Black men need to maintain the healthiness of their hair because it provides vital aesthetics and serves important identification purposes. It is also an indicator of a person’s health and wellness. To enjoy a healthy head of hair, men must know ways to care for it the right way. 

Well kept black male hair is a sign of beauty and pride. Having it fall apart is a nightmare. 

So how to take care of black hair? It’s a question that I expect almost every black guy has asked at some point in time.

The problem is that the care and maintenance of black male hair are not as simple as other hair types. This factor makes it more challenging to care for and maintain black hair.

It is effortless for the black hair to fall out from the root. Even the slightest of negligence or misuse can cause significant damage. 

Below we cover 10 proven tips for black men hair care.

Know Your Hair Type

We have a whole blog dedicated to describing hair types. But for now, let us take a look at it briefly to give you a quick understanding of hair types.  

There are four basic categories for men’s hair type, and they are as follows:- 

 Type 1 – straight hair

Straight hair grows without bending and forming any curves and has no curvy pattern. This hair type always has an oily scalp. It lays flat on the head and has a tendency to get greasy. 

Generally, the hair strands are very fine-textured. To recognize straight hair, check whether your hair bends at the first couple of inches or not. If it doesn’t, you have straight hair. Hairstyles with layers match better with straight hair providing it volume and a lift. 

 Type 2 – wavy hair

Wavy hair has a bending tendency that forms sea-like waves at a certain length. If your hair starts to bend at 2-3 inches in length, it means you have wavy hair. The scalp is not too oily compared to straight hair. The hair follicles are round or oval-shaped. It has more volume and suits better for hairstyles with fewer layers. 

 Type 3 – curly hair

Unlike straight or Wavy hair, this hair type’s scalp remains dryer than others. This is due to the thicker hair follicles that cannot transport the oil from the scalp to the tip of the hair. The hair follicles are flat-shaped. The hair strands form curls varying with hair density.

 Type 4 – coily hair

Coily hair, also known as kinky hair, is considered to have the hair types’ thickest density. It has flat-shaped follicles. The hair strands have tight curls or a zig-zag pattern. The scalp in this hair type remains the driest of them all.

A majority of black men have thick hair with a coily or Afro texture. However, there are a few exceptions with straight or Wavy hair.

10 Hair Care Tips For Black Men

 1.  Hair Washing

The average man uses regular shampoos, which have a high amount of surfactants as their primary ingredient. The most common of them is sodium lauryl sulfate. This cleansing agent is very harmful to the hair if used too frequently. 

Yes, they clean the hair of all the dust and build-up particles, but they also strip the hair off their natural oil(sebum produced by the sebaceous gland found under the scalp). Using it day in and day out means exposure to this surfactant, resulting in a flaky scalp which ultimately leads to dandruff. 

The purpose of applying shampoo to your hair is to cleanse it of the dirt and help keep it moisturized. Some of the other pretty damaging components to the hair are isopropyl alcohol, formaldehyde, and propylene glycol. Look for shampoos with organic oils and butter in them. 

Now that you know which type of products to use let’s figure out how often you should shampoo your hair. Since we already know that black hair is low on nourishment, avoid washing your hair with shampoo frequently.

Experts recommend that washing your hair once a week can be considered ideal for black men. If you have a very active lifestyle that requires you to work in a dusty environment, you might feel a need to wash your hair more frequently. 

In such cases, it would be best to go for a Sulfate-free shampoo. We also happen to have a blog strictly dedicated to help you figure out the right frequency to shampoo. 

  2.  Conditioning

Men need to understand how important it is to condition their hair given the curvy and coily texture they possess. Using conditioner moisturizes the hair and gives it a shine, and helps it grow stronger. 

To have long-lasting effects, use a leave-in conditioner for your hair. It will have a prolonged effect of moisturization while protecting the hair from dust build-up. Unlike regular conditioners, you apply the leave-in conditioner to your hair and let it settle through your hair for the rest of the day. 

It is best suited for men who are growing their hair out as it also works well for detangling the hair. On the other hand, if you’re someone with short hair, opt for a conditioner with oil, butter, or fatty acids in it.

If you are into a habit of styling your hair frequently, use a silicone-free conditioner. It will keep your hair detangled and ready for the next time you want to style your hair. If you must, try to buy conditioners with coconut, aloe vera extract, or any essential oil. 

Condition your hair as often as you can, that means even on days when you don’t wash your hair with shampoo. It is essential to condition your hair to promote healthy hair. 

  3.  Moisturize

A black male’s hair tends to run out of moisture across the day. It could be because of the environment, indoor heat, or the chemicals used to style the hair. 

