HAIR MOISTURE TREATMENT RETENTION – PART- 2
METHODS
- Your Hair Needs Water
Water is a very important element for your hair. Your natural hair needs water; the way you need the popcorn to sit through a movie. You should spritz water over your hair daily, paying special attention to the ends. Water is a basic moisturizing agent for the hair and you should never run a comb through your hair without applying some water on it first. Drinking at least 6-8 glasses of water each day also helps to keep your natural hair moisturized.
- 2. Wash your protective styles
A protective style can become counter-intuitive and damage your hair if not properly cared for. You should wear your protective styles for a maximum of eight weeks and cleanse your scalp with a light shampoo every four weeks after each installation. When you follow a cleansing and moisturizing routine for your protective styles, this prevents against dry hair and your natural hair can retain its moisture more.
What you need to wash your protective styles
- Oil your scalp
Your natural hair needs oil, a reasonable quantity of it to properly moisturize your hair. If you have a super oily scalp, you should probably skip this part. But if you produce a very little quantity of sebum, then you may need to add an extra bit of oil to your scalp. You can do this by using some natural oils like coconut oil, olive oil, or black castor oil. But applying oil to your scalp every day is a big no-no and not very effective. Also, remember that oil is not a moisturizer, and you need to apply a light water-based mist to your scalp before the oiling process to get in some moisture into your hair.
- Use the Hot Oil Treatment
This is a great way to pamper your natural hair. The hot oil treatment softens and strengthens your hair while making sure it feels super hydrated and moisturized. This routine is best for the driest times because our hair tends to dry out faster. The hot oil treatment also adds an extra bit of shine to your natural hair.
What you need for a hot oil treatment on your natural hair are Castor oil, Grape seed oil, Olive, Avocado oil, Applicator bottle, Shower cap
How to do a hot oil treatment on your natural hair
- Mix together the castor oil, grape seed oil, olive oil, and avocado oil into the applicator bottle and shake. You can also use any natural oils of your choice.
- Boil water and pour it into a mug or bowl while it is still hot. Insert the applicator bottle into the hot water and allow it to heat up for 5 minutes.
- Allow the oil mixture to cool off a bit before application.
- Part your hair into sections.
- Apply the oil to your scalp and hair, starting with your ends first and working your way up.
- Gently massage your scalp with your fingers, this helps to increase blood circulation to your hair follicles which will stimulate hair growth.
- After you are done with this, put each section into twists or bantu knots.
- Cover your hair with a shower cap overnight.
- You can wash your hair the next day.
- Moisturize Your Natural Hair With Sealants
Sealants contain butters or oils that help to seal in moisture into your natural hair and keep your hair shafts soft and supple. Your sealants do the work of smoothing your hair cuticles. This process of sealing/smoothing of the hair cuticles is a very important step of this routine because it helps to lock in moisture into the hair.
What you need to moisturize your natural hair with sealants
- A sealant of your choice, water
How to moisturize your natural hair with sealants?
- Start with freshly washed hair or damp hair.
- When you put your damp hair into twists, water becomes your first moisturizer.
- Apply a good sealant to your natural hair thoroughly and you are good to go.
- Enjoy your soft and moisturized hair.
- Avoid Over styling Your Natural Hair
Natural hair styling products can dry out your hair, build upon your scalp and weigh down your hair. Having to touch and style your natural hair too often can cause hair damage and breakage. Give your hair a break by wearing styles that don't require so many styling products or switch between high and low manipulation styles. This will ensure that your hair stays moisturized and hydrated for days.
- The LOC Method
The LOC method involves the layering of products on natural hair for maximum water retention. LOC means liquid/leave-in, oil, and cream. For the liquid/leave-in, you can use either a water-based leave-in conditioner or just water. The oil is used to seal in the moisture you have absorbed into your hair, by hydrating your hair with water. You can use olive oil, coconut oil, jojoba oil, or castor oil. The natural hair cream/butter is for closing your hair cuticles after hydrating or moisturizing your hair.
What you need for the LOC method are water or leave-in conditioner, Natural oils, natural hair cream.
- Using the LCO Method
If the LOC method doesn't work for your hair texture, then an alternative should be the LCO method. The LCO method stands for liquid/leave-in, cream and oil. This is also a way of sealing in moisture on your natural hair.
Kindly look forward to the concluding part in our next post.
For further inquiry please visit our salon at G11, Landmark boulevard, Water cooperation road, Victoria Island, Lagos.
