Essential winter care tips for natural hair
I like wearing braids, but I'm worried about my receding hairlIne, any tips?
A receding hairline can be caused by factors such as harsh chemicals, rough handling, a lack of regular conditioning, fluctuating hormones and poor health, says Grant.
Braids that are applied correctly to healthy hair won't cause a receding hairline. ensure your hair is healthy before applying extensions and make sure the stylist doesn't braid your hair too tightly. Use a braid spray or light scalp treatment to maintain the health and moisture of your hair.
When removing your braids, be gentle to avoid damage to your hair and give it at least a two-week break before treating it chemically or applying more braids.
How often should I relax my hair, and how do I avoid over-relaxing?
Healthy hair grows about 1,25 cm a month, says Lucky. This means you should relax your hair after four to six weeks, depending on the rate of your natural hair growth. When retouching hair, avoid overlapping the relaxer on pre-relaxed hair and apply it only on the new hair growth. For fragile hair, use a moisture treatment two weeks before relaxing and use a protein treatment two weeks afterwards to strengthen hair. Also use a good oil moisturiser daily to maintain proper moisture balance.
What can I do to soften my dry and brittle hair?
Grant says good hair starts with a clean, healthy scalp. Use a moisturising shampoo without harmful soaps or chemicals and apply a deep moisturising treatment at least every two weeks.
If your hair is damaged, you need a treatment that provides both protein and moisture. Argan oil is rich in both and is easily absorbed. Use a leave-in conditioner to moisturise hair and tame frizz.
Applying an oil sheen spray will form a barrier between the hair follicle and the moisture in the atmosphere, protecting hair against frizz.
What should I look for in a weave and what is the proper way to care for it?
Lucky suggests you choose a weave with good natural hair fibre made of 100 % human hair that complements your own natural hair. Choose a colour that will best suit your skin tone and avoid weaves with synthetic hair as it can cause a rash. Shampoo and condition your weave at least once every two weeks and apply hair food to your scalp to promote growth and nourish the scalp. Apply a hair serum to avoid tangling and straighten or blow-dry your weave for a natural shine.
Read more | 4 Essential tips for long-lasting braided styles
My man is balding – what can he do to stop it?
The most common type of acute hair loss for African men is alopecia areata, a condition where your immune system starts attacking your hair follicles. It's characterised by a loss of hair in round or oval well-defined patches, without inflammation. The cause is unknown, and the onset of the condition is sudden. Regrowth does sometimes occur, and recovery is usually within three to six months. If the cause is hereditary, then regrowth is less likely. With repeated occurrences of this condition, the chances of regrowth are less.
Grant recommends you seek advice from a trichologist (a dermatologist who deals with hair and the scalp) who can advise specific treatment. To slow down hair loss, supplement your diet with hair-growth vitamins and use hair products to stimulate growth. Remember to be gentle when handling your hair.
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