Afro hair can be a combination of more than one hair texture, i.e., kinky, coil, or curvy. Each one of these textures is naturally dry, which is why it needs utmost care. 

The first step to keeping your hair moisturized is to drink sufficient water. It will help you hydrate your body from the inside, which hydrates the hair as well. 

Personally, the best way to keep your hair moisturized is to follow the ‘LOC‘ method. This means layering of products to enhance the motion rising effect on the hair.

 The L in the ‘LOC‘ stands for “Liquid,” which denotes leave-in conditioners, while the O stands for oiling and the C stands for cream. To elaborate on this, apply a leave-in conditioner to your hair after the shower, keep oiling your hair regularly and use moisturizing hair creams with butter. 

The reason behind using oil and hair creams after conditioning your hair is to lock In the moisture from the conditioner. 

Another effective method of locking in the moisture is braiding or twisting your hair before going to bed. You might also cover it with a cotton or satin scarf to prevent it from losing moisture to any cloth that comes in contact with the hair.

  4.  Natural products

Avoid the use of products that are too harsh on the hair. Instead, try switching to natural products that promote hair growth for black males and work on preventing hair loss. Styling products play an essential role in ensuring the long life of your healthy hair. Use them too much, and they will lead you to damaged and brittle hair.

Forget about using too many hair gels, waxes, and pomades. These products tend to form build-up on your hair over time. They generally have a high amount of alcohol or Petroleum in them.

Instead, use products with essential oils and butter as their key components. Look for ingredients such as shea butter, coconut oil, mongongo oil, olive oil, etc.

Even if you wish to continue styling your hair with pomades, search for the ones with water as their first ingredient. Some pomades contain oil as their key ingredients. They will weigh your hair down, giving you an oily look. On the other hand, water-based pomades will give you a matte finish, not to mention that they are healthier too.

  5.  Brushes and combs

Your hair care routine is only as good as your grooming tools. The type of hairstyle you desire will determine what type of tool you will use to organize your hair. Ideally, for curly hair, it is recommended to use brushes over combs. 

The two purposes of brushes are to detangle your hair and smoothen them. If you have short hair, you could use brushes and combs both. You could use combs for long hair too, if you like, but only as long as they have wide teeth that do not break your hair off. 

In the case of using combs, go for the ones that are made of durable material. They are usually the ones that are anti-static and heat resistant.

Although it is mentioned that you might be better off using a brush over a comb for afro hair, you cannot just use any brush. You have to be specific about your needs. If you have short hair, you will continue to organize your hair with a comb, as discussed above.

Here is a list of brushes and combs that can be used for curly and afro-textured hair based on their length. 

For curly hair-

  • Round brush- used for both short and long hair.
  • Oval Brush- Used for both short and long hair.
  • Hair Pick- Ideal for long hair but can also be used sometimes for short hair.
  • Military Palm brush- strictly for short hair. 

For afro hair-

  • Hair Pick- Best suited for long hair, sometimes used for short hair too. 
  • Wide-tooth comb- Used occasionally for both short and long hair.
  • Sponge brush- Used for short hair.
  • Military Palm brush- For short hair only.

  6.  Beard check

Your facial hair is equally important as the one on your head. To really amplify your hair care routine, do not forget to take care of your beard. A well-maintained beard with healthy and shiny hair adds an extra charm to your personality. Beard oils are your best friends who will perform this task efficiently. 

If you have an overgrown beard, trim it to match your hairstyle. Never dry-shave your beard, or else it will lead to ingrown hair. To enhance the effectiveness of your beard oil, combine it with jojoba oil, and you will have a nourished and shiny beard to go well with your style. 

The use of beard balms is also advised. They provide moisture and shape to the beard. These balms will be labeled either ‘conditioning’ or ‘stylish.’ Regardless of what the label suggests, they pretty much do a similar job for the beard. 

The only difference would be that the conditioning balm would be thicker and have less shaping control. In contrast, the stylish balm would have more shaping capability and less thick texture. 

Just like your head hair, your beard needs to be washed and conditioned too. If you have a high-quality shampoo that is very low on surfactants and oil-based, you could try using it for your beard as well. Or you could get yourself a beard-specific shampoo from the market. 

Believe me, when I say your beard requires brushing and combing, very much like your head hair. They will allow you to have a straighter beard and give out a polished look with regular use. 

  7.  Using Hair Masques

If you wish to optimize your hair care, think about adding hair masques to your routine. Hair masques come in very handy during the summers to repair dry and damaged hair. They are intense care treatments that need to be applied once every two weeks. 

They contribute well in moisturizing, strengthening, and improving the hydration of the hair. To apply any hair masque to your hair:

  1. Divide your hair into sections.
  2. Proceed with applying the masque to each section of your hair using a flat brush or your fingers.
  3. Start from the roots to the tips. 

