Curly hair that is well cared for is quite easy to style with a good cream. Unfortunately, curly hair is easily damaged by styling processes and harsh chemical products. Damaged hair may make you sometimes feel like you can't get its shine back. Don't despair if your hair is dry and split ends. With loving care and patience, any damage to your hair can be treated right away so you'll get your curly, bouncy and shiny hair back.
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Part 1 of 3: Dealing with Damage with Intensive Maintenance
Step 1. Trim the ends of the hair
No matter what a product promises, split ends are irreversible. In fact, split ends will spread further down the hair shaft. So, the longer you leave it, the more damaged your hair will be.
- Have your stylist trim the ends of your hair. If you really don't have time to visit the salon, use the sharpest scissors to trim the ends of your hair at home. But it's best to ask someone else for help if you have to cut your hair at home.
- Ask your stylist for advice when deciding how long you should trim your hair. If you don't want to shorten your hair too much, tell your stylist that you want to keep your hair as long as possible. However, also consider the opinion of the hairdresser because he understands hair and wants to maximize your appearance.
Step 2. Stop using the chemical
Chemicals can cause hair damage. So, give your hair time to recover by avoiding dyes and straighteners. While this step may feel like a big sacrifice at first, stopping the chemical for a short period of time can greatly speed up the hair restoration process.
- If you're used to dyeing your hair, there are options for how to do it without chemicals. There are products made from natural ingredients that are much lighter on the hair. Try using henna for red color, indigo for dark colors, and citrus fruits for lightening hair color. If you choose to use this method, be sure to follow the instructions on the product packaging.
- Style your curly hair naturally for a while.
- If you don't like the way your hair looks and want to straighten it, try braiding or twisting it. You can also wear a hat or scarf to wrap your hair.
- If the texture of your natural hair bothers you, try wearing an attractive wig available at your local store.
Step 3. Use a deep conditioner
Restores and retains hair moisture to restore its softness. For damaged hair, moisture is a necessity. You can find a variety of deep conditioners on the market, but you may also be able to find them in your kitchen cupboards.
- Make your own deep conditioner. Aloe vera, honey, coconut oil, olive oil, and shea butter are all powerful conditioners and may also be available at home. Even if you don't have them at home, these ingredients are quite cheap to buy at the local store.
- Mayonnaise, avocado, and bananas can also nourish hair so they can be added to treatments.
- Try mixing two or three home moisturizing ingredients to treat your hair. For example, try mixing coconut oil, honey, and banana.
- Work the deep conditioner mixture into dampened hair, then put on a shower cap. The use of a shower cap is useful for retaining moisture so that it can be absorbed by the hair.
- You can leave it on overnight, or rinse it off after 30 minutes to 1 hour.
- Using this treatment too often throughout the night can make hair limp. For best results, just use it once a week.
Step 4. Perform hot oil treatment
Although products for this treatment can be purchased at your local beauty store or pharmacy, you can also simply use oils such as coconut oil. In fact, coconut oil is effective in repairing damage to curly hair.
- Put the oil in the container. You may need to buy a cheap pressure bottle from a beauty store, but cups, jars, or bowls will work as well.
- Soak the container in hot water to warm the oil inside.
- Once the oil is warm, apply it to your hair.
- Cover your head with a shower cap. To maintain the temperature, tie a scarf or towel around your head.
- Don't let the oil get too hot. Avoid heating the oil in the microwave or stove.
Step 5. Use protein treatments
Protein treatments can improve hair health by creating a protective layer that surrounds the follicles and protects the stems, preventing further damage. Protein can also repair damaged hair temporarily by filling in the gaps in the hair shaft.
- Use a reconstructor product if your hair is really damaged. However, once your hair texture improves, deep treatment is a better option.
- Be careful not to overuse protein treatments. While it can repair and protect hair, it can also cause damage if used too often.
Part 2 of 3: Preventing Widespread Damage
Step 1. Change hair care products
If you use products that contain damaging chemicals or are not formulated for curly hair, they can do more damage to your hair. So, consider switching to natural products specially formulated for curly hair.
- Avoid sulfate compounds because they can remove the hair's natural oils.
- Look for products that contain moisturizers.
Step 2. Reduce the frequency of shampooing
Hair only needs to be washed every 2 days at most. You may even need to reduce the frequency of shampooing to once or twice a week, especially if your hair is very dry. You can use conditioner more often, which is most days of the week.
