Are you looking for tips on how to take care of your 4C curls? If so, you have come to the right place! This blog post will discuss ten different ways to improve your natural hair care routine. We will go over everything from detangling to moisturizing and everything in between! So whether you are a beginner or a seasoned pro, these tips will help you take care of your curls in the best way possible. Let’s get right into it:
The 10 best natural hair care tips include:
- Deep Condition Regularly
- Wear Protective Styles
- Moisturize & Seal Often
- Trim Ends Regularly
- Avoid Heat Styling
- Use Sulphate-Free Shampoos
- Be Gentle with Hair
- Protect Hair at Night
- Massage Scalp Regularly
- Maintain a Healthy Diet
Before we get into the specifics of each tip, let’s quickly go over the basics of hair types.
Understanding Hair Types
It is essential to understand your hair type to care for your hair correctly. There are four main hair types:
- Straight – Type 1
- Wavy – Type 2
- Curly – Type 3
- Kinky – Type 4
There are further subcategories within each category based on your hair’s texture (thickness or fineness).
One way to determine your hair type is to look at the curl pattern on your head. If your curls are:
- Loose and wavy, then you most likely have Type Two hair
- Well-defined and springy, then you most likely have Type Four hair
- Tight and spiral-shaped, then you most likely have Type Three hair
Once you have determined your hair type, it is vital to learn about the specific needs of your type.
The tips discussed in this article are specifically for Type Four hair, but you can apply many of them to other hair types.
What Is 4C Hair Type?
There are a few different hair types classified as “curly.” The most common of these are type 3 and type 4 hair.
Curly hair is characterized by ringlets or coils that form a zigzag pattern. Type 4 or kinky hair is tightly coiled and has a lot of thickness.
This hair type experiences the most significant amount of shrinkage and is the most prone to dryness and frizziness.
However, it is possible to achieve healthy, bouncy curls that look great from every angle with the proper natural hair care routine!
So without further ado, let’s get into those tips:
Tip #1: Deep Condition Regularly
One of the most important things you can do for your curls is to deep condition them regularly. Deep conditioning helps to moisturize and strengthen your hair, and it can be a great way to combat dryness and frizz.
There are primarily two different types of deep conditioners: moisturizing and protein.
Moisturizing Deep Conditioners
- Add moisture and shine to dry, damaged hair
- Typically contain natural oils and butters, such as coconut oil or shea butter
- It May also contain humectants, such as honey or aloe vera, which attract and retain moisture
Protein deep conditioners
- Repair damaged hair by rebuilding the broken down protein bonds
- Typically contain ingredients like hydrolyzed collagen or keratin
- Should only be used once or twice a month, as they can be too heavy for some hair types
If you have type four hair, it is important to regularly use a moisturizing deep conditioner, as your hair is more prone to dryness than other hair types.
Look for a deep conditioner that contains a blend of the following moisture-infusing ingredients:
Humectants:
Humectants attract and retain moisture, making them a key ingredient in moisturizing deep conditioners. Humectants include ingredients such as honey, aloe vera, or glycerin.
Oils and Butters:
Natural oils and butters are another great way to add moisture and shine to your curls. Oils such as coconut oil or shea butter can penetrate the hair shaft, moisturizing it from the inside out.
Emollients:
Emollients are ingredients that help to smooth the hair shaft and seal in moisture. They may include coconut, argan, avocado, and olive oils.
Try to deep condition at least once a week.
Tip #2: Wear Protective Styles
Protective styles are a great way to protect your curls from the elements and retain moisture. They involve wearing your hair in a style that covers it partially or entirely.
The essential aspect of a protective style is to keep the ends tucked away and protected from the elements. The ends are the oldest and most vulnerable part of the hair and are the most prone to dryness and split ends.
There are a variety of protective styles that you can try, including:
- Braids
- Twists
- Buns/Ponytails
- Wigs/Weaves
If you will be wearing your hair in a protective style for an extended period, it is essential to moisturize regularly. Moisturizing will help keep your curls healthy and hydrated while they are covered up.
Remember that some hairstyles can do more harm than good if not done correctly. For example, tight braids can cause tension on the hair shaft and breakage.
Whichever protective style you wear, make sure that it is not too tight and that the ends are well-protected.
Tip #3: Moisturize & Seal Often
One of the best natural hair care tips to keep your curls healthy and hydrated is to moisturize and seal them. This process means adding moisture to your hair and sealing it with an oil or butter.
Type 4c hair is especially prone to dryness, so it is essential to moisturize and seal often.
There are a variety of ways to moisturize your hair, including:
Leave-in Conditioners:
Leave-in conditioners are a great way to add moisture to your curls. They are typically lightweight and help to detangle the hair.
