How To Keep Your Natural Wooly Hair Moisturised

No More Dry Hair!

Keeping black hair moisturised is our biggest challenge. This article will show you exactly how to keep your hair soft and hydrated, even during the summer. 

The more hydrated your hair is, the less likely it is to break. Depending on your hair texture, you should wash your hair weekly or monthly!

Water is the supreme moisturiser. Wetting your hair allow water molecules to penetrate your hair shaft making your hair softer and more elastic! 

Here’s what it looks like:

Moisture = Hydration.

Hydration = Water.

Hydrated hair = Less breakage

Next, when using shampoos and conditioners ensure that they complement each other. It’s recommended that you use shampoos and conditioners within the same product line that they complement each other to help with moisturizing.

Your Conditioner should have a lower pH than your shampoo. The lower the pH of the conditioner the more it helps to seal off your hair. Sealing your hair means that your hair cuticles are smoothed down and tighter. You'll have fewer tangles and better curl ;)

Here are four main types of conditioners:

Instant hair conditioner: This hair conditioners can help you treat  a variety of hair problems such as hair loss and scalp irritation, alopecia, candida, psoriasis, and lupus. 

Cream-rinse Conditioner: This type of conditioner is perfect for nourishing your hair shaft. Cream conditioner make your hair slippery and easier to comb. 

Moisture Conditioner: This type of conditioner locks in moisture where your hair needs it the most, for optimal hydration and softness.

Deep Conditioning: This type of conditioner is good for treating, healing, or restoring your hair quality. 

Protein conditioners: These conditioner are used to strengthen the hair by adding protein and amino acids. The purpose of a protein conditioner is to rebuild damaged hair that have.

Washing your hair with warm water helps to dislodge dirt and oil. It also increases the hair's porosity i.e. the cuticles open up allowing all of the good stuff from your shampoo and conditioner to be easily absorbed.

Always rinse your hair in cold water at the end of the washing process, this will help flatten the cuticle and lock in moisture. 

Apply moisturiser to your hair before applying any oil.

Oil is not a moisturiser. Oil and water do not mix. Oil when used, needs to be applied last so that it stops moisture from escaping. Oils can be very useful when locking in moisture.

In terms of applying hair products (leave-in moisturisers, creams, oils), you need to figure out which order keeps your hair most moisturised: LOC Method or LCO Method.

Petroleum jelly is not ideal for hair. Although they are great for sealing in moisture, they provide no benefits at all. 

In oil-based moisturisers, water and oil are blended using "emulsifiers"; which stops water and oil from separating.

Shea butter based moisturiser is a good option for most. Buttery moisturisers work best on wet hair and creamy moisturisers are fantastic for dry hair.  

Remember to seal-in the moisture with a good oil.

Great oils for sealing moisture within the hair cuticle are

1. Coconut oil
2. Jojoba oil
3. Avocado oil
4. Argan oil
5. Castor oil
6. Sweet almond oil

If you have a dry scalp, apply a small amount of essential oils to your hair regularly.

Here are examples of good essential oils:  

1. Lavender Essential oil
2. Peppermint
3. Rosemary
4. Cedarwood
5. Lemongrass
6. Thyme
7. Tea tree

Keeping a dry scalp moisturised will ensure that the scalp's environment.

Let’s talk about hair growth...

Jojoba oil is great for moisturizing your scalp, preventing dandruff and hair loss. Jojoba is rich in vitamins and minerals that nourish hair, including vitamin C, vitamin B,  vitamin E, copper, and zinc. Jojoba oil also promotes hair thickness.

Jojoba oil is very similar in structure to sebum.

Bonus Tips:

• Spritz your hair with water and a little oil twice a day
  This will help to keep your hair hydrated. If your hair is damaged or if you have a build up of dirt and oil in your hair, it will be harder for water to penetrate your cuticle.
• Sleep with a satin bonnet at night and/or use a satin pillowcase
  Cotton absorb the moisture from your hair, more than satin pillow. In addition to this, satin fibres are smoother than cotton ones so you're less vulnerable to breakage with satin.
• Wear protective hairstyles when the weather is harsh
  If the weather is too hot or windy your hair will dry out quicker than usual.