Which Oils Are Best for 4A Hair?

Ladies with Type 4A have hair strands that form an “S” pattern when stretched.  This type of hair is coily or tightly curled and has lots of tight coils. Type 4A easily breaks because it has very few cuticle layers and is more prone to dryness than other Type 4 hair types.  

Type 4A hair tends to retain moisture better than it’s cousins Type 4B and Type 4C however the following oils work the best to help seal in moisture on your tresses:

• Jojoba Oil This oil is rich in vitamins and minerals that nourish hair, including vitamin C, B vitamins, vitamin E, copper, and zinc. The qualities of jojoba oil closely resemble your scalp’s natural sebum which makes it ideal for scalp messages. Because it strengthens hair, it is also thought that jojoba oil can prevent hair loss and promote hair thickness.  The best quality jojoba oil to purchase is the unrefined brand which is a golden color.
• Castor Oil This inexpensive oil has become a common staple in black hair care.  It is very thick so use it sparingly to avoid weighing your hair down. Jamaican Black Castor Oil, or “JBCO” as it is commonly known, gets its dark color and nutty scent from the ash content derived from roasted castor beans.  These beans are believed to assist in the hair growth process.  Many women claim that JBCO has helped them with hair growth, especially those stubborn edges.
• Olive Oil Everyone has some type of olive oil in their pantry.  Look for extra virgin olive oil (EVOO) as this type of olive oil has little processing or refinement done to it so it retains a lot of its nutrients. Oil olive is also good for dry scalps as it nourishes it and helps ease the itchiness when massaged into the scalp. 
• Argan Oil This oil is rich in vitamins and minerals and is considered an age-old beauty secret to help hydrate and soften hair. It’s full of antioxidants, essential fatty acids, and vitamin E which naturally help to increase the hair’s elasticity. If you want to make your hair softer and more manageable, this is a great choice in oils.

Keep in mind that these oils act as sealants, not moisturizers.  In other words, the oils help to seal in moisture that you add to your hair in the form of water or water-based products such as a leave-in conditioner. This means your moisturizing routine should be either the LOC (liquid, oil & cream), or LCO (liquid, cream & oil), whichever method works best on your hair.