Does Your Hair Need More Protein

Because black hair is often dry by nature, it′s best to use products that replace needed moisture. This includes using shampoos and conditioners formulated for dry and/or damaged hair. These products don′t have to come strictly from the "ethnic" hair aisle, either; many mainstream brands make hair products for different types of hair, from oily to dry.

Low Manipulation

There′s no need to brush your hair 100 strokes per night before going to sleep. In fact, the less you do to black hair, the more it flourishes. This ties in with the next step, protective styling, since many of the hairstyles that fall into that category become low-manipulation ′dos once they′re in place.

Use Protective Styling

Once your hair is a certain length, you might want to wear it loose all the time to let everyone know just how long it is. You want to feel the wind blowing it to and fro, but wearing your hair in protective styles more often than not will help you retain that precious length. Protective styles keep your ends – the oldest and often driest parts of your hair – from rubbing against clothing, pillowcases and car seats. By keeping these ends up and out of sight, you hold in the moisture your hair needs and prevent dryness that can lead to breakage. Protective styling also applies to nighttime care; a silk or satin hair cover or pillowcase is better for the health of your hair than cotton.

Stay Away from Heat

While occasional flat iron and curling iron use is usually fine (so long as the heat isn′t too high), you should minimize heat styling as much as possible. Choose hairstyles that don′t rely on so much heat, as well as gentle styling methods like wraps, wet sets and twists.

Use the Right Tools

With all of the hair styling tools and accessories out there, it can seem overwhelming. What do you buy? The best tools and accessories for black hair work with its natural texture. They don′t pull on it, but are gentle. When you lose less hair to tools and accessories, that′s more hair you keep on your head.

Relax with Care

Chemical abuse is one of the biggest causes of hair damage in black women. Everyone isn′t going to go to a professional to get her hair relaxed; even some who do may find that the stylist isn′t putting hair health as her top priority. When it comes to growing relaxed hair longer, you can′t relax too often, but when it′s time for a touch-up, get one because the longer you wait, the greater the chance of breakage occurring where the relaxed hair meets the new growth. Overlapping a relaxer onto previously relaxed hair is another major cause of breakage. If you choose to wear your hair relaxed, it′s best to find a competent stylist and stick with him or her – the fewer people you have applying chemicals to your hair, the better.

Wear Gentle Styles

Black hair is not as tough as it may appear, so you need to choose styles that keep its fragile nature in mind. Too-tight ponytails and braids worn over extended periods of time will eventually lead to breakage. Hair styling should never be painful! Think: Be kind to your hairline and choose hairstyles accordingly.