Natural hair care.  Do you know the commandments of natural hair care? You, my beautiful Black women are no longer afraid to wear your hair natural. It’s no secret that the natural hair movement has taken over. It is a style that has come to stay. Your hair in it’s natural state, can be worn in different styles, from cornrows, natural curls with flat twist, double buns on natural hair, natural fro-hawk etc. Black women are rocking it all, beautifully and confidently.

Natural hair is beautiful only when properly cared for. It’s like a baby’s milk. If your baby isn’t fed properly, it will be malnourished. Likewise, if your hair isn’t fed with all of its milk, it will be malnourished. Natural hair care is deliberate.

Taking care of your hair can be difficult and tiring sometimes because of it’s texture. As a Naturalista, you must take deliberate steps to ensure that your hair is cared for. I call it the Commandments of Natural Hair Care.

Here are 7 COMMANDMENTS OF NATURAL HAIR CARE

If you neglect any of these commandments, your hair will suffer greatly. Therefore, thou shalt be faithful to caring for your natural hair.

1. THOU SHALL USE ONLY ORGANIC PRODUCTS

Organic products are products grown without any harmful chemicals, antibiotics or pesticides. They are strictly regulated from planting to Harvesting. Naturalistas must look at every product tag and ensure the ingredients are not damaging to your hair.

• Not all “natural” products are good for natural hair. Products made with petrolatum and sulphate are harmful to your natural hair but these ingredients are natural chemicals. Weird right? One would think that all natural ingredients are good for natural hair. The Key word is “organic”. Ingredients like coconut, avocado, Shea and honey etc. are a go. Products made with these ingredients promote good health of your natural hair.

2. THOU SHALL SLEEP ONLY ON A SATIN OR SILK PILLOWCASE

Natural hair easily dries out. This could lead to breakage and tear. Sleeping on a satin pillowcase or wrapping your hair in a satin bonnet helps lock in moisture. Your hair retains its oil. On the other hand, cotton pillowcases snag at your natural hair causing it to tear and this leads to frizzy and brittle hair.

• Satin or silk pillowcases do not draw out moisture from hair and skin the way cotton pillowcases do.
• This is a best bet for natural hair because it keeps your hair moisturized and shiny the next morning. If you can’t get a satin or silk pillowcase, tie your hair up at night with a satin scarf.

Wait, There’s  More …

3. THOU SHALL MOISTURIZE YOUR HAIR DAILY

Your hair is prone to drying easily. To prevent this, you must moisturize your hair daily using a moisturizing serum or one of many wonder natural oils such as: coconut oil, castor oil, jojoba oil, olive oil. Also, moisturize the ends of your hair to help prevent split or damaged ends. Do not use products with petrolatum, lanolin or mineral oils. They encourage drying of hair and prevent moisture from penetrating the shaft.

• Always apply a moisturizing conditioner after washing your hair. Use a good vegetable oil of your choice. A little oil makes hair shiny and less dry.

4. THOU SHALL TRIM YOUR SPLIT ENDS AS SOON AS POSSIBLE

Trimming your split ends regularly is essential to healthy natural hair. The longer you wait to having your hair trimmed, the riskier it becomes. It will creep up your hair shaft and damage it.

5. THOU SHALL BE MINDFUL OF HEAT

Hair dryers, hand dryers, hot combs and tongs are not ideal for natural hair. Constant use of these tools makes hair strands brittle, weak and prone to breakage with split ends. Instead of hair dryers, try drying your hair with natural air.

Other tips for hair drying for natural hair care include:

• If you must use hand dryers, use them at low heat. Only use hair dryers for deep conditioning of hair and not for drying. The heat drives in oils, conditioners and other essential nutrients into the hair compared to hand dryers.

• Hot combs are not for natural hair care because they denature fine strands by making them straight.

• If you feel you must have a dryer, invest in a quality blow dryer with hair saving features like cool shot, high power and  multiple heat settings. This technology reduces frizz and shortens blow dry time.

Just a Few More Tips …

6. THOU SHALL STEAM YOUR HAIR

Steaming or hot oil treatment is necessary for natural hair as it encourages elasticity and retention of hair moisture. This should be done every two months. Heat up oil in a double boiler or a jar in a pot of hot water.

Part your hair into different sections, use an applicator bottle to apply oil into your hair. Massage the oil into your hair and scalp, then cover up your hair with a shower cap for 30 minutes.

If a shower cap is unavailable, wrap your hair up in saran wrap. Wash your hair with Shampoo once the time is up.  One last tip –  Make sure you don’t heat up your oil in a microwave. This process strips the oils of its nutrients. Examples of some natural oils you can use are, Black castor oil, Coconut oil and Jojoba oil.

7. THOU SHALL NOT FORSAKE WATER

The best was absolutely saved for last. Thou shalt not do without Water. Water is an essential natural nutrient. It promotes hair growth, it strengthens hair follicles, it keeps hair moisturized, it softens hair. Your natural hair can never go wrong with water.

• As a naturalista, you need a spray bottle on the go. Spraying your hair with water daily encourages the strengthening of hair follicles, it retains moisture and overall it promotes healthy hair.
• Drinking a lot of water keeps you hydrated at all times as well. It encourages blood flow to your scalp.

What Do You Think of Our Commandments For Natural Hair Care?

Pretty basic right? Of course they are. The key is in following them.  Natural hair care doesn’t have to be complicated.  Just remain consistent with these basics and the results will be outstanding.

That’s it for this week.  As always …

 Dedicated to Your Beauty,

Juliette Samuel

Esthetician/Author/Publisher

Nyraju Skin Care