Curly Hair is unique. It bends, twists and turns. Because of all the twists and turns, it can be brittle and delicate. And because of their curling nature, the natural oils produced by the scalp to soften and protect hair strands are harder to come by from top to bottom. Curly girls are often dehydrated as a result. Curly Hair is thirsty, in essence.  Due to all of the above, repeat the lather-rinse for the rest. For girls with naturally curly Hair, hair care is entirely different.

Caring for Curly Hair

Caring for Curly Hair

Here are smart hair care tips from professionals to maintain all types of natural curls.

Use a pre-shampoo treatment for curly Hair:

Many girls with curly Hair with thin strands swear by the routine before shampooing. Pre-wash is precisely what it says – a step taken before shampooing. Hair is softened, conditioned, and detangled before shampooing with pre-shampoo. Prevents unnecessary roughness and breakage during shampooing, especially on curly or frizzy Hair. 

Before shampooing, apply conditioner or oil conditioner and use it to dry Hair. Part your Hair and apply the conditioner thoroughly to your Hair by separating your curls with your fingers and applying the product. Leave it on for at least 20 minutes and if your Hair is very curly, wear a plastic cap or towel to warm your head, which will open your Hair cuticles and encourage the conditioner to penetrate deeper.

You may think, “I don’t have time to add one more step to my hair care regimen.” But this step can save you time in the long run, as your Hair is easier to detangle after shampooing.

Skip the daily shampoo:

Curly Hair does not need to be shampooed as often as straight Hair, and frequent shampooing can stretch and emphasize brittle strands and dry out thirsty Hair. After all, the conditioner is your friend. Greet your friend who frequently showers by applying conditioner, even if you’re not shampooing.

Choose your shampoo for curly Hair wisely:

Think of your curly Hair as fine cashmere. You shouldn’t wash your cashmere sweater with a strong detergent and shouldn’t clean your locks with a strong shampoo. Use a mild shampoo or low-foaming cleansing conditioner that will refresh your Hair and scalp without stripping it of too much moisture and natural oils. Many curly-haired girls go even further and dilute their shampoo or conditioner with distilled water.

Separate your Hair for a tangle-free wash:

Rubbing, scrubbing, swirling, or tying your Hair around your head while shampooing can damage your Hair. This manipulation leads to attachments you don’t even want to think about. Just decide. Divide your Hair into four sections – more if it is very thick. Twist or cut all but the first part. Apply a small amount of cleansing shampoo or conditioner to your scalp and scrub thoroughly. Then gently push it lengthwise. Repeat for each section. Then rinse in the same order – section by section, starting from the scalp and squeezing the leather from top to bottom.

Turn down the hot water:

Yes, cold water shampoo and conditioner don’t provide the most luxurious hair-washing experience. But cold water seals off those cuticles, which locks in moisture, making your curly Hair shinier and less frizzy.

Use a deep hair conditioner:

Apply deep conditioner after shampooing. Choose a formula that suits your hair needs. Is it dry? Choose a moisturizing formula that contains humectants such as glycol, glycerin, or high-quality oils. Is it weak? You need a protein reconstructor with the amino acids silk or keratin to restore strength.

As with your shampoo and pre-shampoo formula, apply this formula to your Hair in sections to ensure it is applied thoroughly. Avoid the scalp—this is where you usually don’t need moisture. Use your fingers or a wide-toothed comb to even out the conditioner. Then leave the conditioner on. Put your Hair under a plastic cap or hair dryer for 10 minutes, or cover it with a towel for 20 minutes and let your body heat do the work.

If you use a moisturizing conditioner and your Hair has absorbed most of it, you may not want or need to rinse it. However, when using a protein conditioner, rinsing is essential. This formula can cause your Hair to become brittle and cause breakage if left in your Hair. If you need more moisture, use a leave-in conditioner after rinsing off the protein conditioner and before styling your Hair.

Addicted to hair conditioner

With curly Hair, there is always a balance between moisture and protein. Too much first, your Hair can become soft and thick, and too much of the latter can become too complex and brittle. Always monitor the condition of your Hair and adjust the conditioner as needed. Factors such as time of year (summer humidity vs. dry winter air) or body cycle can alter your moisture/protein balance and require a shower replacement.

Get your haircut for frizz-free Hair.

Let the towel itch to dry the dishes. Most regular towels make the cuticles rough, resulting in frizz and a general curl disaster. To keep curls intact and avoid frizz, choose a microfiber towel or soft cotton t-shirt to absorb excess moisture. Then plop! Lay the t-shirt or microfiber cloth horizontally. Turn your head and gently tuck your curls into a shirt or towel. Grab the ends of the towel and start twisting it, turning the towel on each side. When your curls stabilize, pull back the strands and tie or pin them together. Wait at least 30 minutes (or lie down) before removing your shirt or towel. Excess moisture is absorbed, leaving your curls clear and frizz-free.

Be a Satin Doll:

Speaking of bedding, this is another place where your curls can form or break. Coarse cotton pillowcases can cause creases and frizz. Decorate your bed (or at least your pillows) with an elegant satin pillowcase. Or wrap your Hair in a satin scarf or hat to keep the curls smooth and intact.

Comb Correctly:

Brush gently and use a comb that is smooth and doesn’t snag. Invest in the best quality combs. Do not pull or paddle. When combing your curly Hair after shampooing, use a very wide-toothed comb and gently comb through it section by section. Always comb your Hair when it’s wet, preferably when it’s protected with a layer of conditioner. As for brushing? Just don’t. This will ruin your curl pattern by breaking the strands and creating a foamy, tangled mess. You also risk pulling your Hair at the roots, breaking it in the middle, or splitting the ends with a brush.

Lay Off the Heat:

Hair dryers, irons, hair straighteners – all these thermal devices cause damage. If you are addicted to hot tools, try weaning yourself off the heat. Choose a weekend or overnight air drying. Put your Hair in a foam roller and let it dry naturally. When using tools, invest in the highest quality you can afford. Look for tourmaline or ceramic utensils with ionic properties. Curly Hair should always be styled with a heat protectant.

Conclusion 

If you have to style with heat, consider switching to a diffuser. It minimizes frizz by distributing heat evenly and is much gentler than direct heat from a hairdryer. To spread, start at the roots using a circular motion moving in the same direction. Continue to dry, holding the dryer at a 90-degree angle to the scalp. Finally, smooth the ends. Finally, press the cool button on the dryer to set the shine when your Curly Hair is almost dry.