Hair care may vary from texture to texture but there are some basic facts that remain true. Here is more invaluable hair advice from Andre Walker and his book Andre Talks Hair!

First of all when shampooing hair never pile your hair on top of your head like you see in the commercials. Use a dime-sized amount of shampoo and gently stroke it through your hair and scalp. Rinse thoroughly. You don’t need to repeat. Every six weeks wash your hair with a good clarifying shampoo. This will remove any residue of styling products and help your shampoo perform optimally.

If you have forgotten your hair type or need to figure it out check out the “What’s Your Hair Type?” article.

Type 1A (fine, limp hair that is rarely dry unless it is coarse or color treated)

Shampoo daily to give hair volume. Use a gentle shampoo specified for oily hair or daily use or clarifying shampoo.

Don’t use a conditioning shampoo it will weigh it down. Use a moisturizing conditioner once a month. Will benefit from a finishing rinse.

Type 1 hair that is baby soft looks best cut in a shoulder length bob. Avoid layers it makes thin hair look thinner. The only exception is a very short “boy cut” in layers like Mia Farrow in Rosemary’s Baby.

Type 1B & Type 1C- (a more medium to coarse version than type A)

Shampoo every day or every other day with a gentle shampoo.

Condition with a good moisturizing shampoo for chemically treated hair if your hair is coarse or color treated. Would also benefit from a finishing rinse.

Cut types 1B and 1C into soft layers for versatility.

Type 2-(Normal type hair neither oily or dry)

Shampoo daily or every other day with shampoo formulated for normal hair.

Condition once a week with a moisturizing conditioner. Would benefit from a finishing rinse.

Wavy type 2 looks good in variety of shapes and cuts. Layers do bring out movement and texture in wavy hair. Layers will never add curl. Long, blunt cuts are best on coarse type 2 hair.

Type 3-(Curly, loopy hair)

Keep curly type 3 hair moist because when it’s dry it tends to break. If worn natural wash every three days with a moisturizing shampoo and rinse daily to keep moist. If you like to blow it dry you may want to shampoo more often.

Like type 4 keep hair moist and deep condition twice a month. Use heat to help penetrate by using a conditioning cap and hood dryer or wrap a hot, moist towel around your head. Your deep conditioning sessions should last at least twenty minutes.

With all the bends, twists and curls inherent to type 3 hair cutting your hair can be tricky. To be on the safe side get an expert to do it.

Type 4-(Kinky hair that is normally dry)

Shampoo at least once a week. More if you have an active lifestyle. Since hair is made of protein use a protein based shampoo with natural ingredients like shea butter, glycerin or carotene. Also look for products for dry or chemically treated hair. Short, natural hair can be shampooed daily long, natural hair not so frequently. Wash braids and dreadlocks normally but do give the scalp extra attention.

Type 4 hair needs the most attention. Deep condition twice a month if relaxed or color treated and use a restructuring conditioner that strengthens hair. Do not use hot oil treatments as deep conditioners.

Cutting relaxed type 4 hair is the same as cutting type 1 hair. Once the texture is relaxed you can cut it into any shape. Natural type 4’s can easily get a trim especially if you have the TWA (teeny weeny afro). Type 4A’s benefit from cutting into layers to help the coils of the hair release. To help it get past the TWA stage braid it while wet or or blow out with a blow dryer.

(Andre Talks Hair! also has great pictures, stories and more tips to assist you in growing your hair out after a haircut and color.)

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