When it comes to caring for natural hair, there is so much information to available right at your fingertips. You’ll find that some things are true while others are not, which can affect your hair growth. That said, here’s a breakdown of some 4c natural hair myths, and what has worked for me so far throughout my natural hair journey.
Wash N’ Go works well on 4c natural hair
A wash n’ go is probably one of the most searched natural hairstyles on the web. The majority of tutorials show naturals with loose type three or 4 a/b curl patterns demonstrating this method.
Curls are usually saturated with water after a wash routine, products are then applied to tresses in small sections using the shingle or scrunching method. Hair is left alone to dry on its own or dried using a blow drier with a diffuser attachment. Curls then become well defined and the style can last for days. It works well on other textures, but this process simply does not work well on 4c hair.
In theory, I can follow this technique on my kinky tresses. But the results will not be same. In fact, the results can be damaging to my 4c natural hair. Why? For starters, tight coils produce a lot of friction which can lead to single strand knots. Secondly, theses tangles can lead to breakage and stunt hair growth. However, 4c Naturals may be able to get away with a wash and go when sporting a TWA. But as your hair grows, it becomes harder to manage.
Hair typing is not important
This couldn’t be further from the truth. When it comes to finding products that work for your hair, it’s best to get recommendations from other naturals with a similar texture. Honestly, I didn’t know anything about my hair when I began my natural hair journey in 2012.
So, I took to YouTube and natural hair websites for tips on caring for my newly natural mane. At the time, there weren’t a lot of 4c naturals online. I followed type 3 hair tutorials from twist outs to wash ‘n goes, and soon realized that the techniques and products they used did not work for my hair. I then stumbled across a YouTuber with 4a hair and noticed some similarities. But, there were still some differences regarding how my reacts to certain styles.
Eventually through trial and error, I found products and tools that worked better with my curl pattern. Side note: no two naturals are alike. My 4c curls may be slightly different from another person with the same hair type. It’s important to take into account hair density, porosity, length and thickness.
You shouldn’t style your hair everyday
Some claim that if you style your hair everyday, it will lead to breakage. “Leave your hair alone,” some naturals advise. But, I think it depends on how you style your hair. Self-proclaimed lazy naturals shampoo, condition and moisturize on wash day and won’t restyle or moisturize for the rest of the week. They may sleep with a bonnet and pineapple their curls overnight. Then wake up the next morning, fluff their hair and go.
If I were to try that on my 4c hair, I’d be asking for a matted tangled mess the next morning. While I do avoid using styling tools throughout the week, I do think it’s ok re-braid or re-twist each night to achieve freshly defined curls the following morning.
Moisturizing your hair everyday is bad
The amount of times needed to moisturize your curls depends on your hair type and the environment. Fine textured hair with a loose curl pattern may feel weighed down if products are applied daily.
That’s not necessarily the case for 4c hair. Also, you must take into account porosity, thickness and the environment. Most people with 4c hair can tend to handle heavier oils and butters. You can moisturize and seal your hair one day, and the next day you may need to repeat the process.
Also, keep in mind that there is a lot less moisture during winter months. Although humidity dominates during summer months, the sun might also dry out my hair. So you may find that you will need to moisturize your hair everyday depending on weather conditions.
If I plan to wear a braid out or twist out for the week, I normally have to re-wet and seal in my curls for a fresh look the next day. However, if my hair is in a protective style, I may not have to do that daily. Curls need moisture in order to grow. It’s okay to do so, but don’t overdo it.
Protective styles will make your hair grow
This is true to a certain extent, but it can also make your hair fall out. For example wearing braided twists or braided extensions can ultimately lead to breakage because of the weight of the hair.
If you do decide to wear braids, it’s important that it’s not tightly braided. Also, these styles shouldn’t be worn for long periods of time. Additionally, if you have fine hair and thin edges, braids may not be the best option for you.
If you decide to wear wigs as a form of protective style, be careful. The lining of the wig and fabric of the wig cap can cause friction which can lead to hair loss and single strand knots. I recommend wearing a satin cap underneath the wig cap to reduce tension.
What are some 4c natural hair myths you’ve learned? Also, please subscribe to WeatherAnchorMama on YouTube.