I attended a Natural Hair Beauty event sometime last year, and I was blown away by all the goodness I saw. In a gathering of a few hundred of ladies, almost everyone was wearing their natural hair, so beautifully styled. Many popular natural hair influencers were in attendance and trust me, their hair was a beauty to behold.
4c hair (afro textured hair) is very classy, and in recent times, leaving your hair in its natural state has become the trend to rock afro hair. More people have come to accept it as good enough hair for any occasion, and we have learned different ways to style it as well.
However, even with all this goodness that comes with 4c hair, every Naturalist knows that there are many challenges associated with having 4c hair. Maintaining Natural hair is not all a bed of Roses and it can be very frustrating if you do not know how to tackle the challenges that come with it.
In this article, we will consider some of the challenges associated with 4c hair and how to tackle them.
Common 4c Hair Challenges
Nearly every day, I get lots of DMS from ladies complaining about their 4c hair. They tell me their issues and ask for solutions.
This is not peculiar to my social media followers alone; it is the same for a whole lot of ladies with natural hair. The challenges can be numerous and get frustrating.
4c hair is a beautiful and diverse texture of hair, but it comes with its challenges. Some of the difficulties associated with 4c hair can be dryness, breakage, stunted growth, dandruff, bad edges, alopecia, shrinkage, tangles, you name it.
For now, we are going to focus on one very common challenge which is dryness or the inability to retain moisture. Come along with me.
What is Hair Dryness?
Hair dryness happens when the hair lacks moisture and natural oils, making it feel dry, brittle, rough, and prone to breakage.
Dryness can be severe if you reside in an area with very harsh weather conditions, such as the Harmattan, during summer heat waves and winter as well (especially if combined with indoor heating).
If your hair is experiencing dryness, it becomes very prone to breakage and can have a very unhealthy appearance.
What Causes Hair Dryness?
Knowing the cause of hair dryness will help you prevent dryness to a reasonable extent. Some of the causes of hair dryness include:
1. Environmental Factors
Environmental factors such as too much exposure to sunlight, wind, dry air, and harsh weather can strip your hair of it’s natural oils. If you must step out in harsh weather, make sure to protect your hair using a scarf.
2. Use of harsh products
Hair dryness can be caused by using harsh hair products such as shampoos containing sulfates and other harmful chemicals and even over-washing of hair. You don’t have to wash your hair every day.
3. Excessive heat styling
The excessive use of heat styling tools such as blow dryers, straighteners, and curling iron can cause damage by stripping the hair of moisture. If you must use any heat styling tools, make sure to use a heat protectant alongside.
4. Poor nutrition and hydration
Poor nutrition and hydration can impact hair health, leading to dryness and brittleness. Try to stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water and aim for a balanced diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins to support your natural hair health. Additionally, reducing stress levels can also contribute to healthier hair.
5. Genetics
Genetics can play a role in determining an individual’s hair type and susceptibility to dryness. But this should not be an excuse to justify your dry hair. Even with your ‘dry hair genes’, your hair can still retain moisture if you do the right thing.
Let’s talk about moisture retention.
What is moisture retention?
Hair moisture retention is the ability of hair to maintain an optimal level of hydration, which is essential for its health and appearance. Hair can prevent moisture loss from the hair shaft, ensuring it remains adequately hydrated.
If your hair has moisture retention ability, moisture can be absorbed into it, and retained.
Proper moisture retention helps prevent dryness, brittleness, and breakage, promoting shiny, manageable hair.
How to retain moisture in your hair
If you have dry hair and you’re wondering how you can retain moisture in your hair, these are some of the things you should take seriously:
- Deep conditioning
- Low manipulation styles
- Use of satin scarves/pillowcase
- Regular trims
- Use of good Leave-in conditioners
- Proper use of hair oils
- Use of hydrating spritz, etc.
If you examine all of the methods listed above carefully, you will realize that hair products play a big role in giving your hair the needed moisture.
Do you own a full hair kit containing nice moisturizing hair products? Then a large chunk of your problem is solved. All you need now is to actually make use of them.
If you’re someone who doesn’t have or know the right products to purchase, I’ll recommend some amazing products below.
