A Guide on How to Keep Your Textured Hair Healthy This Autumn

Every curl deserves a routine that promotes hydration and health. Photo credit: Ouidad.com

By: Lauren Silverman

Fall is here, which means the summer months have faded away, and so have intense humidity and heat. While humidity can be detrimental for our hair, making the strands swell and frizz, the colder winter months can be devastating.

Whether you have waves, curls, or coils, every curl type needs moisture to retain body and shine. Lack of moisture results in dry, brittle strands that can’t form curls properly.

It’s important to prioritize moisturizing as the seasons change. The chill in the air can cause dreaded frizz. Products such as oils and leave-in conditioner will help your curls thrive.

There are many different types of oils, each with their own benefits. Coconut oil and black castor oil can make thick or dense hair shine, but could weigh down fine hair. For thinner curls, use extra virgin olive oil.

Leave-in conditioner will add extra moisture before your hair is exposed to the outside elements. By using leave-in conditioner before other products, you are creating a soft base for tools like gel and mousse to build upon. If you don’t have leave-in conditioner, you can use a little bit of your regular conditioner once you finish washing your hair.

If you don’t deep condition, now would be a great time to start! Deep conditioning goes beyond the limitations of everyday shower conditioner and coats every strand of hair for a spa-like treatment.

Deep conditioners have a range of ingredients and benefits that vary from brand to brand. The duration of the treatment is important too; leaving it in for too long may cause fine strands to become limp, while not waiting long enough for thick hair can prevent the conditioner from working properly.

Deep conditioning is a great once-a-week treatment for your freshly washed hair. But why not take it a step further and give yourself the best wash possible?

Two controversial ingredients in the curly community are sulfates and silicones. Sulfates contribute to the lathering nature of shampoos, and silicones can be found in conditioner and other products, like cream and gel.

Sulfates can be harmful for curly and coily hair because they strip the hair of its natural oils. Since curly hair is dry naturally, it can become damaged from overuse of sulfates. People with wavy hair, which can become oily, may be able to use sulfate shampoos without an issue.

Sulfate-free shampoo is a great way to prevent hair from drying out. Perhaps the most popular one is DevaCurl No-Poo, which is safe enough to use every day.

Silicones are a trickier ingredient. While they can help add body and shine to hair, they are notorious for causing serious buildup. This is especially problematic for thinner hair types, which will get weighed down and oily from the excess product.

Unless water-soluble, most silicones cannot be washed out with a sulfate-free shampoo. So in order to remove the buildup of silicones, one must use sulfate shampoo, which can cause extreme dryness. Fortunately, there are plenty of silicone-free and sulfate-free products in the curly market. Be sure to read ingredient lists, and be on the lookout for red flags.

Products can bring out your best curls, but you could be damaging your hair in other ways, preventing it from reaching its full potential. Heat is a big issue for curls.

Straightening your hair once can lead to weeks, if not months, of damaged ends and crackly frizz.

If you like to use heat tools every so often, it is essential to invest in a strong heat protectant. Otherwise, your curls might suffer from just a few minutes under the flat iron. If you blow-dry your hair, be sure to use a diffuser. 

It’s gentle and dries curls in sections rather than attacking your delicate strands with aggressive heat. Some people can use heat while drying as long as they are using a diffuser.

Regardless of hair type, everyone deserves curls that look and feel amazing. Don’t shy away from experimenting with new products, especially as the seasons change. Your hair’s needs can change depending on temperature, humidity, and location.

Your curls are unique and full of character-give them the treatment they deserve!