Curly hair requires special care to keep it healthy and well-defined. You’ll likely find yourself adding various hair care products to your washing sessions in an attempt to take care of your curls. However, just because curly hair requires a certain amount of effort doesn’t mean it has to be demanding.
A few tweaks to your routine can keep your curls looking beautiful and bouncy. You can give your curls the love they need without weighing yourself down. And if you don’t know where to start, we’re here to help. In this article from The Dermo Lab, we share 17 curly hair care tips to keep your locks looking and feeling their best.
1- Choose the right shampoo and conditioner
As with any hair type, the ultimate solution for hydrated, defined curls lies in the shower. It’s all about choosing the right shampoo and conditioner system, tailor-made to hydrate curly hair, for more definition and less frizz.
In general, look for products that contain:
- natural or essential oils such as coconut oil, jojoba oil, sunflower oil and avocado oil
- aloe vera
- keratin
- shea butter
- panthenol and provitamins
- plant extracts
Always follow your shampoo with a conditioner to preserve your hair’s moisture. You may have been told not to use conditioner, but that’s not the best idea for your hair. Curls need maximum hydration. What’s more, hair care systems are formulated to work together to achieve the desired results. If you’re worried about greasy hair, apply conditioner only to the lengths and ends of your hair.
2- Pre-shampoo treatment
If you have very rough or curly hair, you can try using a pre-shampoo treatment.
Contrary to popular belief, it’s not necessary to apply a conditioner only after cleansing. You can use conditioner both before and after shampooing.
Coarse, curly hair tends to lose moisture very quickly. In theory, using a conditioner before shampooing protects the hair strands so that the shampoo doesn’t strip it of its natural oils.
3- Avoid excessive shampooing
Shampooing every day is not a good idea for people with curly hair. Shampooing can rob hair of its much-needed natural oils.
You may need to experiment with a cleansing schedule to see what works best for you. In general, try to shampoo every two or three days.
4- Choose the right brush or comb
Curly hair is often dry and brittle and can break easily when combed or brushed. Try brushing or combing in the shower to prevent breakage.
Start with a wide-tooth comb to loosen knots. You can also comb while the conditioner is still in your hair to make the task easier and ensure that the conditioner coats all your strands.
When choosing a hairbrush, invest in a high-quality brush with natural bristles rather than plastic. A boar bristle brush can help diffuse natural oils from the scalp to the ends of the hair.
Another option is not to use a brush or comb at all. If your curls are particularly soft, try applying a leave-in conditioner, and then raking your wet hair with your fingertips.
5- Heat styling curly hair
Most stylists recommend letting curly hair air-dry, as using a hairdryer can make it frizzy and damage it.
If you’re going to use a hairdryer or occasionally straighten your hair with a straightening iron, it’s important to use some kind of heat protection spray or treatment before doing so. Look for a spray containing silicone or keratin to seal the cuticle and make it more resistant to heat damage.
When drying your hair, keep your blow-dryer at least 15 cm from the surface of your hair.
You can add a diffuser to your blow dryer to limit the impact of direct heat on your hair.
6- Avoid split ends
Split ends are hard to avoid completely. What’s more, there’s no real way to repair them, except by cutting them off.
The best way to avoid split ends is to be very gentle with your curls.
To avoid split ends:
- Use a detangler when you brush your hair to avoid pulling and tearing.
- Try not to tie your hair in a ponytail or bun.
- Make sure you use a wide-tooth comb.
- Stay away from hot tools.
- Have your hair cut by a professional hairdresser about every 2 to 3 months.
7- Remember the importance of the towel
Using the right towel to dry your hair is just as important as the products you use in your routine. An ordinary cotton towel can cause friction on the hair cuticle, which can lead to frizzy hair. Switch to a microfiber towel to remove excess water from your hair. This will leave your curls better defined and less frizzy. If you don’t have a microfiber towel handy, a soft T-shirt will do the trick.
8- Your pillowcase is also important
When it comes to finding the best curly hair care tips, your pillowcase is another important factor to consider. Chances are, your hair spends more time against your pillow than anywhere else. Like a cotton towel, cotton pillowcases may not be soft enough for your hair. Opt for a satin or silk pillowcase, which will not only feel luxurious but will also be much gentler on your mane.
9- Use a hair mask or deep conditioning treatment every week
Over time, heat and harsh elements can make curls limp. To counter this, replace your usual conditioner with a deep conditioner or nourishing hair mask. Once or twice a week, try a hair mask to moisturize and redefine curls. Apply the mask to wet hair after shampooing and massage your strands from root to tip. Leave on for three to five minutes before rinsing thoroughly.
10- Use a hair mousse to define your curls
Use a light mousse to define and structure your curls without heat. If you can’t do without heat styling, you can also apply a little hair mousse before drying.
11- Keep your hands out of your hair
Even if you’re tempted to play with your curls, we don’t recommend it. Every time you run your fingers through your hair, you increase the risk of curly strands appearing. This also means you shouldn’t play with your curls while your hair is drying. Leave your curls alone and your hair will thank you.
12- Protect your curls from the sun
The sun’s heat and harmful ultraviolet rays can dry out curly hair. To protect your curls, cover them with a wide-brimmed hat.
Conclusion
The most important thing to understand about curly hair is that it tends to dry out easily and needs to be moisturized.
You’ll need to avoid leaching its natural oils, and you’ll probably need to invest in hair products that add moisture to the hair. If handled correctly, curly hair can look healthy, shiny, and defined!
Last Updated on June 20, 2024
