When it comes to hair health, curly-haired people have the task of always keeping their hair soft and lush without frizz or split ends. So how do you hydrate your curly hair to keep it luxuriant and bouncy?
Before you start any hair care routine, you have to understand what type of hair you have. If you fall under high porosity or low porosity hair.
Knowing this would tell you if you need to prevent moisture from slipping through your hair (high porosity) or if you need to double up on the application because it doesn’t get through (low porosity).
Moreover, the twists and springs of your hair make it hard for moisture to reach the ends of your hair strands.
Therefore, if you want to maintain your curly hair’s health, shine, and manageability, you have to remember to keep it hydrated and moisturized.
This article identifies ways you can hydrate your curly hair to prevent it from frizz and split ends.
How to hydrate curly hair
1. Use a sulfate-free shampoo
Sulfates can strip the hair of its natural oils, which can make curly hair dry and frizzy. Choose a gentle, sulfate-free shampoo that won’t dry out your curls.
These shampoos would protect your hair’s natural oil, therefore, keeping your hair hydrated, which leads to supple and smooth hair.
2. Condition regularly
Conditioner is essential for hydrating curly hair. Choose a conditioner with rich and nourishing properties, then apply it after shampooing. Leave the conditioner on for a few minutes before rinsing to allow it to penetrate the hair.
On the other hand, you can apply conditioner to your hair between washes to maintain moisture balance, especially when you have low-porosity hair.
3. Use a deep conditioner
Do not confuse deep conditioning for conditioning. In addition to regular conditioner, use a deep conditioner once a week to give your hair an extra boost of hydration. Apply the deep conditioner to damp hair, and leave it on for 20-30 minutes before rinsing.
You do not have to wait to wash your hair to deep condition. You can also do this between wash days to provide hydrating properties to your hair.
4. Use oils
Oils like coconut oil, argan oil, castor oil, hemp oil, and others have revolutionized hair care. These oils provide moisture to your hair and lock it in. Moreover, they contain properties that help with hair growth and prevent frizz and damage.
You can apply the oils using the LOC (liquid, oil, cream) or LCO (liquid, cream, oil) treatment. You can also apply the oils as a pre-poo treatment to get your strands hydrated.
5. Use a leave-in conditioner
This is one of the most effective products to hydrate your curly hair. A leave-in conditioner can help to lock in moisture and keep your curls hydrated throughout the day.
Apply it to damp hair, focusing on the ends. Then dry your hair naturally or use a hair dryer. If you are styling your curly hair and do not have styling gel, it’s best to do so while the leave-in conditioner is still in; it makes it easier.
6. Avoid heat styling
Heat styling tools like flat irons and curling irons can damage curly hair and make it dry and frizzy. If you must use heat styling tools, use a heat protectant spray and keep the heat setting low.
7. Protect your hair at night
Sleeping on a cotton pillowcase can cause friction and tangle your curls, which, in turn, make them dry and frizzy. Instead, use a silk or satin pillowcase or wrap your hair in a silk or satin scarf at night to protect your curls.
8. Use hair serum
Apply a small amount of hair serum to your hair to help lock in moisture and add shine. Look for products that contain natural oils like argan oil, coconut oil, or jojoba oil and proteins like keratin.
However, avoid ingredients like parabens, mineral oil, petroleum, and phthalates.
How do you hydrate curly hair overnight?
You can also boost your curly hair’s moisture overnight by following quick hacks. However, this is a short time fix. You would have to maintain a consistent hydrating regimen to keep it healthy.
- Apply a leave-in conditioner: Before you go to bed, apply a leave-in conditioner to your hair. This will help to lock in moisture and keep your curls hydrated throughout the night.
- Apply a hair mask: Apply a deep conditioning hair mask to your hair before going to bed. This will help to repair any damage and restore moisture to your curls.
- Use hair oil: Apply a small amount of hair oil to your hair before going to bed. It will help seal in moisture and prevent your curls from drying out overnight.
- Use a satin or silk pillowcase: Sleeping on a satin or silk pillowcase will help to prevent frizz and breakage. It will also help to keep your curls moisturized. These materials are less likely to cause friction and absorb less moisture than cotton pillowcases.
