You might think that you can manage biracial hair using the same methods you would use to manage Caucasian hair. Fortunately it doesn’t take white mothers of biracial children long to realize this is not true as the hair often ends up messy, damaged, and out of control. Biracial hair actually needs much of the same treatment that African American hair needs. Here are some important tips for taking care of biracial hair.
Combing: Use a wide-toothed comb on biracial hair while it is still wet to remove tangles. Combing the hair with a small toothed comb or excessive brushing will break the fragile strands of hair. If you must comb the hair without wetting it, use a moisturizer or leave in conditioner to give the hair some protection and elasticity. You must also be mindful to comb the hair gently by grasping the hair near the scalp an gently pulling the comb through the hair one small section at a time.
Washing: Biracial hair should be washed once or twice a week. As everyone’s hair is different, so you will need to experiment to see what frequency works for you. Daily washing will dry out the hair removing all of the natural oil. When washing biracial hair, apply shampoo to your fingers and massage the scalp. Do not worry about shampooing not the entire length of the hair as any dirt on the strands rinse out on its own.
Conditioning: Always condition biracial hair after washing. You should also do a conditioning treatment before washing at least twice a month. A hot oil treatment using coconut oil, or a cholesterol creme conditioner will protect the hair and make it stronger.
Drying: Air dry biracial hair as much as possible. After washing, blot the hair with a towel, and avoid rubbing it dry. If you must use a hair dryer, use a heat protection product on the hair first.
Moisture: Curly and kinky hair can’t get enough moisture. Don’t use hair spray, mousse, and holding gels as they undo your attempts at moisturizing. Instead, use leave in conditioners and styling lotions to keep your hair in check. Resist the temptation to put grease in hair. African Americans used hair grease for many generations an it made the hair shiny and gave the appearance of moisture. Hair grease and pomades actually contain mineral oil and petroleum’s that clog the pores and retard growth.
Natural products: Use natural products as much as possible when caring for biracial hair. The reason to opt for natural products is that 95% of hair products on the market have harsh chemicals such as sulfates, alcohols, and silicone’s that have a drying effect on black and biracial hair. Some all-natural brands of hair products include Beauty 4 Ashes, and Aubrey Organics. In addition to those hair care products, coconut oil, Castor oil, an Shea oil, olive oil, and avocado are great all natural products for conditioning and moisturizing biracial hair.
Also read Best Products to Use on the Market Geared Toward African-American Women
