4C hair is beautiful and easy to care for as long as you know how to properly clean, moisturize, and maintain it. The best advice you can get on maintaining 4c hair is from women who have plenty of experience with it. Although everyone’s hair is unique, watching others’ trials can reduce the stress of finding what works for you. So we reached out to community favorites, 4c vloggers Lulu, Kriss, Jessica, and Jenn to share their hair care do’s and don’ts that have been successes and failures of their regimens.
Managing your natural hair can be a journey, but managing your peace is a priority. Click here for Today’s Morning Fire Point and find rest in His Presence while you style.
Pure Estrogen (LuLu)
- Follow the directions on your products. The idea of deep conditioning overnight sounds great, but it really doesn’t do much for your hair.
- Work your product into your hair to make it easier to detangle and give it extra stretch before styling.
- Don’t wash hair that hasn’t been detangled. Semi-stretched knotted hair is bad enough as it is. Try removing the knots from perfectly shrunken kinks.
- Don’t comb dry or soaking wet hair. Lightly moisturize or spritz to make it pliable. Fingerdetangle each time that you can get away with it.
NaturalMe4C (Kriss)
- Use moisturizing products. 4C hair is usually very dry naturally, so using anything harsh won’t be beneficial when it comes to retaining moisture.
- Cleanse your scalp thoroughly. 4C hair is known for having lots of shrinkage. As soon as water hits the tightly coiled strands, up it goes! Be sure your products/fingers are reaching your scalp to properly cleanse away dirt and product buildup. A good tool to try is the Vanity Planet Scalp Massaging Shampoo Brush. It works great on wash days.
- Don’t pile your coils on top of your head and rub products on your hair. This can cause excessive tangling, single strand knots, and frizz. Not to mention, it can be a nightmare to detangle and style later!
- Use a product that has lots of slip. Whether you fingerdetangle or you like to use hair tools, slip will not only save time, but it will allow most knots and tangles to unravel easily without excess strain. A great inexpensive detangler is Silkience Silky-Smooth Conditioner.
- Don’t rip through knots and tangles! If you feel a knot with your fingers/hair tool, stop and use your fingers to gently remove strands from the knot. Doing so will prevent unnecessary breakage. You may find that the root of the entire knot was only a couple strands.
- Don’t overuse styling products. This can lead to crunchy, greasy, weighed down, stiff, and or frizzy hair. Most of the time, a little product goes a long way.
Photo Courtesy of Jessica Pettway
Jessica Pettway
- Wash your hair often! Water is a kinky girl’s best friend.
- Don’t think negatively about your texture. Embrace it and your hair will love you for it.
- Trim your hair regularly. Trimmed ends make styling easier.
- Don’t use lathering shampoos too often. These type of shampoos dry kinky hair out and can result in breakage.
- Deep condition every week. If you want healthy hair, don’t skip this step.
- Don’t limit your styling because of your texture. Explore as many options as possible and have fun with your kinks.
- Wash your hair with conditioners or creamy shampoos. This will give your
hair the added moisture and slip needed for kinky textures. - Explore a stylish cut and shaping. This will give your kinks a whole new life.
Jenn J.
- Minimal manipulation is key for my hair to thrive. I am very gentle with my strands so I make sure to wash my hair in twists and finger detangle over 90% of the time. This has made a tremendous change in my ends. In addition, deep conditioning is an absolute must. 4C hair craves moisture, but don’t expect to achieve maximum moisture retention overnight. Moisture is a journey. You have to be consistent to achieve moisturized hair so I deep condition every week.
- Avoid drying products such as hard gels and daily styling. Typically, I will do a style that I know can last at least a week such as twists and updos.
Top 4c Hair Tips for 2023
1. Deep Condition Like a Pro: Deep conditioning is your 4C hair’s best friend. Make it a non-negotiable part of your hair care routine. Opt for deep conditioners with nourishing ingredients like shea butter, avocado oil, and honey. Use heat (a warm towel or a hooded dryer) to help your hair absorb the goodness even better.
2. Moisture is Key: Keeping your 4C hair moisturized is a top priority. Use a daily leave-in conditioner, hydrating spritz, or hair oil to maintain moisture levels. LCO (Liquid, Cream, Oil) or LOC (Liquid, Oil, Cream) methods are excellent ways to seal in moisture and keep your hair hydrated for longer periods.
3. Gentle Detangling is a Must: Handle your 4C hair with care when detangling to minimize breakage. Start at the tips and work your way up, using a wide-tooth comb or your fingers. Consider detangling while your hair is saturated with conditioner (and under the running water stream) to reduce friction and make the process smoother.
4. Protective Styling for Growth: Protective styles like braids, twists, and updos can help retain length and protect your hair from daily manipulation. Ensure that your styles aren’t too tight, as this can lead to tension and breakage.