- Try the pineapple method: Gather your curls on top of your head in a high ponytail or bun and cover them with a satin or silk scarf. This helps to prevent your strands from being flattened or damaged while you sleep.
- Drink water before going to bed: Remember to also drink plenty of water. Furthermore, maintain a healthy diet to keep your hair hydrated from the inside out.
How to hydrate curly hair after straightening
Whether it’s a silk press or just the regular flat iron straightening, you need to hydrate your naturally curly hair more than ever to prevent it from losing its sheen.
The following are essentials you should do after straightening out your curly hair.
- Use a moisturizing shampoo and conditioner: Choose a shampoo and conditioner set specifically formulated for dry, damaged hair. These products will help to restore moisture to your hair and prevent further damage.
- Deep condition your hair: Use a deep conditioning treatment once a week to help repair any damage and restore moisture to your hair.
- Apply a hair mask: Use a nourishing hair mask to help hydrate your hair and restore its natural oils. Look for a mask that contains ingredients like coconut oil, shea butter, or argan oil.
- Use a leave-in conditioner: Apply a leave-in conditioner to your hair after washing and conditioning it. This will help to lock in moisture and keep your hair hydrated throughout the day.
- Protect your hair while sleeping: Use a silk or satin pillowcase to protect your hair while you sleep. This will help to prevent frizz and breakage, and keep your hair hydrated.
What to avoid to prevent dry hair
- Overwashing: Washing your hair too often can strip away natural oils and cause your hair to become dry and brittle. Aim to wash your hair no more than two or three times per week, and use a gentle, sulfate-free shampoo.
- Hot water: Hot water can also strip natural oils from your hair, so try to use lukewarm or cool water when washing your hair. Rinse your hair with cool water to help seal the hair cuticle and lock in moisture.
- Heat styling: Heat styling tools like flat irons, curling irons, and blow dryers can be very damaging to your hair and cause it to become dry and brittle. Use these tools sparingly; always use a heat-protectant product.
- Chemical treatments: Chemical treatments like coloring, bleaching, and perming can also be very damaging to your hair. Try to limit these treatments or avoid them altogether.
- Harsh hair products: Some hair products contain harsh chemicals that can strip away natural oils and cause your hair to become dry and damaged. Look for products that are specifically formulated for dry or damaged hair, and avoid products that contain alcohol or sulfates.
- Brushing wet hair: Wet hair is more fragile and prone to breakage than dry hair, so avoid brushing or combing your hair when it’s wet. Instead, use a wide-toothed comb or your fingers to gently detangle your hair.
- Environmental factors: Exposure to sun, wind, and harsh weather conditions can also cause your hair to become dry and brittle. Wear a hat or scarf to protect your hair when you’re outside, and use a hair product with UV protection.
FAQs
Can high-porosity curly hair be dry?
Yes, it can.
If you have highly porous hair, you can still experience naturally dry hair because of its shape and curls. The natural oils produced by the scalp have a harder time traveling down the hair shaft in curly hair, which can leave the hair dry and prone to breakage.
How often should you hydrate curly hair?
The frequency with which you should hydrate curly hair depends on various factors, such as your hair type, texture, and current level of hydration.
However, as a general guideline, it’s recommended to hydrate curly hair at least once a week.
Is moisturizing and hydrating curling hair the same thing?
No, they are not.
While they are often used interchangeably, they do not mean the same thing. Moisturizing refers to the act of adding moisture to the hair to help improve its overall health and appearance. Meanwhile, hydrating specifically refers to adding water or moisture to the hair.
Conclusion
Curly hair needs TLC time at least once a week. What you shouldn’t skip is hydration. This is adding water or moisture to your hair to make it soft and shiny.
You can hydrate your hair by conditioning, deep conditioning, and using a leave-in conditioner to moisturize your hair (it’s a hair changing process).
Furthermore, you can keep safety practices like using sulfate-free shampoos, covering your hair with a silk wrap while you sleep, and avoiding heat tools.
However, no matter the hydration you provide your curly hair, avoiding loss of moisture is the best way to keep it safe. Then alone can you keep a healthy, shiny, frizz-free curly hair.
Thanks for reading.
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