How to take care of an afro for guys

It's hard to pin down exactly what's behind the resurgence of a classic haircut. Between Colin Kaepernick's courageous protest, the throwback sounds of Bruno Mars, and Odell Beckham Jr. doing basically whatever he wants, the afro—once relegated to grainy YouTube footage of Dr. J—has re-awakened.

When you think about it, the afro came back right on time. It fits into today’s social, political and cultural space which is revisiting themes from the era when the afro was ubiquitous. It’s also the kind of natural look that suits well a generation known for boycotting Styrofoam and buying sustainable everything.

Or maybe you don’t care about any of that and you just want to try a new style while you still have the follicles. We asked celebrity barber John Cotton (the man behind Empire’s Jussie Smollett’s grow out) for tips on how to grow an afro, and take it from Donald Glover in Community to Donald Glover in Atlanta.

H2O'll Help You Grow

Remember those Chia Pets from the ‘80s where you could water a terracotta pig and grass would grow out of its backside? That could be you. You’ve been hearing about the importance of drinking water since you could walk, but if vanity is your only incentive, we’d like to inform you that drinking water is good for your hair. “Drinking lots of water keeps your body and hair hydrated,” says Cotton. “This lessens frizz and heightens elasticity which helps keep your hair from breaking.” You probably don’t need as much as Tom Brady, but make sure you’re getting the recommended 8 glasses a day.

Use Conditioner—Depending on How Your Hair Feels

When you touch your hair, does it feel like you’re petting a basket of kittens, or a box of Brillo pads? “One of the keys to maintaining a healthy head of hair is knowing your hair’s texture and what products best suit them,” says Cotton. “When you know these two things, you’ll be better able to form a hair regimen.” If your hair is on the dry, Brillo pad side, make friends with a leave-in conditioner. Use it after washing your hair and prior to styling to combat dryness on a regular basis. If your hair is brittle and breaking, run to a hairdresser for some deep conditioning love.

Update Your Styling Tools and Tactics

If you’ve already started growing your hair out, you probably realize some of your usual grooming tools and approaches are no longer useful. The brush you used for a smooth, clean finish now flattens your now full, puffy hair. The fine tooth comb that used to glide through your hair a few inches ago now feels like you’re racking weeds. The longer your hair grows, the more likely it is to get tangled. So, all this to simply say you need a comb or pick with wide teeth. Get one.

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Give Your Hair A Night Cap

You need to protect your hair at night. While you’re tossing and turning, dreaming of all the junk food you gave up to achieve your summer body, your hair is being terrorized by your pillow. “You have to protect your hair at night to keep in moisture and prevent snags and breakage,” says Cotton. “DuRags are great when your hair is still on the shorter side, but silk or satin scarves are best when its longer.”

Know If You Can Pull It Off

You may have Colin Kap dreams, but Childish Gambino might be a better fit for you – and that’s perfectly okay. Consult your barber and figure out what style suits your face best. Screenshot some photos to show him what you’re aiming for. Yes, even if you’re growing your hair out, you shouldn’t say goodbye to your barber. “If you don’t consistently get haircuts, you’re going to combat split ends and long term damage, and that’s no fun,” says Cotton.

To keep your natural hair healthy and strong, you should put quite a lot of effort into its maintenance. Simply applying some sort of multi-purpose hair product can’t be considered proper care. It should consist of the right approach, tools and products. That’s why we’re sharing here the best hair care tips for black hair guys.

Brushing & Combing

You’re trying to grow long natural black hair, but it seems not to move an inch. In addition, its frizziness just drives you crazy. None of the natural hair products can do anything to tame your kinky locks. If this isn’t just your hair’s worst nightmare but the stark realities of life then you must be doing something wrong. And, this something might start with brushing and combing. Remember, you shouldn’t comb or brush your hair while it’s wet because you risk damaging or even breaking it. Also, don’t use a detangling hair brush, as it only adds excessive strain. Switch your natural hair brush or comb for detangling to an oil that does the same job much better.

Ultra Smooth Detangler Comb (Cricket)

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Ingrown Hairs & Razor Bumps

One of the most common problems black guys face after shaving is razor bumps and ingrown hairs. You may mistakenly think that the easiest way to tackle this problem is to quit shaving or at least reduce its frequency. However, it is not the only way out. First, you need to opt for a razor with a single blade or trim your hair with clippers. Also, take care to hydrate your skin regularly and always shave with the grain. Finally, avoid products that contain alcohol and acids. Switch them to those rich in oils and vitamins.

Dandruff & Your Scalp

One of the telltale signs that your scalp is dry is dandruff. Apart from an unpleasant look, it also impedes achieving a hairstyle with waves. This issue can be caused by excessive washing, which removes your natural oils, or, on the contrary, by insufficient washing. To get perfect waves, keep the scalp hydrated yet do not overuse the moisturizer or grease if you do not want your pores to get clogged, which results in acne.

Choose Your Look

When you manage to grow long, healthy and strong afro hair, be sure to pick your signature hairstyle. Whether it’s going to be a curly afro, crew cut or frohawk is totally up to you. Consider though such conditions as your face shape and individual style as well as the time you’re willing to spend on the maintenance and upkeep. Meanwhile, we’ve prepared a collection of the best black men hairstyles to give you a dose of inspiration.

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Black natural hair sometimes causes quite a lot of trouble. It can be frizzy, unkempt and difficult to tame. However, if you follow our viable hair care tips, nobody will ever know about any of these issues because your hair will look flawless.

FAQs

What’s good for black men’s hair?

Black men’s hair will benefit from proper hair care. So, make sure to stock up on the products specially made for your hair type. In your kit, you should have a cowash, a shampoo for kinky hair, a strengthening hair mask, a hair relaxer and softener, a scalp treatment and a hair oil.

How often should a black man wash his hair?

Keep in mind that black hair does not require frequent washing – once or twice weekly would be more than enough. But make sure to use a high quality hair shampoo. This guarantees that your locks remain clean but not dry. Also, to keep your hair moisturized, apply a hair conditioner every day. However, you can adjust your hair washing routine depending on how tight the curls are.

How do you maintain afro?

Washing your afro hair every 7-10 days and not allowing products to build up will help keep itchiness away. We also recommend not having tight hairstyles. Keeping the scalp moisturised with a specialist scalp oil such as Soothe will make your scalp happy and healthy.

How often should men wash their afro?

How often should I wash? A rule of thumb is that afro hair should be washed every 7 – 10 days, or more often if you have an active lifestyle Every 4 - 5 days. It is important to cleanse the scalp and hair of flakes and product build up to ensure optimum health and hair growth.