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Curly hair can be both a blessing and a curse. It adds so much to your personality but can be very difficult to manage.
The twisted tresses form knots and get dragged while combing, causing a lot of hair breakage. Plus, you need to properly condition your hair and keep it frizz-free to achieve perfect ring-like curls. The problem is curly hair by nature is prone to dryness and frizz.
The shape of your hair depends on the shape of the follicle it grows from. Oval-shaped follicles with a curve at the base twist the shape of the hair strand to form curls.
Home Remedies to Tame Curly Hair
Here are some natural measures for managing curly hair at home:
1. Hot oil massage
Curly hair dries out easily, making them even more unmanageable. The simplest way to keep your ringleted locks soft and moisturized is to make hot oil massage a regular part of your hair care regimen.
There are many hair oils to choose from, but olive oil, almond oil, and coconut oil are your best bet. These oils not only condition your hair but also are full of nutrients and antioxidants that help repair and strengthen it. Plus, the oil seeps into your scalp to nourish your hair follicles.
The oil is warmed up because the gentle heat stimulates blood circulation in the scalp, and so does the massaging motion. The improved blood flow brings more nutrients to the hair follicles, enabling them to produce strong, healthy hair.
How to use:
- Microwave your preferred hair oil for a few minutes so that it becomes comfortably warm but not too hot.
- Apply it to your scalp and hair, massaging it gently from root to tip.
- Put on a shower cap and then wrap a hot towel over it.
- Wait for at least an hour before shampooing and conditioning your hair as usual.
2. Eggs
Hair is made up entirely of protein, a macronutrient found abundantly in eggs. No wonder eggs are such a popular hair remedy, especially for smoothening dry, frizzy hair.
Try this simple egg mask to tame your curly hair.
How to use:
- Break 1 egg in a bowl, and add 1 tablespoon of mayonnaise and 2 tablespoons of olive oil.
- Whisk all the ingredients to make a paste.
- Smear it all over your hair and cover your head with a shower cap to avoid dripping.
- Let your hair soak in this hair mask for half an hour, and then rinse it thoroughly with cold water.
3. Avocado
Avocado is loaded with protein and good fats, both of which can do wonders for your curly hair.
The protein helps repair and nourish your tresses, while the fat helps moisturize and condition them. These actions make your curls smooth, soft, lustrous, and easy to manage.
How to use:
- Mash 1 avocado into a paste and mix in 2 tablespoons of olive oil. You can also add a few drops of coconut milk to the mixture.
- Shampoo your hair, and then apply this homemade mask.
- Leave it on for 30 minutes to 1 hour before rinsing it off thoroughly.
4. Aloe vera
Aloe vera gel is great for curly hair in more ways than one. This water-rich ingredient deeply hydrates your hair cuticle to make your curls smooth, soft, and shiny.
Aloe vera is also replete with minerals, vitamins, amino acids, and several other nutrients that nourish your hair follicles, which then sprout strong, healthy hair. (1)
How to use:
- Cut open an aloe vera leaf to extract its gel.
- Massage the gel into your hair and scalp for 15 minutes, using gentle hand motions.
- Rinse it off with lukewarm water, and then wash your hair using a mild shampoo.
5. Fenugreek seeds
Fenugreek seeds are one of the most effective herbal solutions for frizzy hair. These seeds contain lecithin, a vital component of human cells that helps preserve the shape of hair curls in humid conditions and also makes the hair more flexible for easy management.
How to use:
- Soak 3–5 teaspoons of fenugreek seeds in water for 5 hours (or overnight) to make them soft.
- Grind them into a thick paste, and mix in 3 tablespoons of plain yogurt and 1 tablespoon of olive oil.
- Apply this mixture to your scalp and hair, and then gently massage it in.
- Leave it on for at least an hour before rinsing it off with warm water.
- Shampoo as usual.
6. Beer
Not many people know that beer can be a great value addition to a hair care regimen. In fact, it is often used in many hair care products. This fizzy drink is rich in many vital nutrients, including protein, that can repair and nourish your hair.
Curly hair gets tangled up easily, making it prone to breakage and falling out, but beer can help make your hair strong to reduce this kind of hair loss. Plus, beer can condition your unruly curls, making them soft, moisturized, and manageable. It also adds a healthy sheen to your tresses, which is a bonus.
How to use:
- Shampoo your hair, and then rinse it with plain water.
- Slowly pour beer all over your hair, ensuring each strand is drenched with it.
- Wait for 5 minutes so that the beer gets properly absorbed into the hair shafts before washing it off with cold water.
