3. Do not detangle your hair while super wet
We have been taught that we should detangle our hair when drenched in conditioner and to detangle under the running water.
We have also been taught that hair is weakest when it is wet, which makes it vulnerable to breakage. So when is it the best time to detangle hair? Dry or Wet??
Well, it really depends on how you are detangling your hair. If you are comfortable detangling your hair while it is drenched in conditioner as you are allowing the shower to run along your hair, then do that but be very gentle while detangling to lessen the damage.
Some find it easier to detangle their hair that way, especially when it is longer. You can also detangle your hair while it is damp with your leave in conditioner*.
That way your hair won’t be vulnerable to more breakage, as it would be when sopping wet. Either way, just make sure your hair is detangled before doing any styling to your hair to ensure minimal breakage.
4. Air dry? Or blow dry your hair?
We have learned that our hair would be more susceptible to heat damage and dryness with a blow dryer*. But I have recently learned that air drying could be more damaging to the hair shaft than blow drying the hair. What the what?!
There is a study published in the Annals of Dermatology [article via CurlyNikki] that concludes:
“Although using a hair dryer* causes more surface damage than natural drying, using a hair dryer* at a distance of 15 cm with continuous motion causes less damage than drying hair naturally…”
This finding can very shocking, especially to those who choose no heat mechanisms to dry their hair. So which one is it?
It depends on your preference. If you want to style you hair when dry and add your products to your hair, then use a blow dryer*. However, try not to blow dry to bone-dry, but leave a little moisture in your hair for good measure.
If you prefer air drying, add your leave in while wet then allow to dry until damp. Style your hair while damp, then allow to air dry completely. Both ways are effective for hair health.
5. Daily manipulation
We all say it: don’t manipulate your hair daily. But when you think about it, we all do it. When you have a roller set or flat iron* style, sure it is low manipulation but you are still going to do something to your hair daily. Whether you give your hair a quick comb through or fluff your curls to your liking, you are still manipulating your hair.
Manipulation is not always a bad thing, how we manipulate is what makes the difference. Like using oil to create slip when removing twists is manipulation but safer than yanking through your twists with dry fingers.
No two journeys are alike. One curlfriend will love shampoo and the other will exclusively co wash. One kinky* gal will only air dry and the other will use a t-shirt to dry her hair, then blow dry the rest. At the end of the day do your research to find the best hair practices for you.
Renee A M Reives says
To each their own. If it works for them, so be it.