How to Wash Curly Hair

Co-authored by Christine George

Last Updated: April 21, 2024 Approved

Curly hair can be very difficult to maintain. To make sure you don't damage your hair, you have to choose the right products and apply them with the right technique. Be gentle when washing curly hair and concentrate on the length and ends to ensure you still keep the shape of the curls while keeping them strong and shiny.

Part 1

Part 1 of 3:

Getting the Right Products

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Pick SLS-free shampoo. SLS stands for sodium lauryl sulfate which is too harsh for curly hair and can cause frizz. It is the key ingredient in most shampoos and detergents. Choose shampoos that use natural oils as alternatives.
- If you do not use the right conditioner with an SLS shampoo, it may lift your hair from its cuticle.
- Natural oils can help strengthen your hair and keep it shiny.
- Shampoo without SLS may not produce a rich lather but may add both bounce and gloss to your curls as well as help maintain your hair color.^{[1]
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Read the labels to ensure you limit the use of alcohol. Products with high Alcohol content tend to create crunchy curls as they suck the moisture out of your hair and can even lead to breakage. Use water-soluble gels as an alternative. They should not feel sticky to the touch. You may also use aerated mousses or foams.
- Aerated foams and mousses will resemble beaten white foam once dispensed.
- Any product that provides lift and hold usually contain alcohol. While gels and mousses tend to contain a significant amount of alcohol, hairspray usually contains the most.
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Use the right conditioner. Pair a conditioner with a shampoo designed for dry or damaged hair. Curly hair is prone to damage and getting dried out. There is a greater tendency for damage if your hair is dyed. Use products with natural oils like coconut, jojoba, or other natural oils.^{[2]
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- Even if the label does not state that the product is for curly hair but states that it is for damaged hair, their formulas may be quite similar. The right product for curly hair may not necessarily be labeled as such.
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Make your own deep conditioner. Create your own natural conditioner using a cup of homemade mayonnaise at room temperature. Stir ingredients together and apply through your hair, applying liberally through the tips. There should be enough for 2 treatments depending on your hair length. Apply the treatment immediately after making it to allow the fats and oil to penetrate down through the hair follicles. Wash it out with cold water to more easily remove it. ^{[3]
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- You may make your own mayonnaise using ½ cup olive oil + 3 egg yolks. Do not refrigerate as the formula works best at room temperature. However, do not let the conditioner sit for more than a few hours.

Part 2

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Using the Correct Technique

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1
Shampoo less often with less product. Shampooing frequently may be damaging to your hair regardless of the type as it can dry it out.^{[4]
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Expert Source

Christine George
Master Hair Stylist & Colorist

Expert Interview. 10 January 2020.} When you do use shampoo, concentrate on your scalp to avoid dryness. Only lather your hair once unless you're using heavy styling products. Once your scalp is clean, gently wash the shampoo through the ends of your hair.^{[5]
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- An average person may wash her hair about every 2 or 3 days. Watch for signs that you should wash your hair such as an itchy scalp, flaking, or if your hair is visibly oily.^{[6]
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- Sebaceous glands secrete an oily substance to help moisturize your scalp and hair and are most likely responsible for making your hair feel dirty. Wash your hair when it feels dirty or follow these tips^{[7]
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  - If you have thick hair, tight curls, or kinks, you just need to wash your hair about once a week or until it feels dirty. Daily washing will make your hair feel dry. You may use a dry shampoo or conditioner between washes to help refresh your hair.^{[8]
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  - If you have medium curls, kinks, or waves, you may shampoo every few days as your curls will look fine with a small amount of the natural oils from the sebaceous glands. Use low-foaming shampoos or a shampoo bar. You may also need to use conditioner in between shampoos if you are active and workout a lot. You may also just use water to massage your scalp in between your shampoos as well.^{[9]
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  - If you have fine curls or waves, you probably use styling products everyday that makes your hair feel oily. You may shampoo every day to keep your hair looking clean and use a good conditioner to keep it moisturized.^{[10]
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- The quality of the water of your city will affect your hair. Generally, hard water is the worst for hair because it counteracts the shampoos ability to cleanse the hair.^{[11]
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EXPERT TIP

Luke Smith, MFA
wikiHow Staff Writer
Luke Smith is a wikiHow Staff Writer. He's worked for literary agents, publishing houses, and with many authors, and his writing has been featured in a number of literary magazines. Now, Luke writes for the content team at wikiHow and hopes to help readers expand both their skillsets and the bounds of their curiosity. Luke earned his MFA from the University of Montana.