Conditioners:
Conditioners are a vital part of any natural hair care routine. They help to add moisture, strength, and shine to the hair.
Deep Conditioners:
As we mentioned earlier, it is essential to regularly use a deep conditioner that contains moisturizing ingredients if you have type four hair.
Hair Mists:
Hair mists are a great way to add moisture to the hair on the go. They are lightweight, and you can use them daily.
Sealing Agents:
Oils and butters are excellent sealing agents, which means that they help seal in the moisture added to the hair. Our favorites include coconut oil, avocado oil, and shea butter.
Try to moisturize and seal your hair at least once a day. This habit will help keep it healthy and hydrated.
Tip #4: Trim Ends Regularly
Another crucial natural hair care tip is to trim your ends regularly. Trimming is vital if you have type four hair, as it is more prone to split ends and breakage.
Trimming your hair may seem counterproductive, especially if you want to grow long hair. However, regular trims help keep hair healthy and prevent split ends from working up the hair shaft.
Other benefits of regularly trimming ends include:
- Allows for easier styling as the hair is less likely to get tangled
- Reduces frizz and makes the hair appear more smooth and sleek
- It makes hair appear thicker and healthier
- Helps prevent breakage
How often you need to trim your ends will mainly depend on your hair type and the hairstyles you tend to wear. Protective hairstyles will result in less exposure to damaging elements, fewer split ends, and thus, less frequent need for trimming.
Use sharp scissors to cut only the damaged ends when trimming your hair. You don’t want to cut off more than necessary. A good rule of thumb is to trim your ends every 10 to 12 weeks.
Tip #5: Avoid Heat Styling
One natural hair care tip often overlooked is to avoid heat styling. Heat styling includes blow-drying, flat ironing, and curling your hair.
Heat styling can be very damaging to natural hair, as it can strip away moisture and lead to breakage.
If you must heat style your hair, use a heat protectant and the lowest setting possible.
It is also good to give your hair a break from heat styling now and then. A break of heat styling will help it recover and prevent further damage.
Consider air-drying your hair or using heat-free styling methods such as braid-outs, twist-outs, and rod sets.
Tip #6: Use Sulphate-Free Shampoos
Sulphates are a type of detergent commonly found in shampoos. They are known to strip away natural oils from the hair, leaving it feeling dry and brittle.
For this reason, it is important to use sulphate-free shampoos when cleansing your natural hair. Sulphate-free shampoos are much gentler on the hair and will not strip away its natural oils.
They can be a bit more expensive than regular shampoos, but they are worth the investment to keep your natural hair healthy.
When shopping for sulphate-free shampoos, look for ones that contain natural ingredients such as aloe vera, shea butter, and coconut oil.
These ingredients will help replenish the natural oils stripped away from the hair.
Some of our favourite sulphate-free shampoos for natural hair care include:
- SheaMoisture Curl and Shine Coconut Shampoo
- Carol’s Daughter Black Vanilla Shampoo
- Avlon Keracare Hydrating Detangling Shampoo
Further, washing the hair too often can strip away natural oils and leave the hair feeling dry and brittle.
Aim to wash natural hair no more than once or twice a week.
Tip #7: Be Gentle with Hair
Another natural hair care tip often overlooked is to be gentle with your hair. Excessive manipulation is the main cause for hair breakage and thus, being gentle with hair is vital.
Being gentle with your hair may include finger-detangling and using a wide-tooth comb instead of a brush.
Finger-detangling is gently using your fingers to remove knots and tangles from the hair. This method is much gentler on the hair than using a comb or brush and will help to prevent breakage.
When finger detangling, use an oil or detangler to help loosen the knots. Start from the bottom of the hair and work your way up.
Once all the knots are gone, you can use a wide-tooth comb to remove any remaining tangles. Be sure to use a comb with wide teeth spaced far apart so that it does not damage the hair.
Tip #8: Protect Hair at Night
Protecting your tresses at night is an essential natural hair care tip as it prevents tangles and breakage while you sleep.
There are many ways you can protect your hair at night, such as:
- Wearing a satin scarf or bonnet
- Sleeping on a satin pillowcase
- Wrapping hair in a silk scarf
Sleeping on a silk pillowcase will help prevent friction and breakage while you rest up. Silk is also gentle on the hair and helps it retain moisture as it is less absorbent than other fabrics such as cotton.
A satin scarf or bonnet can also protect the hair at night. It will help keep the hair from tangling and breaking while you sleep.
Satin is a gentle smooth fabric on the hair, so it is a good choice for protecting natural hair at night.
