Hair Type: All
Hair Porosity: All
Hair Sensitivities: All
Hair Goal: All
Expanding On This Principle
The principle of moisturization is simply hydrating (by adding water) and sealing the moisture into the hair with an oil. Water hydrates the hair and oil moisturizes the hair; seals in hydration for a long period of time. This principle is the most common struggle and focus for most people. This is also the first principle to measure how healthy your hair truly is. If you are struggling in this principle, it means that you are not using the right products, not using the right methods or handling, or you have not mastered your hair porosity and your environment.
Hydrate vs. Moisture
The definition of hydrate is to simply add water to a medium. Hydrate comes from the Greek root word "hydro" which means water. Pouring water onto your hair when washing, or spraying just water into your hair--these are all examples of simply hydrating the hair.
To add moisture is not just the act of adding water, but retaining that water. Moisture retention is another term to describe this concept. Conditioners, leave-in products, almost all hair care products have moisture factors to them. They have oils which can help hold water in your hair long enough to be beneficial.
Over-balancing the Moisturization Principle
Hair care is a balance. There has to be some middle ground or your hair will not flourish. Over-moisturizing is unhealthy and can lead to hygral fatigue. Hygral fatigue is when you have added too much hydration to your hair and it is basically soggy. Your hair feels gummy, soggy, mushy, etc. Your hair is too stretchy and feels weak and fragile. This is because your hair strands absorbed too much water and the water weakened your cortex.
What are examples of when one can experience hygral fatigue?
Going swimming, washing your hair more than once a week, constantly wetting or adding gels to hair, constantly adding wet products to hair. Basically exposing your hair to more water than it needs. Think about your one hair strand. The amount of water that hair strand needs is microscopic. You do not need so much water to have moisturized hair. Having too much water in your hair will weaken your hair strands. Your curls will be limp, hair damp and stretchy, prone to tangling and matting, and high amounts of breakage/shedding when combing or brushing hair.
Under-balancing the Principle of Moisturization
It is possible to not apply enough of the principle into your routine. Most people suffer from the phenomenon of dehydrated hair. This is a more common occurrence than hygral fatigue. Dehydrated hair strands are a result of not moisturizing the hair enough either due to incorrect usage of products, low-quality products, regimen and hair handling, types of protective styles used, etc. There are so many reasons one can have dry hair.
Dry hair feels like hay or feels thin and hard. If your hair feels like this, your hair is dry. If your hair always feels this way, your hair is chronically dry. That may be the reason why you are struggling in your hair journey.
Balanced Moisturization
When you are balanced in moisture, your hair is softer and smoother. You hair can detangle easily, it is easier to maintain, has elasticity, and deep shine. This shine is easier to see when flat-ironed. No matter your texture, your hair can obtain some degree of softness. Soft hair is a sign that your hair is moisturized. Remember that moisture retention is the first sign of hair health. If your hair can stay moisturized up to a week before being replenished, your hair is a good degree of healthy. If your hair can stay moisturized and soft for two weeks-one month, your hair is extremely healthy. If your hair can only stay moisturized for up to a few hours-3 days, your hair is not considered healthy yet.
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This blog is juicy! The unfolding of all the hair secrets and gems are within your grasp. This is only part 1 of the Principle of Moisturization. A part 2 will follow that explains what basic regimens and products to implement. Make sure to subscribe to the website to keep yourself updated. Follow us on Instagram or Tik Tok @africanhaircarescience for updates and more! We cannot wait to make you a part of our African HairCare Community🌸
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