What’s The Best Routine For Afro Hair?
We’re often asked what’s the best routine for Afro hair, especially Types 3 and 4. To help you get started, Afrotherapy Salon from Edmonton, London have put together the Afrotherapy Simple 8-Step Hair Care and Maintenance Routine. This routine is designed to keep your curls, coils, or kinks healthy, moisturised, and in great condition.
Before getting into the 8-Step Hair Care and Maintenance Routine, it’s important to remember healthy hair starts from the inside out. A balanced, healthy, plant based diet is recommended for optimal hair. Alongside this, drinking plenty of water hydrates your body and your hair.
Now let’s get into the 8-Step Hair Care and Maintenance Routine.
1. Cleanse Gently
Frequency: Every 1-2 weeks
Use a sulfate-free shampoo or cleansing conditioner to wash your hair. Afro and textured hair is naturally drier, so avoid over-washing. Focus on gently massaging the scalp to remove buildup without stripping your hair of its natural oils. Your frequency will depend on other factors such as:
Do you suffer from dry scalp?
Do you swim?
Do you go to the gym?
If the answer to any of the above is Yes, then it may be necessary to cleanse your hair weekly to avoid build up.
2. Deep Condition Regularly
Frequency: Weekly or bi-weekly
After washing, apply a deep conditioner that suits your hair’s porosity. For low porosity hair, use heat or steam to open the cuticles and allow moisture to penetrate. If you have high porosity hair, look for a deep conditioner with proteins to strengthen and hydrate the strands. Be careful however with protein. We generally recommend following a protein treatment with moisture to soften the hair again.
3. Moisturise
Frequency: Daily or every other day
Afro and textured hair needs consistent moisture. Apply a leave-in conditioner or use the LOC method (Liquid, Oil, Cream) to keep your hair hydrated. The liquid hydrates, the oil locks in the moisture, and the cream seals it all in. Adjust based on your hair type and porosity.
4. Seal in Moisture
Frequency: After every moisturising session
Use natural oils like jojoba, castor, or coconut oil to seal moisture into your hair. For high porosity hair, you may need heavier oils, while low porosity hair may prefer lighter oils that don’t sit on top of the hair.
5. Detangle Gently
Frequency: After washing or moisturising
Use a wide-tooth comb or your fingers to gently detangle your hair while it’s damp and coated with a conditioner or leave-in product. Start at the ends and work your way up to the roots to minimise breakage.
6. Trim Regularly
Frequency: Every 8-12 weeks
To keep split ends at bay, trim your hair regularly. This helps prevent damage from traveling up the hair shaft and promotes healthier, longer hair over time.
7. Protect Your Hair at Night
Frequency: Every night
Sleep on a satin or silk pillowcase or wrap your hair in a satin/silk scarf or bonnet to prevent breakage and moisture loss. Cotton pillowcases can cause friction, leading to tangles and split ends.
8. Use Protective Styles
Frequency: As desired
Opt for low-manipulation protective styles like braids, twists, or buns to give your hair a break from daily styling. Just make sure not to pull too tightly, especially around your edges, and moisturise your hair while in these styles.
Follow these steps and you’ll create a consistent routine that promotes moisture, minimises damage, and helps your hair thrive!
To make sure your hair looks its best, book in for a hair consultation or appointment by calling our North London afro hair salon on 020 8345 5621 or book online here.
