This is because sebum (hair and skin’s natural oil) is prevented from reaching the entire hair shaft due to our natural kinks. ‘Ok, ok, ok’ I hear you say, ‘enough with the bad news, can you help me or what?’ Well, as seasons change you will need to adjust your styling techniques and change your styling products.

 

Product selection:

 

Choosing the right product for your hair is essential, from shampoo and conditioning to moisturising and styling. This topic requires a more in-depth discussion, however to aid moisture:

• Consider a sulphate free shampoo – sulphates are cleansing agents and due to their harsh properties they tend to strip the hair’s natural oils. Textured hair requires gentle cleansing, even with heavy build-up
• Choosing a conditioner is probably more important than choosing a shampoo. Their purpose is to restore moisture after shampooing and to improve hair’s manageability. For deep conditioning select a conditioner that is rich in humectants, oils and a small amount of proteins. Use weekly on damaged hair
• Select water-based moisturisers. Water is key and should be listed as the first ingredient on your product. Try to avoid heavy oils or ingredients (especially in the top five ingredient listings) that block water from entering and leaving the hair (such as petrolatum or mineral oil). 

 

 Moisturising Treatments

Increase your moisturising treatments, such as deep conditioning – for example, if you deep condition every six weeks then increase that to monthly or even bi-weekly treatments. If you do not want to shampoo your hair that often, you can do a condition-wash, although bear in mind that textured hair requires hydrating and cleansing in order to increase the hair’s moisture. Applying a plastic cap will capture the heat radiating from your body to the product and will allow the moisturising ingredients to penetrate deeper into the hair shaft. Heat causes the molecules to vibrate, which results in deeper absorption. If you choose to use a hair dryer keep it on a low setting.

 

 

Protect your hair

 
Protective styles and satin/silk pillowcases/ scarves aid the fight against dryness. Protective styling involves the way we handle our hair (shampooing, conditioning and styling). This also includes protecting the ends of your hair (oldest and driest part of the hair) from the elements and also from rubbing against your collar (friction). If possible, tuck them in and moisturise and seal daily with oil (a light oil such as jojoba or coconut oil is sufficient. I wear a satin bonnet to bed which protects my hair from cotton pillowcases. While we sleep tossing and turning causes friction and results in frizziness. Satin/ silk is smooth and allows the hair to maintain moisture and reduces friction. I also wear my satin bonnet under my hats for extra protection.

 

 

 

Water

And of course we must not forget that it is important that your skin/ scalp is hydrated from within. If you are dehydrated your body will not provide enough moisture and you may tend to overuse products in the effort to increase moisture content. Water! Water! Water! Yes you know it and you have heard it said over and over – but it is essential in order to increase and maintain moisture. When we do not have enough moisture our hair (and skin) reflects this. “It is essential that moisture is infused back into your hair. The tighter your curls the drier your hair.”

  

Helena Douglas is the Owner of Beautiful Roots, an online store dedicated to hair care made with natural ingredients. She is not a salon or medical professional. Go to www.beautifulroots.co.uk to know more about natural hair products suitable for your hair needs.