Nkosi Mpofu
5 Super Effective Remedies for Soft, Manageable Hair
It’s everyone’s goal to have soft, lustrous hair and, sometimes life gets in the way either due to poor hair maintenance, aging, or lifestyle habits. These elements can damage your hair cuticles and, over time, your hair loses its natural oils leaving it dry.
The good news is that with the right moisturizing products and healthy hair care habits dry, coarse hair can be treated.
Here are five remedies you can immediately add to your hair care routine.
"Understand your hair type"
Knowing your hair type (link to types of hair article) is an essential first step before trying out any hair care product. It will enable you to pick the right products for your specific hair type.
For instance, fine-textured hair requires little oils because natural oils from the scalp move easily through the cuticle compared to curly and coily hair. If you have thick, coarse hair, you’ll find that your hair needs a bit more attention and extra moisture.
Besides genetics, your hair texture is also determined by your geological location and the season you’re in.
As you age, your hair texture changes and the natural oil secretion decreases. The following remedies will help nourish your hair and prevent further damage.
1. Make oils your best friend
Oils such as coconut oil, argan oil, castor oil, and olive oil are fast becoming the most prevalent in hair care products, and for a good reason. Coconut oil absorbs easily into the scalp, making it an excellent option for fine to medium hair textures because it doesn't leave a greasy residue.
Argan oil on the other hand has moisturizing properties and softening benefits if you struggle with dry, coarse ends. Castor oil works the same for thick, coarse hair because of its consistency.
You can either use products infused with a particular oil of your choice or apply pure oil after shampooing, concentrating more on the ends which are prone to dryness.
2. Avoid washing with hot water
Hot water strips hair of moisture, leaving it dry and dull. Instead, use lukewarm water to get rid of oils when shampooing.
To rinse the after-shampoo conditioner, use cool water to avoid stripping your hair of moisture.
3. Use a hair mask
Never underestimate the benefits of deep conditioning your hair.
A deep conditioning hair mask nourishes dry, damaged, and frizzy hair. How often you deep condition your hair depends on your hair type and lifestyle.
For afro-textured hair, we recommend deep conditioning every 4 weeks.
A hair treatment is formulated to rehydrate, strengthen and restore dry, damaged hair to its luminous state.
4. Deep cleanse your hair
Bentonite clay is an effective remedy for removing toxins, impurities, heavy metals, and chemicals to maintain a healthy scalp.
Because of its negative charge (anionic), bentonite clay is known to attract positively charged (cationic) products. In a way, it's like a magnet for product build-up.
Mix the clay with water or apple cider vinegar and use it as a hair mask. Apply the paste on damp hair working from the roots to the ends, and leave it on for 30 minutes. Rinse off with lukewarm water and follow up with a deep conditioner to add moisture to your hair.
To top it off, bentonite clay also softens dry, frizzy hair, and as an antimicrobial, the clay relieves a dry, itchy scalp.
5. Use less heat
The excessive use of heat is the cause of dry, damaged hair. The heat from styling tools leads to splits ends, rough hair texture, and hair breakage.
Always ensure that your hair is well moisturized and conditioned to prevent heat damage over time. Apply a heat protectant before using styling tools such as a hair dryer, flat iron, or curling iron.
We recommend you air dry your hair after washing or do a two-strand twist to stretch it and lock in moisture.
In closing
You don’t have to settle for dry, damaged hair!
With these five remedies, you can restore your hair to its lustrous state. Understand your hair type and you’ll have no problem picking hair care products designed for your specific hair type.
Always ensure that your hair is well moisturized and hydrated to promote elasticity and prevent breakage.
To learn more about how we can help you on your natural hair journey, book an appointment with us and get a free hair consultation on your first visit.
To learn more about how we can help you on your natural hair journey, book an appointment with us and get a free hair consultation on your first visit.
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