Luke Smith, MFA
wikiHow Staff Writer

"My hair looks and feels better when I cowash versus when I shampoo and condition. A cowash is essentially just washing with just conditioner (no shampoo to give your hair some moisture and nutrients rather than stripping oils away with shampoo). For my long, curly hair, I shampoo and condition about once every 2 weeks, and cowash every few days to keep it fresh."
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Wash and handle your hair gently. Do not apply shampoo onto a dry head of hair. Ensure that your hair is soaked in water then completely rinse off any shampoo after correctly applying it. Prevent tangles and knots by not piling strands of your hair at the top of your head.
- Gently use your fingertips to massage your scalp and wash your hair gently.^{[12]
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Due to the shape and texture, conditioning is essential because natural scalp oils are not spread throughout your hair as much as straight or wavy hair. Usually, brushing hair helps to spread scalp oils, however, brushing is not recommended for curly hair.^{[13]
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Apply conditioner correctly. Apply conditioner to the length of your hair and avoid applying near your scalp. Conditioner at the scalp can weigh down your hair making it look flat while the rest of your hair stays puffy. Try to keep conditioner for as long as you can because it will moisturize as long as it is applied.^{[14]
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- Apply a liberal amount of deep conditioner to wet hair after it has been washed and cleaned. Focus on the ends of your hair as they can be dry and fragile. Leave the conditioner for 5 minutes as you shower as the steam aids the conditioner in penetrating your hair.^{[15]
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- Leave the conditioner longer if your hair is more damaged. You may place your hair in a plastic shower cap and cover with a towel to keep the heat from escaping your head. After 10 to 20 minutes, rinse the conditioner out but do not shampoo because you want any oils to remain in your hair. Conditioner will continue to work until the next time you use shampoo to wash your hair.^{[16]
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- You might also try sitting under a heated dryer while the conditioner is on, with a plastic cap.

Part 3

Part 3 of 3:

Styling Curly Hair

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Towel dry your hair using plopping or microfiber towels as gloves. Plopping is a technique that uses an old t-shirt instead of a towel to dry your hair.^{[17]
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Expert Source

