11 Things to Never Do to Your Curly Hair To Keep It Luciuos

Maintaining healthy curly hair takes some effort, especially if you want to avoid tangles and knots.

It’s a common challenge for anyone with curls, as we’ve all had those moments struggling to tame our hair before work or an event.

But having more good hair days than bad is definitely achievable. Begin by changing a few habits that might be doing more harm than good.

Check out some things to avoid with your curls, based on my own experiences, below.

Be Gentle On Your Scalp

In my experience, most curly hair types benefit from using a clarifying shampoo once a month.

This helps exfoliate the scalp and remove build-up. Using it more frequently can strip your hair of the nourishing sebaceous oil produced by your scalp, leading to dryness and damage.

It’s also important not to under-wash your hair.

I recommend against co-washing too often, which involves skipping shampoo and using a cleansing conditioner instead.

At least once a week, your hair should be thoroughly cleansed.

Avoid Overwashing Your Hair

A balanced wash day routine is crucial for maintaining healthy textured hair.

Overwashing can strip away the natural oils that curly hair needs to stay vibrant. I recommend washing curly hair no more than once a week, using sulfate-free shampoos specifically designed for curls.

These shampoos cleanse gently without removing essential moisture, unlike sulfates, which can cause dryness and frizz.

I suggest using Aveeno Moisturizing Shampoo to gently cleanse and nourish wavy, curly, and coily hair, enhancing curl definition.

Embrace the Curly Girl Method, which advices against using products containing sulfates and silicones, as they can be too harsh for curly and coily hair types.

This method helps maintain the scalp’s natural oils, keeping curly hair hydrated, less frizzy, and softer.

Always read product labels carefully to avoid sulfates and silicones, as silicone-free products are preferred. Silicones can weigh down curls and disrupt the natural curl pattern.

Never Skip Conditioner

It’s essential to use hydrating conditioners specifically formulated for curly hair.

Conditioning is crucial as it provides curly hair with the moisture, nourishment, and protection it needs.

Look for conditioners with ingredients like coconut oil, shea butter, and aloe vera, which are excellent for maintaining curl health.

We recommend Sheamoisture Daily Hydrating Conditioner to help lock in the hair’s natural moisture by preserving its protective cuticle layer.

For people with extremely dry or damaged hair, deep conditioning treatments once a week are highly recommended.

Products like Mielle Organics Babassu & Mint Deep Conditioner, which contain babassu, peppermint, and protein, can help restore the hair’s natural oils.

These treatments penetrate deeply into the hair, providing extra nourishment and resulting in ultimate curl definition.

You Apply Your Styling Products Too Late

Apply your styling products while your hair is still damp.

This is the ideal moment for product absorption and setting your curls.

Use gentle techniques to avoid disturbing the curl pattern. The early application helps prevent frizz and defines curls effectively.

I love Kiehl’s Smoothing Oil-Infused Leave-In Treatment, which is enriched with natural oils for extra-bouncy curls.

Infused with Argan Oil and Babassu Oil, known for enhancing hair’s volume, body, strength, and shine, this leave-in can be used as a pre-wash, definer, or refresher.

When applying styling products, use the praying hands technique on your hair.

This involves rubbing the product between their hands and then gently gliding their hands over their curls, smoothing the product in a downward motion to encourage curl definition.

Always Protect Your Hair At Night

If your nightly routine doesn’t include covering your hair, you might wake up with frizzy curls.

Regardless of your hair type, I recommend protecting your strands while sleeping—this is especially important for those with curly or coily hair.

This is where the discipline of your hair routine comes into play; styling your curls will be much easier if you start with a solid foundation in the morning.

What happens if you don’t cover your hair? The fibers in your pillowcase can press against your curls and disrupt them.

Using a satin-lined head covering, however, will keep your hair soft and manageable for the day ahead.

You’ll notice a significant difference by morning.

Don’t Sleep With Wet Hair

Adding the habit of going to sleep with dry, well-protected hair is essential to maintaining healthy hair.

Sleeping with wet hair can lead to broken curl clumps and increased frizz due to nighttime tossing and turning. Additionally, it can sometimes cause fungal infections.

To maintain your curl definition, shower and dry your hair thoroughly before bedtime.

Avoid using terry towels; instead, use an old cotton T-shirt or a microfiber towel to plop your hair. You can either air dry or use a diffuser for a quicker drying process.

don’t use too much water, When Refreshing Your Curls

Since curly hair thrives on moisture, it might seem natural to use plenty of water when refreshing it between washes, but this isn’t the best approach.

Your curls need to retain moisture, and their ability to do so depends on two key factors: hair porosity and hair condition.

Therefore, less is more: Over-watering your curls can lead to various problems, such as dry, brittle strands and dull, lifeless tangles.

To preserve or refresh your curls, it’s essential to have some water-free products available—and never skip the conditioning process, which helps lock in moisture for longer (no need for frequent refreshes).

Keeping your curls nourished will help them look their best.

Avoid Using Heat As Much As Possible

As a general rule, I recommend avoiding excessive use of hot tools on your curls, including blow dryers, as they can cause irreversible damage.

If you’re at the salon, steer clear of hooded dryers. These dryers are not ideal for setting curls, as they are designed to evaporate moisture, which isn’t suitable for moisture-loving textured hair.

It’s best to let your hair air dry naturally to retain the right amount of moisture.

If you absolutely need to use a blow dryer, use a diffuser. If you don’t have one, here’s how to blow dry curly hair without a diffuser.

Don’t Touch Your Hair Too Much

Curls look stunning when wet, so it’s best not to touch them as they dry.

Back-combing and teasing curly hair is a bad idea, as it can make curls look frizzy.

The more you touch your curls, the frizzier they become, the wider they grow, and the less defined they will be.

Therefore, I recommend waiting until your hair is completely dry before styling it. Once your curls or coils are dry, gently separate them.

Avoid Brushing Dry Hair

Curly hair often lacks natural oil at the ends, as the oil originates at the roots and can be challenging to distribute to the tips.

Those with loose wave patterns might be able to brush this nourishing oil through after the hair has dried, but the rest of the curly-haired community should avoid this.

Brushing curls, whether wet or dry, can be tricky. If you need to brush your hair while it’s wet (which is safer), mist it with water from an aerosol spray bottle to help loosen any tangles.

Use a detangling brush suited for your hair type when brushing, and avoid going to bed with damp curls, as this can lead to major tangles.

Don’t Skip The Trims

Your hair is like a growing plant: if you don’t trim it regularly, you’re likely to experience breakage and hindered growth.

I can’t stress enough the importance of visiting your favorite hairstylist for regular trims. This helps maintain consistent growth and addresses any damage that may occur.

Pin For Later!