As a 4C hair girl, I know how difficult it is to find a hair wash day routine that works. By that I mean a routine that is simple, does not require a hundred and one products and does not leave me exhausted by the time I am done washing my hair. There is also too much information on the internet, so it is difficult to figure out what you’re doing right or wrong.
Here are some of my simple and effective non-negotiables when it comes to washing my 4C hair. I hope they encourage you to figure out a regimen that works for you.
1. Pre-poo treatment: Start by hydrating your hair. Then warm up a light oil in the palm of your hands and gently detangle your hair, removing knots or anything that may be stuck in your hair. This will help reduce breakage while washing your hair. Rinse it out with lukewarm water after 30 minutes to an hour.
Tools: Use a light oil such as coconut oil, olive oil, grapeseed oil etc. Or you can opt to use a conditioner with good slip to help melt away any stubborn knots.
2. Cleanse: After rinsing out your pre-poo treatment, use a clarifying shampoo and focus on applying the shampoo to your scalp. Massage it onto your scalp, while allowing the excess shampoo to fall onto the length of your hair. Wash your hair and scalp gently using your fingertips (not nails) and try not to cause any friction and tangles.
Tools: A good clarifying shampoo that will effectively remove product build up.
3. Condition: Once you’ve rinsed out your shampoo, apply a moisturising conditioner to the length of your hair (very little should get onto your scalp). Some conditioners have dual properties and can act as a quick conditioner or deep conditioning treatment.
Rinse out your conditioner after 15 minutes if you are in hurry. However, if you have time, try to always go the deep conditioning route.
Deep conditioning: Cover your conditioner coated hair in a heat cap or plastic bag and a towel over the bag to generate some heat. Sit with it for at least an hour then rinse it out with lukewarm water. This allows your hair shaft to effectively absorb all the benefits the conditioner has to offer.
Tools: Heat cap, or plastic bag and towel. Moisturising conditioner, hair mask, protein hair treatments, hair mayonnaise etc.
4. Drying: This step is really up to you. You can choose to air-dry or use a blow dryer (on low heat) to dry your hair. There is a common misconception that blow dryers are bad for 4C hair, but what we are often not aware of is that going to sleep on wet hair can be a cause for other problems. Eg bacteria development on the scalp, hair breakage, damp pillows etc. When it is time to dry your hair ensure that it is layered well with good hair products explained in the step below.
Tools: A towel/microfiber towel/old t-shirt to absorb excess water. Blow dryer, hooded dryer etc. Natural air 😊
5. Post- poo /Leave – In treatment: Finally, wash day is almost done. Everyone has their favourite way to bring moisture back to their hair. My favourite is following the LCO method i.e. Liquid, Conditioner/Cream, Oil/butter. I spray a mist of strengthening spray on semi-dry hair, then apply a moisturising cream/conditioner to the hair then seal the moisture in with an oil or shea butter. Lastly, oil your scalp a bit and give it a gentle massage.
Tools: A good hair mist/hair tea or aloe vera spritz, leave-in conditioner, shea butter, hair and scalp oil.
I intentionally avoided mentioning specific products here because, like I said there is too much information on the internet. My biggest recommendation would be that you use a few products at a time to determine exactly which ones your hair likes and to also handle your hair with care. What good will a great hair product do if you do not handle your hair like the precious crown it is?