Natural Hair Care Basics Shouldn’t Be Complicated – Part 2

A natural hair journey has its ups, downs, twists, and turns.  Otherwise, it wouldn’t be a worthwhile journey.  The natural hair care basics we learn keep us moving toward our goals in spite of the unexpected things the journey throws at us.

In Natural Hair Care Basics Shouldn’t Be Complicated – Part 1, we covered the first half of what I call Natural Hair 101.  You should really check it out if you missed it. 

Today’s post adds to that information and effortlessly guides you through the remaining basics, namely conditioning/deep conditioning and moisture sealing.  We also will spend a little time discussing some prized final items to keep in mind when considering a basic hair regimen.  With that, let’s dive right in!

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NATURAL HAIR CARE BASICS STEP 3: CONDITIONING & DEEP CONDITIONING

After cleansing, hair can often feel dry and unmanageable.  Why?  Shampooing, while essential to rid hair of dirt, grime, and debris, can strip hair of its moisture.  It also removes natural hair oils needed to help seal the hair shaft.

Conditioning provides the solution to the dryness and unmanageability left by the cleansing process.  The best conditioners add moisture, provide hair with nutrition, and balance pH.  In addition, they help to seal the hair cuticle, which aids in moisture retention.

Deep conditioning goes a step further by more deeply penetrating the hair shaft for wonderful added benefits.  Some deep conditioners can even fall into the “treatment” category, addressing issues such as lack of protein, breakage, and/or damage. 

Every natural must have a consistent conditioning regimen as part of his/her natural hair care basics.  Otherwise, you will struggle to achieve captivating hair results.  Whether your goals include greater length retention, better hair health, or something in between, you can’t get there without excellent conditioning practices. 

So, what is excellent?  Your hair will determine “excellent” for you.  I shoot for weekly conditioning/deep condition in my regimen because cleansing weekly works best for me.

Depending on your hair’s type and current condition, you may need conditioning sessions multiple times a week, once every other week, or some other frequency.  Keep in mind your hair drives your journey.  You go wherever it leads you.  If your hair wants more water, let it drink until satisfied.  If it needs more conditioner, let the hair have all the luscious conditioner it desires. 

However, under no circumstances should you ever shampoo without following it with either a regular conditioner, deep conditioner, or both. You don’t want to leave your hair in a horrid, dry state, making it more prone to damage.  Stripped hair with a raised cuticle is just a fail waiting to happen. 

For more in-depth secrets on conditioning and deep conditioning, visit my previous post, How to Keep Your Sanity in the Face of Natural Hair Conditioning.  

NATURAL HAIR CARE BASICS STEP 4: MOISTURE SEALING

Conditioning adds back moisture and nutrients lost during washing.  But, the moisture sealing step helps lock all that goodness into your hair.  I often call moisture sealing the foundation of my styling process because it sets me up for astounding style success. 

Why is moisture sealing so important to natural hair care basics?  Curly and kinky hair textures often can have problems retaining moisture.  Our natural hair oil, sebum, usually cannot travel down the full length of the hair shaft due to the bends and turns it encounters. 

Without this sealing action, moisture can more easily escape the hair shaft, leading to that annoying dryness. Thus, naturals shouldn’t rely only on their natural sebum for moisture sealing. 

The LOC (liquid, oil, cream) and LCO (liquid, cream, oil) methods represent the flagships of moisture sealing.  You just apply the products to hair in the order indicated in the name. 

Moreover, each method has at least one oil-based component.  This ensures the liquid, which always gets applied first, is adequately sealed in the hair. 

At the end of the moisture sealing process, you should have properly moisturized hair that can easily accept styling.  Depending on your choice of style, you may vary the products you use for moisture sealing to ensure the best styling results. 

Many naturals use a modified moisture sealing process between wash days to make certain their hair stays blissfully moisturized.  This may come in the form of a water spritz with an oil sealant or the application of a water-based hair lotion followed by a light oil-based cream. 

As with conditioning, moisture sealing should be driven by your hair’s needs.  So, give your hair whatever it craves. 

To learn more about the ins and outs of moisture sealing, check out the Combat Dryness by Moisture Sealing Natural Hair post.

NATURAL HAIR CARE BASICS: FINAL ITEMS TO CONSIDER

Following the Natural Hair Care Basics Steps 1-4 will bring you closer to attaining your hair goals.  But, most journeys don’t end with only 4 steps.  So, check out some additional items to consider for your natural hair care basics regimen below:

• Add a hair rinse to your regimen to address those pesky hair issues as they arise. Some popular ones to try include tea, rice water, oil, and onion juice.

• Consistently utilize protective and/or low-manipulation styles. They promote greater length retention and leave hair less prone to damage.

• Try a stimulating daily scalp massage to increase blood flow, which in turn promotes hair growth. This can be performed with or without oil.

• Practice proper detangling techniques. Don’t ever detangle on dry hair and avoid using combs if possible.  Finger detangling with your chosen conditioner or oil should be your chosen method.  Furthermore, be patient and take your time.

• Make certain you eat a balanced diet. Our hair derives it’s building blocks and nutrition from what we eat.  If you feel you need some nutrition insurance, look into supplementing with a terrific multi-vitamin or hair vitamin.

• Get enough exercise (even I have problems with this one). Regular moderate exercise helps promote healthy blood flow to all areas of the body, including the scalp. 

• Drink plenty of water.  You won’t claim victory over your moisture balance without hydrating from both the inside and outside of your hair.

 It’s A Wrap

It does not matter whether you just started your noble natural hair journey or you have walked the path for a while. You can take these fabulous natural hair care basics along as a trusted companion. 

The basics carry a splendid roadmap to natural hair success.  So just follow them for reliable results. 

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