Seven out of ten people in India have wavy-to-curly hair. And if you’ve stumbled upon this article, you’re probably one of them. (I’m the second one as I write this out). Most of us might not think much of our curls because let’s be honest, Indian weather does us no good at all! And when those silky-staright haired friends of ours come at us with a “You’re so lucky to have curly hair“, please refrain from whacking them and read this instead…
1. Over-washing
If you have curly hair, washing it everyday should be a no-no! Whether heavily curly or wavy, textured hair needs natural oils for it to look and feel good. Shampooing it everyday will actually dry out the hair. So stick to cleaning it once or twice a week at the most.
2. Overusing heating tools
The grass is always greener on the other side, so while we attempt to style our hair straight what we don’t realise is that we’re damaging it as well. Using heating tools can be a major curl destroyer as it can alter the curl pattern. Worst case, if you just cannot live without your flat iron, then try decreasing the heat temperature and use a heat protectant to minimise the damage.
3. Skipping the serum
Curly hair can often end up becoming frizzy and dry, which is why it needs moisture to keep the natural bounce going. Not only is it imperative to use a conditioner for added hydration but the key is to also use a serum once your hair is 70 percent dry. When it comes to conditioner look for ingredients, like coconut or argan oil and shea butter. And as for serums, pick one that has antioxidants and vitamin E.
4. Not reading the labels
Before you reach out for that cult-fav product, pause and read the label at the back. Anything that containing harsh sulphates and silicones like, Alkyl Benzene Sulfonate, Behenoxy Dimethicon and Denatured Alcohol are products you want to stay away from. These ingredients seem harmless but in actuality they act as a barrier for moisture—Something that curly hair really, really needs. Since most of them aren’t water-soluble, they tend to make hair look limp, untameable and dried out.
5. Drying the wrong way
Another way to minimise frizz is to stay away from your blow-dryer post showering. Instead, opt for a more natural way, like air drying your hair for the healthy curls. You can also use a cotton t-shirt or towel to dry the hair. Anything other than cotton can upset the cuticles, causing them to frizz.
6. Forgetting to treat yourself
We all know that colouring and other chemical treatments can hinder your natural curls and texture. That’s why it is so important to treat it right once in a while. And just like our bodies need protein to be kept healthy and in shape, our hair needs it too. Keratin treatments and hair spas are a great way to bond damaged hair.
What do you do to keep your curls healthy? Let us know in the comments below.
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