4c hair can be the trickiest texture to care for, yet it can look fantastic when done right (such as in Solange Knowles’ voluminous, tight afro)! This type of hair requires ample moisture. Therefore, to keep strands hydrated, try the LOC method (leave-in conditioner, oil, then cream).
Detangling
Detangling is an integral step of haircare routines for people with curly locks. Tangled locks can be difficult and time-consuming to comb through and could lead to further breakage if left untamed. Utilizing the appropriate techniques and tools is critical to detangling your hair efficiently. Use wide-toothed combs, Denman brushes, or soft bristle detangling brushes for best results; alternatively, try finger detaching small sections before combing through them with the tool of choice. Detangling hair shouldn’t be done when it is either too wet or dry; make sure that you begin by starting with lightly damp hair and adding additional dampeners as needed during the process. Also, look for detangling products tailored specifically for your type and curl pattern, such as Controlled Chaos’s Best Detangler for 4c Hair, which contains ingredients to promote healthy locks while helping prevent tangles and knots from occurring in your locks.
Moisturising
Moisturizing 4c hair is essential to maintaining its health and beauty. As its tight kinks can prevent natural oils from traveling down its shaft, moisturizers tailored for this textured style are vital in sealing moisture and maintaining healthy locks. Before styling, dampening your hair with a mild moisturizing spray is a good idea, as this will keep the strands pliable and decrease breakage. Additionally, using a hair mask containing moisturizing ingredients such as Japanese sake extract, argan oil, or jojoba ester oil (such as that offered by Function of Beauty) on wash day for an additional boost of hydration will only serve to benefit you further. An essential step in maintaining healthy hair is getting regular trims, as this will allow for the removal of dry and damaged ends and stimulate new growth. Always use a sulfate-free shampoo when shampooing; traditional ones could undo your efforts by stripping your locks of essential moisture.
Protective Styles
4C hair can be stunning when worn into breathtaking styles, yet can become thin, dry, and brittle due to harsh environmental elements. To prevent this from occurring, protective styles that keep ends of strands away from aggressive damaging elements are ideal to help ensure they remain protected. Protective styles such as cornrows, twists, braids, wigs, and afro puffs don’t damage 4c hair when installed and maintained properly and regularly. By eliminating manipulation and the need for heat treatments such as blow-drying, these styles help retain moisture, decrease breakage, and promote growth while assisting strands to maintain moisture for healthier strands and improved growth rates. One of winter’s best protective styles for 4c hair is passion twists. Not only are they stunning to look at, but they’re easy to maintain – roll up their ends for wash day without much work involved, and they look adorable when finished. Bantu knots are another effective solution to protect strands. Though tricky, they look fantastic and offer excellent protection.
YouTube
Countless YouTubers specialize in natural hair and can guide you in properly caring for and styling it. Many even sell their products, which you can try at home! However, it’s important to remember that your 4c hair differs from everyone else’s. It may be difficult for some people to accept as beautiful or desirable as others; some may even perceive 4c hair as unattractive or unpleasant.
C4 hair, when neglected, can quickly become dry and brittle. You should avoid applying too much oil when wet as this may cause tangles and breakage; try using light-hold styling pomade instead. This will allow your strands to hold styles while it dries – for instance, you could try heat-free bantu knots or space buns or even create an eye-catching Mohawk!
