No Hairbrushes

If you have curly hair, you’ve probably been told to steer clear of a hairbrush, but you can and should brush curly hair. Brushing hair won’t necessarily loosen curls or create frizz, and it can help distribute your scalp’s oils, moisturize your hair, and stimulate your scalp; just remember not to brush wet hair, as it’s more susceptible to breakage.

You’ve probably heard that sulfates and silicones are bad for curly hair, but sulfates are useful for removing build-up, dirt, and oils, while silicones help lock in moisture. However, the quality of sulfates and silicones in hair products vary, and only high-quality ones found in more expensive products won’t cause hair damage.

Protective Styles

There’s a common belief that braids help protect curly hair, but much of the damage hair stylists observe in their curly-haired clients is often caused by braids. Hair expert Eleanor Richardson says that most damage is caused by “the pulling force […] of a very tight style,” and recommends looser styles that don’t strain the scalp.

Contrary to what you may have been told, curly hair needs a trim once or twice a year, and neglecting this can lead to damage. Richardson explains that trimming your hair won’t stunt growth, but if you don’t trim your hair, it “starts to wear and tear and […] fray open,” which can cause splits all the way to your roots, stunting growth.

According to a 2011 study published in the Annals of Dermatology, blow drying causes more damage than air drying, but it doesn’t damage the hair’s cortex, while air drying does damage the cell membrane complex. The study concluded that blow-drying hair using a continuous motion at a distance of 15 cm causes less damage than air drying.