Haven't " 'pooed" in weeks? Here are tips for getting through those pooless days.

On the days that you no-poo, Rinse hair with warm water, liberally applya moisturizing condish (with lots of slip) and rinse well. This will give you a clean start and provide added conditioning and moisture without stripping away protective oils.

2. Under-conditioning - Proper conditioning is one of the most important steps for healthy hair. Unfortunately, most do not take the time to adequately do so, including me. Deep conditioning treatments (with heat) once a month, especially during the winter season works wonders. It isn't needed as much in the summer unless your hair is damaged or you are the sole person who loves to sit under a dryer or heating cap in 90+ degree weather.

3. Using the wrong products – Black hair needs oils in order to thrive and be healthy,however, you must know that not all oil is good oil. One misconception that plagues African Americans concerning hair care is the use of grease. Grease (thick pomade-like product that usually contains mineral oil and/or petrolatum) is commonly used to moisturize dry hair and scalp. Do not use products that contain mineral oil or petrolatum. Both of these cheap oils clog pores, rob the hair's moisture, and can retard hair growth. Natural oils are the best bet. Jojoba and coconut oil are great conditioning oils. Shea butter is an excellent moisturizer. Avocado oil is rich in vitamins A, D, and E, potassium, and scalp-soothing sulfur. Disclaimer: Petroleum andmineral oil based products dmay not have the same affect on every head of hair so if you are currently using these products and they work for you, rock on!


4. Combing, detangling, and styling faux pas - To avoid pain, tears, and massive hair loss when combing out kinky hair, part the hair into four sections. Get a tight grip on the hair (not to hurt your child) and start combing at the bottom and work your way up to the top, section by section. If your hair is extremely thick and coarse, secure the combed out section with a pony tail holder to avoid further tangling. You should always use a moisturizer when combing your hair(conditioner works well)doing so will help to soften the hair and ease combability. Never use water to "wet" the hair!

Ponytails and Pigtails
Girls and ponytails/pigtails seem to go hand and hand. Here are a few tips to avoid pigtail disaster:

5. Do not use rubber bands to secure her ponytails, instead use elastics and covered bands. Rubber bands can cause undue breakage and damage.
Remember to always remove the ponytail holders before bed time.
Make sure you braid (or twist) the hair completely... all the way to the ends. Exposing the ends to environmental elements will guarantee split ends.
I recommend adding a coat of leave-in conditioner to the ends before braiding for extra protection. Remember, the ends are the oldest and most fragile part of the hair. They require extra attention.

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