Christine George
Master Hair Stylist & Colorist

Expert Interview. 10 January 2020.} Using microfiber towels as gloves is a technique that is exactly as it sounds. Towel drying can easily cause frizz but these techniques can eliminate that as well as reduce tangles and prevent your hair from breaking.^{[18]
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- Plopping requires you to place an old t-shirt on a flat surface positioning the end with the sleeves facing you. Bend over and lay your head at the center of the t-shirt making sure that there's material in front of and behind your hair. Try to position yourself so that your hair scrunches hair straight down. Cover the back of your neck with the bottom of your t-shirt. Then, gather the front material of your t-shirt and keep it tight against the sides of your head as you take the sleeves and wrap them from the front to the back of your head. You may twist the sleeves and side material to help keep it tight against your head. Tie the sleeves at the front of your forehead to keep the plop tight. Tuck in any loose material and leave to dry.^{[19]
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- Once the conditioner has been rinsed off, turn your head upside down and scrunch your curls with microfiber towels. You may be able to purchase actual microfiber towel gloves online or your local beauty supply store. Scrunching your hair removes excess water while still adding volume. It also reduces frizz and keeps the definition of your curls.^{[20]
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Add a diffuser to your hairdryer. The sheer force of a hair dryer can ruin your curls and create a lot of unwanted frizz. Diffusers evenly disperse the air produced by your hair dryer. They may also be used to add volume to your hair and help set curls.^{[21]
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- Make sure your diffuser fits firmly onto your hair dryer. While your hair dryer may have come with an attachment, you can also buy a universal diffuser online or your local beauty supply store.^{[22]
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- Apply your styling products before drying your hair with the diffuser. Your hair should be about 75% dry before using the diffuser to finish drying.^{[23]
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- Use the medium setting of your hair dryer if you do not have time to use the cool setting. The cool setting prevents heat from damaging your hair.^{[24]
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- Using the bowl of the diffuser, move your head upside down or tilt to the side to place sections of your hair directly into the bowl to dry.^{[25]
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- Dry straight to the roots of your hair by moving the diffuser closer to your head. Be mindful not to ruin clumping or the formation of your curls. Work the sections of your hair until it's only 10% wet then adjust your curls. Use a small amount of product, like pomade or curl cream, and dry the remainder of your hair to lock in the moisture of the product.^{[26]
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- For more volume, shake your roots with your fingers.^{[27]
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Avoid your hair from looking greasy and protect your curls from heat and frizz by choosing the right products. For fine curls, use an anti-frizz milk or lotion that's lightweight. For coarse or heavier curls, use a thick treatment oil to allow moisture to penetrate your frizz-prone locks.^{[28]
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4
Use your dry hair with wet fingers and don't use a brush. Avoid brushing dry curls as it can lead to breakage by stretching your hair and disrupting your hair's cuticle. Breakage can also occur from combing dry curls, depending on how tight the curls are and the width of your comb's teeth. While your hair is still wet after a wash, you may use a combination of towel drying and brushing, combing, or finger-combing your hair. Then, add either a conditioner or anti-frizz product and style with your fingers.^{[29]
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- If you must comb dry hair use wet fingers. Even on a humid or windy day, water is enough to tame any frizz because frizz is the result of dryness.^{[30]
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The Takeaway: Washing Curly Hair

Wet your hair with lukewarm water and apply a small amount of sulfate-free shampoo. Work the shampoo in gently, focusing mainly on your scalp, then rinse your hair thoroughly. Apply conditioner to the lengths of your hair, avoiding your scalp, and rinse it out after 5 minutes.

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Question

How should I fix my curly hair if it's been damaged by heat?

Jenny Tran
Professional Hair Stylist
Jenny Tran is a Hair Stylist and the Founder of JT Hair Lab by Jenny Tran based in the Dallas, Texas metro area. With over seven years of professional hair styling experience, Jenny specializes in hair coloring, haircutting, and hair extensions. JT Hair Lab is an authorized carrier of R+Co and of Milbon and is committed to using products with quality ingredients.

Jenny Tran

Professional Hair Stylist

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Is it OK to condition your hair every day?

Laura Martin
Licensed Cosmetologist
Laura Martin is a Licensed Cosmetologist in Georgia. She has been a hair stylist since 2007 and a cosmetology teacher since 2013.

Laura Martin

Licensed Cosmetologist

Expert Answer

You can apply a leave-in conditioner to your hair every day. Getting curly hair wet every day, even if you're not shampooing, is not ideal.

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How do you co-wash hair?

Laura Martin
Licensed Cosmetologist
Laura Martin is a Licensed Cosmetologist in Georgia. She has been a hair stylist since 2007 and a cosmetology teacher since 2013.

Laura Martin

Licensed Cosmetologist

Expert Answer

To co-wash, rinse your hair and run a lightweight conditioner through it, starting at the ends. Comb your hair, massage your scalp, and rinse out the conditioner.

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Tips

To keep the frizz down, use a t-shirt instead of a towel when drying your hair.

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Try a leave-in conditioner by applying some from the middle of the length of your hair to the end. This will help with smoothness and keep the frizz down.

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Avoid any products with silicones because they will build up on the hair. If you must clarify your hair use lemon juice mixed with conditioner, or a sulfate free shampoo (no ammonium laureth sulfate, ammonium lauryl sulfate, sodium laureth sulfate, or sodium lauryl sulfate). However, these will not remove most silicones or waxes.

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Warnings

If you cut down on the shampoo your hair may need an adjustment period of a couple weeks.

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Brushing your hair when it's dry will lead to shapeless frizz!

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Make sure to scrub the scalp with silicone-free conditioner. That way you'll avoid the greasy look. Silicones build up if you're not using a sulfate shampoo.

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