When you first start wearing your hair naturally curly the idea is to follow certain rules that will prevent damage and make your journey back to natural easier. There are others who have taken this road before you and are kind enough to share the tips, tricks and rules that garnered them positive results. It’s a good approach to take but as you learn new things, you learn to distinguish the absolutely necessary from the not-so-necessary and even the damaging. It’s ok to veer off from the path if it’s beneficial, and it’s certainly ok to try new techniques. The object is to find what works for you and develop your own best practices.
Not everyone has the same routine, rules, hair type, porosity, thickness, and other contributing factors to hair care. You get the idea so understand the goal is to do what works for you. Although we have differences, there are some steps that most of us can forgo occasionally or eliminate completely.
Re-Wetting Hair
Styling damp hair is just as effective as styling soaking wet hair. Many styles can be created on dry hair with little to no refreshing, especially when the products being used contain water in the ingredients. You may even get better results on dry hair so experiment and see what works better. If dry styling proves to be a winner for you, this may be your biggest time saver. It’s worth a try (or 2, or 3″>.
Scheduled Trims
It was necessary to get them about every six weeks with relaxed or regularly straightened hair, but as you get more acquainted with your naturally curly hair you will realize that it no longer needs a set schedule for trimming. If you are not making your hair fragile from excessive color treatments and rough handling, then your hair requires less trims. Many naturals have found dusting to be most effective in keeping their ends healthy.
Shampoo
Not everyone needs to shampoo their hair as co-washing has proven to be sufficient for many. Cleansing is still necessary but there are many botanical conditioners that cleanse the hair without stripping all of the natural oils.
Overnight Deep Conditioning
Many transitioners overnight deep conditioner because their hair is more fragile due to the line of demarcation, which is where the virgin and chemically processed hair meet. If your hair is damaged from using heat tools and harsh color treatments, this may be a good method to continue but once your hair is healthy the overnight deep treatments are no longer necessary. Yes, it’s great to do them but you can do them less often when your hair is healthy.
Hooded Dryer
Air-drying is just as effective and less damaging then using a high-heat dryer. You also do not have to use a hooded dyer in order to deep condition. Placing a plastic cap over your head and allowing your body heat to activate and warm your deep treatment is more than enough. The dryer helps to speed up the process but sitting under a hot dryer for an hour or more is not necessary. Deep conditioning with low heat for 15 min. is sufficient.
