HOW TO TAKE CARE OF CURLS

NO SULPHATES

(Labelled as SLS, SLES, any cleansers with Sodium in the title.) Sulphates are very drying on the skin and have a PH of 7.5 -8.5 typically; which we know is very alkaline and about the same as a perm! In fact they actually help deactivate a perm and strip colour quicker from your hair. Sulphates and Soap are a known irritant on the scalp and skin, causing intense drying to both the skin and the hair. Curly hair is a lot less hydrated naturally, without the assistance of drying sulphates.

NO SILICONES

(Labelled ingredients with "cone" at the end of the word. Most common is dimethicone. Ingredients ending in "oxane" such as cyclopentasiloxane). So, why are silicones bad? Even the so-called "water soluble" silicones require a sulphate to properly remove from the hair. Which we know is strips the hair and skin of important nutrients.

NO WAXES or OILS

These guys typically perform the same role as a silicone. They repel water and act as a barrier on the hair shaft. Oils which have the correct emulsifiers to make them a proper emollient as a part of the whole formula are ok. However many oils contain molecules that are simply too big to do anything but coat the strains of hair.

NO DRYING ALCOHOL's

Enough said! Not all alcohols are bad though. Some are long chain fatty acids and will help the hair to hydrate, Cetearyl Alcohol is probably being the most recognisable of all.

NO HEAT styling tools.

Well yes! I recommend if you are trying to get your curls back to healthy after long time use of styling irons and tongs. Then no heat tools. Anything that is too hot for your scalp is too hot for your hair. A warm diffuser with your hair dryer is totally fine!

NO Brushing Dry Hair

Except for halloween when you want to look like a victim of electrocution. Brushing never ends well with curls :P Also brushing wet hair isn't ideal either, a wide tooth comb is good and a finger detangling is better. Making sure to use conditioner when you detangle.

#hairstyles #waves