With so many misleading preconceptions out there, it’s easy to make mistakes when caring for beautiful textured hair.
Jessica Parrish, founder of specialist textured haircare brand, Shedid & Parrish debunks some common myths about textured hair.
Myth 1: It is Stronger Than European Hair
The Truth: While textured hair might look thick and robust, the bends and twists in the hair strands actually make them more prone to breakage. This quality means gentle handling is essential, particularly if the hair is dehydrated. To protect textured hair, Jessica recommends gentle detangling, moisturising regularly, and avoiding excessive heat styling.
Myth 2: It Doesn’t Grow as Fast as Other Hair Types
The Truth: All hair types grow at around 1cm per month. The myth that textured hair grows slower comes back to its tendency to break more easily. Ensuring hair and scalp are healthy and hydrated, along with a gentle approach to styling, will help avoid follicles snapping and result in longer, fuller hair.
Myth 3: Washing Too Often is Bad
The Truth: Textured hair needs washing like any other hair type to avoid product build-up and damage from pollutants. Washing regularly with a gentle, sulphate-free shampoo can help keep the scalp and hair clean without stripping away natural oils. Focus on using nourishing, moisture-boosting products to keep strands healthy and hydrated.
Myth 4: It Doesn’t Need Conditioning
The Truth: Textured hair needs conditioning more than any other hair type due to its natural dryness. The curl of the hair strands makes it harder to distribute oil along its full length, leading to drier, more fragile ends. Conditioning should be part of every textured hair routine. The more moisture, the better.
Myth 5: It Can Handle More Heat
The Truth: Textured hair is often more sensitive to heat than straighter hair types. High temperatures can lead to dryness, brittleness, and permanent heat damage, affecting curl pattern and overall health. If you must use heat, keep it gentle and use it sparingly.