Afro hair is not like all the other hair types out there. No, afro hair is a very unique and special type of hair. That’s a fact, a scientifically based fact, not something we just came up with. The texture, form, and growth pattern of afro hair makes it stand out by how different it is from others.

Although this set of different qualities allows unique styling in so many ways, it also carries a set of problems. The most common afro hair problems come from the very same characteristics that make it unique. 

Also, many hairstyles that are a staple of black culture only make matters worse and lead to hair breakage. There are many challenges for people with afro hair, but by being conscious of the reasons behind the most common afro hair problems, you can prevent them.

What Are the Most Common Afro Hair Problems?

The following is a list of the most common afro hair problems people of African descent will run into many times in their life.

Breakage

Afro hair’s curly structure makes it more difficult for the sebum oil of the hair follicles to reach it properly. The sebum is necessary to maintain the health of your hair, and not having it is not good. 

The lack of sebum leads to your hair getting very dry often, which leaves it vulnerable to breakage. This is why afro hair must be continuously moisturised if you are looking to make it grow. Go for deep conditioners for your hair type, and leave it an extra ten minutes than advised.

Split Ends

Split ends in afro hair are a bit vindictive, you see. If your hair breaks, the part where it broke off will split. This splitting actually can start to split the whole strand from end to root, which does look pretty messy. 

Worse, if you manage to grow some hair from the split end, it will break off even easier than normal. To solve this, simply cut them. And every time you detect split ends, take it as a time for trimming.

Tangles and Knots

Now, when you do manage to grow afro hair some, you are gonna run into another problem: tangles. Letting curly hair run wild requires that you keep a good track of the locks. Curly locks like to commingle among themselves to a fault.

They get tangled together and can form complex knots, which are sometimes better cut than untangled. Luckily, there are many afro hair hairstyles that leave each lock into place. Consult your hairstylist about which style favours you the most.

Traction Alopecia

It is a hair loss condition in which the hair falls due to very tight hairstyles that continuously put tension on the hair by pulling it. It just so happens that many common afro hair hairstyles actually do. Dreadlocks, braids, cornrows are just some of them. 

Over time, continuously wearing these hairstyles will damage the hair follicle from which the hair grows. When that happens, the hair will never grow back again from that particular follicle.

Also, traction alopecia happens when using hair-relaxing products for long periods of time. So you might want to leave out chemical hair straighteners, hair ironing, and blow-dryer, or at least use them less often.

We Deal with the Most Common Afro Hair Problems

Our expert hair doctors are no strangers to afro hair and its problems. Having a large pool of African patients of both sexes has enabled us to know their hair’s specific features and requirements intimately. When dealing with afro hair, our doctors know exactly what it needs. Contact us if you want someone that can understand your problem and help you out.