Natural way

Have you taken the plunge or are you still toying with the idea of going natural? Industry experts, and natural hair queen and L’Oreal Elvive Hair Ambassador Nomzamo Mbatha explain how to do it.

Limit the use of heat as that causes splits ends and breakage. Avoid sulfate shampoos and reduce daily styling.

HOW CAN I MAINTAIN A HEALTHY AFRO?

Healthy hair require a maintenance plan with a good daily, weekly and monthly regime. It is not the result of “good” hair or “good genes”. Use a deep conditioner or hair mask weekly. Apply the product, pop on a shower cap and sit under a hair dryer for 20 minutes. If you don’t have a hair dryer then just leave the shower cap on for an extra 30 minutes to allow your body heat to do the job. The heat allows the hair shaft to swell so the treatment can penetrate the hair shaft.

WHAT ABOUT A NIGHTTIME REGIME?

Apply a nourishing product or treatment to the mid lengths and ends, then wrap the hair with a satin or silk scarf to ensure it traps your body heat, to assist the product in penetrating the hair shaft more easily. Avoid cotton pillows as they suck out moisture. Use a satin one instead.

HOW CAN I PREVENT BREAKAGE?

The points where the hair curls and twists are the most fragile. The curlier the hair, the more susceptible it is to breakage. Pulling it when it’s in knots can cause breakage. Wash your hair every second week, do a deep penetrating treatment once a month, nourish your scalp on a regular basis using a good natural oil, massage your scalp to promote blood circulation and natural oil secretion. Place a firm hand on the scalp and move the scalp, not the hair. Apply the conditioner or oil treatment to the hair and scalp, cover with a plastic cap and sit under a dryer for 20 minutes. Avoid overuse of products with mineral oil or petroleum. They tend to block the pores. Remember to trim your ends. If left unchecked, excessive heat will damage the whole hair shaft, making it weaker. Trim split ends as soon as they appear.