QUESTION: I'm African-American, and my hair needs help. How can I keep it healthy? Swear off daily shampoo. Too much sudsing can make any hair type dry, but it's especially detrimental to African-American hair. Wash two to three times a week to allow the scalp's natural oils to lubricate the hair.
Find a very rich conditioner. Those containing shea butter or avocado oil best condition black hair and keep it pliable. Use conditioner every time you wet your hair.
Care for your scalp. If you chemically straighten your hair or wear braids, protect your scalp with a dab- or spray-on oil. This cuts down on flaky skin and itchiness.
Use texturizing cream. Any hair product with a creamy texture works great on black hair. A quarter-size dollop of cream applied to dry hair smoothes frizz and makes hair shiny.
Try it natural. Chemical straightening requires lots of time, money and maintenance. For a change, try wearing your hair in its natural texture. Often, short to medium-length natural hair looks chic and funky at the same time.
ANSWER: While African-American hair may look very thick and plentiful, it's actually the most delicate, fragile hair texture. Here are some tips to keep it looking great:
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