How to Wash & Condition African American Hair

African American hair is naturally dry and fragile. A difficult combination, especially if you're a busy woman. Treat your wash day like a pampering spa appointment for your hair.

Key Tips

• Start by rinsing your hair with lukewarm water for about 3 minutes.
• Comb your hair out from ends to roots before you rinse out the conditioner.
• Apply a leave-in conditioner before you proceed with styling.

Pre-Shampoo Oil Treatment(optional)
Step 1: Using your fingers, divide your hair into 4-6 sections.
Step 2: Apply approximately 1 tablespoon of pure coconut, avocado, or extra virgin olive oil throughout each section. Make sure to put oil on every layer of your hair - you will use 4 to 6 tablespoons. Try Nutiva Organic Extra Virgin Coconut Oil, $13.54 for a pack of 2 ($11.99 each MSRP).
Step 3: Cover your hair with a plastic cap to keep the oil from dripping down your face and neck.
Step 4: Leave the oil on your hair for 1 hour or more.

Wash
Step 1: Detangle your oil-soaked hair with your fingers. Gently pull apart tangles and knots so that your hair will be easier to wash.
Step 2: Once in the shower, rinse your hair with lukewarm water for 3-5 minutes. This long rinse will loosen up and rinse away product build up from the week.
Step 3: Apply a quarter-sized amount of a gentle, moisturizing shampoo to your scalp and hair. Pass your hair back under the water to create a good lather. Try Kenra Moisturizing Shampoo, $24 for a pack of 2 ($12 each MSRP)
Step 4: Gently rub your scalp with the shampoo lather.
Step 5: Gently and quickly, work shampoo through the length of your hair - don't separate the hair into sections or try to detangle it.
Step 6: Rinse thoroughly.

Condition
Step 1: Apply a large amount of a conditioner for dry or curly hair throughout your hair. The amount you will use depends on your hair length and thickness. For natural hair, try Motions Naturally You Smoothing Conditioner, $7.99. For distressed hair, try Joico K-Pak Moisture Intense Hydrator, $17.96. If your hair is very thick or very curly, you may use a palm full of conditioner or more.
Step 2: Work the conditioner through your hair from root to tip.
Step 3: Pass your head back under the water to help you distribute the conditioner. Make sure every strand of hair is saturated. Leave the conditioner in your hair for the amount of time specified in the instructions on the container.

Step 4: Before you rinse out the conditioner, detangle your hair with a wide tooth comb. Remember to start combing at the ends and work your way to the root.
Step 5: Rinse thoroughly.
Step 6: Once out of the shower, apply a creamy leave-in conditioner to your hair. Leave-in conditioners make African American hair easier to comb, which helps prevent breakage. Try Neutrogena Silk Touch Leave-In Cream, $6.99.
Step 7: Remember to air dry your hair whenever possible

Source: Hairliberty.org