Facts & Myths about Curly Hair
Fact or Fiction: "The Curly Girl Method works for all curl types."
Fable:
While the Curly Girl Method has helped many people with curly hair achieve healthier, more beautiful curls, it doesn't necessarily work for everyone. Every hair type is unique and what works for one may not work for another. You may need to experiment with different products and techniques to find what works best for your curls.
Fact or Fiction: "You can no longer use silicone with the Curly Girl Method."
Fact:
The Curly Girl Method generally recommends avoiding silicones as they can form a barrier on the hair and cause buildup. However, not all silicones are the same and some are water soluble and easy to rinse, making them suitable for the Curly Girl Method. It is important to carefully check the ingredients list of products and choose silicones that are water soluble when following the Curly Girl Method.
Fact or Fiction: “Not all silicones are bad for the Curly Girl Method."
Fact:
While the Curly Girl Method generally recommends avoiding silicones due to their tendency to form a barrier on the hair and cause buildup, it is important to understand that not all silicones are the same. Some silicones are water-soluble and easy to rinse, making them suitable for the Curly Girl Method.
Water soluble silicones are often referred to with terms such as "PEG" or "PPG" in their names, such as PEG-8 Dimethicone or PPG-3 Benzyl Ether Myristate. These silicones wash out easily with water and generally do not cause buildup on the hair.
Avoiding silicones in the Curly Girl Method mainly focuses on insoluble silicones, which form a film on the hair that is difficult to rinse and can lead to saturation and buildup. These silicones are often referred to by names ending in "-cone", "-conol", "-xane" or "-siloxane", such as Dimethicone, Cyclomethicone, Dimethiconol, etc.
It is therefore important to carefully check the ingredient list of hair care products and choose products with water-soluble silicone if you choose to use silicone within the Curly Girl Method. This way you can enjoy the benefits of silicone without the risk of build-up and saturation of the hair.
Fact or Fiction: "The Curly Girl Method is only suitable for people with naturally curly hair."
Fable:
Although the Curly Girl Method was originally developed for people with naturally curly hair, people with wavy hair or even wavy to straight hair have also benefited from following the principles of this method. The focus on hydration, minimal manipulation, and using hair-friendly products can be beneficial for all kinds of hair types, not just curly hair. It's all about finding what works for your unique hair texture and needs.
Fact or Fiction: "You can only have high porosity hair if you have dyed or bleached your hair."
Fable:
Although chemical treatments such as dyeing and bleaching can damage hair and increase porosity, there are other factors that can affect hair porosity. Natural factors such as excessive sun exposure, heat styling, chemical processes such as perms, or simply genetics can also contribute to higher porosity. It is important to recognize that porosity is a complex characteristic of the hair that can be affected by several factors, not just chemical treatments.
Fact or Fiction: “High porosity curly hair is naturally drier."
Fact:
High porosity hair often has difficulty retaining moisture due to the wide openings in the hair cuticle. This causes moisture to evaporate quickly, resulting in drier hair that needs more hydration and care.
Fact or Fiction: “Heat damages highly porous curly hair more than other hair types."
Fact:
Due to the wide openings in the hair cuticle, highly porous hair can easily be damaged by heat, such as blow-drying or using hair straighteners. It is important to be careful when applying heat to this hair type and always use a heat protectant product.
Fact or Fiction: “Medium porous curly hair is the easiest to style."
Fable:
Medium porosity hair can retain moisture easily and is generally less prone to breakage than high porosity hair, but it may still need specific care to get the most out of your curls. Choosing the right products and styling techniques remains crucial for maintaining healthy, bouncy curls.
Fact or Fiction: “Medium porous curly hair is less likely to experience product buildup."
Fact:
Due to medium porosity, the cuticles of medium porosity hair have an optimal balance between opening and closing, allowing products to be absorbed more easily without build-up. However, it is still important to cleanse and moisturize the hair regularly to maintain the health of the curls.
Fact or Fiction: “Low porosity curly hair has less need for protein."
Fable:
Although low porosity hair is naturally less porous and therefore less likely to lose protein, it can still benefit from protein treatments to improve the hair's overall health and resilience. However, it is important to moderate and not overdo the protein treatments to prevent hair from becoming stiff and brittle.
Fact or Fiction: “Low porosity curly hair absorbs moisture slowly."
Fact:
Low porosity hair has closed hair cuticles, making it more difficult for moisture to penetrate. This can cause the hair to absorb moisture more slowly, which can result in dryness if not regularly hydrated with moisturizing products. It is important to use moisturizing products that help hair retain moisture and soften it.
Fact or Fiction: "Proteins are only suitable for damaged hair."
Fable:
Proteins can also be beneficial for healthy hair! Although known for their repairing properties for damaged hair, proteins can also help strengthen and protect healthy hair. They replenish the natural proteins in the hair, resulting in more bouncy locks. However, it is important to find the right balance and not overdose on proteins, especially on hair with low porosity.
Fact or Fiction: "Large proteins, such as hydrolyzed wheat protein, oat and pea, are not really big proteins."
Fact:
That's right! Hydrolyzed wheat protein, oat and pea are often mistakenly considered large proteins because of their names, but they actually belong to the category of hydrolyzed proteins. Hydrolyzed proteins are proteins that have been chemically broken down into smaller fragments, making them easier for the hair to absorb. These hydrolyzed proteins are excellent for strengthening and moisturizing curly hair, as they can penetrate deep into the hair shaft and improve health from within.
