Curly hair is such a beauty, which is why it is important to know the right way to care for it. If you have curly hair, then we have some tips for you to start adding to your much needed self-care routines! See more inside…
#1 – Moisturize
Curly hair has the tendency to be drier than straight hair because the curl pattern doesn’t allow for as much of the natural oils from the scalp to travel down the hair shaft easily. All hair needs moisture to thrive, especially curly hair.
When your hair is moisturized, the strands become stronger, your hair grows longer, and the curls become more defined. There are many ways you can keep your hair moisturized on a daily basis and ways to add extra moisture when it is needed throughout the week.
Water
The simple act of spraying water on your hair can do a lot of good. Water is the ultimate source of hydration. Though you shouldn’t drench your hair all of the time, it is very beneficial to spray your hair with a light mist while it is in its natural state.
There are many water-based hair products that you can use daily – such as leave-in conditioner. Leave-in conditioner is a great aid for detangling the hair and keeping moisturized throughout the day.
Pre-poo
If you want a more intense form of hydration, try natural hair masks. Hair masks, similar to facial masks, offer more concentrated moisture to your hair which can give it a much-needed reset. You can make these masks from ingredients you may already have in your home – such as bananas, avocados, and yogurt.
All you need to do is blend the ingredients together, leave on the hair for 30 min – 1 hour, and rinse! Not only is this a healthy way to care for your hair, but it is fun creating your own curly girl mix!
Oil
Oil is a great hydrator for hair. We have natural oils in our scalp that function to protect and moisturize the hair. However, the curlier the hair, the less those oils can travel down the hair shaft.
One way to compensate for the lack of oils is to apply natural oils yourself. Different hair types react differently to different oils. If your hair is finer and wavier, you will need to use a lighter oil – such as argan oil – so that the hair won’t be weighed down. It is fine to use heavier oils on thicker hair.
Hot oil treatments are great to do at least once a week. Simply warming the oil (not until hot but slightly warm to the touch) and massaging it on the scalp increases blood circulation, can prevent dandruff, and promote hair growth. It’s also great for a self-care day!
#2 – Protect
The fact that curly hair is usually on the drier side makes it more prone to damage. Hair can become damaged from a number of factors including – environmental, styling, and sleeping habits.
Wearing protective styles can protect your hair from environmental stressors and prevent you from applying heat or chemicals for a long period of time. Some protective styles include braids, twists, and wigs.
It is so important to protect your hair at night because you can lose a lot of moisture as you’re sleeping due to the pillowcase absorbing the moisture. Rubbing your hair against a pillowcase all night can also cause breakage.
Applying a silk or satin bonnet on top of your head before you go to bed will keep the hair from rubbing against your pillowcase and hold in moisture throughout the night. A good silk bonnet is very affordable – around $10-$15. Being consistent with a good night-time routine is really great self haircare.
#3 – Be Gentle
Lightly styling your hair will help it to grow healthy and strong. You don’t want to weaken your hair by always pulling it or tightly styling it. One way to lightly style your hair is to finger comb it.
By using your fingers to comb your hair, you pull out less strands and are able to gently untangle difficult knots.
The other benefit to finger detangling is that you can feel what your hair needs. For example, if your hair is dry, running your fingers through your hair can let you know which areas need more moisture. If your hair has split ends in a certain area, you can feel which areas of your hair need a trim. Finger detangling is an excellent way of getting to know your hair and what it needs.
#4 – Vitamins
What goes into your body may be more important than what you do outwardly. That is why taking vitamins are very important for healthy hair. Your body needs certain vitamins in order to continue to function properly, this includes promoting healthy hair. You can take vitamins in pill form, or include a regular rotation of foods into your diet that contain what you need- which is the best way.
It is also important to drink plenty of water every day. The general recommended amount is 2 liters per day, but do your own research to find out the amount that is right for your body type. Eating healthy and consuming the right nutrients will work wonders for your hair and is definitely an important form of self care.
The Final Word
Your hair will thrive from being healthy, which is why it is important to first promote the health of your hair. When caring for your hair becomes a habit, you are sure to get the best results!
