Last Updated on: September 28, 2022
Hair care is not just for girls. Even guys are conscious about how to achieve the best looks for their locks.
Unfortunatelyโฆ
Most men do not invest time or effort in products for their hair. For many, shampooing alone is more than enough!
Black males should be more conscious about hair care. From hair loss to dandruff, their hair encounters many problems that require the utmost attention.
If you want to learn how to take care of black male hair, I got you. Read on as I share some tips that will help boost your confidence and make you look better!
The Basics Of Hair Care For Black Men
You do not need a regular run to the barbershop or salon for your hair maintenance. Even at home, you can do several things for black male hair care.
1. Determine Your Hair Type
Look at yourself in the mirror. Caress your hair with your fingers.
Then ask yourself: “What kind of hair do I have?“
Different hair types require different approaches. It will also dictate the right hair products to use, as well as your grooming needs. The first two hair types are straight (Type 1) and wavy (Type 2). Most black guys do not have them.
One of the most common hair types of black guys is Type 3. This means that you have coiled or curly hair. Another hair type of black men is Type 4 or kinky hair. It has tight curls, which are often hard to maintain. It has almost no moisture, so it is often dry and frizzy.
2. Do Not Shampoo Your Hair Daily
If you are shampooing your hair daily, then you are committing a “hairy” error!
One of the best black men’s hair tips is to shampoo less frequently. Otherwise, it can damage your hair and strip your scalp of the oils that you will need. This can also contribute to dry hair.
Whether you have a short or long black mane, shampooing three to four times a week is acceptable. Nonetheless, it is not just about the frequency. Your choice of shampoo is also an essential consideration.
The options are plenty, but one product that I can recommend is Brickell Menโs Daily Revitalizing Hair Care Routine. It is a set with shampoo and conditioner using natural and organic ingredients.
3. Moisturize Your Hair
While shampoo is a great addition to natural hair care for black men, it is not enough.
Prevent black man hair from getting dry and frizzy by using the right moisturizer.
From temperature to pollution, as well as the hair products that you are using, many factors can contribute to hair problems. You can combat such if you moisturize.
Moisturizing should not just be on the top of the hair. You need to get to the roots. Hydrate the scalp to make your hair healthier.
One of the best ways to moisturize African hair is to use a rinse-out hair conditioner. Many will have essential oil blends to protect your hair and scalp. Leave-in conditioners and hydrating cremes will also work.
Some of the essential oils effective in locking in moisture in your hair are sweet almond, avocado, and coconut oil. They will not only tame your locks, but they can also help prevent sebum build-up in hair follicles.
As I Am Double Butter Cream is a great product to incorporate into your hair care routine. It contains organic oils and natural butter that will soften your curly or wavy hair.
4. Massage Your Scalp
One of the most effective black men’s hair growth tips is a massage. It will prevent hair loss by stimulating blood flow in the scalp.
Not to mention, a scalp massage can also help lower blood pressure and stress hormones.
If you always experience headaches, a scalp massage is great for relaxation.
For the best results, use essential oils when massaging your scalp. It will not only stimulate hair growth but also regulate dandruff and sebum production.
Tea tree, borage, peppermint, rose, and ylang-ylang scents are popular options for essential oils that you can use for a scalp massage. They can even help in taming coarse hair, making it more manageable.
Use your fingertips when massaging the scalp. Keep light to medium pressure while making small circles. Do this for at least five minutes several times a day. Alternatively, you can also do it while washing your hair if you are short of time.
5. Use The Right Comb
Arenโt all combs the same?
Unfortunately, not all combs have the same effect on crowning glory, especially if you have curly and thick black hair.
Using the wrong comb can contribute to several problems, including hair breakage. It can also pull your hair strand too much, which can contribute to hair thinning.
The best option is a wide-tooth comb or one that is designed specifically for an afro hairstyle.
Do not comb your hair when it is wet. It might be soft at such a point, but it is also at its most vulnerable.
Instead of using a detangling brush, use essential oils. Divide your hair into portions, apply oil, and comb gently. If you have short hair, you might not even need to brush at all.
Fun Fact: Did you know that afro starts from short hair? Know the secrets of how to grow an afro and maintain it the right way!
Watch This!
6. Protect Your Hair From The Sun
Prevention is better than cure. With this, amongst the most important hair care tips for black men is to protect it from the harsh elements that can cause damage.
The heat of the sun is bad not just for your skin but also for your hair. If you are often outdoors, especially when the sun is at its peak, wear a bandana or hat.
Using a hair conditioner and moisturizer is another effective solution for defending your strands from UV rays. They will smoother hair cuticles and prevent dryness, among other problems.
7. Protect Your Hair At Night
It is not only during the day that you should exert effort in protecting your mane. Even when sleeping at night, you must be proactive.
Nighttime black men hair care calls for the need to use a satin pillowcase. While cotton pillowcases are comfortable, they are rough. With the friction it creates, you are increasing the possibility of hair breakage.
It also helps to wear a satin bonnet when you are sleeping. It minimizes friction when you are in deep slumber, which will also minimize breakage.
