5 ways you can nourish your hair
THERE’S so much choice in the beauty world, it can get overwhelming, especially when it comes to Afro hair.
“Afro hair can be dryer than other hair types,” explains trichologist Stephanie Sey on behalf of Nizoral. “The curl in the hair can make it difficult for natural oils to be distributed down the hair shaft.”
Try these methods to ensure your hair is properly nourished: 1. Coconut oil: “Coconut oil has very small molecules which can penetrate deeper into the hair than other oils, so rather than acting merely on the surface, the effects of the oil are longer lasting,” explains Stephanie.
Use it like you would a hair mask.
2. Avocados: These aren’t only good on toast – they contain healthy fats and nutrients which can contribute to healthy hair. Mash it up with some other nourishing ingredients – like coconut oil, olive oil or yoghurt – and apply to your locks after shampooing. Just don’t forget to wash it off afterwards.
3. Almond oil: “It contains zinc and vitamin A, and is one of the best sources of vitamin E,” says Stephanie. This is particularly important, because vitamin E is a natural antioxidant, so can combat free radicals (unstable molecules) and oxidative stress – which can “damage the cells in the hair follicles”.
4. Aloe vera: This is an excellent ingredient in all its forms – gel, hydrosol or juice, notes Stephanie. It is a humectant, which means it retains moisture, so is perfect for keeping hair moisturised.
5. Jojoba oil: “It’s actually a wax, which is liquid at room temperature,” says Stephanie, and it’s beneficial because “its composition is very similar to scalp sebum”. Either look for products containing jojoba, or buy the oil from a health store and use as a serum after you’ve washed your hair.