7. Rice water
Rice water contains amino acids, the building blocks of protein, which is the main component of your hair. When you rinse your hair with rice water, these amino acids are absorbed into your hair cuticles to repair and strengthen them from within.
Regular use of rice water not only reduces hair breakage and hair fall but also gives your curls a smooth texture, more bounce, and a healthy shine.
How to use:
- Put 1 cup of rice in a bowl and wash it once under running water. Then, immerse the rice in 2 cups of water and let it soak for 3–4 hours.
- Strain the water into a container.
- Wash your hair with your regular shampoo, and then slowly pour 1 cup of rice water all over your wet hair.
- Wait for 5 minutes to let the rice water seep into your hair cuticles before rinsing it off with plain water.
Lifestyle Changes to Deal With Curly Hair
Develop the following habits to make dealing with curly hair less of a struggle:
- Deep condition your hair weekly or biweekly to replenish hair moisture. Deep conditioners do not form rigid bonds, but they enhance interfiber forces and provide a detangling effect to facilitate easy combing and style retention. (2)
- Apply curl creams, which give definition to your natural curls. It also imparts moisture to banish frizz and thus further enhances the shape of your curls.
- Wear hair bonnets that protect your curls while you sleep. This additional buffer over your hair keeps it from rubbing against the pillowcase, tangling, or pressed under your body. Hair bonnets can go a long way in preserving the shape and structural integrity of your beautiful curls.
- Use hydrating hair products that keep your curls properly conditioned, soft, and smooth. These products are especially important for curly hair because it dries out quickly and becomes excessive frizzy.
- Apply shea butter serums or hair creams as these are excellent for softening brittle, harsh hair. Shea butter is a great moisturizer – it’s great for both dry and fragile curly hair.
- Choose the right hair products that address the specific needs of your curly hair. This applies to your shampoo, conditioner, hair oils, and serums that should be custom-made for curly hair.
- Be gentle when combing your curls to avoid hair breakage. Curly hair gets tangled easily and is not easy to comb through. It is most tame and manageable when damp, so it’s best to comb it after a hair wash. Start by running your fingers or a wide-tooth comb through your moist tresses to gradually detangle any knots. Then, brush them properly, but don’t use too much force or pull at your hair.
- Protect your hair from the chlorinated water in swimming pools by wearing a swimming cap, or wash your curls with a clarifying shampoo and conditioner after every swim.
How to Prevent Problems Associated With Curly Hair
A bad hair day can be avoided when you follow these prevention tips:
1. Don’t wash your curly hair every day
Daily hair washing using water and shampoo can strip the natural oils from your hair and scalp. This is bad for any hair type, but especially so for curly hair since it is prone to dryness.
2. Do not use a towel to dry your curly hair
Rubbing your hair with a towel will tangle them even more and will cause unnecessary hair breakage or hair fall. The best way is to let them air-dry, but if you’re in a hurry, press your hair between the towel to soak the excess water.
3. Avoid using hairstyling tools
Blow-dryers, flat irons, and curling irons are all thermal tools that release a lot of heat, which can damage your hair in the long run.
Regular use of hairstyling tools can leave your curly tresses dry, rough, weak, and dull. It can also trigger premature greys. (3) The more you use them, the greater will be the hair damage.
Most-Asked Questions About Curly Hair
What exactly is the problem with curly hair?
The major complaints about curly hair are that it gets dry and frizzy easily and is prone to split ends and breakage. Given its tangled-up shape, it is harder to comb through, style, and manage. Therefore, it takes more effort and specific hair care measures to look after curly hair.
Is apple cider vinegar a good remedy for curly hair problems?
Apple cider vinegar (ACV) is a weak acid that helps maintain the hair’s natural pH to avoid unnecessary frizz and also gives it a healthy shine. No wonder it comes highly recommended for managing curly hair.
How to use:
- Mix equal parts ACV and water to make a hair rinse.
- Shampoo your curls, and then slowly pour this solution all over your hair.
- Wait for a few minutes so that the diluted ACV is properly absorbed.
- Rinse your hair with cold water.
Final Word
The hair care measures and remedies listed above may not provide drastic and immediate results like chemical treatments, but they are better for your hair in the long run and do not come with any untoward side effects.
Using strong chemicals on your delicate hair may improve their appearance at first, but their effects usually wear out, leaving behind irreparable hair damage. Harsh chemicals strip the moisture from your hair and weaken its foundation. Plus, they are quite expensive.
The natural ingredients mentioned in this article, on the other hand, help repair, hydrate, and nourish your curls without causing any side effects or hair damage. They are also easily available and cost next to nothing.
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