Let’s talk about which routine and products to take care of dry 4C hair

– men, because I noticed that many appointments with male clients often end in a training session as parents only manage their daughters’ hair!

I cannot tell you how many times males with 4C hair show up with their hair looking dry and wiry.  They

often make apologies for how wiry their hair is, which leads me to ask questions about their hair care routine.  For the majority of the time, this are the causes:

• using whatever is available to wash the hair, be it soap, body wash, wrong shampoo, water.
• The hair is washed daily or every time they have a bath.
• Often the shampoo is not followed by conditioner or anything to moisturize.
• Combing is only done at the ends; the roots are usually avoided.
• They can go without combing their hair for weeks. 
• When they do comb it (usually when it is forming dreads/locs), it is with an afro pick which rips the hair out if you are not careful.
• Water is the preferred moisturizer, which ends up leaving the hair dry.

Here is which routine and products to take of dry 4C hair – men:

Products needed:

• Moisturizing shampoo
• Conditioner
• Towel
• Moisturizer for natural hair. Leave-in conditioner sometimes does not have enough oils for 4C hair.
• A wide-tooth comb

Directions:

• Shampoo and apply conditioner to the hair.  If the hair is long, twist the hair or braid it while wet.  This makes it dry straighter if you want length.
• Before combing the hair, apply some moisturizer to avoid breakage.
• 4C hair is best combed daily or it will become tightly curled.
• When combing 4C hair, take 2-inch strands and using a  wide- tooth comb, go from the ends of the hair up to the scalp.  Do this for the entire head. 
• The hair needs to be trimmed to avoid it breaking if you are trying to get more length.  
• Avoid shampooing your hair more than once a week.

Everyone has to develop their way to know which routine and products to take care of dry 4C hair.  It is not difficult if you have the correct products.  Problems arise if you are using products that are either too heavy or too light for your hair.  Even if you are siblings, your hair is different.  Your eating habits also play a part in how your hair grows so keep eating those green, leafy vegetables!

By Paula Barker, Silkie Locks Hair Design

Books:  “Talking Hair”, “Filling My Head” & “Dreadlocks, A Hairstylist’s Manifest