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African American Hair: Tips for Healthy, Semi-Relaxed Curls

While it can be difficult to manage, African American hair is extremely versatile in terms of being able to pull off a wide variety of hairstyles. For many women, the ideal style is a loose, semi-relaxed curl that still has plenty of body and hydration and won’t dry out or dull with harsh hair products.

Here are some tips to keep African American hair soft, loose, manageable, and looking healthy:

1. The end result for smooth, healthy black hair is moisture. Start by hydrating your hair from the inside. Drink a lot of water!

2. Select the right shampoo, use one that is rich in moisture and detangles while cleansing without stripping the hair of all its natural oils. Also, don’t shampoo too much as it can strip moisture out of your hair. Wash your hair no more than a week or a week and a half frequently. And shampoo only once, never twice.

3. Be sure to thoroughly rinse out the shampoo before conditioning and be patient – leave the conditioner on for several minutes to help moisturize hair. Get out of the shower and cover your hair with a towel or shower cap while you organize your jewelry or makeup tray or remove old nail polish, so you won’t be tempted to shorten your hydration time.

4. Try hemp-based moisturizers on your hair, like Malibu’s Hemp Dry Skin Moisturizer, as a hair moisturizer as well.

5. After rinsing off the conditioner, towel dry and add natural vegetable oils back to your hair, such as grapeseed oil, almond oil, or a very light application of virgin olive oil. Use your palms to spread one of these shine-enhancing oils evenly over your hair, and then comb or brush your hair to make sure the ends are hydrated as well.

6. Apply a mild straightening product such as Curlaway® Relaxing Gel, which is natural and semi-permanent. Since Curlaway relaxes curls, it also hydrates them with vegetable oils, vitamin B-5 (panthenol), and MSM. Unlike fast-acting alkaline straighteners, Curlaway Gel can be used on chemically straightened, permed, or colored hair, allowing highlights or even a change in tone.

7. All heating appliances can dry out and damage hair. It is best to use a mid-range setting and it is best to let the hair dry naturally by pulling the rollers tightly. Ironing your hair while it is damp or slightly damp can lead to breakage and serious damage.

8. For elegant and romantic waves, set your hair with large rollers or use narrow rollers for sexy, bouncy curls.

9. For a casual tousled look, use a medium barrel curling wand and let the curls fall where they can.

10. After using the rollers under a blow dryer or air drying naturally, running your fingers through your hair a few times after you finish straightening it will help soften it and achieve a natural look.

11. To maintain great volume, use a straightener only on the top layers and front for a smooth, frizz-free look, while curlier hair underneath adds volume.

12. Find a style that works with your natural hair type and growth pattern, and don’t relax your hair too much until it is completely straight, straw-like and lifeless with no body or curls. Show off your curls! Try to work with your hair and not against it.

13. Eat a HEALTHY balanced diet rich in fruits, vegetables and protein, and your hair will grow faster and healthier too.

The bottom line is that for healthy looking, semi-relaxed hair, use relaxers and mild shampoos, plenty of hydration, and avoid excessive heat.

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