Struggles of 4C
For the longest time since I was a child I was obsessive with beautiful long hair, and well I never saw my hair in that category. It was always nappy, brittle, and short due to my mom relaxing my hair for a long time. I really wanted my hair to be curly like 3b or 3c but no matter what I did, I always came back to square one.
Now that type of thinking was a few years ago. I learned to accept my hair for what it is and tried styling it. The only problems is , I barely see styles of my hair type. It’s always girl who has the biggest Afro or the longest 4c hair while my hair is barely past my shoulders. I shaved my head about a year ago thinking that if I start all over from the root then things can change. But nope. Still brittle, still breaking combs, and still short. I’m at a lost here for what to do next because honestly I don’t even know anymore#4cnaturalhair
Wow, reading your journey resonated so deeply with me! It’s like you’re describing my own battle with my incredibly short, dark, coily 4C hair. That feeling of looking in the mirror and just seeing endless 'struggles' rather than beauty, I know it all too well. For so long, I felt that same frustration, wondering why my hair wouldn't just behave like those perfect 3b or 3c curls I saw everywhere. It’s disheartening when you put in so much effort, even something as drastic as a big chop, only to feel like you’re still at square one with brittle, unmanageable strands. My own journey has been a rollercoaster, filled with moments of "frustrated expression" when trying to manage my coils. I’ve come to realize that achieving truly healthy 4C hair isn't just about finding the right product; it's about understanding its unique needs. One of the biggest challenges of styling and maintaining 4C hair, as you pointed out, is its extreme dryness. Our tight coils make it tough for natural oils to travel from the scalp down the hair shaft, leading to that brittle feeling and constant breakage. I used to think my hair just wasn't growing, but often, it was just breaking off as fast as it grew! I've started focusing heavily on moisture. I mean, heavy moisture! Weekly deep conditioning treatments are non-negotiable now, and I’ve embraced the LOC or LCO method (Liquid, Oil, Cream or Liquid, Cream, Oil) to seal in hydration. It feels like a lot of steps, but it’s made a noticeable difference in reducing that 'breaking combs' nightmare. Finger detangling in the shower with conditioner has also been a game-changer for my very short, dark, coily hair, drastically cutting down on breakage compared to using a brush on dry hair. Another thing I've learned is to be incredibly gentle. Our hair is delicate! Aggressive styling, too much manipulation, or even just sleeping without a satin bonnet can set us back. I’m slowly trying to incorporate more protective styles that don't pull too tightly, giving my hair a break to thrive. It’s not about having the biggest afro or the longest coils overnight, but about consistent, loving care. And honestly, the 'acceptance in their 4C hair journey' part from some of the images really hit home. It’s hard to love something you’re constantly battling. But by learning more about my hair—not just 4C hair in general, but *my specific strands*—I’m slowly finding peace. It’s still a journey, and I still have days where I feel a "tired expression" looking at my hair, but now I feel more equipped with knowledge. If you're also struggling with 4C hair, remember you're not alone. We're all learning how to nurture our beautiful, unique coils on the path to making them healthy and strong.
4. If you find that blowing out your hair makes it more manageable doing so with the right treatment should help 5. Invest in thick moisture rich products and refresh with moisturizers and oil during the week 6. Do not sleep on deep conditioning (life changing)