Textured hair requires a routine to ensure hair health, easy maintenance, and hair growth. Recently, scalp care has been advancing, with products becoming more inclusive.
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Coarse and kinky hair has three aspects to consider: the scalp, the root, and the shaft. However, a well-balanced hair care routine that promotes healthy hair growth, length retention, and follicle strength focuses on two aspects: the scalp and the shaft.
A guide to good scalp care
Scalp care targets the skin on your head and your hair’s roots, and a good routine comprises a few components. Consider these steps.
1. Cleanse
Depending on your scalp’s needs, cleansing can look a bit different. A hair mask may be required for detoxing product build-up, a clarifying shampoo for your regular wash day routine, or a cleansing toner when you have braids or protective styles in.
2. Moisturise
Moisturising your scalp helps balance the oils your scalp needs. Butters, oils, and serums help moisturise the scalp, avoid dandruff and an itchy scalp, and promote healthy hair growth.
Depending on the season and hairstyle, drier seasons call for thicker oils, and depending on how long you want your hairstyle to look fresh, lighter oils are preferred.
3. Protect
This step doesn’t necessarily require a product, but rather being intentional. Avoiding things like sulphate shampoo, alcohol-based cleansing toners, and tight protective styles helps protect the scalp.
Also see: The ultimate guide to scalp hydration
A guide to good shaft care
Shaft care refers to general hair care. The steps have the same components as scalp care, with just a few differences.
1. Cleanse
With shaft care, shampooing is crucial to maintain the hair’s integrity. A moisturising shampoo and conditioner help bring back and maintain moisture in the hair. This step is for wash days, when your hair needs a reset from the week’s or month’s maintenance, depending on how frequently you wash your hair.
2. Detangle
Detangling your hair is very important. Gently comb out your hair, first by finger detangling, then with a wide-tooth comb, and finish off with a detangling brush to help avoid tangling that may cause breakage, impacting hair growth. It also helps distribute the product.
Detangling while conditioning and moisturising hair is also recommended.
3. Moisturise
The LCO (Liquid, Cream, Oil)/LOC (Liquid, Oil, Cream) method has been an established moisturising routine since the beginning of the natural hair movement. This is one of the first things you learn about caring for afro-textured hair.
4. Protect
Keep your hair in low-manipulation styles, avoid high heat, and wear satin bonnets, silk scarves, or sleep on satin/silk pillowcases.
Also see: The Best Winter Hairstyles in South Africa for Every Hair Type
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