Curls are back. Know how to keep them safe

Fashion trends keep changing and so do hair styling procedures. If you have natural curls or waves, there is nothing like caring for your hair in a way that suits the texture and makes it look healthy and lustrous. Today, long hair with waves and curls cascading down is “in.” Curls and waves have come back.

If the hair looks unmanageable, conditioners and serums help make it appear well-groomed. The hair should be washed with mild herbal shampoos and rinsing well with water. Shampoos with conditioners are available. Curly hair should be washed two to three times a week. In humid weather, it can do with frequent washes. After shampoo, apply a creamy conditioner. Avoid applying near the roots and scalp. This can clog the pores and make hair too oily. Apply conditioner on the ends to avoid split-ends and make the curls smooth. Leave for two minutes and rinse off with plain water.

You can apply a few drops of hair serum to make the hair smooth and shiny. Hair serum may be applied to wet or dry hair. If you blow dry your hair, exercise caution and hold the dryer, at least, six inches away. Hair cream with sunscreen protect the hair from summer sun can be applied too.

As a quick tip, to smoothen curly hair, mix some water with creamy hair conditioner and put it in a spray bottle. Spray the mixture on the hair. Then comb the hair, so that it spreads through the hair.

Roller-setting is a way of settling your curls or making the hair curly or wavy. This is temporary and the set may last till the next shampoo. In temporary curling with rollers, the hair must be damp. Setting lotions or mousse may be used with roller setting. They lend body to the hair.

You can use a curling wand for gentler waves or curls. However, if direct heat applications are used, you need to step up hair care and conditioning.

The texture of curly hair can be rough. In cases of rough and dry hair, or after perms, hot oil therapy helps. Mix one part of castor oil with two parts coconut oil. Heat and apply. Remember to apply on the ends too. Then dip a towel in hot water, squeeze out the water and wrap the hot towel around the head, like a turban. Keep it on for five minutes. Repeat hot towel, wrap three-four times. This helps the hair and scalp absorb the oil better.

Avoid vigorous massage and rubbing when you apply oil. Massage the scalp gently, using only fingertips. Move the scalp in small circular movements. This helps stimulate blood circulation to the follicles. Keep the oil on overnight and wash the hair the next day. To dry the hair, avoid rubbing with your towel. Instead wrap it around the head and allow it to absorb excess water. Comb out the tangles with a wide toothed comb, starting from the ends and working upwards. Allow the hair to dry naturally.

You can take hair spa treatments. This entails oil massage, exposing the hair to steam, application of hair packs and so on. It helps improve hair texture and add shine to damaged hair.