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Did you know that
shampoo
should only be applied to the scalp? Are you aware that most shampoos
contain ingredients that are particularly harsh on hair?
We are so
accustomed to shampoos that give us a nice foamy lather, which is an
indication that it’s working, right?…Wrong. Shampoo contains detergents
and chemicals that create lather, which is unfortunately bad for the
hair...especially curly hair. These foamy detergents naturally strip
away both the oil and water molecules from hair, leaving it dry with
frizz and fly-aways. Dried and stripped is fine for cleaning your house
or your clothes but not your naturally beautiful hair!
When washing your
textured tresses it is important to focus on applying the shampoo
directly to the scalp, while paying careful attention not to scrub and
rub the hair with shampoo.
Also, choose a
shampoo
that is designed to be gentle on the hair while cleansing your scalp.
Look for low-lather and no-lather shampoos or cleansing conditioners
such as
DevaCurl
No-Poo,
Curls Curliscious Cleansing Cream, and
Blended Beauty Soy Cream Shampoo. These particular products leave the
hair and scalp feeling clean without stripping the hair of necessary
oils.
For curly locks
with oily scalp and fine hair textures, it is suggested that you use
shampoos that provide necessary hydration while not weighing it down,
such as
Curls Truly
Hydrating Shampoo and
Jane Carter Solution Moisture Nourishing
Shampoo. When using a
shampoo that has no moisturizing elements be sure to limit the use to
less than 4-6 times a year and keep in mind they serve as more purifying
agents, completely stripping the hair of all natural oils and product
build-up.
Basic rules and
steps to cleansing your textured tresses:
| 1. |
Minimize the
number of shampoo washes to less than 3 a week for oily hair and
once a week for normal to dry hair. Feel free to
water wash as often as you like.
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| 2. |
Select a
shampoo appropriate for your hair’s moisture needs. Remembering that
kinkier and tightly coiled hair tends to be drier and requires more
moisture. If you choose to alternate your shampoos and use a
purifying shampoo, minimize this to 4-6 times a year to remove waxy
build-up.
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| 3. |
Remember:
Conditioner is a good friend to curly hair! Detergent is the devil!
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| 4. |
Begin your
actual washing process with a water wash. Feel free to
water
wash your hair as often as you
like. This will pre-cleanse the scalp and remove product from your
hair. This will also allow the needed luxury of washing with
shampoo only once.
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While in
the shower or with your head in the sink (if you choose) start
by parting your hair in small sections beginning at the nape and
allowing the water to stream over your scalp in the parted
section.
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Massage the
scalp lightly with the pads of your fingers to break-up and
remove any debris and continue this process over your entire
head while also rinsing and removing any products in your hair.
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Follow with
a moisturizing/low-detergent shampoo (applied to the scalp!).
You can also follow this same process with conditioner (vs.
shampoo) to recondition your tresses. This is possible because
you have already cleansed your head and scalp with water.
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| 5. |
When washing
the scalp with shampoo squeeze the needed amount into your hands and
rub it between your palms and fingers. Then massage the shampoo onto
your scalp and continue to gently massage with the pads of your
fingers to remove any debris. |
Pre-treatment
Note: If you have excessively dry hair and do not have a shampoo
especially formulated for your particular
hair type,
you can pre-treat the hair with olive-oil, conditioner or essential oils
mixed specifically for application to the hair such as,
Jane Carter Solution Hair Nourishing Serum and
Jane Carter Solution
Scalp Renew. Applying this prior to washing the hair
will reduce the drying effects of shampoo and help to eliminate frizz.
Happy Washing!
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