How to Wash 4C Hair: A Detailed Guide to Cleaning & Caring for Those Fragile Curls

Learning how to care for your 4c hair can be challenging, as those delicate curls require a lot of time and effort. However, with this detailed guide on how to wash 4c hair, you'll have one less thing to worry about.

Unlike other hair types, 4c hair tends to be quite brittle and prone to breakage, which makes properly taking care of your curls especially important if you have 4c hair. That includes knowing how to wash your hair, how often you should wash it, and which products to use.

Continue reading to learn more about how to thoroughly wash your 4c hair and how and frequently you should.

How to Wash 4C Hair in 3 Steps

There are three basic steps to washing 4c hair: pre-pooing, shampooing in sections, and rinsing thoroughly. Find out more about each step below.

1. Pre-Pooing

Due to the texture of 4c hair, pre-pooing—short for "pre-shampooing," which involves saturating the hair with a moisturizing product before shampooing—is advised to ensure your curls are extra moisturized. You can do this the day before with pre-poo products or a couple of hours before washing your hair with hair-friendly oils. Pre-pooing is especially important for retaining moisture, as most shampoos tend to strip your hair.

A woman washing her hair. | Source: Getty Images

2. Shampooing Hair in Sections

Once your hair is nice and saturated, you're ready to wash it with shampoo. But first, to ensure the shampoo gets into all the nooks and crannies of your head, separate your hair into small, manageable sections and work the shampoo through each strand of hair in each section. This way, you're guaranteed to cover as much of your hair and scalp as possible.

With the pads of your fingers — and not your nails to avoid scratching and irritating your scalp — gently work the shampoo into your scalp and tresses. If you feel your hair needs a deep clean, repeat the process of shampooing.

A woman shampooing her hair in sections as she washes her 4c hair. | Source: Jenn Jackson YouTube/

3. Rinsing Thoroughly

Once you've shampooed your hair thoroughly, rinse twice or thrice until your scalp feels clean. Rinse off all the soap by section, after which you can twist or braid the rinsed section and move on to the next. At the end of the washing process, you should have multiple sections of braided hair on your head, ready for deep conditioning.

Best Products to Use to Care For 4C Hair

Thanks to information from hair experts, here are three recommended 4c hair-friendly products to help care for your curls. These are:

1. Camille Rose Naturals Sweet Ginger Cleansing Rinse

For a gentle and hydrating shampoo to help keep the healthy definition of your curls, use the Camille Rose Naturals Sweet Ginger Cleansing Rinse. Not only does it smell good, but its blend of ginger and essential oils also has a deep-conditioning effect on the curls.

2. SheaMoisture Jamaican Black Castor Oil Leave-In Conditioner

The SheaMoisture Jamaican Black Castor Oil Leave-In Conditioner is another must-have product for hair wash day, as it detangles the hair, prevents frizz, and repairs broken strands.

3. Cantu Shea Butter Grow Strong Strengthening Treatment

To promote the growth of your 4c curls, try the Cantu Shea Butter Grow Strong Strengthening Treatment. It is a nutrient-packed product you can apply daily to ensure your hair is always moisturized and protected from heat.

How Often Should You Wash 4C Hair?

Because 4c hair can often be dry and brittle, it is advised not to wash it too frequently if you fall on the curlier end of the hair texture chart. A good rule of thumb is to wash your hair twice a month.

However, the frequency at which you wash your hair is also determined by how much product you use and your physical activity, which leads to sweating. If you find you're an active person or someone who enjoys lathering products onto your curls, then bump up how often you clean your hair to three times a month.

For those who like experimenting with hair, here are the advises on How to Comb out Locs without Cutting.