Chemical-free natural black hair care is different from caring for relaxed styles. If you have been chemically relaxing your hair for a time, you are probably familiar with scalp issues. Scalp challenges in black hair care go beyond the occasional flakes of dandruff and excess oil. Some scalp conditions require medical attention and regular treatments. If left untreated, these scalp problems can result in damaged hair and eventually, hair loss.

Common scalp challenges in black hair care include psoriasis, eczema, and seborrheic dermatitis. Each one of these conditions can be unsightly, uncomfortable, and can cause embarrassment and self-esteem issues from the social stigmas that typically accompany the physical manifestation of the condition. But don’t fret – there are many ways to prevent them.

First of all, if you want healthy hair, it is paramount that you keep your scalp healthy too. The scalp is basically the fertile ground from where your hair will grow. And like a field of crops, the resulting harvest will only be as good and healthy as the soil in which they are planted. The bottom line? Keep your scalp healthy and clean – no matter your hair style choice.

Keep these tips in mind to ensure that your scalp stays healthy:

• Use sulfate-free hair products. Shampoos and conditioners with sodium lauryl sulfate tend to strip the hair and scalp of essential nutrients and oils.

• Rinse conditioners thoroughly out of your hair. Leaving conditioner in does not make your hair soft. It can actually end up looking like flaky dandruff…and who wants that?

• Avoid sources of extreme heat. If you blow dry your hair or use hooded dryers, this will seem impossible…. but it’s not. If you’re using a hand held dryer, simply point the heat down the shaft of the hair – not your scalp.

• Eat a balanced diet. The old idiom, “you are what you eat” really is true. A balanced diet not only benefits your body, it also does wonders on your natural black hair, and prevents various scalp challenges. So, eat well and drink plenty of water.

If you want to maintain your natural locks, take a look at these tips for natural black hair care:

• Don’t use too much product. It makes the hair look and feel greasy, which makes you wash your hair more often, which dries out your hair and scalp, which makes you want to use more product. It’s a never-ending cycle you don’t want to start.

• If you are transitioning from chemical treated to natural black hair and are under the throes of scab hair, you may be wondering what to do. First, don’t worry – that’s not your natural texture. Wait about 6-8 months for the real texture to show up. In the meantime, see the tips above.

• Before transitioning to natural black hair care from chemically-treated hair, do your research. Do you want to chop it all off and wear it short? Are you considering braids? Bantu knots, two-strand twist? Pick a style that you are comfortable with throughout the transition process.

Most of all, just relax and enjoy your new look. It’s you, and you’re beautiful.

That’s it for now! Until next time …

Dedicated To Your Beauty

Juliette Samuel

Esthetician/Author/Publisher

Nyraju Skin Care