote good for you hair growth.^[11] Avert petroleum and mineral oils, and instead select plant-based oils.
- Brush oil (or Jamaican black brush oil) has been used for hundreds of years to increase the softness of hair and aid in faster growth. It may also help encourage thicker growth if you accept thinning pilus.
- Lavander oil is great for promoting hair growth, and can also gainsay hair loss.
- Argan oil penetrates the hair shaft to nourish your pilus, add moisture, and prevent frizz and breakage.^[12]

ane
Detangle your hair gently as needed. Detangling can be a challenge with kinky or curly pilus, and using harsh methods can cause breakage and inhibit growth. Moisturize your hair and then carefully remove any tangles with a wide-toothed comb, boar bristle castor, or your fingers.
- Finger-combing is the gentlest method of detangling hair, and so this may be the best option if you have fragile 4B or 4C hair.
- Always outset detangling at the ends of your hair, and work your way upwardly toward the roots.
- Try detangling your hair once a calendar week, and adjust how ofttimes you detangle depending on your hair'southward needs.
2

Become regular trims. The ends of your hair are susceptible to dryness and breakage. In one case the ends start to interruption, the impairment can hands travel upwardly the shaft of the hair and inhibit growth. Get your pilus trimmed in one case every other calendar month to go on the ends salubrious and prevent any damage from spreading.
3
Clothing protective hairstyles. While tight weaves and braids can harm your hair and scalp, other hairstyles can protect your hair from harm and promote growth. Apply gentle styles that are easy to maintain, like box braids, Marley braids, cornrows, or twists.
- Avert using rubber bands to necktie up your hair, since these can cause breakage. Use gentle fabric hair ties instead.
4
Have vitamins that support hair growth. There are a diverseness of supplements on the market that can help strengthen your hair and promote optimal growth rates. Before y'all starting time taking any supplement, talk to your doctor about the possible risks and benefits. Biotin (vitamin B-7) is the vitamin nigh commonly recommended for promoting hair growth. However, other supplements may also be helpful, such as:^[xiii]
- Vitamin D
- B-complex vitamins
- Vitamin Eastward
- Vitamin A
five
Care for your overall health. You lot need a healthy body to grow salubrious hair. You can maximize your hair growth potential and continue your hair stiff by getting proper diet and minimizing stress on your body and mind. Do your all-time to:
- Eat a balanced nutrition rich in leafy greens, lean protein, healthy fats, and dietary fiber.
- Stay hydrated.
- Become vii-ix hours of slumber every dark.
- Go at least half an hour of physical activity each day.
- Engage in stress-relieving activities, like yoga, mindful meditation, or hobbies yous enjoy.

Advertizing

i
Avoid using rut on your hair. ^[14] High temperatures make your hair dry and brittle, increasing the chances of breakage. If you must apply estrus on your hair, effort to limit it to in one case a week at about.
- Permit your hair to air dry whenever possible. The estrus from blow dryers can be especially damaging, equally information technology is combined with a strong blast of air—some other culprit for hair harm.
- Keep utilise of flat irons and curling irons to a minimum. Because these can heat up of 400 °F (204 °C), you are literally cooking your hair.
- If you have to use heat, apply a heat-protectant product before heating your pilus.
- Never use a flat atomic number 26 or curling iron on wet hair. Doing so tin can cause serious harm to your hair.
2

Steer clear of hair color. The chemicals in pilus dye are a major cause of pilus damage. Using dyes often can forestall hair growth past dissentious the entire strand of hair. If possible, don't dye your hair at all. If you must, look at least 3 months betwixt pilus dye sessions.
3
Wait at least viii weeks between relaxing sessions, if yous relax your hair. If y'all get your hair relaxed, y'all know how damaging it can be to your hair. Although getting your hair relaxed frequently may exist tempting in order to maintain direct locks, attempt to wait every bit long as you can between sessions.
- Waiting at least 8 weeks betwixt pilus relaxing treatments tin can help minimize damage and aid in hair growth.^[15]
- If you are able and willing, endeavor foregoing relaxing your hair for a natural look instead. This will not merely mix up your hairstyle, but increase your hair'south ability to grow faster.
4
Sleep on a silk pillowcase or wrap your hair in a silk scarf. Your pillowcase can absorb oils from your hair during the night, causing dryness and damage. To minimize this and reduce nighttime stress on your hair, apply a silk or satin pillowcase. Alternatively, yous can wrap your hair in a silk or satin scarf earlier you go to bed.
- Wrapping your pilus in a silk or satin scarf tin too assist it retain moisture and protect it from the elements. This is something you can do either during the day or at night.

Add New Question

Question

How do I take care of African American hair?

Courtney Foster is a Licensed Cosmetologist, Certified Hair Loss Practitioner, and Cosmetology Educator based out of New York City. Courtney runs Courtney Foster Beauty, LLC and her work has been featured on The Wendy Williams Show, Expert Morning America, The Today Show, The Late Testify with David Letterman, and in East/Due west Magazine. She received her Cosmetology License from the Land of New York after training at the Empire Dazzler School - Manhattan.

Professional Pilus Stylist

Expert Answer
Question

How tin can I make my African pilus grow longer?

Courtney Foster is a Licensed Cosmetologist, Certified Hair Loss Practitioner, and Cosmetology Educator based out of New York City. Courtney runs Courtney Foster Beauty, LLC and her work has been featured on The Wendy Williams Testify, Proficient Morning America, The Today Evidence, The Late Show with David Letterman, and in E/West Magazine. She received her Cosmetology License from the State of New York subsequently training at the Empire Dazzler School - Manhattan.

Professional Hair Stylist

Expert Answer

Back up wikiHow by unlocking this expert answer.

I suggest using Argan oil in your hair. While this oil won't brand your hair grow any faster, it will penetrate the hair shaft to nourish your pilus, add together wet, and preclude frizz and breakage.
Question

How tin I grow my natural pilus healthy?

Ndeye Anta Niang is a Hair Stylist, Master Braider, and Founder of AntaBraids, a traveling braiding service based in New York Metropolis. Ndeye has over 20 years of experience in African hair including braiding box braids, Senegalese twists, crochet braids, fake dread locs, goddess locs, kinky twists, and lakhass braids. Ndeye was the start female of her tribe in Africa to motion to America and is now sharing her cognition of African braids passed on from generation to generation.

Hair Stylist & Main Braider

Skilful Respond

Back up wikiHow by unlocking this expert answer.

Have plenty of time to make clean, deep status, and detangle your hair. So, protect your hair before bed past tying it into 2 braids, wrapping information technology up, or tying it into a ponytail and putting a scarf around information technology.

Ask a Question

200 characters left

Include your email accost to become a message when this question is answered.

Submit

While good diet and proper pilus care tin can encourage good for you hair growth and protect your hair from breakage, you can't exercise much to speed up your hair'southward natural growth rate. Growing long black hair is a process that requires care and patience, so don't get frustrated if you don't come across a big divergence right away.

Virtually This Article

Article Summary X

To abound out African American pilus, try to only wash information technology once a week then it doesn't get dry, which would make it harder to grow out. If your hair feels greasy in between washes, use a dry shampoo to hold yous over until your adjacent launder. You'll also want to continue your hair moisturized by using a conditioner after every wash and applying a deep workout handling once a month. Also, become your hair trimmed once a month so any breakage at the ends doesn't prevent it from growing out. For more tips, like how to detangle your hair while you're waiting for it to abound out, keep reading!

Did this summary help you?

Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 1,622,283 times.