The Brief on Moisture

Why do we need to moisturise our hair? Black hair especially needs moisture to help keep it supple, soft, retain its elasticity and ke...


Why do we need to moisturise our hair?

 Black hair especially needs moisture to help keep it supple, soft, retain its elasticity and keep it from getting dry. Moisture deficiency in afro textured hair is probably one of the biggest reasons for not retraining length.

 Let me start by saying that water is the utmost moisturising ingredient. When our bodies are dehydrated, we drink water. This is no different for our hair. It is a complete myth that 'black hair should not get wet'. Our hair loves water and moisture. Furthermore, you can not moisturise your hair by simply adding an oil or grease, as they do not contain the water that our hair needs.

 There are loads of great moisturisers for hair on the market, but if you want to keep things simple, just using plain water in a spray bottle will do just fine. 

However, just using water alone is not enough. Water - and any water based moisturiser will soon evaporate from our hair strands, especially if your hair is porous. You must 'seal' in the moisture with an oil. The idea is that the oil molecules are too large to penetrate the hair strand, and thus create a barrier to trap in the moisture.

 You should be moisturising your hair once a day until you get to know what works for you. 

 Moisturising conditioners & treatments
Just like protein, moisturising treatments are essential for building a healthy hair regime. You should be doing a moisturising deep conditioning treatment at least once a week.

 Weekly washes
You should be washing your hair with a sulfate-free shampoo, which doesn't contain the harsh detergents that strip the hair. You might also choose to incorporate co-washes. Washing the hair regularly means your scalp is kept clean. A clean scalp means pores are not clogged and hindering hair growth. Clean hair also gets rid of product build up, which prevents moisture from getting into the strands efficiently. 

 How do you know if your hair needs moisture?
  • Your hair feels dry to the touch, and is snapping when you comb it or touch it 
  • Your hair breaks easily when stretched 
  • Your wet hair feels hard and tangles easily
  • You use heat regularly. Using direct heat is a sure way to rid your hair of its moisture. It is recommended that you do a moisturising deep condition before you use direct heat. 
Be careful of a moisture overload! How do you know if your hair has too much moisture?

 Perhaps it's time for a protein treatment if:
  • Your hair feels weak, limp, gummy, or super stretchy
  • You have been moisturising non-stop without a protein treatment 
More information:

Currently loving my bob-length hair, I have a self-confessed problem with products and could spend hours researching hair care. I love sharing advice with you and listening to your journeys - so get in touch!

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2 comments

  1. Ashana Lian16 January 2016 at 12:39

    I love this post. There are a lot of bizarre myths about black hair. =/ But also, different types of afro hair need different treatment - maybe this is where part of the confusion comes from, the assumption that all afr hair is the same. Great tips!! Couldn't help but email this post to someone that I know will appreciate it.

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    1. Aicha17 January 2016 at 19:21

      I believed those myths for years and that's why I never really bothered to start actively trying to grow my hair - I didn't see the point. But now we know different, right? Thanks for commenting and sharing x

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