Type 4 hair is not as hard to take care of as people make it out to be- you just need to understand what your hair needs and be intentional about that. Before I quit going to hair salons and started doing my own hair at home, I had heard so much about the products that I would need to make the process easier, but I soon realized that products are just one part of the puzzle. It has taken a few mistakes to learn the much I know now- almost 10 years later- so let me share a few tips and tricks.
1. Never skip a wash day!
I can’t speak enough about how important a good wash day routine is to the overall health of the hair. The one thing I swear by here is a good sulfate-free shampoo and a deep conditioning treatment to restore moisture and strength to the hair strands.
2. Did you moisturize?
Let’s address the elephant in the room- Moisture! Because of the curls and coils in type 4 hair, natural oils may not easily travel to the hair shaft from the scalp. This is why this type of hair is more prone to dryness, which leads to breakage. The LOC (Liquid, Oil, and Cream) method for moisturizing is popular for a reason- it works! Using a liquid of your choice; water or leave-in treatment helps to prepare the hair by hydrating it. The next step is using an oil of choice to moisturize- different oils serve different needs. Lastly, applying a cream not only adds softness and curl definition, it also seals the moisture into the hair. Here is a short video to put this method more into perspective.
3. Don’t be rough!
I get heartburn when I see anyone detangling their hair when it’s dry! Even the thought makes me anxious. Dry hair is more prone breakage, so detangling should always be done when the hair is damp and moisturized. The type of combs you use for this also matter. I hate to break it to you, but your scalp also doesn’t like being pulled at- so give your hair some grace by using a wide-tooth comb, or just your hands and work on it in sections. Put on a show you like and relax while you give your hair some love!
4. Put your ends away!
Protective styles are a go to if you want to keep your hair from daily manipulation and retain length. A common mistake I see here is getting styles that are too tight, and not moisturizing while the hair is in the protective style. Too much tension on the scalp can cause hair loss, and lack of moisture, as you know, leads to dryness and breakage-the enemy!
5. Products!
Now that we’ve got those four giants out of the way, let’s talk products. Do not over-indulge! Less is more, I promise. Your hair only needs about five products, and with consistent care, it’ll thrive. For wash days- A shampoo, and Deep conditioner, for moisturizing; leave-in conditioner, an oil, and a cream or butter of choice. Lastly for styling, use bands, head wraps, and hair bonnet made out of satin that do not take moisture away from your hair.
As I finish up, the key takeaway is to ensure that you carve out a simple routine and stick to it consistently. There’s always room to switch out products if need be but remember it all goes back to the basic steps mentioned. These are the small steps that help us love and appreciate our curls and coils exactly as they are.
Here is a short video I did with three easy hairstyles that are very quick and low-effort for days when you want to wear your curls out. Feel free to also share some helpful tips on how you take care of your hair.
