This board exists primarily for the use of Black Mumsnetters. Others are welcome to post but please be respectful.
This board exists primarily for the use of Black Mumsnetters. Others are welcome to post but please be respectful.
Black Mumsnetters
Drying Afro hair
familyissues12345 · 12/04/2022 22:46
Hi
I hope you don't mind me posting here, my son is mixed race (British/African) and I'm white.
He has recently been training his hair to be more like curly ringlets, which looks gorgeous, however he finds drying it really hard! If he towel dries it, it loses the curl. If he does nothing, he's dripping water for ages!
The only thing he's found that helps, is to use a T-shirt to dry his hair; but I wondered if anyone has any pearls of wisdom they would mind sharing with me please? Are there towels specifically for Afro hair? I've googled and found nothing.
Many thanks 
Lacedwithgrace · 12/04/2022 23:55
A microfibre towel might work better than a t shirt, he can gently squeeze the water out from root to end or 'scrunch' the wet hair. If you find out his hair type (His might be 3A if it's in ringlets) you'll find methods that help him better. Look up the 'plop' method too
familyissues12345 · 13/04/2022 09:05
Thank you @Lacedwithgrace ! I didn't realise there was different hair types, so I'm off to research those.
Hadn't thought of a microfibre towel, so that's a great idea, thank you!
familyissues12345 · 13/04/2022 09:12
This is his hair, not the best pic!
So particularly around the edges he has lovely tight spring like curls, he's working to get his whole hair like that
TokenGinger · 13/04/2022 10:34
His coils are similar to my son's. My son's look a little looser here as it's still partially wet, but I just apply a leave in conditioner, and dry on a low heat, low speed with a hairdryer. The heat helps seal in the moisture.
TokenGinger · 13/04/2022 11:17
My signal is pants and won't upload the photo. I'll upload it once I have better signal.
debbrianna · 13/04/2022 13:45
Use curl defining conditioner. Or buy a leave in conditioner with curl defining qualities. It's done on damp hair.To towel dry just by dab the hair if necessary then use the spray or leave in conditioner. You should still get the same effect.
Lacedwithgrace · 13/04/2022 17:15
@familyissues12345
So particularly around the edges he has lovely tight spring like curls, he's working to get his whole hair like that
His hair is lovely! I'd say it's 3C, tight narrow coils. naturalgirlwigs.com/blogs/beauty/how-to-style-and-care-for-your-3c-hair this should help
familyissues12345 · 13/04/2022 18:28
Thank you Laced. I know I'm biased, but he's absolutely gorgeous!
Thank you all! Lots to look into
TokenGinger · 13/04/2022 23:17
I think my signal is strong enough now. One photo shows his hair 80% dry after drying on low heat, low speed. The other is totally dry.
We use a deep conditioner as a leave in, then dry so the heat helps the moisture penetrate the shaft.
RedWingBoots · 14/04/2022 18:09
he's working to get his whole hair like that
His curls are likely to be different on different parts of his head. It is completely normal.
bhooks · 16/04/2022 09:17
Have a read of the curly girl method (although it's latest iterations are a bit 🙄)
Minimise use of shampoo, maximise use of conditioner without silicone.
Leave in some conditioner
Don't wash too often - once a week is fine. Top up with water and conditioner in between if needed.
Drying with a t-shirt is actually great cotton is better than towelling or microfibre - yes, it's not as "effective" but that's why it's better. If the item dries the hair very quickly it means it's stripped the hair of moisture that needs time to be absorbed. That is a downside to slow drying hair but using things that make dry it quickly will exacerbate issues and destroy curls. We love the hygge headbands in my house for post-shower.
Cantu products are great. Or Eco gel (or even water based lube) for maintaining curls.
I am exactly the same mix as your son and it took me until well into adulthood to find out what works, especially as works for Black hair doesn't always work for Black mixed race hair. Mixed race hair differs a heck of a lot from individual to individual as well, which is not reflected as well in information or products as it is for White hair or even Black hair. But there is a lot more information out there now than when I was a kid (or even young adult). So it will take a bit of trial and error.
bhooks · 16/04/2022 09:18
P.S. if drying with a hair dryer, low, slow heat and a diffuser may work best.
JourneyToThePlacentaOfTheEarth · 16/04/2022 10:14
What gorgeous hair. 😍 I'm African and my husband is Italian. Our daughter is 11 and I'm still learning about her hair. Which obviously is very different to mine. At a recent hairdresser appointment they twisted/ curled each ringlet round her finger whilst wet after detangling with conditioner. Then they dried it a bit with a diffuser.
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