It’s a common assumption that men, in general, are unconcerned about
their hair and skin care problems, but that’s not always true. Since
hair is such a big part of your appearance, keeping it well maintained
is important.
Following the simple guidelines below will put you on your way to a vibrant looking head of hair.
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Ingrown Hairs & Razor Bumps
If quality products for African American skin care are difficult to
find, black men’s skin care is almost impossible to find. It’s important
to find products formulated to meet common needs most black men share
like the need for added moisture, additional oil and problems with
Pseudofolliculitis Barbae aka Razor Bumps.
For a black man, shaving can be a particularly painful task. It has
been reported that 60-80% of black men suffer from razor bumps, at least
to some degree. Other ethnic men suffer from these as well.
So what’s a brother who prefers to go beardless supposed to do?
The easiest solution would be to cut down the number of times you
shave, but this is not always possible. Aside from that you can use a
single- blade razor or clippers to cut the hair short above the skin.
Keep skin moisturized and shave the beard in the same direction that the
hairs are growing. Many men shave against the grain, which is
incorrect. Have a barber “map” your face. Face mapping determines the
direction in which you should shave so that it’s consistent with beard
growth.
In terms of products, acids and alcohol are damaging to hair and skin
and need to be avoided. Stick with products that include high-quality
vitamins and oils that are friendly to your skin.
Dandruff & Your Scalp
Dandruff is the clear indicator that you have a dry scalp. A dry
scalp makes it much harder to get waves. Dandruff can be caused by
washing hair too much and stripping it of its natural oils too much or
not washing it enough, and it is also caused by not oiling/moisturizing
the scalp. Waves will be easier to obtain if your scalp is moisturized
and soft so waves can be formed easier than having a dry hard scalp.
Keep your scalp moisturized but don’t put too much grease or moisturizer
because this can clog the pores in your scalp and cause acne.
Moisturize Daily
Your hair needs to be moisturized daily, whether you shampooed or
not, to replenish hydration that is lost through dry conditions or
indoor heating. A simple oil can be applied to the roots of your hair to
make your hair look softer and help you avoid flakes and dry scalp. Try
sweet almond or coconut oil; apply a little to your fingertips and run
your hands through your hair to distribute evenly. Apply a little oil
each day, especially when your hair feels dry or brittle to the touch.
Choose a Style
Choose a hairstyle that speaks to you and works with your face shape.
Shaving your head is one option, as is cutting it close to the scalp
with clippers and. If you prefer a more ethnic look, hairstyles like a
‘fro, dreads, or braids can give you a low maintenance look that gives
you a more individual style, but if you’re going to go that route,
understand it requires some work! You don’t want to be a slave to your
style, so choose something that is easy to maintain and that won’t need a
lot of upkeep.
Product Selection
Choosing products that are specifically made for you can help you get
healthier, better looking hair and skin. Most retail products readily
available in drugstores are formulated for the smoother hair shafts of
other ethnicities. Look for products free of alcohol and other drying
ingredients and rich in oils and moisturizers. You may find that
shopping at a beauty supply store or neighborhood barber shop will yield
you a greater array of products you need
Product Recommendations
Brushes
One should never brush the hair while it is wet. The brush puts
strain on the hair that can damage the follicles and cause early
breakage and damage. This can seriously slow the natural growth of the
hair. Even dry, one should use a wide toothed comb when styling the
hair, if longer. This puts less stress on the strands and leads to less
breakage.
A hard brush should mostly used for achieving deeper waves. To simply
lay your hair down, a soft brush will do the trick, as it controls
those random hairs that tend to stick up. A medium brush does a little
bit of both. Try brands such as Diane, Annie, and Wave Encorcer.
Moisturizers
There are tons of moisturizers out there but it’s best to experiment
with different products to see what works the best with your hair
texture. Remember — the more natural, the better
. Cream of
Nature, Olive Creme, Carrot Creme, and Motions Moisturizer are common
uses. Be on the look out for products containing shea butter, coconut
oil, or olive oil.
Pomades and Greases
These are mainly used just for hold and definition, but pomades are a
bit unhealthy for your hair due to the fact that they contain
petroleum. If you do use products such as Indian Hemp, Doo Gro, Sportin
Waves, Dax etc., make sure that you don’t use too much or else you’ll
find yourself dealing with clogged pores and caking.
Many black men want to grow their hair longer but have trouble
doing so. There are many reasons why it can be challenging for black men
to grow hair. Although black hair grows just as fast as other types of
hair — roughly a half inch each month — it is often very curly, fragile,
brittle, and dry. This makes black hair susceptible to breaking, and
the more it breaks, the shorter it seems. 
