Curls 101: How to Create a Healthy Hair Regimen

For my new natural babies and even some season seasoned veterans who feel the need to revamp their current regimen this post is for you. Finding the perfect regimen may be nonexistent; but realize that experimentation will lead you to the right regimen for your hair during the proper season in your life.  I say season not to directly correlate with weather but as our circumstances change, our stress level changes, like the actually weather, we need to take care of our strands accordingly.

The object of a hair regimen (in our case) is to maintain healthy hair. Realize we will all achieve different outcomes with certain hair maintenance and hygiene.

*Please note that based on the qualities of your hair, the products you use for each category will accomplish these steps in different ways. *

Cleanse

Shampoos are meant to lift the hair cuticle, break up oil and dirt so it can all be rinsed away. The main goal of shampoo is to remove buildup, environmental debris and production of sebum- the oil that our skin naturally secretes.  In our case, oil has a harder time traveling down a tight curl. This being said, the more textured your hair is, the dryer it can feel. Understand that our scalps are creating oil normally- but it has a hard time reaching our actual hair.

So when we use shampoo, the focus should be on our scalps, since this is where the dirt is.  When applying shampoo, apply product to your roots and scalp, scrub with your finger tips and lather your way down your hair.  DO NOT SCRUNCH the hair with shampoo as I have learned this can cause more tangles.  TRY THIS: shampoos that do not contain sodium laurel (or laureth) sulfates. These ingredients are very harsh on hair that is not dirty and may cause irritation.

Condition

Conditioner is a vital part of a healthy hair regimen! Conditioning the hair closes the cuticles, making them smooth and slippery and easy to come. Conditioner is meant to coat the hair unlike shampoo. You will hear that word a lot when I refer to conditioner. SLIP!  I personally find it a necessity for my conditioner to provide enough SLIP, to allow me to detangle my hair properly. Trust me; this quality will make your life a lot easier when detangling your hair as you retain more length during your natural hair journey.

Conditioner can also be used as a gentle cleanser.  They provide enough cleaning agents to remove dirt and build up. If you exercise daily like I do, conditioner becomes your best friend.

*If use a silicone based conditioner, you may have to add a clarifying shampoo to your regimen to remove buildup from your hair. This will help you if your hair becomes dull, lack shine and body.*

Moisturize

Moisturizing your hair (in my opinion) is the MOST IMPORTANT PART OF your hair care regimen. Finding a moisturizer that works for you will be the key to how well your hair fairs during your journey.  This could be as simple as water/aloe/ spritz daily or as potent as penetrating each strand with a product like Shea butter. NOTHING WILL REPLACE WATER! Not all of us need to drench our hair with H20 every morning but if you think you can go without water on a daily basis- Think again!  I suggest using distilled water. Simply put it in a spray bottle and dampen your hair.  When searching for a moisturizer, be sure the first ingredient is water.

Seal

Sealing the hair is the final step. You must do this in order to make sure the moisture you preciously applied stays in your hair.  According to research moisture is lost when the cuticle is raised and water leaves the hair. When you lay a sealant on top of the hair, your moisture is locked in. I understand these steps can get tiring, but I promise you, your hair will thank you later.

Running low on time?  Add your favorite oil to the spray bottle of water and knock out steps 3 and 4 at the same time!!!

With so many oils to choose from; here are some of my favorites.   What works for you?

• Olive Oil
• Coconut Oil
• Castor Oil
• Jojoba Oil
• Sesame Oil

Deep Conditioner/Repair

When I want to pamper my hair, a natural girl’s spa day; I deep treat. Understand that nobody’s hair is perfect!  Everyone will experience some breakage and lack of moisture. Occasionally you need to treat your hair to something nice. Understand that the curlier your hair, the more moisture it needs.  Find a deep conditioner that your hair likes and treat it to a hot date!  ( my date nights are usually biweekly on the weekend)

TRY THIS:

• 1 avocado
• Extra-virgin olive oil)
• Honey

Avocado is great for deep conditioning. It can also be used for a quick softening, conditioning and moisturizing mask. Honey by itself isn’t sufficient enough to provide the conditioning necessary, but when combined with other products it can make your hair feel softer and provide smooth hair.

Leave a comment and let us know how it worked!

Give yourself at least one month to test out a specific regimen. Stick with the same products to see true results! Best of Luck on your natural hair journey!

What’s YOUR healthy hair regimen?