Hair Care Routine For Curly Hair
In girls with curly hair, frizz, dryness and difficult hair management are usually a morning problem. But what very few women know is that there is a dedicated routine and treatment only for curly hair. In this article, we will give you a guide to strengthen, hydrate and care for afro or curly hair.
About afro or curly hair and it's routine
We know that these types of hair are characterized by frizz, porosity, they tangle easily and have a high level of dryness. Therefore, the treatment approach will be based solely and exclusively on hydration following a routine to care for curly hair. Moisturizing your hair will make your curls look more defined, strengthened and with less frizz.
The treatment
Usually, people with curly or afro hair tend to look for a specific product for a particular problem, whether they are treatments for:
Dry hair.
Frizz.
Undefined curls.
Indeed, it is highly advisable to use appropriate products for our hair type and even more so if it is curly or afro, as we seek to hydrate with nourishing ingredients that fulfill their function to the letter. However, keep in mind that they are no products that will magically fix your hair.
This means that to obtain satisfactory results, a routine for curly hair should be followed with suitable products. The ideal is to maintain a balance that adapts to this type of hair since it is not advisable to use a specific product in the treatment and then apply another with totally different characteristics afterward.
What washing routine to follow on curly hair?
In general, the washing process in these types of hair is usually accompanied by a range of products.
- Use of Shampoo
The first thing to consider is that the type of afro and curly hair does not usually get so dirty with other types of hair oily or mixed because they have very little fat. Therefore, it hardly gets dirty, being easy to wash with a mild shampoo.
- The Co-Wash technique
There are people who recommend washing it often every day. However, you don't need to wash your hair frequently if it doesn't get dirty. Ideally, wash it every 4 or 5 days, taking into account that this will depend on the daily routine and the activities carried out throughout the day. For example, if a person practices a sport, such as swimming, they visit the gym or their hair is constantly tangled.
There is a highly recommended solution and it is the Co-Wash technique, highly recommended in this routine for curly hair care. It is based on washing your hair only with conditioner. Apply in situations in which the hair is affected only by pool water, some dust or sweat. These are elements that do not have a major influence on the hair, so it is not necessary to use shampoo. The Co-Wash are conditioners that have a mild surfactant, which is responsible for cleaning the hair.
- Serum (or silicone-based products)
There are several products to apply after conditioning. In the event that you use a serum, lotions that improve hair health or creams that contain silicone among their ingredients. Either because it is to your liking or for another reason, it is advisable to use a shampoo with clarifier or sulfate from time to time to remove 100% silicones.
Why? This is because most, mainly the most common products, are not soluble in water, so they only cause accumulation or residues that can only be removed with the sulfates of the shampoo. However, if when using the sulfate shampoo you notice extreme dryness in your hair, what you can do is applying a hydrating mask that contrasts the effect of the sulfates.
Using conditioner on curly hair
One product that is a must in treating afro and curly hair is the use of rinse-out conditioner, the perfect moisturizing agent. When applying this product, it is recommended:
- Use generous amounts that satisfactorily cover each hair strand.
- Detangle the hair or massage the product with your fingers during application.
Drying
Drying your curls can be a very complex task if not done correctly, so it is recommended that:
When towel-drying your hair, don't rub it, as it will cause it to get more tangled. It is better to place the towel on the head so that it covers the hair and can absorb all the excess water for a few minutes. If you use a microfiber towel, you will get a better result.
The Plopping
To keep the curls in perfect condition, there is plopping. It is a technique, based on not putting the hair in a towel, as mentioned above, but allowing the water to accumulate naturally in the upper part of our head and then covering it with a microfiber t-shirt or towel.
It is perfect for maintaining curls, preventing them from unraveling. It also helps prevent stretching of the root zone, preventing curls from looking flat. Its objective is simple: not to re-tangle the hair and not generate frizz.
How to maintain good hydration in the hair?
The key element in the daily life of those who have curly hair. It is the basic principle for any curly hair care routine.
1. One way to avoid frizz is by wearing a bandana/protective garment such as a T-shirt or a satin nightcap. This method will prevent hair from rubbing against the pillow to prevent curls from becoming frizzy or tangled.
2. Moisturize hair in the morning. Curly hair needs water to be able to handle it and give it the correct shape. Oils can also be applied to water, using a spray for this action.
3. If the water does not control the curls, it will be necessary to reapply a sealer such as oils or lotions.
4. It is not necessary to apply sealers throughout the day. Morning hydration will suffice unless curls are difficult to control.
5. Applying a deeper treatment every 10 or 15 days can be very beneficial for this type of hair, especially if they have suffered from chemical procedures, as you will need a dose of protein, hydration and restoration.