Wednesday, it was September 15th. Does this date mean nothing to you? Yet, it is extremely important for an entire community. September 15th is International Afro Day, also known as "Coily Hair Day"!
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Curly, frizzy, coily hair... Mid-September is an opportunity for women of African descent to proudly showcase their hair. And because such beautiful hair deserves pampering, today we're giving you some tips on how to take care of your hair heritage!
Afro hair, one of a kind
Afro hair differs greatly from other hair types. The distinction begins primarily with its growth. Straight hair grows straight, while coily hair emerges from the scalp lying flat.
The growth rate is also divergent: 10cm in 1 year, compared to 15cm over the same period for other hair types. Its spiral growth gives the impression that it never grows. Consequently, and depending on genetics, Afro hair can shrink by up to 75% of its actual length.
Moreover, coily, frizzy, and curly hair is much more fragile. Its texture might suggest the opposite, but that is not the case. By nature, it is very dry and brittle, and also sensitive to various external factors (pollution, diet, weather conditions, etc.).
A claimed pride
More and more women are choosing to embrace their natural ethnic hair! Long despised and pointed at throughout history, Afro hair now fascinates, and is even envied! With this change in opinion, a new tribe was born, the "Nappy Girls".
Literally a contraction of "naturally happy", this term refers to all women of African descent who are proud to live with authentic, chemically untreated hair. Accepting themselves as they are has thus become their mantra! And this claim is partly aided by social media, where their beautiful tight curls are causing a sensation!
A new mindset motivated by financial, identity, or simply the desire to preserve hair. It turns out that with the ups and downs of recent months, the majority of women have adopted a simpler and healthier beauty routine, leading to this awareness.
Caring for coily hair
Having Afro hair is a big responsibility for biracial and black women. Beyond detangling and styling, this type of hair requires regular maintenance to counter its fragility. The secret? Hydration!
But before starting any routine, they must thoroughly understand their hair's porosity. That is, the hair's ability to absorb and retain moisture thanks to its cuticles. Having high, low, or normal porosity will inevitably influence the types of care needed. For example, hair from a woman with low porosity struggles to absorb water; it then needs a little boost with heat.
Each hair is therefore unique and requires adapted care! Nevertheless, here are some simple tips you can adopt regardless of your porosity:
Oil bath
A practice that is recommended a little before each shampoo! Vegetable oils are known for their beneficial properties, making hair silky and shiny. Applied to the lengths down to the ends, castor oil, coconut oil as well as grapeseed oil are ideal for providing a sufficient amount of nutrients to the hair. The ultimate? A pleasant scalp massage to stimulate growth!
Shampoo
No more than 2 per week, that's the golden rule! To gently cleanse your hair, also opt for a moisturizing shampoo. Sulfate-free shampoos are perfect for this, as they hydrate the hair fiber without irritating the skin. This step helps preserve the hair and boost sebum production!
Homemade mask
Like a grandmother's recipe, it's possible to make homemade masks to nourish and hydrate coily, curly, and frizzy hair after shampooing. By making a mask yourself, the advantage is knowing the entire composition perfectly, essentially made up of natural or organic ingredients. Onion slices marinated in lemon juice, for example, are a good base for a treatment to apply to the scalp for about thirty minutes! Most women also don't hesitate to use mayonnaise, avocado, or even banana; all of which are very nourishing foods!
In conclusion, to take care of your coily, curly, and frizzy hair, the main thing is to favor moisturizing, gentle, and natural products. Also avoid harsh treatments or overly tight hairstyles! Your Afro hair will come out stronger, more nourished, and with softer curls!
