How to Maintain Black Hair Colour

Black Coloured Afro Hair.

There is a big misconception around naturally black hair (curly, Afro-Caribbean, Asian and Caucasian) that heavy greases and cheap hair oils that are excessively applied and not shampooed out is the best way to treat this hair group. However the professional hair care industry has finally cottoned on to the fact that this is the worst possible way to look after your hair. In our experience this hair group needs the greatest knowledge and understanding by the client and stylist to enable them to get the very best out of their hair. It is a well documented fact that this area of the hair care industry turns over in excess $20 billion a year. Based on this information and our 45 years in the hair care industry, we are confident our advice and recommendations will equip you with the knowledge you need for your personal hair regime.

Salon professional shampoos gently cleanse the scalp and add moisture making them the best foundation for black hair. You should always shampoo your hair twice massaging the shampoo in but without knotting the hair (brush your hair through thoroughly before you shampoo to prepare your hair and detangle it), key ingredients when choosing your shampoo are vitamin B6, ceramides, proteins and amino acids, these will help prepare your hair ready to take on board conditioners.

Generally conditioners smooth out each individual hair shaft and fill in any damaged areas, the aim being to detangle, repair and moisturise the hair leaving it glossy, shiny and manageable. Shampoos and conditioners work on the hair surface and cuticle of the hair. The most up to date technology, points to conditioners rich in; keratin oil, argan oil, royal jelly, shea butter, aloe vera, proteins and minerals which are all natural ingredients (it is always worth checking the listed ingredients to see what percentage of these essential nutrients are contained in shampoos and conditioners).

Weekly hair treatments, like hair masks or leave in oils and sprays, are products that are designed to enter the cortex of the hair. The cortex makes up 90% of your hair fibre, if this becomes damaged (due to over styling), chemical procedures like chemical relaxers, perms and straightening the hair makes it becomes very fragile and weak. It is prone to breakage and split ends and will lack lustre and shine. Professional hair conditioning masks are designed to restore the hair making it stronger, add shine and improve manageability; they will also rebuild the hairs elasticity. Argan oil enriched hair masks are now number 1 selling treatment in the UK, our experience with products containing argan oil and keratin oil have quite literally transformed thousands of our client’s hair especially on black hair types. Additional research proves that beeswax, nettle and yucca extract, hyaluronic acid are designed to help strengthen and repair the hair cortex.

To get the best out of hair masks and treatments it is imperative that these are applied on thoroughly cleansed hair. Your chosen treatment should be evenly distributed through the mid-lengths and ends of your hair first, then gently massage any residue left on your hands into your scalp. Hair masks work most effectively when left on for 3-10 minutes, this will penetrate the cortex of the hair; you can then confidently, thoroughly rinse your hair. We would now recommend a leave in hair treatment oil or conditioner to complete your hair regime.