Understanding the Unique Needs of Black Hair

Black hair is, of course, unique in its appearance, but it’s also unique in its structure. Because of this, it requires different treatment than non-black hair, and it requires a greater level of care to remain healthy. Black hair also comes with an important acknowledgment of history and culture. It’s important to understand the differences in structure so that your black hair, or the hair of whomever you may be caring for, isn’t damaged and that you’re using the right techniques and products on your opulent tresses.

The Unique Structure of Black Hair

Black hair is structurally different from non-black hair. Black hair tends to be much thicker than any other type of hair, and its shape is totally different too. Strands are flat, but it also has a curl pattern that tends to be much tighter than other kinds of hair. Because of the shape of black hair, it’s often much more prone to damage, and because of the curl pattern, natural oils typically cannot make the journey all the way to the ends of the hair to keep it naturally moisturized.

Speaking to the structure of Black hair, the curl pattern is often tighter than other types of hair, which leads to it often getting tangled. Trying to pull those tangles out often leads to serious damage or breakage of the hair. Black hair is much more fragile than many might be led to believe. 

The reason that Black hair is so different is that it has a great number of fats, lipids to be specific, but these fats aren’t bonded. Because of this, the hair wants more oils or moisture to remain healthy. Additionally, the hair follicle tends to be thicker than other kinds of hair, and it grows more perpendicular to the scalp. This means that it essentially grows straight out versus laying flatter, like other types of hair without curl or texture. Because of the hair’s fragility, combing and brushing can be very damaging if not done properly.

Black hair also grows slower than other kinds of hair, and it grows irregularly. While other kinds of hair tend to be rounder in the cross-section, black hair is flattened, or oval, and it twists and may break at the narrower parts. 

Essential Care for Black Hair

Because Black hair is structured differently, its care has to be different from other kinds of hair as well. While some kinds of hair can be washed nearly every day or every other day, black hair benefits most from weekly or bi-weekly washings. This helps to prevent any build-up from too many hair care products, which may dry the hair out. There are more things that can be done to maintain healthy hair. These things include:

• Conditioner is important. Because black hair structure prevents it from naturally moisturizing, using conditioner is incredibly important to lock in moisture. Every time the hair is washed, conditioner should be used, and it should definitely be applied on the ends of the hair, as this is the part that is the driest. 
• Hot oil twice monthly. Hot oil treatments can help add extra moisture back to the hair, and they can help with elasticity so curls stay bouncy, not heavy.
• Heat protectant is a must. Anytime heat is being applied to the hair, a heat protectant of some kind must be used. Because black hair is fragile, it can be more prone to damage and breakage, especially when using heat. The style should always look fresh.
• Relaxing chemicals can be damaging. Relaxers are chemicals, and chemicals can absolutely damage hair, particularly hair that is already fragile. If relaxers are part of the plan, a professional should be applying them, and they should never be put on hair that’s already been treated. Keeping time between relaxing for two or three months or when the hair starts to grow out is safest, and then it should only be applied to new growth.
• Take care when thermally straightening hair. Just like chemical relaxers, thermal hair relaxers can damage hair too. To thermally relax the hair, be sure to only use ceramic products, whether an iron or a comb, and do this no more than once a week. Any more, and you could end up with majorly damaged hair.
• Don’t style too tight. Braids are beautiful, but they should be done with care. Because black hair is prone to breakage, braiding too tight can break off hair and may result in hair loss over time, called traction alopecia, which can be difficult to repair. 

Take care with the hair, be gentle, and treat it well to keep it healthy and beautiful. Learn more about caring for black hair with our how-to guides.

How Kuza Products Support Black Hair Health

Here at Kuza, we have a wide variety of products to boost the health of beautiful Black hair. We believe in natural hair care products for black hair to bring out the best in your crown. Whether you’re going for a sleek and silky look, want your edges to be perfect, want to accentuate your curls, or are into twists and braids, we have the products for your hair. 

We have African shea butter that is 100% pure in different textures to suit your interests. From creamy to chunky or solid, our shea butter will help to moisturize textured hair and make it easier to work with. 

If you’re trying to prevent breaks, our Black Castor Oil gel can help with that. We have a range of Jamaican Black Castor Oil products to suit your hair’s needs. Whether you need to have a deeply moisturizing leave-in conditioner or a healthy, non-drying shampoo, we’ve got you covered. We also offer scalp care products to nourish where your hair comes from.

No matter what your hair type is, we’ve got the quality products that your hair will love. Locking in moisture to protect sensitive hair is top priority, so our products are made with that in mind. We want your hair to be beautiful every day, and that’s what our products strive for. To learn more, explore our range of hair care products.

Tips for Maintaining Healthy Black Hair

Black hair care is different from hair care for other kinds of hair. It’s important to commit that to memory right away. For the best results with hair care, we have a few tips for maintaining healthy hair:

• Detangle when wet. Black hair loves water. Dampening the hair and detangling it when wet will help any tangles to loosen up, preventing damage from rough handling.
• Don’t neglect the scalp. Because lots of products are often used on Black hair while styling, build-up can happen easily. Rather than letting things get out of hand, make sure that you’re cleansing the scalp well whenever you wash it and your hair.
• Understand style. Unfortunately, a lot of easy wash-and-go styles aren’t practical for Black hair health. Because Black hair can tangle easily, it’s important to not skip any steps for hair care. 
• Take care while sleeping. Reducing friction to maintain Black hair health is essential. This can be done with the usage of a silk pillowcase, which will tug less on hair, especially if you’re very active while sleeping. Otherwise, wrapping hair or using a silk bonnet are other methods to keep hair safe at night.

Encouraging and maintaining healthy hair requires the right tools. Kuza products help your hair keep a healthy balance by moisturizing and protecting hair from damage. For a view of our full range of natural hair care items, check out all our products today.

 FAQ

Q: What makes Black hair unique?

A: Structurally, Black hair is different from other kinds of hair. It tends to be flatter in the cross-section and grows from the scalp virtually perpendicular to the head.

Q: What are the specific needs of Black hair?

A: Healthy Black hair requires lots of moisture and care to not tug and pull too much. Regular brushes and combs can be damaging because they can snag the hair and cause breakage.

Q: How can Kuza products cater to the unique needs of Black hair?

A: We understand that Black hair has unique needs to be happy and healthy, and our line of natural hair care products addresses those. Kuza products keep moisture in mind to minimize the damage that can happen to hair when it is brittle.

Q: What are some tips for maintaining healthy Black hair?

A: Take care to detangle hair when it is wet. The curls will separate better, making it easier to detangle. Protective styles are essential for a reason. Braids and wraps help protect fragile Black hair. Finally, never skip the opportunity to use hair moisturizer to keep hair happy and healthy.

Q: How does understanding the unique needs of Black hair contribute to overall hair health?

A: When you understand that Black hair does have unique needs, it will help you to recognize the reality. Knowing can help lead to understanding how important it is to take care of Black hair. When Black hair is cared for properly, it is strong, healthy, and beautiful.