A 5-Step Hair Care Routine for Your Natural Hair While on Quarantine

Stay-at-home orders have been implemented to practice social distancing and hopefully help prevent the spread of the coronavirus. Non-essential businesses were also ordered to close their shops and offices. This includes hair salons.

Since we can’t go to our favorite stylist, taking care of our hair has been quite a challenge—especially for ladies with naturally curly hair. Although we have an idea of how to do it thanks to beauty and hair vloggers, we still have to depend on the experts for certain services like conditioning treatments, trims, and protective styling.

To help you in your hair care routine, here are 5 tips in taking care of your natural hair.

Don’t Skip Wash Day

There are times when—especially if you’re wearing protective styling like box braids—you can’t help but want to skip washing your hair. Washing can cause frizz, so Dr. Crystal Aguh, assistant professor of dermatology at Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, recommends washing every 7-10 days to maintain a healthy scalp.

Dilute your favorite shampoo and transfer the mixture to a bottle that has an applicator tip. You can also use one that is formulated for use while in protective styles. Sulfate-free ones can clean your scalp without disrupting your style.

Steam Your Hair

Naturals love steam treatments. According to Cantu ambassador Angela Stevens, an Emmy-winning hairstylist, steaming helps revive your curls and make it shiner and more elastic because it opens up the cuticle to allow moisture in. Stevens also suggests keeping the steaming session between 20-30 minutes at a time. You can do it in between shampoo days or when you have to condition your hair. You could also do a hot oil treatment while you’re at it.

If you don’t have access to a steamer from your home, other options can do the trick. Try using a facial steamer or a hooded hair dryer, although both are not as good as steaming. But compared to a hooded hair dryer, steaming is more helpful because it has wet heat. For a DIY steaming treatment tip, wear a plastic cap covering your curls so it will lock in moisture.

Consult a Professional—Virtually—About Protein Treatments

Stevens suggests seeking professional help for protein treatments so these experts can give you the best recommendations for their hair type. Excess protein can become a bad thing as it can make the hair too strong and brittle. If you still opt for a DIY protein treatment, make sure to mix the moisturizing mask with the protein treatment so you can get the benefits of the two in one go.

Use a Leave-in Conditioner

Aguh suggests applying a leave-in conditioner every 1-2 days. It helps hair stay moisturized while donning protective style. It can also refresh curls. All you have to do for this step is to mix the leave-in conditioner and water and transfer it into a continuous spray bottle. Also, mix aloe and water in the next bottle. Spray when needed.

Seal Your Ends

Dry ends are some of the things that pain ladies with natural hair. Stevens says that there are oils and heavy cremes that can help seal the ends. To apply, you can part your hair to 6 sections. With 3 to 4 drops of oil on your fingers, roll the ends into curls. When you get dry ends, it usually means that it’s time for a hair trim. If you can do it on your own, try not to go overboard with your scissors.