The Natural Way: The Modern Afro Hairstyle

Who would have ever thought that the “big hair” Afro we saw in the 60s and 70s would still be a popular hairstyle – without the bigness of course. Many women wear a short form of the Afro today because it is the natural way to wear your hair without causing damage by getting it relaxed or straightened. Growing a modern Afro will take some time, but not as much if you were to grow it out big. Nevertheless, it is one of the natural ways to keep your hair from getting harmed by chemicals, and many women with shorter Afros like the simplicity and natural feel of it. If you have straight hair, there is a special way to get an Afro but it is not temporary (unless you have your hair permed). Many times the height for a modern Afro can depend on the texture of your hair, but anywhere from 5 to 6 inches from your head is pretty normal.

When growing and Afro you will need to start after you trim your hair, so that you can get the size and shape you want. It is important that you moisturize your scalp regularly while you are growing out an Afro, because this will keep the hairs from splitting or breaking. Another thing you need to do on a regular basis is to comb your hair with a toothed comb or pick during the growth process. The typical amount of time it takes for an average Afro to grow is anywhere from 5 to 6 months, but this depends on the type of hair you have (there are some supplements you can take today that grows hair faster). To maintain and take care of the Afro, you need to continue to moisturize and comb out, which this will give you healthy and natural hair.

Growing an Afro is one, but shaping it is another and for some people it can be difficult to get that round shape. First, wash your hair on a weekly basis, and then towel dry and braid upward while the hair is still damp. One thing you can do to help your hair get the Afro shape is to braid your hair using individual braids (or even cornrows), which this will bring more texture to your hair. Remove the braids when hair is dry, and then use a pick or your hands to comb through it, which this depends on the style you want. If you want a chunky modern Afro, use your hands to lift the hair and then pat it into shape (a retro Afro will require a pick).