Fun Fact: Wearing a durag is an effective way of protecting your waves! Learn how to put on a durag during the evening and make your waves stand out in the morning.
8. Avoid Heating Tools
Straight and curly hairstyles are easy to achieve when you have the right tools. Most people will use straighteners, curlers, and irons, among others. They might be effective, but the heat can be doing more damage to your hair.
Heat is amongst the worst enemies of afro hair. It can dry your hair and even damage your scalp.
Staying away from heating tools is one of the best black male hair growth tips. It lessens strain on your scalp and hair to encourage healthier growth.
9. Regularly Cut Your Hair
Is your hair growing long and lifeless? You can bring it back to life with a regular hair trim. Getting a haircut does not only get rid of dullness. It also gives you a fresh look! Before cutting or trimming your hair, you should first remove tangles, especially if you have curly hair.
You donโt have to do it yourself, though (but if you can, then why not? ๐). It is best to have a trusted barber who knows exactly how to deal with afro hair.
Fun Fact: Trimmers play an important role in your chosen hairstyle! Make sure your clippers are in tip-top shape by knowing how to sharpen trimmer blades properly.
10. Find The Right Hair Style
From cornrows to dreadlocks, black guys love experimenting with different hairstyles. They might make you look better, but they can be doing more harm than good.
Traction alopecia is common amongst men who often pull the hair from the roots. It can contribute to thinning hair.
For the best black male hair growth tips, I recommend picking a hairstyle that requires minimal maintenance. This means that you will have to use fewer products for the upkeep of your mane. The more styling products you apply, the higher the risk of hair loss and other problems.
11. Look At The Ingredients
Whether it is shampoo, moisturizer, or any other product for kinky and curly afro hair, take the time to read the label.
Know what to avoid. You do not need ingredients that you cannot pronounce. Chances are, they are chemicals that can do more harm than good for your hair.
Among others, one of the worst ingredients is sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS). It is a surfactant that can strip natural oils, resulting in dry hair.
Instead, keep an eye on natural ingredients with moisturizing and invigorating benefits. Shea butter, avocado oil, and jojoba oil are some of the best examples.
12. Have A Balanced Diet
You are what you eat. Your food consumption affects not just your body but also your hair. If you want to have thin, healthy, and lively afro hair, then you should pay attention to your diet.
Some of the best foods for hair growth in black men include eggs, berries, spinach, sweet potatoes, fatty fish, sweet peppers, seeds, nuts, avocados, oysters, and beans.
Go for unprocessed foods that are packed with beneficial fats and oils. They will provide the vitamins and minerals that will make your locks strong.
13. Take Supplements
A lot of people cannot meet their daily nutritional needs from the food they eat alone. With this, taking supplements is necessary.
For healthy hair, you should take Vitamin B complex. It is a group of water-soluble B vitamins that will stimulate hair growth. At the same time, they also assist the plasma membrane in protecting hair cells.
Vitamin E is also important. It improves blood circulation in your scalp to avoid various problems, such as hair thinning.
Supplements with Vitamin C are also must-haves. It provides collagen, which prevents your hair from turning brittle. It can also increase hair growth.
14. Keep Moving
The list of hair growth tips for black men is incomplete without talking about exercise. The more you move, the more your hair will benefit.
Exercising at least half an hour daily stimulates blood flow to your hair follicles. This will improve the delivery of essential nutrients to the scalp.
Not to mention, exercise triggers the production of happy hormones. It minimizes stress. The latter is important since stress is one of the main contributors to hair loss.
Frequently Asked Questions
How often should I wash my hair to keep it healthy?
Wash afro hair one to two times a week. This will depend on several factors, such as length and thickness. The longer and thicker your hair is, the more often you should wash it. However, you should not wash your hair every day. At the most, wash every other day.
What causes hair damage to black males?
Neglect is one of the leading causes of hair damage to black males. Failing to wash and cleanse your mane as needed will inevitably result in long-term damage. Environmental stressors are also potential culprits, especially pollution. Of course, many hair care products are also to blame, specifically those that contain harsh chemicals.
Is it going to damage my hair if I don’t use a moisturizer?
The failure to moisturize your hair will have significant consequences. It can make your hair dry and frizzy. Worst, it can make you prone to dandruff. Your scalp will be flaky and itchy, which can also be uncomfortable and embarrassing.
I’m a black guy. How do I properly take care of my hair?
Taking care of black male hair requires washing at the right intervals. You should also use the right hair care products, including shampoo and conditioner. Such should match your hair type and needs. They must not contain toxic ingredients. More so, proper hair care calls for having a balanced and nutritious diet.
Conclusion
Now that you are done reading, I hope that you learned a thing or two on how to take care of black male hair.
Whether you have short afro or long hair, black guys need to exert conscious efforts for maintaining healthy and good-looking locks.
As mentioned above, using the right shampoo, applying a moisturizer, giving your scalp a massage, having a balanced diet, and taking supplements are some things that can help.
Are there other tips that you would like to add? Leave a comment below!