Basics of Moisturizing the Natural Hair

a woman getting scalp massage

How to Moisturise Natural Hair?

Moisture is a topic that gets a lot of attention in natural black hair. community. Natural hair is porous, which causes it to be dry and prone to breakage. As a result, many naturalists use hydrating products to prevent breakage and keep their hair looking healthy. 

Simply put, when it comes to moisturising your hair, you should remember to... clean, moisturise, and seal. 

  • Wash your hair with simply conditioner or a sulfate-free shampoo (which is less likely to rob your hair of natural moisture) (co-washing). 
  • After shampooing, use a leave-in conditioner or a water-based moisturiser for your hair. (The best moisturiser is water.) 
  • Use butter (shea, murumuru, cupuacu) or oil to lock in moisture (olive, coconut, castor, avocado). Moisture tends to flee our hair since it is permeable. Sealing your hair aids in the retention of the moisture you've infused for a longer period of time. 

How Often Do You Need to Moisturize? 

Unfortunately, there isn't a hard and fast rule regarding how often you should moisturise. It all relies on your specific hair demands and objectives. Some naturalists moisturise every day, while others moisturise every other day or every 4-5 days when they wash their hair, as previously said. 

Ask yourself:

  1. Do you have brittle hair? 
  2. Is your hair prone to breakage? 

If you answered no to this question, your routine is OK. 

Another group of persons has dry scalps because their scalps do not produce as many natural oils/sebum as they should. 

This is when a proper moisturising regimen comes into play. Moisturizing your natural hair helps to seal moisture into the strands of your hair, keeping your kinky curls moisturised and flourishing. Here are some of the finest ways to maintain your natural hair moisturised to keep those curls popping: 

  1. Water is required for your hair. 
  2. Remove your protective styles and wash them. 
  3. Massage your scalp with hair growth oil. 
  4. Take advantage of the hot oil therapy. 
  5. Use sealants to moisturise your natural hair. 
  6. Stay away from over-styling your hair. 
  7. The LOC method is a technique for calculating the distance between two 
  8. Using the LCO technique 
  9. Satin pillows and bonnets are recommended. 
  10. Use only oil and water to moisturise. 
  11. Only use moisturisers that are water-based. 
  12. Discover what your natural hair needs by it. 
  13. Use the hydration approach that provides the most hydration. 
  14. Avoid using heat on your natural hair by trimming those split ends. 
  15. Natural hair that has been deep-conditioned using a deep conditioning hair mask
  16. Avoid washing your hair every other day. 
  17. Use the wash-and-go technique. 
  18. Keep your natural curls safe. 
  19. Get rid of the hair-in-the-hand syndrome. 

Your hair necessitates the use of water 

Water is essential for your hair's health. Your natural hair needs water in the same way that you require popcorn to watch a movie. Water is a basic hair moisturising ingredient, and you should never comb through your hair without first adding some water. Drinking upto six to eight glasses of water.

Take care of your protective styles

When you maintain a cleansing and moisturising routine for your protective styles, you can avoid dry hair and help your natural hair retain moisture. 

What you will require to clean your protective styles:

  • Shampoo without sulphates 
  • Water Conditioner 

What's the best way to clean your protective styles? 

  • Make sure your hair is wet. 
  • To loosen product build-up, first, apply the shampoo to your scalp and gently massage it in. 
  • If you're wearing twists, pull the shampoo through the length of your hair; if you're wearing cornrows, smooth it down the length of your hair. 
  • Repeat the process a second time to ensure complete cleansing. 
  • Thoroughly rinsing is required. 
  • Apply conditioner to your hair and scalp and gently massage it in. 
  • Rinse the dish well. 

Massage your scalp with oil

Your natural hair requires oil, and a sufficient amount of it to keep it moisturised. Natural oils such as coconut hair oil, olive oil, and black castor oil can be used for this. Also, keep in mind that oil is not a moisturiser, so you'll need to spritz your scalp with a mild water-based mist before beginning the oiling procedure to get some moisture into your hair. 