Best Hydrating products for 4c hair type
These are some products you should definitely try out especially if your goal is to fight dryness and give your hair the needed moisture for for it’s health and appearance.
SheaMoisture Jamaican Black Castor Oil Strengthen & Restore Leave-In Conditioner
This product contains Jamaican black castor oil, and Shea butter which helps to provide deep moisture and nourishment to dry, brittle hair. It also contains peppermint oil which helps to promote hair growth and strengthen hair strands. You definitely should give it a try.
Cantu Shea Butter for Natural Hair Moisturizing Curl Activator Cream
Personally, Cantu products are my favorites this is because i am always 100% assured that what the label says is exactly what it will do. This particular product contains ingredients that helps to moisturize and condition the hair. It also contains coconut oil which helps to seal in the moisture, reducing frizz, and adding shine. This may soon become your favorite hair product.
ORS Olive Oil Moisturizing Hair Lotion
It deeply penetrates the hair shaft, providing intense moisture and strengthening the hair from within. It also improves hair elasticity and flexibility, leaving it smooth, soft, and manageable.
Aunt Jackie’s Quench Moisture Intensive Leave-In Conditioner
This product helps to provide your hair with long lasting moisture, it also helps to soften and detangle hair easily. Try this product out if your hair seems to be unmanageable. It also contains other ingredients that offer amazing benefits asides moisturizing.
Mielle Organics Pomegranate & Honey Leave-In Conditioner
When you hear about honey, simply think of moisture. This product from Mielle organics is infused with promegranate extract, honey, and babassu oil which nourishes and revitalises hair, as well as attracting and retaining moisture. It’s an excellent choice to handle your dry hair issues.
All of these products are specifically formulated to provide deep moisture and nourishment to 4c hair, helping to improve manageability, reduce breakage, and promote healthy hair growth.
What else could you possibly want for your hair?
Now, if you are a DIY person, try out natural products and oils such as:
DIY Products for 4c Hair
Coconut oil
Coconut oil is an excellent moisturizer and sealant. It has deep penetration abilities for both hair and skin. If your hair is not very dense, coconut oil is a good choice because it won’t weigh your hair down.
Shea butter
Shea butter is a rich emollient that provides intense moisture to dry, brittle hair. It also contains vitamins A and E, which help to strengthen and protect the hair from environmental damage.
Aloe vera
Aloe vera gel is incredibly moisturizing and soothing for the scalp and hair. It helps to seal in moisture, reduce frizz, and promote hair growth.
Honey
Honey is a natural humectant, attracting and retaining moisture in the hair. It also contains antioxidants and nutrients that nourish the scalp and hair follicles. Using honey in your hair masks can help to hydrate and soften your hair, making it more manageable and reducing frizz. It also has antimicrobial properties that can help with scalp health and may promote hair growth.
Avocado oil
Avocado oil is rich in vitamins A, D, and E, as well as antioxidants. It deeply penetrates the hair shaft, providing intense moisture and nourishment. One advantage of using this is that it is very light weight, and so it can be easily absorbed.
If you have low porosity hair, avocado oil can work well for you.
Jojoba oil
Jojoba oil closely resembles the natural oils produced by the scalp, making it an excellent moisturizer for both the hair and scalp. It helps to regulate sebum production and prevents moisture loss.
Argan oil
Argan oil hydrates and nourishes the hair, reduces frizz, and adds shine. It also helps to repair damage caused by heat styling and environmental factors. Another advantage of this oil is that it is lightweight and absorbs quickly into the hair without leaving a greasy residue.
Try it out on your damp or dry hair as a finishing oil or add it to your hair masks and treatments.
Glycerin
Glycerin attracts moisture from the air into the hair shaft, helping to keep it hydrated. It helps to moisturize the hair, improve its elasticity, and reduce breakage. It also provides a protective barrier that seals in moisture and prevents environmental damage. You can mix glycerin with water and use it as a Leave-in spray.
Note that when using natural oils, it’s important to choose high-quality, cold-pressed oils and avoid excessive amounts to prevent buildup.
So, dear 4c beauties, try out one or more of these products, incorporate it into your hair care routine, and you’ll certainly be on your way to overcoming hair dryness completely.
