Frequent Blow-drying and Diffusing
Air drying natural hair can really be a pain in the you-know-what, especially if you’re dealing with super thick and coarse kinks and curls. It might take you hours to dry, so of course, you’re going to go for a quick solution which means you’re reaching for the blow dryer* more often than not.
Now when I say “blow dry”, I don’t mean everything on high with the heat blazing on your neck to the point of accidental sweat–No. I mean any air–hot or cold–blasting on and through your hair.
Using a blow dryer* may be convenient, but it also may be damaging! Heat damage split ends, frizz, breakage, and dryness are just some of the long-term effects of blow drying your hair frequently. You’ll also experience more breakage and split ends when you use comb or diffuser* attachments.
Does this mean you must give up blow drying? No way! Just find a balance between air drying and blow drying, and try to use water and products in moderation so drying won’t be such a large task.
Spot Relaxing
Spot relaxing is when you apply relaxer to “problem areas” instead of your whole head. For example, if you have trouble with laying your edges down, you might relax them to make them more manageable.
A lot of women have turned to this method to solve all of their unruly hair woes; and while it proves to be an effective temporary solution, it can cause long-term damage to your hair.
Dealing with two different textures around areas that are already prone to damage can only cause more damage–and it certainly will. Breakage, thinning, and balding are common problems when you relax select parts of your natural hair.
Your best bet is to go all the way or don’t go at all. It is better search for ways to better manage healthy hair then it is to find a quick fix and lose your hair in the long term.
If you absolutely cannot resist relaxing your edges or the nape of your neck, make sure to take extra special care of those areas and double down on your protein and moisturizing routines.
