Is it Okay to Wet Curly Hair Everyday?

I love my curls and often wonder what I can do to manage them well. Washing curls frequently makes them prone to frizziness and I end up looking like I have a nest on my head. 

So what can I do instead? 

Well for starters, you can understand your hair well and what it needs because wetting curly hair everyday can have both positive and negative effects on your hair depending on your hair type and the products you use.

Is it okay to wet curly hair everyday

On one hand, wetting curly hair daily can help to refresh and hydrate the curls, especially if you use a leave-in conditioner or a curl refreshing spray. Detangling and styling your hair can be especially easy.

On the other hand, wetting your hair too often can lead to overhydration, which can cause your hair to become limp and lose its curl pattern. Additionally, if you use hot styling tools or blow dryers on wet hair, it can cause damage and breakage.

But if you have fine or low-porosity hair just like me, then wetting your hair every day may not be necessary as your hair may already retain moisture well. 

However, I would recommend people with thick or high-porosity hair to wet their hair everyday as it will help to maintain its moisture level. 

Why should you wet your curls daily?

I benefit from wetting my curls daily as it keeps my hair hydrated and manageable. But first, I would recommend you to understand your hair type.  

But let me be clear- wetting your hair does not entail washing it. By wetting your hair, we merely refer to spraying water on your hair or rinsing your natural hair in the shower. 

It is not advised to shampoo your hair every day since this can drastically dry out the hair and stress the curls.

See also: Does Raw Sugar Shampoo Work Well for Curly Hair?

In general, it’s best to pay attention to your hair and modify your hair care regimen as necessary. If your hair feels healthy and moisturized, then wetting it every day may not be necessary. But if your hair feels dry or frizzy, then wetting it more often may be beneficial. 

Additionally, be sure to use a quality leave-in conditioner and avoid using hot styling tools on wet hair to minimize any potential damage.

How to wet your curls daily?

Wetting your curls daily can help to rehydrate and refresh them, but it’s important to do so in a way that doesn’t cause damage or frizz. 

Here are some tips for wetting your curls daily:

Spray on my curly hair

1. Use a spray bottle- This is my go to routine. I take a spray bottle and fill it with water and then gently spray on my hair. Be sure to hold the bottle a few inches away from your head to avoid saturating your curls.

2. Use a leave-in conditioner- Mix some water with your favorite leave-in conditioner in a spray bottle, and use this to refresh your curls. This will not only help to rehydrate your curls but also add some extra moisture and nourishment.You may go for Briogeo Farewell Frizz Rosarco Milk Leave In Conditioning Spray

3. Use a curl refresher spray- There are many curl refresher sprays available on the market that can be used to revive your curls. There are products available in the market that contain ingredients like aloe vera, glycerin, and coconut oil, which help to add moisture and reduce frizz.

Check out OUIDAD Botanical Boost Curl Energizing & Refreshing Spray

4. Use a wet brush-  If you prefer to wet your curls more thoroughly, use a wet brush to distribute water evenly through your hair. Be gentle when brushing your curls, as too much tension can cause breakage and damage.

Remember to avoid rubbing your curls with a towel after wetting them, as this can cause frizz and disrupt your curl pattern. 

Instead, use a microfiber towel or an old t-shirt to gently blot excess water from your hair.

P.S- Some parts of the United States have hard water that comes out of the faucets and is damaging to hair. Because it contains a lot more minerals than “soft water,” hard water harms your hair. 

The texture, look, and manageability of your hair may be impacted by this mineral buildup. So, before making a choice, we advise checking to see if your neighbourhood has hard or soft water if you intend to wet your hair every day.

How often should you wash your curly hair?

Curly hair can be wet everyday, but washing is a different matter. Curly hair is, well, naturally dry because the kinky, coily form of the hair shaft makes it difficult for the oils from the hair’s base to easily flow down the hair shaft. 

The more you scrub your hair clean, the more natural oils you are removing from it. As the scalp overproduces the oils it is losing, some people may even notice that their scalp starts to get even more oily. 

We advise washing your hair roughly once a week to help reduce this.

The frequency with which you should wash your curly hair can vary depending on several factors, such as hair type, scalp health, lifestyle, and personal preference. 

As a general guideline, it’s recommended that you wash your curly hair every 2-3 days, or even less frequently if you have particularly dry or coarse hair.

Wash your curly hair

Here are a few factors to consider when determining how often to wash your curly hair:

1.) Hair type- If you have fine or thin curly hair, you may need to wash it more frequently to avoid oil buildup and to maintain volume. If you have thick or coarse curly hair, you can go longer between washes to avoid over-drying your hair.

2.) Scalp health: To prevent irritation, you may need to wash your hair less regularly if you have a sensitive or dry scalp. To keep your hair clean and fresh, you may need to wash it more frequently if you have an oily scalp. 

3.) Lifestyle: You may need to wash your hair more frequently to remove perspiration and oil accumulation if you exercise frequently or live in a hot, humid location.

4.) Personal preference- Ultimately, how often you wash your curly hair will depend on your personal preference and what works best for your hair. Experiment with different washing schedules and listen to your hair’s needs to find the best routine for you.

See also: Does Cold Water Help Curly Hair? 

Keep in mind that over-washing your curly hair can remove its natural oils, causing damage, dryness, and frizz. On the other hand, under-washing your hair can lead to buildup and scalp irritation. Finding the right balance for your hair type and lifestyle is key to maintaining healthy, beautiful curls.

FAQS-

Selecting the right shampoo for curly hair

Regardless of the shampoo you use, I would advise you to use something that is sulfate- and paraben-free. 

Sulfates are chemicals that can strip your hair excessively of its natural oils while also drying up, inflaming, and irritating your scalp. 

Preservatives called parabens can irritate the skin on your scalp and result in contact dermatitis. 

Recommended shampoo list for your lovely curls-

  1. Ouidad Advanced Climate Control Defrizzing Shampoo
  2. Briogeo Curl Charisma with Rice Amino and Avocado Hydrating Shampoo
  3. Joico HydraSplash Hydrating Shampoo

How long should curly hair go between washes?

Depending on how your scalp produces its natural oils and whether it feels or looks dirty, you can wait up to three weeks if your curly hair is especially thick and has tight curls or coils. 

This might seem severe, but washing it more than once or twice a week might dry out your lovely curls and damage them. 

You might attempt water-only washes or conditioner-only washes in between if this feels like too much of a wait. It may be possible to do this less invasively while still breaking up certain hair oils and preventing scalp dandruff.

Why does curly hair tangle after you wet it?

My hair would tangle and make a mess especially after I wet it. But why?

Well it was a clear sign that my hair was too dry, and there was constant trouble running my fingers through the curls. 

But I made a few changes in my hair care routine and products that helped me with the problem. 

Curly hair is prone to dryness. But there are techniques to increase hydration, such as applying moisturising conditioner, serum, or oil, as well as the proper hair products for your hair type.

To sum up, you may definitely wet your curls daily if your hair responds well to it. But if it dries out your curls, then you can go for other alternatives (I’ve mentioned it above). 

Curly hair is super trendy and looks good on most people. But they are difficult to manage and maintain, therefore, the right routine and care will help you bring out the best possible result.