Tips for Managing Curly Hair

Curly hair carries with it a unique set of guidelines for routine care and maintenance as well as styling. Curly hair is more prone to being dry and frizzy at the drop of the hat, which can lead to the hair being more brittle than its counterpart, relaxed hair. Consistency is key in terms of keeping your curly hair happy and in check.

Take Care of Your Curly Hair - Use Thick Shampoos and Conditioners

Any shampoo that lists itself as daily, clarifying, or as "for all hair types" is not for you if have curly hair. These products are all made for the masses and suited for a more typical style of hair. Even if your hair is only wavy versus actually curly, these products should be used sparingly. Instead, look for a shampoo and conditioner set that is thick and creamy. Read the labels and check for products that advertise themselves as creating a shield or protective barrier between you and the elements. These products will help keep your hair weighted down slightly and will help protect your hair, lightly, from frizzing.

How to Manage Curly Hair - Avoid the Hair Dryer

Plan ahead when it comes to washing your hair so you can schedule in an adequate amount of time for your hair to air dry. Any type of heat styling is bad for curly hair simply because of the drying effect a hair dryer causes by its very nature. Emergencies will occur that necessitate the use of heat though, and in these instances you can avoid much of the damage by using a low setting and a diffuser. Pamper your hair later in the week with an extra deep conditioning.

Take Care of Your Curly Hair - Deep Condition Weekly at a Minimum

Curly hair requires deep conditioning to restore the moisture most curly haired women lack. Plan on using a deep conditioning product of your choice at least once a week. Should you have a particularly dry day or have a bad hair experience, incorporate in an extra deep conditioning within a seven day time frame to help compensate.

How to Manage Curly Hair - Avoid Repeated Straightening

If you really aren't happy with your curly or wavy hair and find yourself heat treating it on a regular basis to flat iron out your curls, then it would be best for your time management and for the health of your hair to consider investing in a solution that only requires attention a couple of times a year. Many salons now offer services such as thermal reconditioning. ABC reported in 2004 that one thermal reconditioning session in New York cost upwards of $800, but the results are extremely long lasting. Touch-ups occur when you have multiple inches of new hair growth requiring a new salon visit. The monetary cost for such treatments can sometimes be made up for in time and bother saved.

Curly hair requires a lot of moisture and should be put through a minimum of heat treatment to stay healthy.

Sources:

http://abcnews.go.com/2020/BeautySecrets/story?id=124236&page=1