Our Q&A Section allows our dedicated curly community members to post, ask, and answer questions all things hair related. Stop by and engage with others like you–and earn points while doing so! Member divergent46 posted this question:
Question:
I have no idea why but my hair is basically crimped on the roots then pin straight on the ends! The underlayer of my hair has some spiral curls but my hair was never this curly at the roots. It was kind of loose curls throughout my hair…Mousse only makes the roots even curlier and the ends straighter…it’s too frizzy for almost any hairstyle and I only like putting heat on it from a salon.
Answer:
Sounds to me like your hair has experienced either heat or chemical damage. When is the last time you straightened or relaxed your hair? And how often do you do so? If your answer is once a month or more, your hair is most likely damaged.
Put the flat iron down.
Hair that has been over-processed by heat styling tools (like a flat iron or curling wand”> are susceptible to breakage, thinning, and brittleness. Over time, it lacks the amount of strength, moisture, and elasticity it needs to curl and stretch properly. But if you absolutely MUST straighten, know that hair burns on a setting of anything over 350 degrees Fahrenheit. While blow drying, press the “cool” button quickly for a flash of cool air to seal your cuticle and give your hair a tiny break from the heat styling.
Big chop.
Realistically, the only way your roots will look just like the rest of your hair is if you start fresh and cut the damaged ends completely off. You can gradually do this by installing sew-in weave, marley twists, or other protective styles which veil the natural hair for a while as it grows out.
Your hair routine
If you notice some product build-up in your scalp, it’s ok to wash your hair with a sulfate-free shampoo. Or try leaving pure Apple Cider Vinegar (ACV”> in your scalp for about 30 minutes, then rinse. I do this once a week, depending on how dirty my hair is. Use a moisturizer intended for those with heat damaged hair (those random straight hairs you have”>. Once a week, restore and strengthen your hair with either a DIY protein treatment or a good deep conditioner. Leave it on for about 40 minutes, then rinse and condition. For styling purposes, add a curl activator to enhance your natural curl and help it blend in with the damaged hair.
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