Tips For Washing and Conditioning Natural Black Hair


You should wash and condition your hair as often as needed to keep your hair clean, soft, and manageable. Washing removes buildup on the scalp, and dust or dirt that may cling to the hair from the atmosphere. Conditioning helps to soften the hair, aids in the detangling process, and seals in moisture. Both are essential for healthy manageable natural black hair.

Frequency: How often you wash your hair will vary depending on your hairstyle and lifestyle. If you are very active (you participate in sports, or do some kind of physical outdoor labor) you may want to wash your hair daily. Of course this means that you should wear your hair in a style that is compatible with washing your hair this much. If you wear your hair braided, twisted, or thermally pressed, you may want to wash and condition your hair weekly or biweekly. You should wash and condition your hair at least twice a month.

Products: Choose a shampoo and conditioner that are moisturizing and non-drying. If after you wash and condition your hair, your hair still feels dry or hard, look for new products. Be sure that you use conditioner. Some people only use shampoo, and avoid conditioner. Conditioner helps to soften dry hair, and can be used to help detangle your hair when you are washing it. Some people only use conditioner to wash their hair. If this works for you, then that is fine too.

Tools: A wide tooth comb, a towel, and a blow-dryer (optional)

Washing and conditioning hair that is longer than a few inches and is in an afro, or other style that can be changed daily or combed through:
If your hair is longer than a couple of inches, you should separate it into sections before washing it. To do this
  1. Before you wash your hair, use a wide tooth comb to separate your hair into sections.
  2. Braid each section loosely to keep each section separate. This makes your hair easier to work with so that it is not tangled up when you are done.
  3. Get in the shower, thoroughly wet your hair, and wash and condition each section of hair separately.
  4. When conditioning a section of hair, gently use a wide tooth comb to work through any tangles or knots while your hair is wet. Rebraid the section of hair when you are done washing and conditioning.
  5. When you are done washing, and conditioning each section of hair, use a towel to gently blot excess water out of your hair. Use a blow dryer to finish drying your hair, or let your hair air dry.

Washing and conditioning hair that is in a braided, twisted, or more permanent style:
If your hair is in a braided, twisted,or more permanent style that you don't want to take down before washing, this method will help you to wash your hair without getting your hairstyle "fuzzy." Follow these steps:
  1. Put a stocking cap over your hair (you can make one by cutting off the leg of a pair of stockings and tying a knot at one end).
  2. Get in the shower and throughly wet your hair with the stocking cap on.
  3. Apply shampoo to the stocking cap.
  4. Use your fingertips to gently massage your scalp (leaving the stocking cap on), and rinse well.
  5. Follow up with conditioner in the same method.
  6. Rinse well.
  7. Leave the stocking cap on and blot your hair with a towel to remove excess water.
  8. Let air dry, or use a blow dryer to finish drying your hair.