Category: Hair & Beauty

Dry Hair Care: Getting to Know Your 4C Hair to Prevent Dryness

my natural dry hair
Non-Moisturized Natural Hair

Since starting my natural hair journey, I have learned a lot about my hair that I didn’t know before. This includes dealing with hair dryness. Dryness affects most natural hair textures but even more so those with 4c hair type.

Dry hair is one of the most common complaints when it comes to 4c hair. Stay tuned to learn how you can combat extreme dry hair.

If you ask someone who has 4c hair about their struggles, you’ll quickly learn that most of them are struggling with keeping their hair soft and manageable. Also, some 4c hair are more dense than others, therefore requiring more moisture and specific techniques to prevent dryness.

HAVING A PERSONAL RELATIONSHIP WITH YOUR NATURAL HAIR

To prevent dryness  of your 4c hair, you have to get to know your hair to see what it likes and what it doesn’t. What works for someone else may not work for you. So, until you find the perfect haircare regime, you will find yourself getting frustrated with your hair quite often.

REMOVING PRODUCT BUILDUP IN 4C HAIR

Some hair becomes dry when there is too much product build-up. The best way to remove buildup from hair is to use a clarifying shampoo. One of the most recommended clarifying shampoo and deep conditioner is Carol’s Daughter Wash Day Delight Clarifying Shampoo and Deep Conditioner. After using this combo, you should see a big difference in the texture of your 4c hair.

DETANGLING TO PREVENT 4C HAIR DRYNESS

Part of your wash day will consist of detangling and removing excess dead hair and knots. Wash day is the perfect time to detangle your 4c coils. After applying the deep conditioner, you will need a wide-tooth comb or  detangling brush. The Artnaturals Detangling Hair Brush Set is designed to remove knots and tangles from thick curly hair such as 4c texture.

LEAVE-IN CONDITIONER BEST FOR DRY 4C HAIR

Using a leave-in conditioner after wash day can stop hair dryness on 4c textured hair. Finding a good leave-in conditioner suitable for 4c hair is a challenge. Your ideal leave-in conditioner should hydrate and moisturize your hair to maintain its softness while enhancing your beautiful 4c curl pattern.

The BEST OILS FOR LOW POROSITY HAIR

Oils are also great for your 4c low porosity hair. There are specific oils that you should be using for your hair type that will prevent dryness and promote softness. The oils that are recommended for 4c hair texture includes: Jojoba oil, avocado oil, Argan oil, and grapeseed oil.

These oils are not only great for your hair but they also helps to lock in the moisture after applying your leave-in conditioner. Two of the most recommended oils for low porosity hair are Avocado oil and Argan oil. These oils seems to deliver the best results, leaving your hair soft, shine, as well as help with length retention.

Remember that beauty is in your 4c hair. You just have to try different products and methods to bring out your beautiful coils and curls. Once you find the true solution to dry hair, you’ll start enjoying the beauty in your hair texture, while  wearing it with confidence.

 

 

4C Hair Shrinkage: Top 6 Tricks to Stop Your 4C Hair From Shrinking


Shrinkage is a common issue with natural 4c hair. This occurs as a result of the how tight the natural curls are. Shrinkage can be a nuisance, as your 4c texture can shrink up to 90 percent. With shrinkage like this, it’s difficult to manage and style your hair as you wish. Follow these top 6 tips to instantly put a stop to your 4c shrinkage woes.

USING COCONUT MILK TO COMBAT 4C HAIR SHRINKAGE

Keep your 4c natural hair moisturized to prevent shrinkage. There are specific hair products that will work wonders for your hair. Hair products that contains coconut milk or even coconut milk itself is known to prevent shrinkage on natural hair. The Coconut Anti-breakage Serum is highly recommended and rated on Amazon because of its natural ingredients that keeps your 4c hair soft, hydrated, and well-moisturized.

DETANGLING YOUR 4C HAIR TO STOP SHRINKAGE

Use a detangling shampoo and a detangling brush to remove knots from  your hair while washing it. This will make your 4c hair manageable after washing is complete.  The SheaMoisture Raw Shea Butter Deep Moisturizing Detangler is also recommended to reverse natural hair shrinkage.

