Changing the texture of your hair without sacrificing your curls is the dilemma of many women with curly hair. We are afraid of burnt ends, of curls that never come back, as if each straightening damaged the fiber a little more.
Textured hair is drier and more fragile; they react to heat, friction and frequent washing. Mistakes can be found everywhere: in the shower, when straightening, then at night. Knowing them helps you straighten your curly hair without breaking it and regain bounce from the next shampoo.
Before the straightener: prepare your curly hair without weakening it
In the shower, the “heavy wash” reflex already weakens the fiber. For Nicolas Waldorf, “Your hair will be dried out, too rebellious and electric”he explains, quoted by Gala, if we increase the number of aggressive shampoos. He specifies: “The hotter the water, the more limestone it is, the more you dry out your hair. Cold water is better for your head, promotes circulation and slows hair loss“. He recommends a gentle shampoo, a nourishing treatment and, in case of color, reminds that “As soon as you decide to color, opt for a special color shampoo“.
Right after shampooing, the fiber is at its most vulnerable. Underwater still presentte, “Under the action of water, the keratin scales of the hair fiber lift and loosen, thus weakening the protective barrier that they form“. We therefore avoid friction: we press gently with a microfiber towel or a t-shirt and we detangle with a wide-toothed comb before drying.
During straightening: gestures that break your curls
With iron, overheating wreaks havoc. On curly hair, stay around 180 to 200°C, on fine strands, with a single slow pass. On the accessories side, “Wash your brushes regularly so they don’t look like a groundhog’s tail“, reminds Nicolas Waldorf, and banish patches on hair that is still damp.
Christophe Nicolas Biot recalls that “How long a color lasts depends as much on the salon as on the actions of the following days“and that”The 72 hours after color is where it all comes down to it“, reports Elle. He warns: “If you shampoo every day right after your color, you rinse out the pigments before they set in.”. “Chlorine and salt attack your color from the first dip. If you want to keep your blonde or brown vibrant, avoid swimming pool or sea water for at least a week after coloring.
After straightening: protect your curly hair over time
Once the strands are straightened, the night counts. On the pillow, “Cotton absorbs hair’s natural moisture and creates friction, two factors that promote tangling and breakage“. A satin or silk pillowcase reduces this friction.
Before going to bed, a soft braid or a “pineapple” bun protects the straightened lengths. Hairdressers also recommend “use a wide-toothed comb (or fingers) before bed to remove the first dead hairs“. If, when you wake up, your locks break easily, it’s time to space out the straightenings.
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