The online world of natural hair care can be a confusing place, filled with conflicting advice—from not washing your hair for months to only using cold water. To cut through the clutter, we’ve simplified the essentials, empowering you to make informed decisions for your unique hair journey.
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“Dirty Hair Grows Better”
Some folks think that not washing your hair for months is the trick to making it grow, which is, um… concerning and also false. The fact is that not washing your hair can cause a build-up of products, leading to scalp irritation and bacterial growth in your hair, according to Byrdie, a digital beauty publication. So if you have not washed your hair lately, please give your hair the tlc it deserves and make sure you’re regularly washing your hair.
“Braids Are A Protective Style”
Even though this is painful to admit, braids are not a protective style. Braids can be a cause of traction alopecia because of how tight they are on your natural hair, according to the American Academy of Dermatology. But don’t throw out your braiding hair just yet! As long as you’re not doing braids too tightly and too often, your hair will be fine. Just remember to give your curls the space to breathe every once in a while. And cornrows that are not too tight can be safer bet than long dangling braids that can pull.
“The LOC Method Is Better Than The LCO Method”
If you’re confused, the LOC method means using a liquid, oil, and then a cream, while the LCO method is using a liquid, cream, then an oil. If you’ve been doing LOC, then you might just want to switch to the latter. Oil is not a moisturizer but a sealant, according to curly hair brand Curl Smith; therefore, you can’t use oil to moisturize your hair, but you can use it to seal the moisture that you get from using a hair cream or butter.
“Greasing Your Hair Is Good For Hair Growth”
If you’re holding onto your tub of Blue Magic with concern, don’t worry, you’re safe. Though hair grease doesn’t directly correlate to hair growth, it can definitely aid with length retention. Being a sealant, grease can help the ends of your hair remain moisturized and prevent dryness and breakage, as long as you don’t use too much, according to Carol’s Daughter.
“The Hair Loss From Your Braids Is Breakage”
I’m sure we’ve all looked at the ball of hair in our hands after taking out our braids and feeling shocked at how much hair we’ve lost, but that hair isn’t a loss exactly—it’s shedding. It’s natural for your hair to shed daily, and so you’re just catching the hair that was shedding while you had your braids, according to medical platform Clinic Hunter.
“You Shouldn’t Dry Your Hair With Heat”
This one doesn’t have a specific yes or no answer. The truth is, not all heat is bad for your hair. Diffusing your hair can be great for achieving volume, and as long as you’re using a good heat protectant, your hair can be perfectly healthy, according to Curl Smith. However, if you’re not convinced, then the best way to air-dry your hair with minimal damage is by using a t-shirt or a microfiber towel.
“You Should Steam Your Hair”
Yes, steaming your hair can be very beneficial for allowing moisture to get into your hair strands. However, this doesn’t mean that you have to run out and buy a steamer right this second. If you want to start steaming your hair, you can begin by using the steam from your shower or even a hot towel, according to Refinery29.
“You Should Wash Your Hair In Cold Water”
You might just want to start getting in the shower with a puffer jacket because it turns out that there are some benefits to washing your hair in cold water. While warm water is great for the initial cleansing of the hair, cold water is ideal for rinsing out conditioners, as it helps seal in moisture and prevent frizz if your goal is to achieve more defined curls, according to The Independent Pharmacy, a healthcare site.
“Washing Your Hair Takes The Whole Day”
Now we have all felt dread at times when we think about the wash day ahead of us, but the truth is, it shouldn’t take a day to wash your hair. One reason it might be taking longer than needed is that you don’t wash your hair regularly enough. Another might be that you’re not detangling before washing your hair, according to haircare brand Afrocenchix. So if washing your hair is taking up your whole day, you might need to switch up your hair routine.
“You Should Sleep With A Bonnet”
If you’re not already following this tip, then you are doing your hair a huge disservice. Sleeping with a silk pillow case, scarf, or bonnet is a great way to prevent hair breakage and dryness for your curly locks, according to Allure. However, one common struggle is waking up and your bonnet is on the other side of the room. If that’s you, then consider tying a scarf around it for extra security.
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