5 Hacks People With Curly Hair Can Try Before and After Showering

By Katheryn Davila - 3/23/20

You would think that behind every head of springing and bouncy curls is a girl who knows how to treat her hair before and after showering. However, that’s not always the case. Not everyone with curls knows how to properly care for them to have them thrive. Certain mistakes can lead to a lot of curl damage, but even the smallest change in your before/after showering techniques can make a huge difference in the appearance of your curly hair.

Black woman with curly blond hair Curly hair typically has to be treated way differently than any other type of hair. This is because it’s a naturally-dryer type of hair. Some of the most common curl-care mistakes happen before and after you shower. Here are some hacks that you may want to try to ensure that your curls are thriving more often than not.

1. Use a Shampoo Specifically for Curly Hair

Shampoo for Curly Hair
A general curly-hair rule is that silicone-based shampoos should be avoided at all costs. These can build on the hair causing a barrier to form that limits moisture absorption. This can cause brittle strands of hair. For coarse curly hair, the best shampoo is a heavily moisturizing one. Thinner and finer curly hair should have a regular shampoo but heavier conditioner.

2. Remove Scalp Buildup

Remove Scalp Buildup
Most curls are styled using various styling products like dry shampoo or curl mousse. However, this can lead to product buildup which can weight your hair, and your curls, down. Doing a weekly cleansing or detoxing to remove buildup and residue can revive your hair. Be sure to use products that won’t strip your hair of its natural oils.

3. Use a Cotton or Microfiber Towel When Drying Hair

Cotton & Microfiber Drying Towels
The main reason you might have frizzy or dry curls is that you’re using the wrong towel to dry your hair after you’ve washed it. To have bouncy and thriving curls, you’re going to want to use a cotton or microfiber towel or even a cotton t-shirt. This is how you can remove some of the moisture without pulling out the hair, causing breakage, or negatively impacting your curls.

4. Use a Proper Detangling Comb

Woman trying to comb her frizzy hair
Curly hair gets tangled, but one of the biggest mistakes is brushing/combing your hair in the shower while it’s wet. That’s when your hair is the most fragile, and it can easily be pulled out or broken. Use the right detangling comb like the Wet Brush comb and start from the bottom up.

5. Use Dry Shampoo Sparingly

Dry Shampoo Sparingly
Shampooing your curly hair every day is a big mistake, but using the right kind of dry shampoo can give you that freshly washed hair without having to do the job. Keep in mind, dry shampoo shouldn’t be used to replace a regular wash, but it can be used to absorb extra moisture on non-wash days.