What you can expect from afro hairdressing?
What style and treatment you'll get is up to you. The hair salon will take care of the rest. Are you in need of some tips to tame your hair? Then don't hesitate to ask your afro hairdresser for personal advice. He or she knows exactly what your afro hair needs to keep it under control and to have it looking super shiny! Just to give you an idea of what treatments are out there for afro hair, here's a list:
Relax your hair
Ready to relax? It’ll all start with a strand test to test the strength of your hair which will decide which type of relaxer is best for you. Your stylist will then begin to divide your hair, before applying a few coats of relaxer formula to each section. A good old rinse, shampoo and some all-important deep conditioning later, and you’ll be sat under a hair dryer for around an hour – prime magazine and gossip time. The process will finish with your barnet being blow-dried straight for super-smooth results.
Dreadlocks
Nothing gives you more of an insta-edgy look more than dreadlocks. Not only is it edgy and classy, but the wonderful thing about dreadlocks is that it's also easy to maintain and your hair is naturally protected if it's together. Have your afro hairdresser twist and twirl your locks and think of all the time that you'll be saving every morning not having to comb or style your hair. Bye, bye, bad hair days! When you get undreaded regrowth, be sure to book a touch-up treatment.
Braids
Getting braids is a beautiful way to keep your hair under control. There are many braiding techniques out there, so surely there's a fitting style for you. Try cornrows, crochet braids or box braids. Getting braids is a true test of patience, because a treatment usually lasts multiple hours, so be prepared for this. Fortunately, the end result is always worth it!
Afro hairdressing for men
Did you know that there are hair salons out there that specialise in cutting and styling afro hair for men too? Special cutting techniques and expert knowledge of the afro hair structure make all the difference! Don't hesitate to ask your hairdresser for an (afro) fade or buzz cut, because your hair is in the right hands.
Good to know
- Keep your hair in tip-top condition before and after your appointment by saying no to shampoos loaded with sulfates. These remove the hair’s natural oils, creating for a desperately dry situation.
- It’s also important to step away from the hairdryer, as regular heat frazzles the hair into a frenzy, leading to some seriously sorry snapping.
- How often you repeat a relaxing treatment depends on the length of your hair – shorter styles may need one every eight weeks, whereas longer lengths can probably get away with a smooth move every 3-4 months.
The sciencey stuff
Here are the hair-raising facts: while the composition of afro hair is identical to its Caucasian and Asians compadres, it differs in elasticity, making the hair more prone to breakage. That, combined with curly hair having less moisture as its shape stops oils travelling all the way down the hair shaft, can lead to dreaded damage. And there you have the importance of professionals understanding the art of afro hair.
