Coily Hair Routine: Deep Moisture & Protection

Do you have coily hair but are not sure how to manage it? Well, all people with this complicated hair type can understand your pain. There’s no doubt that this hair is the most fragile and driest of any other kind.

The “Z” or “O” shape of coils makes it more challenging for the scalp’s natural oils to go down the hair shaft, which leaves it requiring additional moisture. Plus, it has fewer cuticle layers, making it quite vulnerable to breakage and tangling too.

But that shouldn’t stop you from embracing your beautiful hair, though. No matter how difficult they can be to handle, we cannot deny the charm they bring. So why not put a little effort and follow a nice coily hair routine to deal with all these issues?

In this article, you will discover all you need to know about how to maintain natural coily hair and take the best care of it. From cleansing and protection from breakage, to deep conditioning treatments and nightcare routine, we’ll cover it all. Let’s get started!

Hydration & Cleansing

It’s no surprise that tight-textured coils turn heads. Of course, what’s not to love—from their great volume to undeniable bounce to texture, everything looks fascinating. However, that does come with a big responsibility, too.

And what else can come first in caring about coily hair than proper hydration and cleansing? So here’s the step-by-step hair wash routine to follow:

Step #1: Pre-Poo for Coily Hair

Pre-pooing is the process of applying conditioner for oil before you shampoo to prevent your coily hair from drying out. It reduces tangles significantly and prepares your hair strands for the washing process.

• Recipes: Use honey and coconut oil, or olive oil and aloe vera for softness.

• Hot Oil Treatments: Warming oils, such as jojoba or avocado, boost absorption and nourish it deeply.

• Benefits: This prevents moisture loss, softens hair, and improves manageability.

Step #2: Cleansing with Care

Now it’s time to do cleansing. This step is very crucial as it will help remove dirt and product buildup, excess oils from the scalp, and contribute to the overall hair and scalp care. 

Here’s how to do it right: 

• Sulfate-free Shampoos: Consider a sulphate-free moisturizing shampoo for softness.

• Co-Washing: Co-wash your hair without harsh cleaning for mid-week freshness.

• Clay Masks: If you want to detoxify your scalp, opt for rhassoul or bentonite masks.

• Shampoo Bars: They are an eco-friendly option, so you must have them, especially if you’re a traveler.

Step #3: Scalp Care During Wash Day

To ensure healthy follicles and boost hair growth, doing scalp care is pretty much important during your wash day. 

This step should include:

• Gentle Massage: Use a scalp massager for a soft massage to relax hair tension and stimulate blood flow.

• Exfoliation: Use a sugar-based scrub or scalp brush to remove buildup and dirt.

• Rinses: Rinse your head with rice water or rosemary water for shine and strength.

Step #4: Deep Conditioning Type 4 Hair

Do you have type 4 hair? Don’t forget the deep conditioning step, as it repairs the damage and also restores lost moisture efficiently.

Here’s what you need to know about this:

• Moisture-Rich Masks: Use good moisturizing masks weekly for defined, soft coils.

• Protein Treatments: If you want extra hair strength, consider protein treatments every 4 to 6 weeks.

• Technique: Apply it with heat (hooded or steam dryer) to open cuticles and increase absorption.

Step #5: Detangling Tightly Coiled Hair

Proper detangling prevents knots and helps you style your coily hair with ease. It’s also vital to detangle hair to avoid frizziness, breakage, and damage. 

Keep these points in mind in the process:

• Ideal Timing: Always detangle your hair with conditioner when they are saturated.

• Tools: Use your fingers, detangling brush, or a wide-tooth comb for good results.

• Use Hair Products: Some hair products prove to be useful to minimize breakage during detangling.

Step #6: Rinse & Seal In Moisture

Last but not least, the final step is to rinse your hair and seal in the moisture. Sealing methods are great to keep all the moisture trapped and locked inside the hair strands.

• Cool Water Rinses: Use cold water to rinse your hair as it closes the cuticles and keeps the natural shine.

• LCO or LOC method: To seal in moisture, apply a good serum, hair oil, or leave-in conditioner.

