Natural hair has unique characteristics that you should know about in order to take good care of your hair.  People of African descent usually have curved hair follicles that produce very tightly curled hair, which can keep sebum (a natural moisturizer produced by your skin) from saturating all the way down the hair shaft. This can result in dry, fragile hair that is prone to frizz and breakage. Natural hair is prone to knotting when combed. Knotting also contributes to breakage, so some professionals recommend avoiding combing altogether for this reason. Never comb natural hair when it's dry. Natural hair often has a slower growth rate than other hair types. In addition, the highly curved hair shaft means that hair shrinks up as it dries; those with very kinky or curly hair may see up to 75% shrinkage! Natural hair comes in many varieties. While many care basics remain the same regardless of hair type, understanding your hair type may help you pinpoint what care and styling routines will produce the results you want.  According to a very widely-used hair typing system by celebrity stylist Andre Walker, there are 4 basic types of hair: straight (1), wavy (2), curly (3), and kinky (4). Within these categories there are multiple subcategories, depending on your hair’s characteristics. For example, Type 4 hair is generally split into three subcategories: 4A (spiral curls), 4B (kinky curls), and 4C (coiled curls).  Many haircare websites and products refer to hair types using codes based on Walker’s system, such as “3A” or “4B”. The numbers refer to the hair type, while the letters refer to the hair texture. Natural hair tends to be type 3 (curly) or type 4 (kinky). Understanding your hair type can help you understand your hair’s care and styling needs.  Type 3 hair (curly) has springy, defined curls with a lot of volume and body. The curls are often shaped like coils, loops, or corkscrews. It can be fragile or fine, and needs moisturizing conditioners and treatments. Type 4 hair (kinky) has very tight curls with a lot of volume. The hair is heavily textured, usually wiry, and may have multiple curl patterns instead of a single dominant one. These patterns will often form a “Z” or crimped look. It it is the most fragile hair type because it has fewer cuticle layers than other hair types. Heavy-duty moisturizers and conditioners will help keep type 4 hair healthy.

Summary: Understand the characteristics of natural hair. Know your hair type. Identify your hair’s needs.


You’ll usually find this app on the home screen. It’s at the top of the screen. A list of apps currently syncing to your iCloud will appear.  Apps that are synced display the {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/1\/15\/Iphoneswitchonicon1.png","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/1\/15\/Iphoneswitchonicon1.png\/46px-Iphoneswitchonicon1.png","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":300,"bigWidth":"46","bigHeight":"30","licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>I edited this screenshot of an iPhone\n<\/p><p>License: <a rel=\"nofollow\" class=\"external text\" href=\"http:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a><br>\n<\/p><\/div>"} On switch. Apps not synced display the {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/2\/25\/Iphoneswitchofficon.png","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/2\/25\/Iphoneswitchofficon.png\/47px-Iphoneswitchofficon.png","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":294,"bigWidth":"47","bigHeight":"30","licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>I edited this screenshot of an iPhone icon\n<\/p><p>License: <a rel=\"nofollow\" class=\"external text\" href=\"http:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a><br>\n<\/p><\/div>"} Off switch. A confirmation message will appear, asking what you want to do with the existing data. Tap Keep on My iPhone to keep the data, or Delete from My iPhone to get rid of it.

Summary: Open your iPhone or iPad’s Settings . Tap Apple ID. Tap iCloud. Slide the switch for an app you don’t want to sync to the Off  position. Select an option.


Some people preparing for a chemical peel will not need to take antiviral medication. However, if you have a history of herpes infections on or around your mouth, your doctor may prescribe an antiviral medication for you to take before and after the treatment.  Acyclovir (Zovirax) is a common antiviral medication used to prevent cold sore/herpes outbreaks prior to a chemical peel. Acyclovir is typically taken for between two days and one week before the treatment and up to two weeks after the treatment. This medication is commonly dosed at 200 mg five times each day.  Valacyclovir is another common antiviral medication. It is typically dosed at one gram three times daily. Valacyclovir should be taken for at least two days before the treatment and for 10 to 14 days after the treatment. Depending on the depth of chemical peel you will be undergoing, your doctor may recommend that you use a moisturizing and healing lotion on your skin before the treatment.  Glycolic acid lotion is typically recommended for light chemical peels. This lotion is used for two weeks before the treatment to help ensure that your skin peels uniformly and heals more easily.  A retinoid cream like tretinoin or Retin-A is used for light or medium chemical peels to help shorten the duration of your treatment and speed up the healing process. Retinoid use is typically discontinued three days before the treatment. Depending on your skin complexion, your doctor may recommend the use of a bleaching agent like hydroquinone, especially in conjunction with a retinoid cream like tretinoin. Using a bleaching agent before treatment can help prevent your skin from darkening during the treatment.  Hydroquinone (skin bleaching) is most commonly recommended for people with darker skin complexions to prepare for a chemical peel.  You will most likely be instructed to discontinue the use of bleaching products for at least one week before the treatment. Depending on what medications your are currently taking, your doctor may recommend that you discontinue some of those medications before undergoing your chemical peel. The most common medications that must be discontinued before treatment are photosensitizing drugs, which increase your sensitivity to sunlight and may cause inflammation after exposure to sunlight. Common photosensitizing drugs include:  antihistamines  coal tar and coal tar derivatives  certain contraceptives (birth control pills and female sex hormones)  non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs  phenothiazines (tranquilizers)  psoralens  sulfonamides (antimicrobials)  sulfonylureas (oral diabetes medications)  thiazide diuretics (water pills)  tetracyclines (antibiotics)  tricyclic antidepressants
Summary: Take antiviral medication as needed. Apply prescribed lotions. Use a bleaching agent. Learn about medication interactions.