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If you want to keep your natural or kinky hair looking its best, it’s important to know how to take care of it. Luckily, keeping black hair healthy, moisturized, and strong is easy to do, and with a few simple steps in your daily routine, you'll see an immediate improvement in how your hair looks and feels. We’ll walk you through everything you need to know in this comprehensive guide on how to take care of black hair (for guys).

This article is based on an interview with our licensed cosmetologist, certified hair loss practitioner, and cosmetology educator, Courtney Foster. Check out the full interview here.

2

Use sulfate-free shampoo.

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  1. A sulfate-free shampoo is a gentle alternative to traditional shampoos. Sulfates are one of the major culprits when it comes to chemicals in shampoo that can harm your hair, so opting for a shampoo that doesn’t use this ingredient can improve your hair’s health. Sulfate-free shampoo is especially useful for people with kinky hair.[1]
    • When washing your hair, you may decide to to use 2 shampoos: first, a clarifying shampoo to get rid of any dandruff or product in your hair, then a moisturizing shampoo to add moisture to your hair.
3

Apply a rinse-out conditioner with each shower.

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  1. Since you’ll ideally be washing your hair with shampoo less often, rubbing conditioner into your scalp and hair at least few times a week can keep excess oil at bay. Be sure to rinse out your conditioner thoroughly after using it, for at least 60 seconds. As a guy with kinky hair, you might want to try a silicone-free co-washing conditioner.[2]
    • If your hair feels particularly dry, deep condition it with a product that has a base of shea butter, honey, or avocado.
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6

Dry your hair with a microfiber towel or t-shirt.

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  1. A microfiber towel or even an old t-shirt is a much more gentle alternative to drying your hair with a normal towel. Instead of roughly rubbing your head to dry it, just gently push your microfiber towel or t-shirt into your hair to mop up excess water.[4]
    • If your hair is really dry, you may even want to use a paper towel to soak up its water, since this can leave your hair with more moisture.[5]
7

Style your hair with pomade or curl cream.

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10

Use a protective style during colder weather.

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  1. As it gets colder and drier in the winter, your hair may end up becoming more prone to breakage and frizz. A protective style for guys, like styling your hair in locs, braiding cornrows, or trying out twists, can keep your hair healthy as it grows, while looking great.[9]
    • Protective styles shouldn’t hurt. If your scalp hurts while it’s being styled, loosen it—putting too much tension on your scalp can lead to hair loss.[10]
11

Avoid chemical hair treatments.

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  1. Chemical processes like bleaching or using hair relaxers can damage the structure of your hair, making it harder for them to take in moisture and leaving them with a lifeless look. If you do want to try out a new look—either by dying your hair or using a chemical relaxer—be sure to work with an experienced stylist who can help you protect your hair.[11]
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12

Eat a balanced and nutritious diet.

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  1. To have the best hair possible, be sure that you’re eating a diet that has essential vitamins and nutrients, like protein, vitamin C, iron, and omega-3 acids. While you can always take supplements to get these nutrients, you can also find them naturally in certain foods:[12]
    • Protein: Lean protein sources are found in chicken, eggs, tofu, and beans.
    • Vitamin C: Citrus fruits, like oranges and lemons, are packed with this vitamin, as are peppers, strawberries, and tomatoes.
    • Iron: Iron is in red meat, beans, dried fruit, and fortified breakfast cereals.
    • Omega-3 acids: Omega-3s are in fish, nuts, and plant oils, like canola or soybean oil.
    Jen Atkin
    Jen Atkin, Celebrity Hairstylist

    Supplements can be transformative for hair. "Supplements not only address hair loss but dry hair and oily scalp. When taken regularly, dramatic improvements to hair are seen, allowing hair to withstand heat styling and processing so much more effectively."


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Tips

  • Stores tailored to black-hair will have the best selection of products. If shopping online isn’t your style, visit your local beauty supply store or barbershop to find products that are designed for your hair and can bring out its natural beauty.[13]
  • It’s always a good idea to get a trim every few weeks. A talented barber can cut off any hair that seems damaged and keep your hair looking fresh.
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About This Article

Courtney Foster
Written by:
Licensed Cosmetologist
This article was written by Courtney Foster and by wikiHow staff writer, Nihal Shetty. Courtney Foster is a Licensed Cosmetologist, Certified Hair Loss Practitioner, and Cosmetology Educator based out of New York City. Courtney runs Courtney Foster Beauty, LLC and her work has been featured on The Wendy Williams Show, Good Morning America, The Today Show, The Late Show with David Letterman, and in East/West Magazine. She received her Cosmetology License from the State of New York after training at the Empire Beauty School - Manhattan. This article has been viewed 79,560 times.
43 votes - 99%
Co-authors: 6
Updated: July 4, 2024
Views: 79,560
Categories: Regular Hair Care
Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 79,560 times.

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