If you live in a country with dry, cold and humid conditions, you will have noticed how your hair changes as seasons come and go. So, as we start saying goodbye to the sun and welcome the autumn weather, we need to change our hair care routine so our strands can remain healthy.
We know that continued exposure to colder temperatures can tamper with your afro hair’s natural moisture making it easier to experience dryness, flakiness and breakage. So, what can you do to stop the autumn season from messing up your natural hair’s game? Here are our four ways to help your afro curls flourish during this time.
Moisturise Your Afro Hair From Your Roots To Your Ends
No matter the season, keeping your afro hair moisturised should always be a priority. You can improve your moisture game with the L.O.C. method during the autumn months, ideal for drier hair. It is also essential to use a sulphate-free shampoo to avoid harsh ingredients like sulphates which can strip the moisture from your natural hair.
Want an extra boost of moisture before your wash day? You can also try a hot oil treatment with our Everyday Curl Refresh With Coconut Oil and Jamaican Black Castor oils. Start putting 3 - 6 tablespoons of this solution into a glass container. Then, place this glass container in a bowl of hot water to heat it. Next, apply this heated mixture to your natural afro curls and then put it under a shower cap for at least 30 minutes. Finally, shampoo and condition your hair as per your regular hair care routine.
This type of treatment will keep your hair strong and hydrated. In addition, the coconut oil within this solution will also protect your ends which can result in longer hair. If your hair experiences extreme dryness as temperatures start to drop, you also need to think about reducing the number of times you wash your hair.
Protect Your Afro Hair From Harsher Elements
As soon as autumn approaches, you might be excited to wear your new coat and colourful scarves. However, be aware that most of these items are made from materials that can cause havoc to your afro hair. If you opt for a protective style like two-strand twists or cornrows, it can limit the stress of any environmental condition on your natural hair. It does this by keeping the ends of your afro curls tucked away to reduce pulling, manipulation and tugging.
However, don’t forget that every protective style has an expiration date. If you opt for a style like a wig, you will need to care for it and your natural hair underneath it. It is also essential to take a break from your wig every 8 to 12 weeks. On the other hand, if you go for a flat twist or two-strand twists, you will need to unravel it after a week to prevent build-up on your afro curls. Additionally, take advantage of a satin scarf or satin-lined bonnet for your hair before you put a hat or a cap on. It is also essential to purchase satin pillowcases for your curls when sleeping at night.
Get Your Afro Hair Trimmed
If you want to simplify your hair care routine during autumn, we recommend that you continue trimming your natural hair every 8 - 12 weeks to make the process of detangling easier. Although cutting your hair won’t make it grow any faster, it will reduce the appearance of split ends which can be even more challenging to manage in the colder months.
Limit The Use Of Heat On Your Afro Hair
Using heating tools on your afro hair like hair dryers or curling tongs can dry out your hair even further during autumn leading to more breakage. So keep the heat used on your hair to a minimum and opt for a heat-free protective style instead.
It can seem complicated to take care of your afro hair during autumn. But essentially, it just comes down to your afro hair needing one thing to combat dryness: moisture. So, in addition to our tips, look for other ways to get more water and hydration to your strands. Do you have a killer autumn routine for your hair? Let us know.