PROTECTIVE STYLING TO KEEP 4C HAIR SHRINK-FREE

One of the most common reasons for 4c shrinkage is leaving the hair loose, especially after washing it. If you’re trying to stop your natural hair from shrinking, this is definitely not the way to go about it.

Top stylists recommend people with natural hair, especially 4c texture, to keep their hair twisted after washing. It is best to twist it while it’s wet and after detangled, then pull it out only after it is dried.

If your hair dries while it’s like this, it will help your hair stretch, which helps to retain your true hair length. Just simple big two-strand twists or bantu knots will do the trick.

FLEX RODS ON NATRUAL 4C HAIR

Another way to stop shrinkage on  4c hair is to use Flexi Rods. These flexible curlers are soft and comfortable to sleep in. The good thing about these flexible curlers is that you don’t need heat to keep your hair stretched. The rods and the natural heat from your scalp is enough to eliminate natural hair shrinkage.

BlOW DRY TO RETAIN LENGTH ON 4C HAIR

Using heat to stop 4c hair from shrinking is also another option. You can use a hair dryer to distribute the heat to your hair evenly. We recommend using an Ionic Hair Dryer as well as heat protectant. Combining these two will ensure that your hair will remain free from heat damage.

SILK PRESS 4C HAIR TO TEMPORARY STOP SHRINKAGE

Silk pressing your natural hair is yet another solution for eliminating 4c hair shrinkage. Straightening your natural hair with heat is temporary, but at least you’ll get to see your true hair length and be able to trim the ends if needed. Prevent heat damage by applying a good heat protectant before straightening your hair with heat.

If you decide to silk press your natural hair don’t overdo it. Wait at least 4 months in between presses to maintain your healthy hair.

 

 

Top Salon Tips for Maintaining Your 4C Silk Press Hair

Whether you choose to tackle the bold task of silk pressing your hair at home or seeking the service of a professional hair stylist, at the end of the day, you will need to know how to maintain your newly straightened hair to keep it looking sleek and bouncy.

Wrapping your 4c hair is recommended if you are wearing it in the straight form. As easy as it sounds, wrapping your hair can be quite challenging for some people.

HOW TO WRAP YOUR SILK PRESS HAIR AT NIGHT

If you want to securely wrap your 4c silk press hair, it is recommended that you use the popular Tubi hair wrap. This is a breathable light-weight knitted hair cover. Once you get your Tubi or Doobie head wrap, you are good to go.

Start the wrapping process by using a hair brush to bring your hair around your head. Continue to brush in a circular motion. Next, place the Tubi on your head and spin it in the direction you originally brushed your hair to create a wrap. If you wrapped it correctly, you do not need to use any type of pins to hold it on for the night.

The Tubi is just the first part of wrapping your 4c silk press for the night. You will also need a silk scarf or a silk bonnet to cover the Tubi to give you a second layer of protection.

PROTECTING YOUR 4C SILK PRESS WHILE SHOWERING

Everyone who has ever gotten a silk press knows that water and humidity are the worst things you want to get near your hair. However, as much as we fear water during our silk press phase, taking a shower is a must.

So, you have to make an effort to prevent your silk pressed hair from becoming wet and reverting back to curly. Some people use two shower caps, while others use the same Tubi that’s mentioned above, a bonnet, and a shower cap. With all that protection, you can’t go wrong.

WORKING OUT WITH A SILK PRESS ON 4C HAIR

Certain activities such as exercising can create excess moisture especially to your roots. The best solution is to either put your hair in a loose bun or wrap your hair and tie it with a silk scarf. Make sure you allow your hair to dry completely before unwrapping it after a workout.

WHAT PRODUCTS DO I NEED TO USE ON MY 4C SILK PRESS?

The good thing about silk press hair is you don’t need much products to keep it bouncy and shiny. All you need to add to your hair is a little serum for silk press hair before brushing and wrapping your hair.

Now that you know how to maintain and protect your 4c silk press hair, don’t let the fear of your hair reverting or becoming frizzy limit your activities or alter your lifestyle. Enjoy your silk press while it lasts.