Your hair is one of your top physical assets and you need to keep them healthy and attractive all the time. Curly hair, whether natural or artificial, is attractive and gorgeous but also needs special attention and treatment. It tends to dry out easily and is prone to frizz, unlike straight hair. However, with the proper health tricks and routines, you can keep your well-defined and lovely curls without needing to cut them short or straighten them. If you are interested in keeping your curly locks healthy, read on to know some expert tips.
Choose a Curly Hair Product That Suits You
Haircare and treatment products vary widely and many are customized for curly types. The hair specialists at chi.com advise that you get to know your curl type and the products you are using. Matching the right product with your curl type and other characteristics makes your locks easier to manage. It may undergo some trial and error to get the perfect match, but once you find the best product for you, stick to it. Keep your products to a minimum. One or two should be enough to keep your hair in great shape.
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Keep Your Hair Moisturized
As mentioned earlier, curly hair is prone to drying out and can quickly lose moisture. If you have been applying conditioner on your hair and then quickly rinse it afterward, it’s time to change that method. Apply the conditioner to every strand of your hair and leave it on for five to ten minutes before rinsing. It retains the conditioner’s protective properties on your hair and reduces the loss of moisture from your hair. A weekly mask treatment is another excellent way of keeping your curls moisturized while also repairing and preventing damage. Also, keep in mind that the conditioner you applied during your bath will not protect your hair for long. Put on a moisturizing leave-in conditioner to keep it looking great throughout the day. Keep one with you at all times to give it a quick fix, especially if you go outside.
Blow Dry with Care
Keep your blow-drying routine to a minimum and do so only if you need to. It all goes back to moisture. Blow drying can speed up moisture loss, heat damage, and frizz, which can make it difficult to manage. If you have to use a dryer, attach a diffuser and maintain a safe distance between your hair and the dryer. For long, curly hair, flip it upside down and direct the blow dryer towards the low and mid-length parts. It helps lock the volume and keeps the effects of the styling products active longer. Leave the lower ends of your hair length free of heat application as they are more delicate and prone to breakage and splitting.
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Use Shampoo Less Often
While using shampoo helps clean your hair and removes product buildup, applying it frequently is also detrimental to your hair, whatever its curl type. Too much shampoo is not beneficial to any kind of hair, and not just the curly ones. It strips it of its natural oils, which speeds up drying and leaves it brittle. Experts recommend limiting shampoo use to once a week only and use a conditioner-only wash routine for the rest of the days. Also, look for a shampoo with a mild formulation, has natural or essential oils, and has moisturizers. Natural or organic ingredients are also beneficial to your hair, so pick a shampoo with fewer synthetic ingredients such as parabens, silicone, or sulfates.
Use Your Towel with Care
Most people tend to rub their heads with their towels to dry their hair. You might be doing it too. Sorry to disappoint you, but this is not the ideal way of drying after bathing. According to experts, the rubbing motion and the material of regular towels can cause friction and lead to frizzy hair. Patting or dabbing with a microfiber towel or a clean old T-shirt is a better way of drying your curly hair after washing. Microfiber fabric reduces friction and gently absorbs water from it.
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Use Cold Water
If you have been using hot water during your baths or washing routines, you are doing it more harm than good. Hot water strips it of moisture and leaves hair to dry out easily. This is bad news for curly hair. However, using cold water helps retain moisture and locks in oils and nutrients. Rinsing with cold water also helps seal the cuticle, which makes it stronger and healthier.
Improve Your Bedtime Hair Habits
The things you do in your sleep routine can significantly affect your health. Avoid tying or wrapping your hair when you sleep. True, curly hair can get unruly and uncomfortable at times, but there are simple ways to get around it and help your hair maintain excellent health. Also, consider using a microfiber or satin pillowcase instead of a regular pillowcase made of cotton, linen, or flannel. Regular pillowcases are highly absorbent and can absorb moisture, sweat, and natural oils from the hair. It can leave your curly hair dry and frizzy when you wake up. To keep your hair moisturized even while you sleep, apply small amounts of essential oil or leave-in conditioner. They help prevent damage to your hair strands and help make your hair easy to manage when you wake up. Sleeping on your side reduces pressure on the follicles and prevents knots from forming.
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Skip or Reduce Brush Use
Curly hair is brittle and delicate, so choose your comb or brush carefully. If you prefer combing or brushing your hair, choose a wide-tooth comb to easily detangle and break up knots. Invest in a boar bristle hairbrush spread the natural oils of your hair from the roots to the tips. You can also choose to skip using a brush or comb. Using your fingers to brush it or apply conditioner or treatment can help avoid fraying your hair.
By now, you may see your curly hair in a different light and appreciate it more. It can be hard to manage at times, but its patterns, twists, and curls bring out the beauty in you. Take the time to know your curls, and invest in products that help enhance and protect its beauty and health. With healthy curly hair, you can wear it proudly for everyone to see.
