Hello, Curlies! Whether you’re a CG newbie or a veteran of the celebrated method, the one nemesis that binds curlies together is the usage of heat or chemicals to alter our hair! You’ve probably had a love-hate relationship with heat styling tools and wands over the years but the CG method, which is the universally accepted guide for maintaining naturally curly hair, has finally given you the closure needed to bid these nasties goodbye! However, if you’re still feeling the harsh souvenirs left behind by heat styling or bleach treatments of the past, read on to discover the best way to tackle it the CG way.
The Big Chop:
While this may sound a little harsh, the best way to treat damage is to simply get rid of it. Heat treatments leave behind split and dry ends that ruin curl structure and add to frizz. Simply head to your favourite salon and get your ends snipped or trimmed to slash the damage. Putting away a haircut will only make it worse in the long run and the damage usually travels up the hair shaft with time and you will end up cutting more of the length of your treasured curls later. Alternatively, keep trimming your ends regularly to snip the damage without forgoing your hair length.
CG to banish damage:
The CG steps to combat damage are the same (check out our detailed CG blog), but here are a few pointers to aid to the process of healing your hair:
- Cleanse Away: Whether you want to go completely no-poo or use a mild cleaning shampoo, do away with harsh ingredients like sulphates and embrace a moisturising, CG-friendly shampoo to provide a clean base. Use your fingers to gently massage and work away any build up caused by pollution, styling products and dry skin.
- Moisture Magic: Like we’ve said before, moisture and healthy curls go hand-in-hand. Indulge in a deep moisturising treatment such as DC as often as once a week, to quench your dry, dehydrated curls. Maintaining an optimum moisture-protein balance also goes a long way in repairing heat damaged tresses.
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Put a cap on the heat: This one is sometimes harder than a breakup, but say goodbye to heat. By cutting down on your dependency to heat stylers, you can considerably reduce future hair damage. If you are used to styling your hair using a diffuser, keep the heat down. Use the lowest setting possible and eventually switch to air-drying or cold diffusing to combat and reverse damage. Also try diffusing on damp hair and not dripping wet hair for better results and lesser tension on your precious strands.
If you still have to rely on heat to manage your curls, use a heat protectant that does not contain the notorious common ingredient – silicone. This will form a barrier between your hair shaft and the heat and lower the risk of damage.
What about coloured hair?
There’s no denying that curls seem to catch highlights and hair colour better making them perfect for the ‘gram soon after your salon sesh. But what about post colouring? Your tresses will not only succumb to damage but also lose the initial lustre of coloured hair.
The common ingredient used to bleach hair is hydrogen peroxide and what it does is open the hair cuticle to allow the pigment to enter and alter the hair shaft. Open cuticles = More loss of moisture. Coloured hair needs a two-step method to combat the damage – repair the hair structure and restore moisture.
Take note of these tips to help reverse the damage:
- Protein works well to restore the broken cuticle and hair shaft. Most DCs can be used to infuse protein back into hair cuticles.
- Balance out the pH level of your curls. Apple Cider Vinegar used as a rinse is a quick and efficient way to seal hair cuticles while adding natural shine to your hair..
- Layer on a leave-in conditioner along with a sealing gel to not just set your curls but also keep the moisture locked in.
- Most importantly, be patient! Consistency is key in your CG journey and even more so when you face setbacks such as damage and dryness. Keep at it and trust in the process to bring back lustre and bounce to your natural hair.
Still considering adding some colour to your curls?
Styling is an individual choice and if you still want to opt for a colour treatment, consider investing in a repairing treatment like Olaplex (Some of their products do contain silicones so it is advisable to do your research before trying this treatment) and opt for DCs and protein treatments more often than you normally would. Curl Up products are not just mild and moisturising but also colour safe, making them ideal for your colour treated tresses. Cover your curls with a scarf when you step out and use silk/satin bonnets at night to avoid frizz and resulting damage as well.
Can you colour your hair on the CG Journey?
The answer is yes, you can opt to get your tresses coloured but be prepared for some high maintenance to follow. Coloured hair is not just wishful thinking on the CG journey and can be achieved with the right precautions and after-care steps.
Here are a few pointers for when you’ve decided to amp up your curls with some colour:
- Pamper your hair with warm oil and DC treatments in the weeks leading up to your salon appointment.
- Clarify your hair a day or two before colouring to get rid of build up and provide a clean base for the hair pigments to attach.
- For some extra TLC, invest in an Olaplex or any CG-friendly repair treatment along with your colour treatment to add some moisture and help restore damage.
- Avoid washing your hair for the next two days or so to let the colour seep in.
- Stick to CG friendly products before, during and after your colour treatment to maintain the integrity and structure of your curls.
Do let us know if you try any of these tips or have any to share with us as well! Here’s to banishing damage and flaunting natural, bouncy curls!
Reach out to us at customercare@letscurlup.com, +91 9945373597 or @letscurlupdotcom on Instagram to answer your questions or even just be a part of our #letscurlup community!
Here’s to #CurlPride!