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Reconstruct Your Regimen


Reconstruct Your Regimen

by Jessica Rivers
Originally Posted on Curlfluence.com in 2018


We’ve all heard the “rules” of caring for your hair as a curly girl.

“Wash (shampoo) your hair with warm water to open the cuticles.”

“Rinse (after conditioning) with cool water to close the hair cuticles to retain moisture.”

“Don’t shampoo too often─ co-wash instead─ to avoid stripping your hair of its natural oils.”

“Stay away from silicones!!!”

What I’ve learned this past year is that not all of these methods work for everyone. Do what works best for YOUR hair.

As a Type 4, low porosity, fine/medium strand, high density curly girl that occasionally heat-styles her hair, my regimens have been as complicated as my hair. Your hair type, porosity, width, density, and preferences all affect what methods do and do not work for you.

1.       Warm vs. Cool Water. Warm water does open your hair cuticles (allowing more moisture to come in/escape), and cool water closes the hair cuticles. You should shampoo/cleanse your hair using warm water, but if you have low porosity hair (tightly closed hair cuticles that resist moisture), you should still condition/rinse with warm water to keep the cuticles open, allowing moisture to come in.

2.      Co-Washing vs. Shampooing. Some curly girls co-wash (cleansing with a conditioner) only, some shampoo only, and some do a combination of both. I’ve done both, but one thing is for sure─ I need to shampoo weekly with a clarifying shampoo. Yes, shampooing can be harsh on your hair, but it depends on your hair type. I have Type 4, low-porosity hair that is prone to product build-up. This means I need to clarify often.

3.      Silicones. Are silicones really bad? What are they? They are basically large molecules that create a layer over your hair. They make your hair sleek, shiny, frizz-free, and protect your hair from UV rays. These are necessary if you heat-style your hair, as they give your hair an extra layer of protection from getting heat damage. However, they do cause build-up, but can be washed away with a clarifying shampoo.
What works for your hair depends on your texture, porosity, and preferences.


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