Fact or Fiction: “Shea Butter smothers my curls and makes them weigh down."
Fable:
Shea Butter is actually a great ingredient for curly hair! It is a natural moisturizer that penetrates deep into the hair, leaving it soft and supple without weighing it down. Shea Butter helps prevent moisture loss and protects against damage from external factors, while at the same time maintaining the elasticity of your curls. Look for products with Shea Butter as one of the key ingredients for intense hydration and soft, frizz-free curls.
Fact or Fiction: "Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein makes curls stiff and dry"
Fable:
This is a common misconception! Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein is actually an excellent ingredient for curly hair because it helps strengthen and repair damaged hair without weighing it down. It penetrates deep into the hair to strengthen its structure and improve elasticity, making your curls more resilient and less prone to breakage. Look for products with hydrolyzed wheat protein to strengthen and protect your curls from damage, while still keeping them soft and flexible.Keep in mind that one person can handle more protein than the other. Look for the right balance.
Fact or Fiction: "It is better to comb your curls when they are wet."
Fable:
This is a common misconception! Curly hair is at its most fragile when wet, so combing it can lead to breakage and damage. It's better to gently detangle your curls with your fingers or a wide-tooth comb while they are soaked in mask/conditioner in the shower. Using combs or brushes during styling is also done with product in your hair to reduce damage.
Fact or Fiction: “All styling products work the same for curly hair."
Fable:
Not all styling products are created equal when it comes to curly hair! Curls have specific needs, so it's important to choose products designed to improve the bounce, definition and hydration of curls. Look for products such as curl creams, gels and mousses that are formulated to improve the texture of curly hair without weighing it down. Experiment with different products to discover what works best for your curl type and desired style.
Fact or Fiction: “Alcohol-free products are always best for curly hair."
Fable:
This is not always the case! While some alcohols can be drying for curly hair, not all alcohols are bad. Fatty alcohols such as cetyl alcohol and stearyl alcohol, can actually retain moisture and soften hair without drying it out. Pay attention to the types of alcohol in your hair products and only avoid those known to dry out.
High volatility alcohols, such as SD alcohol, ethanol, alcohol denat, propanol and isopropyl alcohol, are known to be drying to curly hair. Commonly used as solvents and drying agents in hair products, these alcohols can strip hair of its natural moisture, leaving it dry, brittle and frizzy. Avoiding products that contain these types of alcohols can help maintain the hydration and health of your curls.
Fact or Fiction: "It doesn't matter which shampoo I use, because it rinses out anyway."
Fable:
This is a common misconception! The right shampoo is essential for curly hair because it lays the foundation for a healthy scalp and hair. Choose sulfate-free shampoos that gently cleanse without stripping the natural oils from your curls. This way your curls stay hydrated and bouncy. Also look for shampoos with moisturizing ingredients like aloe vera or coconut oil to nourish your curls while cleansing.
Fact or Fiction: "Glycerin in styling products is bad for curly hair due to the risk of frizz in humid conditions."
Fact:
Glycerin is a humectant, meaning it can attract moisture from the environment and bind it to the hair. In humid conditions this can lead to excessive moisture absorption by the hair, which can cause frizz. For some people with curly hair, this can result in frizz and loss of curl definition, especially in high humidity.
Fact or Fiction: “Proteins are especially effective in leave-in conditioners and hair masks."
Fact:
Leave-in conditioners and hair masks provide long-lasting hydration and can effectively infuse proteins into the hair to improve strength and elasticity. These products have more time to work and can penetrate deeper into the hair shaft, making them ideal for using proteins.
Fact or Fiction: "Styling products containing proteins can make curls stiff and brittle."
Fable:
This depends on the type of proteins and the formula of the product. Some proteins, such as hydrolyzed wheat protein, are lightweight and can strengthen hair without weighing it down or making it coarse. It is important to look for products with light proteins and to combine the proteins with sufficient hydration to prevent stiffness.
Fact or Fiction: “Protein is especially helpful for damaged hair."
Fact:
Proteins can help repair and strengthen damaged hair by plumping and strengthening damaged areas of the hair shaft. However, even healthy hair can benefit from using protein products occasionally to improve overall strength and resilience.We even know people who eat protein every day. Here too, what works for one person will not always work for another.
Fact or Fiction: "Aqua in curl products is just tap water."
Fable:
Although "Aqua" is simply the Latin word for water, it is used in the ingredient list of hair care products to indicate distilled water, not regular tap water. Distilled water is water produced by distillation, which removes impurities through evaporation and condensation. This process results in pure water without any minerals or contaminants that may be present in tap water.
Using distilled water in hair care products has benefits because it is pure and neutral, making it less likely to irritate or build up on the hair and scalp. Additionally, it acts as a carrier for other ingredients in the product, allowing them to be evenly distributed throughout the hair.
So, while "Aqua" technically means water, it's important to know that in hair care products it's usually distilled water and not just tap water.
NOTE:
It's important to remember that the needs of curly hair can vary, so it's a good idea to experiment with different products and formulas to find what works best for your curl type and condition of your hair.