Washing your hair may seem like a no-brainer. Lather up with shampoo, rinse it out, apply conditioner, done.
This method probably does work for those with straight, shiny hair. Straight hair is naturally less dry than other types because the natural oils your scalp produces can easily wick down the hair shaft. This not only conditions, it also protects the hair from environmental factors and damage from styling.
If you have curly hair, your hair structure has lots of bends, kinks, waves, or spirals. This makes it more difficult for that natural oil to travel down and reach the whole shaft. The result is that you end up with an oily scalp and dry hair.
To combat this, your method for washing with shampoos for curly hair must be different. Start with natural hair shampoo and go from there.
The Right Way to Wash Natural Hair with Shampoo
It may seem like weтАЩre going back to extreme basics, here, but bear with us. Try changing your method тАУ we guarantee that youтАЩll notice a difference. With the right technique, your dry, curly hair can become soft, shiny, and manageable.
Use Sulfate-Free Shampoos
The right method begins with the right products. Curly girls should avoid sulfate-riddled shampoo formulas like the plague. Sulfates are synthetic detergents that are too harsh for your hair type тАУ all theyтАЩll do is strip your scalp of its moisture and leave your ends parched.
Sulfate-free shampoos generally have a lower lather (because they donтАЩt have those sudsy sulfates), but we promise that theyтАЩll clean your scalp just as effectively.
Concentrate on Your Scalp
When washing your hair, donтАЩt make the mistake of shampooing through the entire length. Instead, focus on your scalp. Massage your shampoo for dry hair into your roots, using gentle pressure to increase circulation, encourage hair growth, and really get rid of build-up.
Rinsing the shampoo out should be enough for the rest of your hair, as the suds will travel down the length, taking any product build-up or dirt/grease with it.
Rinse Out Sulfate-Free Shampoos Well
We know you have to hurry your shower because youтАЩre late for work, but if you donтАЩt completely rinse out your shampoos for curly hair, youтАЩll be left with an itchy scalp! Rinse thoroughly to get every last bit of product out. Continue to massage your scalp as you rinse to aid this process.
Load Up on Conditioner
If you have curly hair, you canтАЩt skip conditioner after shampooing. You need it to help keep your curls soft, strong, and manageable. (Remember what we said about your natural hair oils? They have a hard time getting down to your ends тАУ they need extra help!)
Start by applying conditioner to the ends of your hair, then work your way up to about midway. Really concentrate on the areas where your hair tends to be fragile. For most of you, this is probably the tips as well as the spot where you usually tie your hair back.
Use your conditioner to gently untangle your hair. If you can, keep a comb in your shower to detangle and evenly distribute the product. Ideally, this should be the only time you comb or brush your hair during your routine. (Combing or brushing when curly hair is dry breaks up the curl pattern, which results in frizz and a poodle-like appearance. Yikes!)
Leave your conditioner in as long as you wish, then rinse. ThereтАЩs no need to be as thorough when rinsing conditioner as with shampoo, as your curly hair will sop up every last bit of moisture you give it.
Try to change up your hair washing method, and you just might see a drastic change in your hairтАЩs softness, shine, and manageability. Shop at LaLa Daisy to find all the right natural hair shampoo and hair care products for curly hair.
