Question!!!
"I have been following your blog and its full of great information. I have been natural since '98 and never have been one for long hair.
Well now I have decided I want to start growing my hair but have run into a few obstacles and I am seeking some assistants. I have type 4C hair, tight coils and very, very thick. My main issue that I face is dryness, no matter what I use my hair continues to be dry and dull, plus I live in Michigan and the cold air does nothing for my hair but make it worse. I don't use shampoo and I co-wash no more that three times a week or when I see a build up. I am using Cocount Sublime Moisturize Conditioner & Clarifying Shampoo by Curls.
Do you have any suggestions how to retain moisture in my hair?"
Answer!!!
I understand that Michigan weather, I graduated h.s. in Illinois but anyway a good thing to do is keep your hair covered with a satin scarf until you get to work or your destination. Those below zero wind chills are horrible to the head. The kinkier, more curly your hair is the more porous it is. A good example of this is, to imagine your watering a plant with many holes in the flower pot. The more you water, the more water is lost. Your hair can only absorb so much moister at one time. It is critical to feed it when needed which may be daily.
Make sure all your products are free of sulfate, silicones, mineral oil and petroleum. For hair products keep it as natural as possible. (Silicones and their derivatives end in -cone.) These ingredients will strip oils or prevent absorption by clogging pores.
Do Not Neglect your Scalp. When cleansing focus on removing build up from the scalp. I recommend using a more gentler cleanser the Curlious Curls Cleansing Cream, it moisturizes more than the Clarifying Shampoo. Massage and stimulate your scalp while wet with your finger, wide tooth comb or a brush. Avoid towel drying and direct heat such as blow drying. (Hood Dryer are an acceptable tool.)
Deep condition your hair at least once a week with a conditioner high in protein such as Hair Mayo. Also do hot oil treatments with your favorite natural oil at least once a week. The Deep Conditioning and Hot Oil Treatment can be done at the same time.
When rinsing your head be careful not to rinse all of the conditioner out and do a cool shot at the end of every rinse. A cool shot is when you finish up your rinse with cool/cold water. This creates a shine and closes open pours to retain the natural moister of the water.
Apply a leave-in conditioner such as Cantu Shea Butter Repair Leave in Conditioner.
Invest in a daily creamy moisturizer or a hair butter such as a whipped shea butter or Carol's Daughter Hair Milk.
Protective styles are helpful such as braids, buns, finger coils and two strand twist. These styles can be refreshed with a mist of braid sheen.
A very small amount of hair polisher/glosser can be used to coat the hair.
It is very important to sleep on a satin pillow case or in a satin scarf/bonnet to retain moisture throughout the night.
You will notice a difference in how you hair feel after practicing these tips. Your hair will be shiny and softer and your curls may even loosen a little.
This is great advice. I'm also a student in Michigan, and I spend about 70% of my time in protective styles (braids and twists) right now. It's just too cold!!!
ReplyDeleteLayering products really works for me. After I wash my hair I use a leave in conditioner, than use a moisturizer (shea aloe or Jane Carter twist stuff) to twist or braid my hair, sealing the ends with oil. Sealing helps to keep the moisture locked in. I'll then spritz my hair at night with a moisturizing braid spray or my own concoction of water, light conditioner and a little oil. This really helps my maintain moisture as well.
The only tip that I disagree with is that you should use a deep conditioner high in MOISTURE, not protein. Natural hair doesn't need a lot of protein unless you're doing something potentially damaging (coloring, high heat, etc.) and when the weather is so cold moisture should be your first priority. Too much protein will just make your hair hard and brittle. I like to use Aubrey Organics Honeysuckle Rose conditioner, but there are many options out there. Remember that oil is not moisture (it only seals in moisture that's already there) and have fun experimenting!
Moni,
ReplyDeleteThanks for your great input. I will be sure to clarify the purpose of the protein in the Deep Conditioning Treatment. The protein does not provide moisture but promotes and maintains the overall health and growth of your hair. Protein is vital. The cold can be just as damaging as coloring and high heat. Protein is the building block of your hair. As a result of the treatment there is a maximixing of moisture retention because healthy hair can absorb more moisture.
That's a great tip about sealing the ends with oil since they can be the most fragile part of the hair shaft. And you are right about oil not being a moisturizer.
This was a great post. My comment about protein conditioner is to make sure that when using protein to follow up with a good moisture conditioner. This will keep your hair in balance preventing the breakage as too much protein will cause. I use protein once a month and that's only because the one that I use is a reconstructor protein cond. that is really only needed either once a month or as your hair needs it.
ReplyDeleteI have worn braided extensions for years. As a result, my natural hair is near my armpits but it's damaged. I've got some hair clipping, deep conditoning and lots of hair pampering to do and your tips are going to help me tremendously.
ReplyDelete