Lockdown has forced some of us to get to know our hair. Whether you are natural, relaxed or transitioning; we have outlined the various ways that you can wash afro hair.

Pre-Poo

A short form of pre-shampooing, pre-poo is a step prior to shampooing where you apply oil and/or conditioner to moisturise the hair before shampooing. Why pre-poo hair before shampooing? Shampoos can be very harsh to your hair especially when you are transitioning or have a lot of new growth. The benefits of pre-poo are that it prevents the hair being stripped of its natural oils, adds moisture to your hair, whilst reducing your hair’s dryness.

The easiest way to pre-poo is to first detangle the hair and split it into four sections. You can mix the oil and conditioning products and put them into a spray bottle or put them into a jar and microwave for around 10-15 seconds. Products that can be used for pre-poo are Extra Virgin Coconut Oil or Extra Virgin Olive Oil.

The main purpose of shampooing hair is to get rid of excess oil and the dirt that ties to it. How often you wash your hair generally depends on the type of hair that you have. However when shampooing your hair beware of products containing sulphates. Sulphates can cause dry hair and scalps, scalp irritations, fading hair colours and hair loss. Good shampoos for naturals, those transitioning or with relaxed hair are: KeraCare and Carol’s Daughter.

Conditioning

The purpose of conditioning is to improve the condition of your hair, nourish it and keep it healthy. You should condition your hair in a downward motion, making sure you cover the ends of your strands very well. After that you should cover your head and leave the conditioner to penetrate into your hair for around an hour. Some people sit under a hair steamer or dryer throughout the duration. You then wash your hair thoroughly, whilst combing to detangle your hair. Conditioners containing Shea Butter, Jojoba Oil and Argan Oil are also good for conditioning hair.

Co-Washing

This is basically washing your hair using a moisturising conditioner. The process aims to help keep hair clean without the harshness of a shampoo. The difference between co-washing and conditioning is that the conditioner is meant to stay in the hair for a much shorter time before washing off. Herbal Essences Hello Hydration Moisturising Shampoo and Shea Moisture Restorative Conditioner are effective moisturising conditioners for co-washing.

Treatments

There are a variety of treatments that can be used for hair growth, damaged or brittle hair. The Aphogee Protein Treatment is designed to reinstate damaged hair to a healthy form. The treatment can also be used on hair that is over-bleached or hair that breaks when combed or brushed. The Henna Treatment acts as a conditioner and dye to achieve strong, glossy tresses. The treatment is also formulated to grow, strengthen and create thicker hair. As well as treating dandruff, it is a natural cleanser and shampoo.