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Hey, Ladies! We’re all on our healthy hair journey, and one thing we should master is how to moisturize natural hair. Many naturals just follow what everyone is doing but still have dry hair.
This is because they are not doing enough of it or doing too little of it. A moisturized mane will flourish because it will be shiny, manageable, longer, the curls will be defined, and healthy overall.
Here are 9 ways on how to moisturize natural hair:
1. Pre-poo
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This a method where you add oil, conditioner, honey or eggs to your hair before the shampoo process.
You can use oils such as:
- coconut oil
- extra virgin olive oil
- castor oil or any carrier oil of your choice
Then, distribute it evenly all over your hair strands from the ends to your scalp and cover with a plastic bag or conditioning cap, and sit under a hooded dryer or steamer.
Prepooing adds moisture to your hair follicles. Yes, the shampoo will strip the hair of product build-up, dirt and oils, but prepooing preps the hair for the harsh ingredients that strip it if you are using a sulfate shampoo by keeping the natural oils from our scalp to keep our hair moisturized.
2. Shampoo your scalp and hair
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First, your scalp has to be clean. Shampoos cleanse the scalp and hair shaft of any product build-up, dirt and debris from the outside elements that may penetrate it.
Shampoos are intended to rid the hair of sebum, sweat, styling products, and environmental dirt (1)
You want to wash the hair properly because clean hair holds moisture better. You should use a sulfate free moisturizing shampoo for your hair.
Not only will the hair be stripped of unwanted product and dirt but will be infused with moisture as well. Also, stripping the hair opens the cuticles that lay flat so that moisture can penetrate the hair shaft.
3. Conditioning your hair
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The purpose of conditioning your hair is to add moisture to the hair shaft after the shampoo has stripped the hair and raised the cuticles. You want to get a moisturizing conditioner with natural ingredients that will properly moisturize the hair.
Hair conditioner is a hair care product that changes the texture and appearance of hair. (2)
The first ingredient should be water since water is the best moisturizer for natural hair.
The conditioner moisturizes the part of the hair shaft that the natural oils from our scalp cannot reach because of the coily/kinky nature of our hair.
4. Deep condition to moisturize natural hair
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Deep conditioning will make or break your moisturizing regimen for your hair. This is when you add a moisturizing hair mask such TGIN’s honey miracle hair mask. Or a DIY deep conditioner with honey, coconut oil, avocado oil, etc. all over your hair shaft for extra moisture.
- After applying the product or the mixture to your mane, you would place a plastic bag/steam cap/ deep conditioning cap (anyone of your choice) over your hair.
- Once the product is covered, the heat will penetrate the shaft and raise the cuticles for the deep conditioner mix/mask to infuse into the hair shaft and add all the moisturizing ingredients. Deep conditioning allows our hair to retain moisture in the days after styling.
- It actually works if you add this step to your regimen; this step takes between 15-45 minutes and allows the cuticles to raise and the shaft to be infused
with all the natural ingredients.
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Make sure to deep condition at least once a week during the cooler months to combat dry hair, breakage, and shedding. To speed up the deep conditioning process you could sit under a hooded dryer or use an attachment to your blow dryer such as the soft bonnet hair dryer attachment.
5. LOC Method
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The LOC method has been raved about by many naturals and remains a staple in the natural hair community.
The LOC method which stands for Liquid, Oil, and Cream is a way of sealing in moisture for your natural hair using the following ingredients.
- For the liquid you can use water (best moisturizer for our natural curly locs) or leave in, oils such as jojoba, almond, castor or coconut oil
- then a cream such as shea butter.
- After applying the moisture with the water/leave in, the oil will hold onto the water molecules than the cream seals in everything to the hair shaft.
- Make sure to use oils and cream that work for your hair type so you can obtain the most moisture for your hair.
We all want to have soft, when understanding how to moisturize natural hair(1), but it won’t be retained in the days after styling if we do not seal it in the oil, and this method allows for that.
6. Water-based hair moisturizer
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If you have tried the step above and it hasn’t worked for you, or it is too time-consuming you can just use a water-based moisturizer. This works just as good.
- You want to find a product with water as the first ingredient with other natural ingredients like oils and creams that will keep the moisture locked in. A great product would be Kinky Curly Knot Today leave in conditioner.
- You should use it on a daily basis during the colder months. And perhaps every other day during the warmer months depending on your hair.
- Also, it keeps your curls refreshed and allowed the hairstyle to last longer.
- Please stay away from stylers/gels that have water as their first ingredient because they are not moisturizers. They provide definition and hold more than they do moisture.
7. Steaming
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This is adding moisture into your hair using steam. The hot steam raises the cuticle so that the products applied are easily absorbed into our hair shaft.
Especially for low porosity girls, this is a staple to ensure that the products are fully absorbed into the hair shaft since the cuticles are always closed and can only be lifted with heat. It’s an easy way to add moisture to our hair without having to drench it in water.
You can have your hair steamed at hair salons, with your personal Q-Redew handheld steamer or using the Secura S-192 hair steamer.
8. Drink Water
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Drinking water is another way you add additional moisture to your natural hair. If your body is dehydrated, then your skin and hair will be too. Our bodies are 75% water.
Healthy skin and hair is a good indicator of hydration (3)
Therefore, we need water to function in every way possible. Hence, we should drink as much water as possible to keep our skin and hair moisturized.
9. Using moisture-aided tools
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Not only does moisture come from the products that we apply to our hair but we can use tools that promote moisture as well. Firstly, invest in a satin pillowcases/hats/sheets.
