Natural Hair Summer Problems Solved & Learn From The Experts!
So, despite all of our best intentions, we do deal with some damage and many times it is our own misinformation that causes it. All we need is a little guidance to make us aware and figure out how to stop it before it causes any more damage. Here are some common mistakes many are making which are doing us no favors and actually just doing a ton of damage.
Not using a heat protectant can cause natural hair damage
Believe it or not but there are still some out there that feel a heat protectant is not necessary because they never used one before and their hair is not damaged. *sigh*. Heat protectants are products that protect your hair from the direct heat of blow dryers, curling wands, flat irons and other heated styling tools.
heat protectants will form a protective barrier between your hair and the heat appliance, they will add shine and they fight off heat damage. No if, ands, or buts about it. Use the protectant if you do not want heat damage…period.
Not washing your hair OFTEN ENOUGH
There are some of us out here still thinking they only need to wash their hair monthly or even longer! When you leave product build-up, dirt, sweat and pollutants in too long you can clog the pores so much that it could even keep it from growing. Hair grows in a clean scalp and environment and can only thrive that way.
Washing or cleansing your hair too often
Washing too often (especially with harsh ingredients in your shampoo like SLS) can be too drying and can strip the natural oils from your tresses that you actually need. Squeaky clean hair is not necessary and more damaging to textured hair than straight hair. Incorporate co-washes or use a sulfate-free shampoo if you feel you must wash more than once a week.
Not deep conditioning regularly or at all
Regular conditioners or daily conditioners are just surface conditioners which are just for absorbing ingredients into the surface of your hair. They only do part of the job of conditioning your tresses. Deep conditioners or pack conditioners that have ingredients with low molecular weight. “These ingredients penetrate the hair, nourishing between the cuticles, within the cuticle layers and/or within the cortex.” Naturallycurly.com
The deep penetrating effects allow proteins, amino acids and oils, etc. to replenish and restore the hair from it’s damaged state longer than regular conditioners. This is a necessary step in your wash routine but not necessary for EVERY washday. Missing it can detrimental to the moisture levels in your hair. If the hair is brittle, dry and easily snapping, then you probably have been missing on your deep conditionings!
Washing and rinsing hair with hot water
Hair should never be washed or rinsed with hot water as the hot water dehydrates your hair just like it does with our skin. This can lead to dry, brittle hair that will easier to snap off and break. Rinsing your hair with cool or cold water before applying styler or leave-in conditioner will help seal in that moisture also.
Holding onto split ends will cause natural hair damage
Some naturals are not trimming your ends regularly or whenever they see raggedy ends. This is not allowing your hair to grow or retain length because spilt ends never go away and can actually travel up your hair shaft splitting even more and giving your hair see-through sections and frayed ends. One of the biggest ways to get natural hair damage is to NOT trim when needed and that does not mean every six weeks!
SUMMER HAIR, CREATE FINGER COILS ON SHORT NATURAL HAIR
Staying in the “know” Naturals,
Sabrina
