Moisturize to Minimize Breakage
Written by Samara on April 18, 2008African American hair is the driest hair on the planet and it requires daily moisturizing to achieve length and minimize hair breakage. Relaxed hair is even drier because the hair is chemically treated which also helps deplete moisture in the hair. This is why moisture is so important!
The first thing you need to know is how to choose your moisturizer. Your daily moisturizer should not contain the following:
- Mineral Oil
- Petroleum
- Protein
Mineral Oil and Petroleum clogs the hair follicles and only coats the hair. These ingredients actually inhibit the absorption of moisture into the hair and in turn can and will cause breakage.
Protein is good for the hair when conditioning only for this ingredient will make your hair hard and dry and can and will cause hair breakage.
The following are ingredients you should look for in a good hair moisturizer:
- Water (must be the first ingredient)
- Sobitol or glycerin or both
- A good oil such as coconut oil or olive oil
You should apply the moisturizer daily up to 3 times a day on your hair only. Do not apply the moisturizer to your scalp! After shampooing and conditioning your hair you should also apply the moisturizer to your hair while is still damp and allow it to dry.
Remember the key to healthy non-shedding, non-breaking hair in between shampoos and relaxers is to moisturize the hair daily.
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8 Responses to Moisturize to Minimize Breakage
Hydratherma Naturals is the best products for moisturizing and they do not contain mineral or petroleum oils. [edit]Click on my name[/edit] for more information.
So I looked at the site and there are quite a few things I don’t agree with on the site. I don’t agree with the fact that the site owner insists on clipping the ends every 6-8 weeks and also she suggests that a woman starts off with a fresh cut before beginning hair growth!! None of these suggestions promote hair growth at all!
I also don’t agree with the fact that the site owner tells you to apply the hair moisturizer and oil to the scalp. Your scalp’s sebaceous glands produce a sufficient amount of oil for the scalp and does not need any help. The only parts of the hair that the hair lotions and oils should be applied to is the “hair” ONLY.
I do like that their hair lotion is free of petroleum, mineral oil, and protein. Their hair lotion is something that I would recommend based on the ingredients.
Also rememeber the hair lotions, oils, conditioners, and shampoos will NOT make your hair grow. No product makes your hair grow, but proper hair care and the use of the correct products will allow you to add length.
I’ve used the Profective Mega Growth Anti-Breakage Strengthener Growth Lotion for awhile as a daily moisturizer, and it does appear to work in decreasing my breakage, and moisturizing well. I was skeptical of this product after reading all of your warnings, but I read the ingredients and there doesn’t appear to be anything in the ingredients that would be on your ban list. You should try this moisturizer out, I think you’ll like it, and it’s only $5 at Walgreens. These are the ingredients as follows:
Glycerine Soja Oil Soybean , Water Aqua , Propylene Glycol , Hydrogenated Vegetable Oil , Steareth-2 , Steareth-20 , Silk Amino Acids , Triticum Vulgare Protein Wheat , Glycerine Soja Protein Soybean , Hydrolyzed Oat Protein , Cocos Nucifera Oil Coconut , Simmondsia Chinensis Oil Jojoba , Vitis Vinifera Seed Oil Grape , Persia Gratissima Oil Avocado , Vitamins B2 , Vitamins D , Vitamins A , Vitamins E , Vitamins K , Potassium , Linum Usitassimum Seed Oil Flax , Equisetum Hiemale Extract Horsetail , Hydrolysed Vegetable Protein PC-Propyl Silanetriol , Olea Europea Fruit Oil Olive , Triticum Vulgare Germ Oil Wheat , Polyquaternium-37 , Propylene Glycol Dicaprylate/Dicaprate , PPG-1 Trideceth-6 , Phenyl Trimethicone , Laneth-15 , Lanolin Oil , Dimethicone , DMDM Hydantoin , Zea Mays Oil Corn , BHA , BHT , Methylparaben , Propylparaben , Parfum Fragrance
After reading your list of ingredients it seems to be a good product. Although I don’t care for products with protein, I’d rather the product have a little protein and no grease(petroleum, mineral oil). I will check it out myself. This could probably be a product I could add to the product store!
What do you recommend for preventing split ends. Any products? Should I just stick with focusing the ORS carrot oil on my ends when I apply this as a moisturizer, or is applying some type of oil to it, like pure jojoba/olive/coconut oil to seal in the moisture in my ends good?
-I used to use fantasia shine serum & all those other brands of serurms with silicones with ingredients: climethocone, dimethicone, etc..I read that silicones in the hair thin out the hair, so I’m trying to stay away from putting this on my ends, is this true, and am I right in doing so?
Your doing fine. Make sure you are sleeping in a satin bonnet, deep conditioning at least every 2 weeks, and conditioning every time you wash your hair. Moisturize daily, and using olive oil to seal in the product is perfectly fine. I actually recommend it! Also make sure you are not using excessive heat on your hair as well to prevent split ends and damage.
Hi,
If I wanted to use a curl creme (Curl’s Curl Souffle), would I apply that before or after the moisturizer?
Also, could I dilute the creme in some water to spray it on my hair and still get the same effects as using it straight out of the jar?
Thanks.
I found a great product Pr-Line comb thru SOFTENER in the mens hair product section. The first two ingredients are water and glycerine and no greases or proteins and it smells excellent. Great moisterizer.