Shrinkage is no news to anyone with textured or 4C type hair and with an afro the last thing you want is for your hair to shrink. An afro can be quite difficult to maintain but with a little patience and proper care it can be your crowning glory. Without the right care, textured hair may become fragile, dry or damaged which then prevents you from having the afro of your dreams. When it comes to caring for your natural hair, there is a lot that comes into consideration. But it doesn’t have to be hard or time consuming, it just needs the proper routine as well as appropriate products.

In this article we’re not going to talk about the routine, not exactly, but rather a few tips to help you maintain your afro.

1. Adopt a wash day routine

One advantage of having an afro is that you don’t have to wash it as often as with other styles. However this does not mean that you go months without washing your hair. Try washing it weekly or at least once in two weeks to prevent it from drying and getting frizzy. When washing use a moisture-boosting shampoo and conditioner to refresh your afro curls.

2. Use protective styles only

Protective hairstyles just as the name suggests, help protect your hair from breakage, shedding or damage. Some of the protective afro hairstyles you can use include bantu knots, braids or twists. You could also go for other options like wearing wigs, weaves or buns. When you opt for styles like braids and twists ensure that there isn’t too much tension on the roots on your scalp as this can damage your edges. Also ensure use of less heat and avoid over-combing as these can end up causing serious damage to your afro.

3. Oil your hair frequently

Oil helps maintain and ensure your natural hair stays healthy. Textured hair naturally needs a lot of oil therefore oiling your hair should be part of your daily routine. Oils help moisturize your hair and seal in the already existing moisture. You could use oils such as coconut oil, olive oil or avocado oil which absorb into the hair shaft and hydrate the hair as well. You could also use oils such as jojoba oil, Jamaican black castor oil or grapeseed oil to seal in moisture and keep your hair hydrated for an extended period of time.

4. Sleep with a satin scarf or bonnet

A satin scarf or satin bonnet will help keep your hair from tangling and breaking while you sleep. Sleeping with loose hair on a cotton pillowcase will result in your hair drying out, hair breakage and hair damage due to the friction caused by cotton fabric. Therefore never go to bed without a satin bonnet or scarf on. You could also invest in a smoot satin or silk pillowcase to help maintain your hair’s moisture. Another tip is to make sure you remove any tight hand bands on your hair before you go to bed.

5. Let your hair breathe

Sometimes we tend to get super comfortable in hiding our hair under a wig that we forget to let it breathe. We should always remember to take out our protective styles and refresh them so as to let our hair breathe at least once every month. After taking it out make sure to shampoo and deep condition your hair. To prevent hiding your hair back in your wig, you could go for styles like bantu knots, flat twists or high puffs to let your hair breathe. You could also rock your afro during this time.