For most people with natural hair, wash days are probably not the most exciting days. All the detangling and washing and rinsing could get somewhat tiring. Most go for the shorter routine and visit the nearest hair salon, which might not be the best option because your hair needs might not be fully catered to. The best thing we can do for our hair is giving it the utmost attention and care it needs and having a well elaborate wash day is exactly that. It’s important to understand your hair and its needs before curating the perfect way to care for it. Here are a few steps you can add to your routine:
1. Prepoo and detangle your hair.
In this case, prepoo basically means preparing your hair for the shampoo you’ll use when washing it. Most shampoos contain ingredients that can strip your hair and scalp and this can easily lead to itching and irritation. This step protects your hair from harsh ingredients, keeping your hair and scalp hydrated. Prepooing makes your hair easier to detangle even before you start to wash it, by softening your hair strands even after you have added shampoo. This way your hair does not snap and hair breakage is minimised. Prepooing also improves your hair’s elasticity, making it easier to take out knots or tangles.
2.Using a Sulfate free shampoo
The next step is to wash your hair with a shampoo. When it comes to this step, it is important to choose shampoos that do not contain any type of sulfate, because they are extremely harsh on the scalp and they strip off its natural oil, which is not good for your scalp.
3. Tea rinsing
Shredding in natural hair is normal but too much shredding is a cause for concern. It can be brought by many factors including stress, poor hair care regimen, and postpartum problems. Tea rinsing is what helps reduce the rate at which hair shreds. Tea rinsing is adding 2-3 tea bags in hot water and after you’ve shampooed your hair, apply the tea rinse on your hair. A tea rinse helps reduce the rate at which your shreds. It also helps make your hair feel softer and more manageable and adds a little more shine to it. Make sure you don't forget to do this step before conditioning for maximum results.
4. Deep conditioning your hair
The best way to deep condition is by applying the conditioner from the roots to the ends of your hair for even distribution and so that you can add a little more focus and care to your scalp as well. Leave it for 15 minutes and cover your hair with a good shower cap like the Try This AnThat Extra Large Shower Caps, which covers all your hair completely before rinsing the conditioner out. If you are feeling a little extra, you can go ahead and do a second detangle with your fingers or detangling brush with the conditioner still on your hair, to gently undo any knots that may be left. While rinsing your conditioner out, use cold water so as to close the pores on your scalp, to avoid scalp irritation and even scalp damage.
4.Dry your hair
After rinsing out the conditioner, use either a cotton t-shirt or a microfiber towel to dry your hair. Avoid rubbing either of the two on your hair to avoid hair frizz. You can wrap either the t-shirt or the towel on your head so it can absorb the excess water. Leave your hair to air dry for 5-10 minutes before using a blow-dryer, or leave it to air dry completely.
5. Apply leave-in conditioner
The job of the leave-in conditioner is to help your hair stay moisturised prevent the hair from getting damaged, and keep the strands from getting detangled. Note that the leave-in conditioner is not to be rinsed out.
6. Oil and moisturise
Finally, apply any lightweight oil on your hair to help the hair stay hydrated. Afterward, you can apply a hair moisturiser to seal-in all the products in the hair and scalp.
These short and easy steps will not only make sure your natural hair is well catered to, but they will also make you enjoy your wash days more when you have no protective styles done. To continue protecting your hair from hair damage caused by exposing your hair in the shower when you have protective styles like braids or dreadlocks, a great shower cap has got you.
Happy Wash Days everyone!