u/According_Focus7538

Hey everyone, I’m a nurse working on a ward with some of the most critically ill patients—stroke survivors, brain trauma, broken bones, etc. While providing personal care, I’ve noticed a real gap in how Black hair is being treated—so many patients are leaving with matted, tangled hair that, in some cases, needs big chops. I really want to make sure I’m doing right by them as I personally don’t have any experience in black hair but I’m so angry I’ve told the other staff on the ward not to touch anyones hair that’s black because I want my patients to be able to walk out ready to heal not worried about their hair and now to fix it so I have a few questions:

1. How often should Black hair be washed for health, not just styling? so if someone comes in and we need to take the hair out of braids for surgery etc how often should I wash it I’ve read every 2/3 weeks?
2. What products do you all recommend to protect and nourish the hair—especially for hospital settings? I don’t want to use jel or mouse just something to use on the hair/scalp to keep it from drying out
3. Is a 3 to 4-braid style okay for protective styling, or do you prefer something else?
4. For wigs, what’s the best way to safely remove them—do you need a special product? And if a protective style is underneath i leave the hair as it is but when should I be taking it out, washing it and restyling
5. If someone’s in a protective style, should it be redone regularly, or is it okay to leave it? and if so how long for or what should I be doing
6. Any product suggestions—my focus is on care, not glam!
7. And finally, do you all prefer a satin hat or a satin pillowcase for overnight protection?
8. locs (any advice would be appreciate)
9. also your skin becomes very dry after showers so I’ve been using E45 nourishing cream particularly on the arms and legs, But if anyone’s got a better suggestion, please let me know

I really appreciate any advice—just trying to protect these patients’ hair as best I can. it’s not about keeping them looking amazing just protecting their hair so when they get out they do their hair how they like! Thanks so much!

also atm I’m just braiding the hair in large sections using coconut natural oil,so if I’m doing it wrong please tell me so I can stop doing it