Hannah Frye

mbg Assistant Beauty Editor

By Hannah Frye

mbg Assistant Beauty Editor

Hannah Frye is the Assistant Beauty Editor at mindbodygreen. She has a B.S. in journalism and a minor in women’s, gender, and queer studies from California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo. Hannah has written across lifestyle sections including health, wellness, sustainability, personal development, and more.

woman with wavy hair in the sun

Image by Guille Faingold / Stocksy

May 31, 2023

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We don’t often use the term sensitive when describing hair, but we should: Just like some people have sensitive skin, some hair types are more prone to strand damage than others. This is especially true when it comes to hot tools. 

If you know your lengths are suffering from blowouts and hot tools, you should put your routine on “repair mode.” One way to do so: Find a way to style your natural texture that actually satisfies you. To come, a few tips to start your styling journey off right. 

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1.

Start styling when your hair is sopping wet

If you have wavy, curly, or coily strands and notice your texture tends to frizz up, you might be styling your hair when it’s too dry. It sounds strange, but the wetter the better when it comes to defining your shape. 

In fact, some pros even recommend the bowl method—dipping your strands in a bowl of water, applying styling products, and squishing the hair in effort to evenly distribute the products. 

“Some curly hair can have difficulty absorbing moisture, so by dunking it into the water you are ensuring extra time to give the strands an extra boost of moisture,” explains celebrity stylist Harry Josh

If you don’t want to dunk your hair in a bowl of water, just spritz your hair until it’s wet before applying products and twisting, scrunching, shaking, etc. 

One issue you may run into when embracing your natural hair texture is the bedhead that follows each morning. For anyone who skips a daily wash, it’s tempting to fine-tune your strands with a hot tool if you wake up with broken or bent shapes. 

However, you may be able to prevent the cowlicks if you sleep strategically—meaning, you protect your strands at night. 

You can opt for the pineapple method (aka, gathering your hair in a scrunchie on the top of your head), sleep on a silk or satin pillowcase, wear a silk bonnet, or tie your hair in a loose braid at night. 

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3.

Do a monthly scalp detox

Anyone who uses hair care products, be it leave-in conditioner, dry shampoo, styling creams, etc., will have some buildup on their strands and scalp—it’s simply unavoidable. When this buildup accumulates, however, you may start to see your natural hair looking dull or lacking bounce. 

The remedy: a monthly scalp detox. Now, the exact cadence will vary depending on your scalp situation and hair type, but the general principal is the same: Get rid of buildup gently, then rehydrate your scalp. 

You have a variety of options to choose from, including scalp scrubs, chemical exfoliating treatments, detox serums, and more. Not sure which treatment is right for you? Read our full scalp detox guide here.

The takeaway

Some strands are more sensitive to heat damage than others. If your hair doesn’t cope well with hot tools, the first step to revival is to embrace your natural texture and learn how to style it in a way that makes you happy. For more ways to revive heat-damaged hair, check out this guide.

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