5. Trim Your Ends Regularly: Regular trims help keep your ends healthy and prevent split ends from traveling up the hair shaft. Don’t be afraid to visit a professional stylist for a trim, or you can do it yourself if you’re confident. Just be sure to use sharp, clean scissors.
6. Low Manipulation Styles: Consider embracing low manipulation styles to reduce daily wear and tear on your hair. Buns, twists, and protective styles can help maintain your hair’s health and length.
7. Heat Styling with Caution: If you choose to use heat on your 4C hair, do so sparingly and use a heat protectant to shield your strands. Low to medium heat settings are your best friends to prevent heat damage.
8. Embrace Your Shrinkage: Shrinkage is a natural characteristic of 4C hair, and it’s a sign of hair health. Learn to love and embrace your hair’s versatility, whether it’s shrunken or stretched, and don’t feel pressured to constantly manipulate it to achieve length.
9. Scalp Care Matters: A healthy scalp is the foundation of healthy hair. Regularly cleanse your scalp, and consider incorporating scalp massages with nourishing oils to stimulate blood flow and promote hair growth.
10. Patience and Persistence: Finally, remember that your hair journey is unique to you. Be patient and persistent in your efforts to understand and care for your 4C hair. Celebrate your progress and cherish every curl and coil along the way.
FAQ’s 4C HAIR
What’s the best way to detangle 4C hair?
The best way to detangle 4C hair is by handling it gently. Use a product with plenty of slip, like a detangling conditioner, to make the process easier. Start detangling from the tips and work your way up, using your fingers or a wide-tooth comb. Detangling while the hair is damp or saturated with conditioner can minimize breakage.
How often should I deep condition 4C hair?
For 4C hair, deep conditioning should be done weekly. This helps to restore moisture, prevent dryness, and improve manageability. Look for deep conditioners with nourishing ingredients like shea butter, avocado oil, and honey for the best results.
How can I keep my 4C hair moisturized?
To maintain moisture in 4C hair, use the LOC or LCO method:
1. Start with a Liquid or leave-in conditioner to hydrate your hair.
2. Follow with an Oil to seal in moisture.
3. Lastly, add a Cream or butter to lock everything in. Regularly using a daily spritz or leave-in will also help maintain hydration throughout the week.
Does washing 4C hair often dry it out?
Not necessarily. Washing your 4C hair often is beneficial as long as you use hydrating, sulfate-free shampoo or co-wash products. These will cleanse your scalp and hair without stripping moisture. After washing, always follow up with a conditioner or deep conditioner to replenish hydration.
What are protective styles, and how do they help 4C hair grow?
Protective styles, like braids, twists, or buns, help reduce manipulation and protect fragile ends from breakage. By minimizing daily wear and tear, these styles support length retention and allow your hair to grow healthier over time. Be sure to keep protective styles loose to avoid tension on your scalp.
Should I trim my 4C hair to keep it healthy?
Absolutely! Trimming helps maintain healthy ends by removing split or damaged strands. Regular trims every 8–12 weeks prevent breakage from traveling up the hair shaft, which aids in length retention.
Can I over-moisturize my 4C hair?
Yes, over-moisturizing, also known as “hygral fatigue,” can make 4C hair weak and limp. To avoid this, balance your moisture routine with protein treatments, which help strengthen the hair. Pay attention to how your hair responds and adjust your care routine accordingly.
How do scalp massages help 4C hair growth?
Scalp massages stimulate blood flow to hair follicles, encouraging stronger and longer hair growth. For added benefits, use oils like peppermint oil or tea tree oil during the massage. Aim to massage your scalp for 4–5 minutes daily.
Can I use regular shampoo on 4C hair?
While you can use regular shampoo, opt for sulfate-free shampoos or creamy co-washes to avoid stripping natural moisture. Sudsing shampoos can lead to dryness and breakage, which are common challenges for 4C hair.
What should I avoid to keep my 4C hair healthy?
To keep your 4C hair healthy, avoid the following:
1. Overusing styling products that cause buildup or stiffness.
2. Piling your hair on top of your head when washing, which can lead to tangles.
3. Combing dry hair without moisture to avoid breakage.
4. Using harsh shampoos or excessive heat without protectants.
What’s the biggest secret to growing 4C hair?
Length retention is the key secret! By focusing on techniques like protective styling, deep conditioning, and avoiding excessive manipulation, you can retain your hair’s growth and achieve longer, healthier strands.
What is your advice for type 4c hair?
How to Detangle Long 4c Natural Hair
All of this information was very Important because I was so tired of my hair that I was going to cut it and wear it short.
My hair had always been long since I was 5 (down my back)
Went to the show when I was 8 and she had placed a super perm in my hair and my hair has never been that long since…. Now that I have a little girl I want her to embrace her natural Beauty it is good to be different look at all of you!!!
Then we see pictures of others who does not have the same type it makes children feel some type of way….Thank you women for your encouragement and empowerment! Stay Original