Blow-drying and Hooded Dryers
You thought because you aren’t using a flat iron every week that you’re excluded from heat damage? Wrong! Blow drying your hair too often or using a hooded dryer* with high heat is still damaging to your strands. Blow dryers* and hooded dryers get hotter than you think. Every time you use these styling tools you are stretching your kinks and curls breaking the bonds within the strands.
Each time your curls are stretched, it becomes harder for them to go back to their original shape. Hooded dryers are the better option because unlike the blow dryer*, the heat doesn’t directly hit your head, but it distributes heat evenly around your head.
However, if your heat setting is on hotter than hot, you are still causing heat damage. The damage isn’t immediate, but over time it will rear its ugly head. Put your blow dryer* on a lower heat setting and reduce your frequency of use. Your hooded dryer* will still dry your hair if it’s on a medium setting and not on high heat.
Dry Hair
Dry hair is a big reason why so many naturals experience breakage. If you have dry natural hair, you have to work a little harder to keep it moisturized. If your hair is consistently dry, your hair will break off with no apologies.
Dry hair is weak and it isn’t flexible at all. If you don’t get a handle on it immediately, it can cause a significant amount of damage. I always make sure I seal my wet hair with oil that locks moisture in like coconut oil* or olive oil.
I also make sure I use a butter on my hair like shea butter* because butters are very moisturizing. I repeat my moisturizing process every 24 hours because moisture is only locked into your hair for that long.
Gels and Styling Pomades
Gels and pomades are not the root of all evil. These products are quite effective, but you have to use them properly. One should never use these products without packing on the moisture first. If you apply a gel or pomade to your hair without any moisture layered under it, it will snap your hair off quick and in a hurry.
The particular gel that you’re using may have some moisturizing ingredients in it, but it will not moisturize your hair. It will dry your hair out and dry hair breaks. It won’t take long before you see the damaging aftermath of using a styler without moisture.
Before you apply your styling pomade or gel, make sure moisture is locked into your hair first. This will prevent dull, lifeless hair and it will also prevent breakage. Repeat your moisturizing process every time you use your gel or pomade.
As with any advice, you have to apply what you know will work for your head of hair. For some, their hair may thrive in braids all year and for others, it may be the complete opposite. Do what works for you because natural hair is a journey.
Erica Johnson says
Very informative.
Chinyere says
This article says to wear a bun for a few days and then wear your hair down for a few days. That kinda defeats the purpose of leaving your hair alone in a bun. That requires more manipulation to restyle your hair every few days.
tmw says
This was a good article especially the last sentences. Shea butter seems to work for everyone except me. It makes my hair break off like crazy. I have found butter blends to work better for me like carol’s daughter healthy hair buttet which has a mix of stuff.