Contrary to belief, long, black hair doesn't necessarily require any more maintenance than short, light colored hair. In fact, long hair requires less washing, fewer salon visits and fewer styling tools when compared to short light hair. However, that doesn't mean that you don't have to
care for your hair. Doing simple everyday tasks will keep your black hair healthy and shiny.
Cleansing and Moisturizing
Regularly washing and conditioning
your hair will keep it looking soft and healthy. The type of shampoo and conditioner you use will largely depend on your hair type. Most long hair requires a hydrating shampoo and conditioner. Long hair can dry out easily, causing hair breakage. If you color your hair black, a color protecting shampoo and conditioner is a good choice. This helps keep your color from fading out.
Medium and long hair benefits from weekly deep conditioning treatments on top of the conditioner you use at every wash. In addition to that conditioner, weekly deep conditioning balms give your hair a deep moisturizing zap. This helps mend damaged hair and will prevent breakage. This will also add lots of
gloss and shine to your black hair.
Salon Visits
Getting regular salon visits is essential in maintaining long, black hair. According to Hair finder, "You should have your hair trimmed every four to six weeks." This prevents split ends, which are bad news. Once a hair follicle starts splitting, the split can stretch all the way up and break the hair. Getting these trimmed off will keep your hair full and healthy.
If you color you hair to keep it black,
regular salon visits are a necessity. Otherwise, your roots start to show. Most stylists use a hydrating color that actually moisturizers your hair, leaving it soft and silky.
Preventing Damage
Preventing hair damage is the tip in caring for medium to long black hair. There are many things that can damage long, black hair. Avoid heated styling tools if at all possible. Tools such as curling irons and wave crimpers can damage fragile proteins in your hair follicles. This will cause them to break off easier. If you must use a heated styling tool, apply a heat protection product to your hair first.
Chemical treatments like perms and straighteners can also cause hair damage. Stay away from chemical treatments
if you want to maintain a healthy head of hair.
Elastic ponytail holders and barrettes can cause damage if you aren't careful when using them. Find the kind that are ouch-less to lessen damaging effects on your hair.
Stay out of the sun to
keep your black hair from fading out. The sun will lighten your hair. If you are in the sun frequently, use sun protection for your black hair. Extra leave-in conditioner will help protect the delicate proteins in your hair follicles.