- Protect your hair from moisture by wearing a shower cap.
- When not shampooing, simply wet your hair and apply conditioner. Continue bathing as usual.
- Alternatively, stop using shampoo altogether with the "curly hair" method.
Step 3. Use conditioner
People with curly hair should not skip using conditioner. Allow the conditioner to soak into your hair for at least 3 minutes. To do this, apply conditioner at the start of your shower so it will stick to your hair while you wash and shave.
Step 4. Use a leave-in conditioner
For best results, try a leave-in conditioner formulated for curly hair. However, any leave-in conditioner can help moisturize your hair. Use a leave-in conditioner before using other products such as hair creams or heat shields.
Step 5. Use a wide-toothed comb
Instead, untangle the tangles in the hair with your fingers first. Then, start combing the ends of your hair and slowly work your way up to your scalp. While it's best to do this step when you're using conditioner in the shower, you can also use leave-in conditioner after you're done showering.
Step 6. Use oil
The use of oil in daily hair care is different from hot oil treatments. For a regular treatment, pour a coin-sized room temperature oil into the palm of your hand and work it through your hair like a mousse.
- You can apply the oil to wet or dry hair, depending on the texture of your hair and how often you wash it.
- Oils can help nourish and protect hair, so using them will repair the hair shaft and prevent further damage.
- Many well-known brands offer oil blend products. While this can be an easy solution because you don't have to measure or buy several types of oil to mix them yourself, such products often contain other additives.
- You don't have to buy hair care products, regular oils can work too.
- Coconut oil is a great choice because it balances the hair. Many people cook using coconut oil. So, this option may be more economical for you because it has various benefits.
- Argan oil is also widely used for hair.
Step 7. Use hair cream
A curling hair cream can reduce frizz while smoothing frizzy hair. However, curly hair creams are not all the same. Be sure to avoid creams that contain sulfates and alcohol.
- A mixture of two hair creams or gels can make for a more flattering hairstyle for many people with curly hair.
- You can also mix oil with cream or gel to create your own curly hair care product.
Step 8. Let the hair dry by itself
This type of drying has two benefits, the first being that it protects hair from heat damage. Second, it allows hair to form tight curls without much tangling, meaning more manageable hair. As a bonus, you can also save time styling your hair. Thus, letting the hair dry on its own is the perfect solution.
Step 9. Limit heat exposure
Sometimes, you may want to make your hair look bouncy or straighten it with a tool. Hair styling techniques with minimal temperatures shouldn't damage your hair unless you don't take care of it. However, avoid using hot temperatures too often.
Step 10. Just use one chemical process
If you have to straighten or color your hair, choose only one. Several chemical processes at once can be very damaging to curly hair. So, if you want to get healthy hair, choose one of the chemical processes only.
Part 3 of 3: Protecting Curly Hair
Step 1. Use accessories that don't cause frizz
When styling your hair, avoid using accessories such as ponytails or tongs, which can tangle your hair and make the damage worse. Instead, use a bandana or tie a soft cloth.
Step 2. Protect hair from heat
When it comes to using heat to get the hairstyle you want, limit the heating time and use a heat protectant.
- Allow some of the hair to dry on its own before using the heater. For example, allow some of your hair to dry while getting ready, and then use a blow dryer to fine-tune it.
- Make sure your hair is completely dry before using a straightener. Using a straightener on wet or damp hair can burn it as the remaining water evaporates.
- Use a heat protectant before styling your hair with a heater. This product is available in the form of a spray or cream, according to your choice. While silicone isn't usually great for hair, heat shields that contain silicone are actually more effective because they are heat resistant and so protect hair better.
Step 3. Protect your hair from the sun
When spending time outdoors, wear a cute hat or hair protector. If you can't wear a hat, use a product that contains sunscreen.
Step 4. Protect hair at night
Wrap your hair in satin at night, or use a satin pillowcase to reduce friction with your hair. As a bonus, you'll look cute and pillowless in the morning.
Tips
- Don't pull curly hair.
- Do not use too much product as it can accumulate. If you're worried about product build-up on your hair, use a cleansing shampoo to deal with it.
Warning
- Curly hair can have a variety of textures. Be sure to choose the product that best suits your hair texture.
- Hot oil can cause burns if the temperature is too hot or the soaking water is spilled. Heat enough oil with hot water but not boiling water.
