How to Care for African hair

Understanding how to care for African hair is essential for maintaining its health, promoting growth, and embracing its natural beauty.

Hair is a basis of self-esteem and identity for young ladies and is often viewed as a sign of beauty, youthful, fertile and good health. Hence, understanding styling African Hair is  important.

African hair has always been celebrated for its natural beauty, diversity, and uniqueness which vary in texture, thickness, and density. It therefore requires specific care and styling techniques to keep it healthy and looking its best.

7 Key Attributes that Defines African Hair

When you understand the 7 key attributes that defines black hair, hair stylist will be able to craft the best plan on How to style black hair, appropriate Products for African hair, advise on Natural hair growth tips and develop more robust black hair care routines.

• Structure and Shape: The cross-sectional shape of black hair is elliptical or flattened giving it its characteristic curl pattern ranging from tight coils to lose waves.
• Melanin Content: The dark color of black hair is primarily due to the abundance of a pigment called melanin. The two main types of melanin found in hair are eumelanin, responsible for black and brown colors, and pheomelanin, responsible for red and yellow hues. In black hair, eumelanin predominates, providing the hair with its deep black color.
• Density and Diameter: Black hair typically has a higher density of hair follicles per square centimeter of the scalp compared to other hair types. The hair diameter can vary, but on average, black hair strands tend to be thicker than those of other ethnicities.
• Cuticle Structure: The outer layer of the hair shaft, known as the cuticle, is made up of overlapping scales. In black hair, these cuticle scales lie flat, contributing to the hair’s natural shine and protection against damage. However, the flattened cuticle structure can also make black hair more prone to tangling and breakage when not handled carefully.
• Moisture Retention: Due to the tightly coiled structure, black hair has a reduced ability to distribute natural scalp oils along the hair shaft. As a result, black hair often experiences challenges with moisture retention, leading to concerns such as dryness and frizz. Regular moisturizing and sealing techniques are essential to maintaining healthy black hair.
• Hair Growth Rate: Hair growth is a natural process for all hair types, and black hair grows at an average rate of about 0.5 inches (1.27 cm) per month. However, the tightly coiled nature of black hair can sometimes make it appear to grow more slowly, as the curls tend to maintain their shape rather than appearing longer.
• Styling Flexibility: Black hair’s unique curl pattern and texture provide versatility in styling options. From afros and braids to twists and various protective styles, black hair can be shaped into a wide range of stunning hairstyles that celebrate its natural beauty

6 Main Causes of Hair Damage in Black Hair

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• Bleaching and products containing bleach is the caused the highest protein loss for all types of hair. In a simple term, protein content enhances textural integrity. Any time you use beaching agent on your hair, you are compromising the protein content.
• Tensile force and strain at failure lowest for African Hair. Why do you want to overstretch the hair? The more you stretch, the thinner the hair becomes. Let me give you an analogy: when you stretch a rubber band over time, it cracks and break .. right? that is exactly what you are doing to your hair when you stretch excessively. 
• Cuticle hardness and elastic modulus are the lowest in African hair. Your hair will perform well if you do not stretch it at all. However, for styling and beauty purposes, striking the balance is important in maintaining a good hair health and do not compromise the hair integrity for future.
• Protein loss result in increased color change and decrease melanin in the hair. Protein is an essential component of hair structure. It helps to keep hair strong and healthy. When hair loses protein, it becomes more brittle and prone to breakage. This can make hair appear dull and lifeless, but it does not necessarily change the hair’s color
• Exposure to ultraviolet radiation damages hair fiber. Exposure to ultraviolet radiation (UVR) damages hair fiber. UVR is a type of electromagnetic radiation that is emitted by the sun and other sources. It has two main types: UVA and UVB. UVA rays have longer wavelengths than UVB rays and can penetrate deeper into the hair shaft. UVB rays have shorter wavelengths and are more easily absorbed by the outer layers of the hair shaft. This are things you will notice if your hair is exposed to higher dosage of UV radiation: Fading of Hair Color, Dryness and Frizz, Weakening of Hair Structure, Loss of Elasticity, Changes in Hair Texture and scalp Damage.

source: 
(1) Hair color changes and protein damage by UV
(2) How different is human hair

How to Care for African Hair: Hair Styling Risk Categories

Source: All Hairstyle are not created equal

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African hair is a beautiful and diverse type of hair that requires specific care and styling techniques to keep it healthy and looking its best. By understanding the characteristics of African hair and the potential causes of damage, you can take steps to protect your hair and promote its growth. With proper care and styling, African hair can be healthy, strong, and beautiful.

By following the tips in this article, you can learn how to care for your hair and achieve the hairstyle you desire.