Washing your natural hair properly is crucial for maintaining its health and preventing breakage. Natural hair, especially curly or textured hair, can be more prone to dryness and breakage if not handled with care. In this guide, we’ll walk you through the best practices for washing your natural hair to minimize breakage, maintain moisture, and keep your curls healthy.
1. Detangle Your Hair Before Washing
Detangling your hair before washing is essential to prevent unnecessary breakage and reduce stress on the strands when wet.
- Tip: Use a wide-tooth comb or your fingers to gently detangle your hair. Start from the ends and work your way up to the roots to prevent breakage.
- Product: Apply a leave-in conditioner, detangler spray, or a lightweight oil to your hair before detangling to make the process smoother and less damaging.
2. Use the Right Shampoo
Choose a shampoo that is sulfate-free and designed for natural hair. Sulfates are harsh detergents that can strip the hair of its natural oils, leaving it dry and prone to breakage.
- Tip: Look for shampoos that are moisturizing and contain nourishing ingredients like shea butter, coconut oil, or aloe vera. These will help hydrate and protect your hair during the wash.
- How to use: Apply shampoo to your scalp, gently massaging it with your fingertips to cleanse without causing friction or tangling.
3. Wash Your Hair in Sections
Washing your hair in sections is especially helpful for those with thick or curly hair. It allows you to focus on specific areas of your scalp and ensures that every part of your hair gets thoroughly cleaned.
- How to do it: Divide your hair into 4–6 sections using hair ties or clips. Apply shampoo to each section and massage the scalp gently.
- Tip: This method helps you avoid excessive manipulation of your hair, reducing tangling and breakage.
4. Rinse With Lukewarm Water
Hot water can strip your hair of essential moisture, making it more susceptible to breakage. Lukewarm water is gentler and helps retain the natural oils in your hair.
- How to rinse: After shampooing, rinse your hair with lukewarm water to remove all product buildup. For the final rinse, you can use cool water to close the hair cuticles and lock in moisture.
5. Apply Conditioner
Conditioning is vital for replenishing moisture and preventing breakage. Choose a moisturizing conditioner that is rich in hydrating ingredients like shea butter, jojoba oil, or argan oil.
- How to apply: Apply the conditioner generously to your hair, focusing on the mid-lengths and ends where dryness and breakage are most common.
- Tip: If you have thicker or curlier hair, you may want to leave the conditioner on for 5-10 minutes or use a deep conditioner once a week for added moisture.
6. Use the “Squish to Condish” Method (Optional)
The “squish to condish” method is a great technique for curly or coily hair types to ensure the conditioner is absorbed and locks in moisture.
- How to do it: After applying the conditioner, bend your head forward and “squish” the product into your curls by pressing your palms against your hair. This helps encourage curl formation while sealing in moisture.
7. Avoid Excessive Rubbing and Towel Drying
After washing, avoid using a regular towel to rub your hair dry. Rubbing your hair with a towel can create friction, leading to breakage, frizz, and split ends.
- Tip: Use a microfiber towel or a cotton T-shirt to gently blot excess water from your hair. Alternatively, you can let your hair air dry in sections or use a blow dryer with a diffuser on a low heat setting.
8. Deep Condition Regularly
Deep conditioning helps maintain the strength and elasticity of your natural hair, preventing dryness and breakage. Use a deep conditioner once a week or bi-weekly, depending on how often you wash your hair.
- How to deep condition: Apply a generous amount of deep conditioner to damp hair, cover with a plastic cap, and leave it on for 15-30 minutes. You can also use a heat cap to enhance absorption. Follow up with a rinse.
9. Protect Your Hair After Washing
Once your hair is washed and conditioned, it’s important to protect it from friction and dryness, especially while sleeping or during the day.
- Protective styles: Consider styling your hair in protective styles like braids, twists, or buns to prevent breakage and reduce tangling.
- Satin or Silk: Use a satin or silk scarf or bonnet at night to protect your hair from friction with cotton pillowcases, which can cause breakage. Alternatively, a satin pillowcase can also help protect your hair.
10. Moisturize and Seal
After washing and conditioning, don’t forget to moisturize your hair. Natural hair tends to lose moisture quickly, which can lead to breakage.
- How to moisturize: Apply a leave-in conditioner or lightweight moisturizer to damp hair to lock in moisture. Follow up with an oil or butter (like jojoba oil or shea butter) to seal in hydration and prevent dryness.
- Tip: Avoid applying too much product, as excess product buildup can weigh down your hair and cause breakage.
Conclusion
Washing your natural hair properly is an important step in maintaining its health and preventing breakage. By following these simple steps—detangling before washing, using the right shampoo and conditioner, avoiding harsh towel drying, and regularly moisturizing and sealing your hair—you can keep your curls healthy, strong, and free from unnecessary breakage. With the right care and products, you can maintain your natural hair’s texture, shine, and growth.