Adjust Your Curly Hair Routine for Better Results
Learn how to observe your curly hair's behavior and adjust your routine for healthier, more manageable curls.
Curly hair thrives on a flexible routine that you can adjust based on your hair's changing needs. Rather than following a universal prescription, learn how to interpret your hair's behavior and choose products and techniques that work for your individual curls.
Start with Your Scalp
Your scalp is the foundation of healthy hair. Pay attention to how your scalp feels - is it oily, dry, or comfortable? The American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) recommends washing your hair based on your scalp's needs, not a set schedule. Focus shampoo on your scalp and let the suds run down the length of your hair.
If your scalp feels oily but your curls are dry, try applying conditioner to your hair before you shampoo. This will protect the length of your hair from the drying effects of shampoo while still allowing you to cleanse your scalp.
Observe Your Hair's Porosity
Hair porosity refers to how easily your hair absorbs and retains moisture. High porosity hair absorbs moisture readily but loses it quickly, while low porosity hair resists moisture absorption. The New York Society of Cosmetic Chemists (NYSCC) notes that porosity can vary along and between strands.
To get a sense of your hair's porosity, observe how it behaves when wet. Does it absorb water quickly or slowly? Does it dry quickly or slowly? Use these observations to choose products that balance your hair's moisture needs.
Choose Products Based on Your Hair's Behavior
Rather than assigning ingredients to a hair type, compare complete products and how your hair responds. Change one part of your routine at a time if your hair feels dry, tangled, weighed down or oily.
Remember that your hair's needs may change over time. Pay attention to how your hair responds to different products and adjust your routine accordingly. You may find that your hair needs different products in different seasons or at different points in your wash cycle.
Adjust Your Wash Routine
The AAD recommends washing hair based on how often it gets dirty or oily. A scalp that feels dry is not by itself a reason to wash less; flakes can also reflect insufficient washing or another scalp concern. Focus shampoo on the scalp, and seek a dermatologist’s advice if symptoms persist.
Conditioner helps detangle and moisturize hair. The AAD advises applying it to the ends for fine or straight hair, but through the full length for dry or curly hair. If detangling before shampoo is difficult, conditioning beforehand is another option.
| Scalp Feel | Hair Behavior | Wash Frequency |
|---|---|---|
| Oily | Limp, flat | More frequently |
| Scalp feels dry | Check for flakes or persistent irritation | Wash as needed; assess persistent symptoms |
| Comfortable | Shiny, bouncy | As needed |
Sources & further reading
Our guides use published sources. They do not replace an assessment of your own hair or scalp.
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