How To Care for Kinky Coily Hair

Kinky coily hair is dynamic and gorgeous, but like all types, it requires special care to remain healthy and vibrant. Most curly hair is prone to dryness, and hair that falls into the 4A to 4C range may be the dryest of all.

The good news is, there are products specifically designed to nourish kinky curls. For springy, hydrated hair, follow these tips.

Handle With Care

While you’re styling your hair, remember to be gentle. Even when deeply hydrated, coily curls are more vulnerable to breakage, so take it slow.

One of the best things you can do for your hair is to handle it as little as possible. When you can, wear protective styles to limit manipulation and exposure to the elements:

• Halo braids
• Box braids
• Marley twists
• Flat twists
• Locs
• Cornrows
• Bantu knots
• Fulani braids

Use Brushes for Kinky Coily Hair

Since it’s dryer than other hair types, hair with kinky curls is more brittle. That means you need to be careful when brushing or combing.

Bristle brushes don’t do much for kinky hair and can even harm it by catching on brittle strands. Instead, you should stick to wide-tooth combs and detangler brushes.

These tools have more space between the bristles and teeth, allowing you to detangle without ripping out strands. Additionally, the bristles and teeth are smooth and therefore less likely to catch on tightly coiled curls.

Additionally, you should never dry-brush. Instead, wet your hair with water or hair product before brushing or combing.

Try Detangler

If your kinky coily hair is prone to knots, you can try a detangler. This product usually comes as a spray, making it easy to apply.

Apply a Hair Mask Weekly

Hair masks are deeply hydrating treatments that nourish strands to the core. If your curls are extra frizzy or brittle, a hair mask can remedy the situation.

For best results, you should apply a hair mask weekly. Any more than that and your hair may become over-conditioned and limp.

Choose the Right Hair Care Products

There are hundreds of hair care and styling products out there, but not all of them are good for coils. When you look at products, make sure they’re hydrating and made for coarse hair.

Avoid Heated Styling

One of the worst things for kinky coily hair is heat. Heated styling tools such as straight irons and blow dryers pull moisture from strands, making them even more brittle.

If you can, it’s best to let your hair dry naturally. If you can’t avoid blow-drying, make sure you apply a heat protection product to seal in moisture and prevent damage.

Avoid Sulfates

Sulfates are common in hair care products, but they’re not great for hair. Although they’re effective cleaning agents, they’re also incredibly drying.

The good news is, there are plenty of sulfate-free shampoos. Before you purchase a shampoo, make sure you check the label to ensure it’s sulfate-free.

Limit Your Washing

Washing your hair is essential for clearing away dirt, sweat, dead skin cells and accumulated product, but it can also strip away the natural oils that keep your hair healthy and hydrated. To keep your kinky coily hair nourished and clean, you shouldn’t wash every day.

Instead, you can try shampooing one to two times a week. Most people find this schedule strikes the right balance between strands feeling greasy and curls getting brittle.

Pre-Shampoo

One way to protect your kinky curls from harsh shampoo is to apply a pre-shampoo oil. The oil not only hydrates strands but keeps shampoo from stripping away the oils naturally produced by your scalp.

Try Leave-In Conditioner

If you struggle with both dryness and tangles, then a leave-in conditioner may be the solution. These products not only hydrate but also protect your hair from pollution and chemicals such as chlorine.

Unlike regular conditioners, you don’t apply this product in the shower. Instead, you complete your normal shower routine, then apply to towel-dried hair. As you may have guessed from the name, a leave-in conditioner isn’t meant to be rinsed but stays in your hair until your next shower.

LaLa Daisy offers a wide variety of hair care products at an affordable price. You can also find additional care and styling tips for kinky coily hair at the LaLa Daisy Beauty Resource Center.

If you want even more tips for curly hair care read this article from WebMD.