The warmest season with long, dry, and sunny days is here; now that you’ve recognized or created your protective hairstyles, it’s time to prepare for a full-blast vacation, right?
Are you sure you haven’t overlooked anything?
Protective hairstyles will be ineffective unless they are correctly hydrated and moisturized.
So, how should protective hairstyles be hydrated?
Just like the body requires a lot of water during the hot season or after spending a long time in the sun, the hair needs hydration (moisture) after exposure to the sun and in dry circumstances.
One of the causes of hair dryness is a decrease in the amount of oil produced by the hair. Our bodies’ oil production diminishes as we age, resulting in dry hair, skin, and other body parts. Oil production in the hair may also be inherited, so one family member may create more oil than the other.
When wearing a protective hairstyle in the summer heat, the following procedures should be adhered to minimize hair breakage and maintain your afro-textured hair long and healthy.
~Treat or avoid scalp itchiness;
During summer, the heat and dry weather cause hair itchiness and could also encourage dry scalp and build-up of unabsolved heat. This itchiness can be treated or avoided by applying natural oil to the scalp and massaging it properly. The natural oils vary from jojoba, coconut oil, tea tree oil, and so on.
~Get your hats and caps ready to go
While hats and caps can be worn for fashion, they are also an important piece of protective clothing during the summer. Wearing a hat or cap, whether with or without a proactive hairstyle, will help protect your hair from UV radiation from the sun, which can dry out moisture and oil in your hair, making it brittle and dry.
~Drink as much water as you can
Summertime is synonymous with dryness and rapid dehydration; a lack of water in the body implies a lack of moisture in the hair as well. Avoid dehydration as much as possible by drinking as many fluids as feasible. The fluids taken in do not only hydrate the organs in the body but also stimulate the production of oil released in the scalp.
~Protect your hair during bed time
Wearing protective hairstyles does not mean that you should not care for your hair before going to bed; thus, protecting your hair before going to bed is still advised. The use of satin or silk pillows and bonnets while sleeping is suggested to avoid hair friction and damage. The practice will help to keep the hair moist and protect it from damage. These bonnets and pillowcases, thankfully, are no longer difficult to find.
~Scalp cleansing
While wearing a protective hairstyle, it is possible the accumulation of moisturizers or cream on the scalp, which is why it is vital to cleanse the scalp. All that is required is the hydrating shampoo, combined with water, sprayed directly on the scalp, and washed with warm water. This is quite simple, especially if you have braids or faux locs.
~Avoid heat tools
Summer is already hot, so why add to it by using heat tools?
There are many styles to try that do not require any heat and will protect the hair; choose those styles. Some future hairstyles may necessitate the use of heat tools; avoid using them as much as possible, especially during the summer.
~Shampoo application should not be too often
Shampoo strips the hair of not only product build-up but also oils that are present in the hair; therefore, when trying to shampoo the hair with a protective hairstyle during the summer, do not shampoo the hair every single time. This will cause the hair to become drier; instead, mix the shampoo with water so that it does not strip the hair of its oil.
~Switch it up
To achieve thorough overall moisturizing, change your hairstyles. It is strongly advised to wear a protective hairstyle for 14 – 20 days to avoid hairstyle repetition. Wear another protective hairstyle to keep the rest of your hair moisturized. This will increase moisturizer circulation on the scalp and promote overall growth.
~Moisturize, Moisturize and Moisturize
With the heat set on high during the summer season, one thing that is a much-needed procedure is moisturizing. The heat causes dry weather which will not allow the presence of moisture in the atmosphere, apart from this the hair will find it difficult to hold on to moisturize. Due to this development, moisturizers should be the friend of every lady with afro-textured hair.
