by Dee Dee Prince

Created on: May 10, 2011

Naturally curly hair can be your crowning glory if you know how to manage it. Curly hair is drier and more porous than other types of hair, which is one reason why it can become unruly when subjected to heat and harsh products. Treating natural curls with the special cut and care they require will produce healthy, buoyant and stylish hair. The trick is to know what products and appliances are best for your curly hair.

Lorraine Massey is an expert at dealing with curly hair. She has curly hair and wrote a book called Curly Girl to support the 65 percent of women with naturally curly hair. Her ideas on hair care go against the grain of what many of us were taught – that is to wash our hair daily.

Massey’s expert advice is to say no to shampoo and unplug the dyer.

Cleansing:

Curly, wavy and kinky hair is more porous than straight hair. It dries out with over-cleansing. Massey recommends weaning off shampoo, if possible, to allow curly hair the opportunity to become more hydrated. If you must use a shampoo, consider washing your hair less often (every three to four days). Here’s what to look for and avoid when purchasing a shampoo:

◊ Look for products that list plant extracts, disodium EDTA or citric acid. If you shop in a natural food store, look for decyl polyglucose, olive oil or wheat germ oil.

◊ Avoid purchasing products containing sodium or ammonia laurel sulfate.  If you are using products containing these ingredients and opt to keep them, dilute with equal amounts of spring water.

If you can wean yourself off shampoos completely, you may be pleasantly surprised at the results: your hair will be more hydrated and healthier. You can maintain clean hair by cleansing your hair and scalp with water and conditioner.

Conditioning:

Again, curly hair needs extra moisture to stay hydrated. Massey recommends leaving some or all of the conditioner in the hair and maintains this will help reduce frizz and will not become sticky or greasy as might be feared. She suggests gently squeezing out excess water with a paper towel, an old cotton T-shirt or a microfiber towel. The hair will naturally absorb the right amount of conditioner needed to maintain healthy hair. Curly hair is also delicate and needs gentle handling when drying the hair, similar to blotting a sweater in a towel after washing. Here’s what to look for and avoid in conditioners:

◊ Look for products that include emollients (shea butter and oils), proteins (wheat germ

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