Let's Talk About Dry & Damaged Hair

I have thick 4C hair with a sensitive scalp; sensitive scalp runs in my family. My mum likes to remind me that she prayed I had thick hair. However, this meant that combing or styling my hair is a pain. So growing up, relaxing became my go-to till my first year of university; at one point I was relaxing it every six weeks. Yes, 6 weeks! I would go to the salon to have my hair relaxed, blow-dried, and straightened. My hair looked straight but it was still not pleased. My scalp and hair were dry and brittle. (see exhibit A)

I stopped relaxing my hair in my second year and experimented with everything to stop the dryness. The popular sulphate-free shampoo, deep conditioning, products targeted at helping me retain moisture, and some things work for a while, some did nothing.

Several factors can cause dry hair such as too much heat, use of the wrong shampoo, genetics, chemicals like relaxer or hair dyes, hormones. It is a long list and it can be hard to work out the reasoning behind why you have dry hair.

Well, how do you get rid of it?

It's All About The Shampoo

I will be honest it took me so much time to work out what products work for me and some products take some adapting to. I believe in sulphate-free hair products, sulphate is similar to salt, and if anyone has had a salty meal, and had to drink gallons of water after it is similar to that. Sulphate tends to be used to make the product foam up more but can be drying on your hair. So I highly recommend using sulphate-free shampoo. My favourites are our Olive oil & Neem shampoo bar but if I have a lot of product build-up I use the Babassu And Patchouli Shampoo Bar. Transitioning to shampoo bars is another blog post. But I have to admit my hair has been so much more moisturised and feels cleanse but not stripped which has contributed to a general softness to my hair.

Deep conditioning 

I love deep conditioning, it is a fortnightly ritual for me it acts as a booster. I have tried a lot of the popular brands but what I found is they work for a time and stop, or the formula changes and the level of effective ingredients drops. I discovered Love Mellie Moisturising Mango Seed Hydration Mask. Also, using a deep conditioner and gentle leave-in conditioner to moisturize and promote healthy hair. 

Leave-in conditioner

Now I can’t cornrow my hair which is my go-to protective style, my mum still does it for me (which is much appreciated). She tends to do it in the evening, so I like to moisturise my hair with the Frankincense and Shea Leave-in conditioner. I can say I have noticed a significant difference in the softness of my hair and how long it stays soft. I have gone through multiple bottles and I am convinced that it is a hidden hero. Mum makes the conditioner with infused sweet almond oil, one of the herbs used to infuse the oil is marshmallow known to help with dandruff and soothe skin irritations.

Bonnet and pillowcase

Style your hair, and where possible, sleep with a silk pillowcase or silk bonnet (my go-to for when I am at home), as silk is more gentle on your hair and less likely to break your hair. Please let me know your tips and trick for keeping your hair moisturized and smooth. Dry hair is a problem we have all suffered at one point. Frizzy, tangled, and dull-looking hair is caused by dry hair. I don't know about you but I've tried several products.

With these, you can restore and improve the look and feel of your hair.

We at Okiki Skincare want you to go from dry and damaged hair to smooth, shiny, and beautifully moisturised hair.

Here is a video of my mum cornrowing my hair