The satin material keeps the moisture that is already in our hair from getting out as how it would with cotton pillowcases/bonnets/sheets.
Also, use satin scrunchies when you want to put your hair into an updo or ponytail.
Next, use a shower filter. This is a great investment as well because the chlorine that is in water can wreak havoc on our hair by making it dry and brittle.
After reading this article on how to moisturize natural hair, you’ll say goodbye to dry hair and hello to moisturized natural hair. Moisturized hair combats breakage, shedding and allows us to retain our length.
Here are Some More Tips on Moisturizing Natural Hair
Moisturize Natural Hair in the Winter
When winter weather hits, hit back by knowing how to moisturize natural hair. Cooler temperatures can take its toll on hair, leaving it dry, and lifeless. If this is happening to you, your hair may be telling you that it needs a little more moisture. But you don’t have to completely change your hair regimen or spend a lot of money. In fact, it can be very easy and inexpensive to counter the effects of winter. Most of the time all that are needed are a couple of different products or techniques. With a little practice, your hair will stay moisturized so you can rock those winter hairstyles for days.
How to Keep Natural Hair from Drying Out
Knowing how to keep natural hair from drying out can make the difference between dull and unruly hair and soft, touchable hair. To prevent your hair from becoming dry, it’s important to keep it properly moisturized. The conditioner you used during warmer months may not keep your hair moisturized throughout colder months. You might need to moisturize your hair more frequently or change your conditioner altogether. Even then, the moisture can evaporate quickly. This is why sealing moisture into the hair is so important. It prevents the moisture from evaporating from the hair shaft. Just like some skin lotions need to be applied more frequently, the same applies to your hair. And once you find the best moisturizing routine for your hair, your hair will be bouncy and healthy all winter.
How to Moisturize and Seal Natural Hair
If you want to know how to moisturize and seal natural hair, the LOC method of moisturizing might be for you. The LOC method is a technique used to moisturize and seal the hair so moisture doesn’t evaporate. There are three simple steps to using the LOC method. The first step is applying a leave-in conditioner or liquid. The conditioner or liquid you use should be one designed for your hair type and porosity. The lower the porosity of hair, the lighter weight the conditioner should be. The second step in the LOC method is to add a layer of oil over the leave-in conditioner or liquid. Using the correct oil for your hair is important. If the oil is too lightweight, it will penetrate the hair shaft too easily and not create a proper seal. You can tell if the oil you used is too light if your hair dries out in a day or two. Castor, avocado, and olive oils are all excellent for sealing in moisture. The last step in the LOC method is to apply a layer of cream over the oil. Doing so creates an additional barrier of protection. It’s common to use oil based creams during winter months. Using the LOC method is very easy to do, especially if you divide the hair into sections and work on one section at a time. When applied correctly, the LOC method needs few touch-ups and can retain moisture for up to four days.
Homemade Daily Moisturizer for Natural Hair
If you’d like to save money and still have beautifully moisturized hair, making a homemade daily moisturizer for natural hair is a cinch. Many times, you can use ingredients already in your pantry. Mixing a little oil to your favorite leave-in conditioner can boost the conditioner’s effectiveness and add an extra layer of protection. Another homemade moisturizer is to put aloe vera juice in a spray bottle and apply it your hair after washing. It delivers extra moisture when water alone doesn’t seem to be working. You can also add a heavier oil to your favorite hair butter to kick up its effectiveness. You can also squeeze the oil from about five vitamin E capsules and mix it with your favorite leave-in conditioner. Whichever way you do it, making a homemade moisturizer will save you money and your hair with thank you.
How to Keep Natural Hair Moisturized
If you want the healthiest hair possible, it’s important to know how to keep natural hair moisturized. Even if you moisturize your hair after washing, it’s likely it will need additional moisture between washes. Depending on your hair type and how dry it is, this can range from daily touch ups to every few days. If you notice that your hair is dry the next day, it’s easy to add more moisture by spraying the hair with a little water. Mixing a little aloe vera juice adds more moisture than water can provide by itself. After moisturizing, be sure to seal it in with your favorite oil. It’s also possible for only the ends to become dry. If that’s the case, then simply moisturize only the ends, seal with an oil then style like you normally do. Keep doing this as needed for the best results. Touch ups are a great way to prevent damage and keep your hair healthy, shiny, and gorgeous.
How to Moisturize Hair with Coconut Oil
When learning how to moisturize hair with coconut oil there are a few things to remember. Coconut oil penetrates the hair shaft which makes an excellent moisturizer. However, because it’s so lightweight, a heavier oil needs to be applied afterward to seal in the moisture. To use coconut oil as a moisturizer, heat the oil by placing some into a small bowl and place that into a larger bowl with hot water. Once the coconut oil is liquid, apply it to the hair, making sure that every strand is covered from root to end. Seal in the moisture with your favorite oil like jojoba, Argon or castor, then style as usual. Be sure to use the sealing oil sparingly so the hair doesn’t become weighed down. Coconut oil also makes an excellent pre-poo and helps to condition the scalp.
Use these tips and let me know how your dry hair has changed. Also, comment down below of other ways that you keep your hair moisturized.
Sources:
- http://quod.lib.umich.edu/cgi/t/text/text-idx?cc=mfsfront;c=mfs;c=mfsfront;idno=ark5583.0022.105;rgn=main;view=text;xc=1;g=mfsg
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hair_conditioner
- http://www.med.umich.edu/umim/food-pyramid/water.html
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