A few tips to keep your hair soft and healthy
- Deep Condition right after shampooing: Make sure you use a processing cap. You can also boil water, pour it on a towel and then wrap the towel around your head. It will be like giving yourself a spa treatment.
- Do Bi-weekly hot oil treatment: Oils* that are really good for hot oil treatment are usually conditioning and help maintain moisture. I always use an oil mixture. I have not tried avocado and almond, but they are lighter than castor oil* and may be able to seep into the hair better. I do use coconut oil*. You can combine the oil with your favorite essential oils* for a better effect.
- Try not to touch or manipulate your hair a lot. That goes for other people as well.
- Sleep with a slumber cap: This will reduce the amount of friction that cotton causes your hair to break off. Keeping your hair in the slumber cap will allow it to retain moisture and stay soft.
- Protective styling is a must during the winter: I usually opt for up-dos, but braids, weaves, and wigs* are great too. I would advise that you must take care of your hair while it is in the fake hair.
- Wash your hair regularly (recommendation is one week): Remember what I said about moisturizing dirty hair full of product build-up? Well, washing your hair is not only hygienic, but it makes your hair easier to moisturize. Clean hair is healthy hair. I know that a lot of naturals have no wash or co-wash challenges. If you want your hair to be long, shiny, healthy and soft then you should clarify your hair so that the build-up no longer remains. Do not just deep condition, that will not clarify. Conditioner is for moisture, softening your hair and putting back oils*. Shampoo is for clarifying.
- When you are styling, use the appropriate combs and tools. Using a wide tooth comb* will help retain length and it will help the moisture spread throughout the hair section.
- Do not add too much protein. Make sure to keep the protein balanced
I cannot guarantee that these tips alone will make your hair as healthy as it needs to be. Maybe your hair actually lacks something besides moisture to make it soft.
This is just how I maintain softness and some ideas for you to try. If this all does not work after doing it for a couple of weeks, then you can try looking at the ingredients of what you are using. You could unintentionally be putting too much protein into your hair without realizing it.
Keeping your hair soft and moisturized is based on the habits you keep. No matter how simple your routine is and even if you only use five products total, you should keep your routine consistent.
As long as you are consistent your hair should grow as normal. If you have tried these tips, let me know in the comment section how it goes.
