Conditioner for African American Hair
Today, if you go to any local drug store and go to the shampoo and conditioner aisle, you are bound to be overwhelmed by the wide variety of choices available in hair care products. So, how can you select a conditioner that will suit you, out of all the choices available. The reason that there are so many choices are because all of us have different textures of hair. African-American hair tends to be more dry and brittle than other types of hair and hence can be difficult to manage if proper hair care is neglected. For any African-American, a crucial part of hair care regime is using conditioners. So, let us try to see how can we find the best conditioner for African American hair from the myriad of choices available.
Conditioning your hair is one of the most important steps to manage curly hair and keep your hair healthy and beautiful. Using a conditioner helps protect your hair from things that can cause damage. It is vital that you know what hair conditioner is, what hair conditioner is designed for your hair type and how to properly apply it. Hair conditioner is a moisturizer for your hair. Moisture gives your hair strand elasticity, strength, and beauty. Especially for African-American hair, moisture is very important because of its texture.
Selecting a Conditioner
What most of us tend to do while selecting a conditioner is to look at the brand name. While that is not completely wrong, there are other aspects that you have to take into consideration. It is important to read the labels of the conditioners to make sure what you are getting and how it will help you. The following are a few points to remember while choosing a conditioner for black hair.
- Avoid products that contain Isopropyl Alcohol, Methyl, Propyl, Butyl, and Ethylparaben, Petrolatum and Mineral Oil and Sodium Lauryl Sulfate or Sodium Laureth Sulfate. This is because these products dry up the hair and are not suitable for conditioner for curly hair.
- Look for conditioner for African-American hair containing rosemary, coconut, jojoba or olive. The ingredients are great for conditioner for natural hair. Luckily, many products on the market are infused with these ingredients. Always look for these ingredients on the label on the back of the conditioner bottle.
- Always use a cream based conditioner instead of a gel based conditioner which can dry out curly hair. Moisture is extremely important for curly black hair and hence, cream based conditioners for African-American hair are the best option.
- Most hair care professionals advise to opt for leave in conditioners. This is because leave in conditioners act as a protection from heat and normal wear and tear and also keeps the moisture locked in the hair, till the next wash which is important for maintaining curly hair.
If you do not want to opt for a chemical based conditioner, you can opt for a homemade conditioners. The following are two options for homemade hair conditioners for natural black hair.
Olive Oil and Eggs: Start by mixing two eggs with 2 tsp. of olive oil. If your hair is long you will have to add another egg. When you have mixed these items thoroughly, put the mixture on your hair. Place a plastic shower cap on your head and let this mixture stay on your hair for 20 minutes. Don't forget to put a towel around your shoulders. Wash your hair thoroughly. This is good for deep conditioning, if your hair is dry and brittle.
Mayonnaise: Cover your hair completely with mayonnaise. Wrap your head with a plastic shower cap and leave the mayonnaise conditioner on your hair for 15 to 20 minutes. Put a towel around your shoulder in case any of the mayonnaise slides from under the shower cap. Wash the mayonnaise thoroughly out of your hair. Dry your hair as you would normally. Mayonnaise gives you a deep conditioning and it can make your hair soft and shiny.
These were the tips for selecting a conditioner for African American hair. So, say no to dry, damaged, curly hair and use the right mix of African-American hair care products to keep your braids moist, Afros soft, the frizzes tamed and twists in place.