Take advantage of the hot oil treatment 

This is an excellent approach to taking care of your natural hair. The hot oil treatment softens and strengthens your hair while also moisturising and hydrating it. This practice is great for the drier times of the year because our hair dries out more quickly. The hot oil treatment also gives your natural hair a boost of shine. 

What you'll need to give your natural hair a hot oil treatment 

  • Castor oil 
  • Grape seed oil 
  • Applicator bottle for olive oil and avocado oil 
  • Cap for the shower 

How to give your natural hair hot oil treatment?

  • Shake the applicator container to combine the castor oil, grape seed oil, olive oil, and avocado oil. You can also use whichever natural oils you choose. 
  • While the water is still hot, pour it into a mug or bowl. Place the applicator bottle in the hot water and wait 5 minutes for it to warm up. 
  • Allow the oil mixture to cool somewhat before using. 
  • Make portions in your hair. 
  • Start with your ends and work your way up, applying the oil to your scalp and hair. 
  • Gently massage your scalp with your fingertips to encourage hair growth by increasing blood circulation to your hair follicles. 
  • Put each part into twists or Bantu knots once you're finished. 
  • Overnight, cover your hair with a shower hat. 

Use Sealants to Moisturize Your Natural Hair 

Sealants are made composed of butter or oils that aid to seal in moisture and keep your hair shafts silky and supple. Sealants work to smooth the cuticles of your hair. The sealing/smoothing of the hair cuticles is a crucial step in this procedure since it aids in the retention of moisture in the hair. 

Sealants are what you'll need to keep your natural hair moisturised. 

  • You can use whatever sealant you choose. 
  • Water 

How to use sealants to hydrate your natural hair?

  • Begin with moist or freshly washed hair. 
  • When you twist your damp hair, water acts as the initial moisturiser. 
  • After that, apply a decent sealer to your natural hair and you're good to go. 
  • Take pleasure in your hair's softness and hydration. 

Don't Overdo It With Your Natural Hair 

Natural hair styling products can cause your hair to dry out, build up on your scalp, and weigh it down. Too much touching and styling of your natural hair can lead to hair breakage and damage. Wear styles that don't require as many styling products or alternate between high and low manipulation styles to give your hair a break. This will keep your hair nourished and hydrated for several days. 

The LOC Method

For optimal water retention, the LOC method involves layering treatments on natural hair. Liquid/leave-in, oil, and cream are all abbreviations for liquid/leave-in, oil, and cream. You can use a water-based leave-in conditioner or just water for the liquid/leave-in. By moisturising your hair with water, the oil seals in the moisture you've absorbed into your hair. Olive oil, coconut oil, jojoba oil, and castor oil are all good options. After watering or moisturising your hair, use natural hair cream/butter to close the cuticles. 

For the LOC approach, you'll need the following items. 

  • Using either water or a leave-in conditioner 
  • Natural oils
  • Hair cream made from natural ingredients 
  • For natural hair, here's how to do the LOC method. 
  • If you're going to use a leave-in conditioner, start with freshly washed hair. 
  • If you're going to use water, divide your hair into pieces and spritz it all over. 
  • After that, apply your preferred oil to your hair and gently smooth it down. 
  • Apply your lotion to each region of your hair and smooth it down the length of your hair. 
  • Make twists in your hair and let them dry. 

There is no need of washing your hair everyday

When you shower, there is no necessary of washing hair every day. This may not come as a surprise to you, but washing your hair every day is extremely harmful to your hair. Your hair will become drier the more you wash it. Only wash your hair with shampoo twice a week. Use a sulfate-free shampoo and apply it largely to your scalp, while your conditioner should be put mostly to your ends when you wash your hair. After washing your hair, apply a leave-in conditioner or leave a deep conditioner in your hair overnight. Instead of using shampoo all the time, co-washing is a terrific technique to keep your natural curls nourished and prevent frizz.

Take Away

It is very important to have a proper hair care routine to keep your hair moisturized and healthy by using hair growth oil, hair serum, conditioner, shampoo and hair masks.

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