Protecting from Breakage

Coily hair tends to break from and often suffers from shrinkage. That’s why you have to be extra careful about what to do to prevent them from breaking off. As they’ve a lot of volume apparently, you may not notice even when you have hair loss.

Prevention is always better than cure, so let’s get into how to stop breaking your hair:

• Use Protective Hairstyles

Protective hairstyles can be your best companion if you have coily hair. Try box braids, small braids, twist-outs, and bantu knots to keep your hair looking stunning.

This will also help you avoid having to re-style regularly. And it’s even better if you try not to make your styling too tight. 

• Protective Measures While Sleeping

Hair breakage prevention is necessary while sleeping, especially in the case of coily hair. So it’s recommended to use a satin or silk pillowcase and bonnet.

It will protect your soft strands from abrasion and prevent moisture loss, too. Cotton is also great to wear on the body, but it usually absorbs moisture, so the decision is yours.

• Preventing Hair From Heating 

To protect the natural coily hair strength, make sure you stay away from heating products used for styling, like straighteners or curlers. 

You can also apply heat-protective serums for sun protection, especially those that come with UV filters. If possible, wear a scarf while going in extreme sun.

• Avoid Frequent Washing or Conditioning

Coily hair is generally very dry. Therefore, you need to go the extra mile to protect your scalp’s natural oil, which can be lost if you begin overwashing it.

So don’t shampoo your hair too often, so that it doesn't even start damaging your delicate coil structures. Washing 1 to 2 times a week should be enough.

Deep Conditioning & Treatments

Deep Conditioning

What if we tell you that you can repair your hair and reduce frizziness significantly just by doing deep conditioning correctly? Yes, that’s possible! This addition to your coily hair routine can be a game-changer.

Here’s how it will help your hair:

• Restores moisture and promotes hydration

• Repairs damage, and prevents tangling or breakage

• Adds shine and smoothes your hair by hair shaft penetration

• Improves elasticity and hair and scalp nourishment

• Reduces frizziness and repairs color-damaged hair

Wondering how to deep condition your hair correctly? Here are the steps:

1. Wash your hair thoroughly with a good, sulfate-free shampoo.

2. Use a towel to apply the deep conditioner evenly and soak up all the excess water.

3. Wrap a shower cap gently to induce some heat. Leave it for only a few minutes.

4. Use your fingers or a wide-tooth comb to detangle your hair softly.

5. Rinse off your hair thoroughly with lukewarm or cold water and allow your hair to dry.

Protein Treatments

Protein treatments are also beneficial, so you must add them to your coily hair routine. Look at some solutions that do wonders:

• Keratin Treatment: This process involves applying a specific formula with keratin to the hair. It seals the cuticle, smoothes frizz, and also makes your hair strong.

• DIY Protein Hair Masks: Try protein hair masks at home. Some effective options are egg and olive oil mask, honey and avocado mask, banana and yogurt mask, etc.

• Leave-in Conditioners: Choose protein-rich, leave-in conditioners for your hair health. This will keep your coils hydrated and protect them from pollutants.

• Hydrolyzed Protein: If you want deep repair, hydrolyzed protein treatment can never go wrong. This is especially helpful for hair already weakened by heat.

Night Care Routine

The coily hair routine is not limited to proper washing, cleansing, or other treatments. In fact, you have to be careful with your coils equally during the nighttime, and follow night care steps, too.

Follow these night care routine tips before you sleep:

Tip #1. Use Satin Sleep Accessories

Friction is harmful to coils. To reduce breakage, sleep on a satin bonnet or silk pillowcase for hair. This will also maintain your hair’s moisture, and you’ll wake up refreshed.

Tip #2. Refresh Your Coils with Hair Products

To take overnight protection to the next level, use high-quality hair products. Consider a hair spray, night serum, or a hydrating oil to prepare your coils for a happy morning.

Tip #3. Sleep in a Simple Twist or Braids 

To prevent overnight breakage and keep your coils secure, style your hair as simply as you can. A braid or simple twists would be great. Don’t go for complicated hairstyles at all.

That’s all about a comprehensive coily hair routine, folks. Hope you’ll find this guide helpful and incorporate all the tips in your routine!