What type of deep conditioner/leave-in is good for african american hair?

Question

My daughter is 3 1/2 and is bi-racial. I am Italian and her Dad is Jamaican and her hair has his texture completely. It has no softness to it. I have tried several (when I say several I mean LOTS) different products to stop breakage and will not dry her hair out. I want something with no alcohol and no mineral oil/pretroleum. She already has breakage around her hairline and I need to know what to do to fix it/stop it.

Thanks!

Answer 1

I think you should join naturally curly and ask them for definitive answers. In the meantime here are my thoughts.... biracialhair.org is also good.

Hairline breakage - How is she wearing her hair? Pulling the hair into tight ponytails can cause breakage at the hairline. Also look at combing technique - comb from the bottom of the hair to the roots only when her hair is wet. Use a wide tooth comb to do so - the jilbere shower comb comes highly recommended from my source websites as do denman brushes. You could get a microfiber towel or use an old t-shirt to dry her hair when washed as normal towels can cause friction on the hair and result in breakage.

more breakage info - http://www.longhaircareforum.com/forums/...

It sounds like she needs moisture moisture moisture on her hair - do you already use a moisturising shampoo and conditioner on her hair? I see you know about mineral oils and alcohol being damaging so assume you might use moist poos and conditioners already.

She may benefit from conditioner washing. Conditioner naturally has cleansers in it but if you substitute shampoo for conditioner - use conditioner as you would shampoo, rub scalp, rinse conditioner out by letting water run over hair but leave some behind on the hair then let it dry. Try sealing moisture into her hair with jojoba oil after washing and conditioning and after moisturising.

Also try massaging her scalp with a natural oil like jojoba esp where the edges/hairline has gone. Do it weekly and see how her hair responds. This issue is going to take time and patience.

As to products - these are some that the hair forum ladies use

kids organic shea butter moisturizing lotion - moisturiser

sheamoisture leave in conditioner -  leave in

keracare humecto - conditioner

Organic Root Stimulator replenishing pack or hair mayonaisse- deep conditioner available at beauty supply/hair shops for black people or sallys.

joico k pac

oyin handmade honey hemp conditioner - conditioner that many prefer as a leave in.

oyin handmade - whipped pudding - hair moisturiser -

shea butter is good but if her hair is not v kinky then it might be too heavy

Aubrey organics honeysuckle rose conditioner - deep conditioner with rave reviews on hair forums

kinky curly knot today - leave in

Kenra MC - deep conditioner

generally a deep conditioner is one that can be left on for 10 or more mins. You can add a touch of olive oil or castor oil to the conditioner to make it more moisturising.

Aubreys and oyin are organic natural prods but some find these expensive. Organic root stimulator is reasonably priced though and easy to get your hands on whereas oyin is online. I believe Whole Foods does Aubrey's organics.

please check out longhaircareforum as they are the best at giving advice. Sadly there's a small fee to join to ask direct questions or you could lurk around there and use their search function to pick up tips.

Answer 2

This might sound DISGUSTING, but

try putting 1/2 cup of mayo in it. Wrap a towel around your hair or put a shower cap over her head, and leave in for 10-20 minutes. Wash it out. To get the smell out, you can apply apple cider vinegar to it.

This is what I always put in my hair for a deep conditioner, and it leaves my hair softttt. Trust me. I have african american hair too.