Spreading the masque through the hair enhances their definition and protects them from the environmental factors that can harm them. Covering the hair and placing your head under a hooded dryer will boost its effects. 

Leave the masque in your hair for about 10-15 mins if being used in the shower. Else keep it in for 20-30 minutes and let the magic work. However, it also depends on the length of your hair, whether it’s long or short. If it’s longer, the time to keep it in your hair will go up. 

Homemade masques are also a thing. If the ones from the store do not suit your hair, try making one for yourself at home with organic oils, butter, honey, and eggs.

  8.  Massaging the hair with oil

Oiling is one of the crucial components when it comes to your hair care. Regardless of whatever your hair type is, especially in black hair, which we all know is naturally dry and prone to damage. Oiling is even more critical. 

Oiling has proven to be beneficial for the hair as it helps in nourishing, strengthening, and protecting their hair from any damage. I have compiled a list of oils that can be used for healthy hair specific to afro hair.

Coconut oil

Coconut oil is considered to be one of the best ways to keep black men’s hair healthy. It is light on the hair and keeps it shiny. Unlike other hair oils that trap moisture from the other ingredients mixed in with them, coconut oil actually provides moisture to the hair by itself.  

Olive Oil

Extra virgin olive oil, or simply known as olive oil, can be found in almost every kitchen. It is made by pressing virgin olives and extracting its oil. Since it does not go through any refinement process, it contains most of its healthy nutrients.

It works best for men with an itchy or flaky scalp.

Argan Oil

Argan oil, also known as Moroccan oil, helps eliminate dandruff, fungal infections, and itchy scalps. To use it, take a few drops of it and massage it into your hair before you go for a shower. It is an odorless natural hair care product, which is the reason behind many companies using it in shampoos for hair nourishment. 

Jojoba Oil

This oil might not be the best at moisturizing the hair, but it works great as a sealant. If applied after using a conditioner, it helps to trap the moisture. It has a similar chemical makeup as the hair’s natural oil sebum that your scalp produces. 

Not all oils can be used for your head hair, and beard, but this can. Take a few drops into your hand and massage your hair when it’s damp. 

Mongongo Oil

For men who wish to hydrate, repair, and strengthen their hair while changing hairstyles, the mongongo oil is the go-to option. It has been valued for centuries for its nutritional values. It works better for styles like tight curls that require heat. 

Sweet Almond Oil

The sweet almond oil does not only moisturize your hair but also makes you smell great. It also helps to rejuvenate dry and damaged hair. To use this, take a few drops on your fingertips and massage your scalp thoroughly. 

Apart from your hair, it serves well as a hydrating agent for your skin too. If you find that your skin runs dry often, you can apply this to that area as well.

  9.  Choosing the correct style

Men who wish to grow their hair out must prioritize moisturizing their hair before they jump to any hairstyle. As black hair tends to run dry pretty soon, it can be difficult to keep long hair. This is why moisturizing it first to ensure their healthy growth is essential.

Since there are too many complications to styling afro hair and require high maintenance, opt for haircuts requiring low maintenance. Some of the most popular low-maintenance haircuts that most are from men can go for or are braids, dreads, and twists. 

However, these hackers do require a good amount of effort to keep them looking good. Consult with your barber about which hairstyle would suit your face shape and hair type. 

On the contrary, men who want to keep short hair can try haircuts like the crew cut, tapered fade, fro-hawk, undercut, and caesar. They don’t require a lot of maintenance and still never fail to make you look good. 

  10.  Balanced diet

Last but not least, let’s not forget how important a healthy and balanced diet is to ensure our hair’s better health. A healthy diet consists of good proportions of protein, along with carbohydrates and fats. 

Protein is said to be the building blocks of the body, which is true to its very last existence. Protein typically helps build muscles, but it also makes up our body’s hair, nails, and skin. An average person should have at least 0.8 grams – 1 gram of protein per pound of their body weight to maintain the healthy functioning of all the systems of our body. 

Unsaturated fats are good for our internal systems. They promote good health of the digestive system, which contributes to making a robust immune system. As we all know, this leads to healthy growing hair. 

Vitamins such as a, b, c, and e are essential for healthy hair. They can be found in everyday food items, be it flesh, dairy, or vegetables. However, if a person experiences a deficiency of any of these vitamins, it would be harmless to get on a course of supplementation for them.

Takeaway note

Find out what works for you, and stick by it. Do not fall prey to the false marketing schemes laid out by certain companies. They will do you no good. Instead, put you on a track of chemical treatments for your hair back to back.