101 Black Hair Care Tips

2. Daily shampooing is not recommended or needed, African American hair is dryer than other types of hair and shampooing strips away the oils from your hair. Instead, try shampooing once every 3 to 7 days or using conditioner in the place of shampoo sometimes.

3. If you engage in daily activities that cause you to sweat, it is recommended that you rinse your hair out with water and only use shampoo on occasion, but if you feel the need to use a mild shampoo, go ahead and do so.

4. Use a mild moisturizing shampoo with a low PH level when washing your hair.

5. Don't use a 2 in 1 shampoo and conditioner, use a separate shampoo and conditioner, 2 in 1's aren't suited as well for dry hair.

6. Massaging your scalp on a regular basis will stimulate oil production, which will help reduce the dryness of your hair.

7. When washing your hair rub only in one direction to avoid tangling.

8. Shower with warm water, hot water can dry and/or irritate the scalp.

9. Oil your scalp after shampooing, with your hair still moist, massage the oil into your scalp and brush out to the ends of your hair.

10. Use a conditioner when you shower, it'll moisturize your hair, give it extra protection, add shine, reduce static, and makes it easier to untangle.

11. Use a leave in conditioner, it'll hydrate and protect your hair.

12. Don't rub your hair dry with a towel, instead blot the water out of your hair with a cotton tee shirt, when you rub, it'll cause your hair to tangle and you'll also risk breakage.

13. Limit your use of "heat" items on your hair such as blow dryers.

14. Use a wide toothed comb or pick to comb your hair. It makes it easier to comb if your hair is slightly moist so the comb can slide easier across your hair. Using a conditioner will also make your hair easier to comb. If your hair is very wet, wait until it dries more, hair is most fragile when it is wet.

15. If you encounter a tough knot or tangle, use your fingers to loosen it and then continue combing.

16. Comb your hair to remove any tangles before brushing it, using a brush to detangle your hair will stretch your hair and may cause your hair to break off.

17. Use a soft boar hairbrush on your hair daily which will distribute the oil at the root of your hair and scalp to the rest of your hair. Dampen the brush slightly before brushing.

18. Get a hot oil treatment once a month which will re-moisturize your scalp and hair.

19. Hair can get caught on cotton pillow cases and break when you are sleeping especially if you toss and turn a lot when you sleep. Using a satin or silk pillowcase where your hair will make it so that hair will slide across the pillowcase without getting caught.

20. An alternative to the silk pillowcase is to wear a silk or satin scarf over your hair before your sleep to prevent breakage.

21. If you have longer hair, always start the detangling process with your fingers first, then move on to a wide tooth, pick, or comb. Avoid pulling and straining your hair.

22. Conditioners will not repair your hair once it is damaged. They may affect its look and feel, as well as detangle and improve the wet comparability of your hair. But they will not repair any structural damage present in the hair.

23. Mineral oils clog pores. They should not be used on your hair or scalp as dressings. Read your products ingredients and if you see mineral oil or any petrolatum product as an ingredient, make another choice. There are many other products that will do a much better job.

24. Split ends cannot be repaired by treatments or conditioners, period. Just as when you tear a fingernail, it has to be trimmed before the tear continues to worsen, you cannot repair it. The same goes for your hair. If you have split ends you must trim them before they continue down the hair shaft making your hair in a much worse state.

25. Always style your hair using a wide toothed comb. The teeth should be rounded on the ends to avoid scratching the scalp and without any seams from manufacturing which can snag on your hair and tear it.

26. Liquid hair styling tools such as mousse, hair sprays or gels when used at the base of your hair near the scalp add lift and volume to your hair. When they are used at the ends they add weight.

27. Since most people do toss and turn while they sleep, you should never go to bed with your hair in rollers or tight pony tails. This tossing and turning during sleep with rollers or tight pony tails, may cause the hair to pull and break. Twists or braids is a much better idea.