Calling all you beautiful curly-haired creatures, your hair may be a little hard to handle at times, but we have some tips to help. Here’s some easy-to-follow advice on how to look after curly hair and fall back in love with those bouncy tresses.
Why? Curly hair tends to be more porous than straight hair, meaning it absorbs more of what we put onto it. Most shampoo you find in shops will contain surfactants and sulphates that can steal moisture from our hair. And curly hair with less moisture = frizzy and sometimes out of control hair.
What should I do instead? Try to gradually reduce the frequency of your hair washing and choose a shampoo that is free from sulphates, silicones and other nasties. If you’re feeling ambitious, another option is trying to cut out shampoo altogether with the ‘No Poo’ method – read more about that here.
Using too much heat can be destructive for all hair types, but it can completely destroy your beautiful and natural curls. This is because hair is made of a protein called keratin. Keratin has a natural twist in it called an alpha helix, present in both straight and curly hair. If you heat keratin to 215°C -235°C the alpha helix stats to melt and this physical change is irreversible. This means that your hair will keep the shape of the melted keratin at a molecular level – and you may have to say goodbye to your curls until new hair grows, boo!
Does that mean I have to stop using heat altogether? Not necessarily, you just need to be smart about it. Here’s some tips:
Go for a wide-toothed comb or a wet brush when your hair is wet to minimise snagging. If you’re going to leave your hair to dry naturally, using a wide-toothed comb is advisable as it can mimic finger combing – just a more efficient way. It will gently detangle your hair while keeping the shape of your curls intact.
Please note: while these tips may be effective for informing some people how to look after their curly hair, everyone’s hair is unique so you need to find what works for you.
Last updated: 29 April 2020
Sources: https://www.naturallycurly.com/curlreading/no-poo/the-curly-girl-method-for-coily-hair