Afro hair habits to adopt

Afro Hair Habits to Adopt

Caring for Afro-textured hair takes more than just a routine — it takes commitment to your hair and your heritage. Our hair, with its kinks, coils, and curls, is an expression of resilience, creativity, and uniqueness. But as many of us know, keeping it healthy requires more than just slapping on a product or two. Whether you’re in the process of rediscovering your natural texture or you're simply looking for new ways to care for your crown, there are some foundational habits you can adopt that will make all the difference.

Source: Byrdie

1. Moisturise Like It’s a Ritual

Afro-textured hair craves moisture—it's one of its defining needs. Due to the structure of our curls and coils, natural oils from the scalp take longer to travel down each strand, which can leave hair feeling dry. This is why moisturising is crucial. Incorporate water-based products, followed by a leave-in conditioner and an oil-based sealant like MPL’s Black Castor Oil to lock in hydration. Keeping a spray bottle with water and a few drops of oil nearby for daily use can also refresh your curls between wash days.

2. Embrace Protective Styling

Let’s be honest, everyday styling is tiring. Protective styles like braids, twists, and cornrows not only save time, but they also protect your ends from damage and excessive handling. However, it’s important to remember that protective styles should not be too tight or left in for too long. Give your hair regular breaks and nourish your scalp with nurishing oils like MPL Sure2Gro Hair Oil to encourage growth and maintain scalp health.

3. Prioritise Scalp Health

Healthy hair starts at the root, literally. Many of us focus so much on our strands that we forget our scalp is the foundation for strong, growing hair. Massaging your scalp regularly promotes blood circulation, which can boost hair growth. Use a gentle scalp massage oil like MPL Clove Hair Oil and massage your scalp with your fingertips (not nails!) a few times a week. Also, make sure to keep your scalp clean and free of product buildup by washing it regularly with a mild shampoo.

4. Trim Your Ends

Trimming is an often-overlooked step in Afro hair care, but it’s one that can make a big difference. Split ends and single-strand knots are a common problem for kinky and coily hair, which leads to breakage over time. By trimming every 8 to 12 weeks, you prevent damage from travelling up the hair shaft and promote healthier growth. Don’t be afraid of the trim—what you’re losing in length, you’re gaining in overall health.

5. Be Gentle with Detangling

Detangling Afro-textured hair can sometimes feel like a battle, but it doesn't have to be. Adopting a patient and gentle detangling process reduces breakage and frustration. Start with damp hair, preferably after conditioning or applying a detangling spray like MPL Sure2Gro Fermented Rice Water, and work from the ends upward. Use a wide-tooth comb or your fingers, and avoid ripping through knots. Your hair will thank you for it.

6. Use Heat Sparingly

We all love the occasional sleek look, but using heat tools frequently can strip your hair of moisture and weaken its natural curl pattern. When you do use heat, make sure to use a heat protectant and keep the temperature on low to medium. Try to limit heat styling to special occasions and opt for heatless stretching techniques like braiding or banding whenever possible.

7. Patience is Key

Lastly, the most important habit you can adopt when caring for Afro hair is patience. Hair growth, repair, and change take time. Every kink and coil on your head is unique, and what works for someone else may not work for you. Try to enjoy the process and be kind to your hair along the way. Celebrate the small wins—whether that’s less breakage, softer curls, or an extra inch of growth.

There’s no one-size-fits-all solution for Afro-textured hair, but by adopting these simple habits, you’ll find that caring for your hair becomes less of a chore and more of a practice in self-love. Your hair deserves to be nurtured, just like the roots from which it comes.

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