Both silk and satin are good choices for protecting natural hair at night. If you choose, go with silk as it is more gentle on the hair. However, if you can only find satin, it will still work to protect your natural hair while you sleep.
Whichever fabric you choose, wrap your hair up before bed.
These methods will help hair retain moisture at nighttime and prevent tangles and breakage.
Tip #9: Massage Scalp Regularly
Scalp massages are not only relaxing but also promote hair growth. This natural hair care tip will help increase blood circulation to the scalp, which will nourish the hair follicles and promote healthy hair growth.
To give yourself a scalp massage, use your fingers to massage your scalp in a circular motion. Be sure to use gentle pressure not to damage the hair follicles.
You can also use scalp massagers such as:
- HEETA Scalp Care Hair Brush with Soft Silicone Scalp Massager
- Vitagoods Scalp Massaging Shampoo Brush
- COMFIER Cordless Hair Scalp Massager
Massage your scalp for at least five minutes each day. You can do this in the shower or before bedtime.
Tip #10: Maintain a Healthy Diet
Eating a healthy diet is good for your overall health and promotes healthy hair growth.
Protein is the primary building block of hair, so including protein-rich foods in your diet is essential.
Hair is also made up of keratin, a protein type. So, including foods high in protein will help promote healthy hair growth.
Some good sources of protein include:
- Beans and legumes
- Nuts and seeds
- Leafy green vegetables
In addition to protein, your hair also needs other nutrients such as B vitamins, Zinc, Iron, and Omega-3 fatty acids.
All of these nutrients are essential for healthy hair growth. Be sure to include a variety of nutrient-rich foods in your diet to promote healthy hair and prevent hair loss.
If you are not getting enough of these nutrients from your diet, you can also take supplements.
Further, drink plenty of water to keep your hair hydrated from the inside out.
Natural Hair Care F.A.Q.s
What Is A Good Hair Care Routine for Natural Hair?
An excellent natural hair care routine should include:
- Washing your hair with a gentle, sulphate-free shampoo
- Conditioning your hair regularly
- Deep conditioning your hair at least once a week
- Detangling your hair carefully
- Trimming your ends every 10 to 12 weeks (as needed)
- Protecting your hair at night
- Massaging your scalp regularly
- Eating a healthy diet
How Often Should You Wash Natural Hair?
Most natural hair care experts recommend washing natural hair no more than once or twice a week.
Washing your hair too often can strip it of its natural oils and lead to dryness and breakage.
Can Heat Damage Natural Hair?
Yes, heat damage is a real thing, and it can happen to natural hair just as quickly as it can happen to relaxed hair.
When styling natural hair, use heat protectant products and avoid excessive heat. Also, give your hair a break from heat styling now and then to allow it time to recover.
How Do I Prevent Tangles in Natural Hair?
There are a few things you can do to prevent tangles in natural hair:
- Use a wide-toothed comb or detangling brush to detangle your hair gently
- Start from the bottom and work your way up
- Be sure to use a conditioner that will help to detangle your hair
- Use a leave-in conditioner to help keep your hair moisturized and prevent tangles
- Wear your natural hair in styles that will minimize tangles, such as 2-strand twists, or buns
What Products Should I Use on Natural Hair?
When it comes to natural hair care products, less is more.
You should avoid using products that contain harsh chemicals, sulfates, or other harsh ingredients.
Instead, look for natural hair care products that are gentle and will moisturize and protect your hair.
Moisturizing natural hair care ingredients include Aloe Vera, Honey, Agave, Shea Butter, Argan Oil, and Coconut Oil.
How Can I Keep My Natural Hair Moisturized?
To keep your natural hair moisturized in between washes, be sure to:
- Use the L.O.C. or L.C.O. method to re-moisturize strands every few days
- Seal in moisture with a natural oil such as coconut oil or jojoba oil
- Avoid using heat styling tools as much as possible
- Wear protective styles such as braids, twists, or buns
- Drink plenty of water to keep your hair hydrated from the inside out
- Wrap hair in a silk or satin scarf or bonnet to retain moisture while sleeping
How to Determine if your 4C Natural Hair is Healthy
One way to tell if your natural hair is healthy is by looking at the ends. If your natural hair ends are dry, brittle, or have split ends, then this is a sign that your natural hair is not as healthy as it could be.
Another way to tell if your natural hair is healthy is its overall appearance. If your natural hair is dull, lifeless, or frizzy, this is also a sign that it needs some extra T.L.C.
Conclusion
Natural hair is a beautiful thing. But, it does require some special care to keep it looking its best. By following these simple natural hair care tips, you can keep your natural hair healthy, moisturized, and looking its best. So don’t wait any longer; start taking care of your natural hair today!