Table of Contents
- Washing too frequently and too vigorously
- Water that is too hot
- Hard water (limescale in the water)
- Heat styling
- Coloring, bleaching and chemical treatments
- Friction from fabrics and hair ties
- Incorrect or drying products
- Do not seal in moisture
- Insufficient protection at night
- Moisture and protein in balance
- Nutrition and nutrients
- Conclusion
What really dries out curls – and how you can prevent it
Dry curls are one of the most common problems. Many people ask themselves: "Why are my curls getting drier and drier – no matter what I put on them?"
Curls don't dry out by chance. It's usually due to certain hair care habits, water quality, products, or even diet. Here you'll find the most common causes – and simple solutions.
1. Washing too frequently and too vigorously
Washing your curls too often strips them of the natural oils that are supposed to protect them.
Drying:
- daily washing with shampoo
- very strong, harsh shampoos
- No conditioner after washing
- Scrubbing instead of a gentle scalp massage
What helps:
- Wash 1-2 times per week (depending on need)
- mild, moisturizing shampoos
- Use conditioner after every hair wash
- Massage gently instead of rubbing
2. Water that is too hot
Very hot water opens the hair cuticle too much and removes moisture.
Signs:
- Hair feels hard and dull immediately after washing.
- The scalp feels tight or is irritated.
- Curls immediately lose their definition
What helps:
- Wash with lukewarm water
- Rinse with cooler water at the end.
3. Hard water (limescale in the water)
Hard water contains many minerals such as calcium and magnesium. These deposit on the hair and block moisture and conditioning products.
Signs of hard water:
- Hair looks dull despite conditioner
- Products no longer work as they used to.
- Curls are difficult to define.
- Hair tangles more easily
- Limescale deposits on shower head/fittings
What helps:
- Chelating shampoo 1-2 times per month
- Deep conditioning with heat (e.g., Siztaz Deep Conditioning Cap)
- acidic rinse (apple cider vinegar 1 tbsp to 300 ml water)
- Hair oils for lengths and ends
-
Microfiber hair towels instead of cotton:
Microfiber hair towels - Shower filter (if possible)
4. Heat styling
Heat can dry out curls in the long term and damage their structure.
Drying:
- Diffuser on high heat
- Flat iron/curling iron
- Blow-drying without heat protection
What helps:
- Air dry as often as possible
- If it's hot – then low
- always heat protection
- regular deep conditioning
5. Color, bleaching & chemical treatments
Chemical treatments increase the porosity of the hair – moisture escapes faster.
Drying:
- Bleaching
- permanent color
- chemical smoothing
What helps:
- intensive moisturizing care
- Deep conditioning with heat
- Hair oils for the ends
6. Friction from fabrics & hair ties
Friction makes the hair surface rough – moisture escapes faster.
Drying:
- Cotton bed linen
- Wool scarves & jacket collars
- regular hair ties
What helps:
- Satin instead of cotton
- Protect curls under jackets
- Use satin accessories
Products at Siztaz:
7. Incorrect or drying products
Even good products can dry out your hair if they don't suit it.
Possible triggers:
- too much alcohol in the product
- too much protein
- Products are not suitable for porosity
- heavy products for fine hair
Fine hair: be careful
Avoid:
- heavy butter
- overly rich creams
- lots of oil
Better suited:
- light leave-in conditioners
- Mousse
- light gels
8. Do not seal in moisture
Moisture alone is not enough – it must be sealed, otherwise it will evaporate.
What helps:
- A few drops of oil after leave-in
- This is especially important in cases of high porosity.
Hair oils at Siztaz:
Regarding hair oils
9. Insufficient protection at night
Sleeping on cotton sheets draws moisture from your hair.
Drying:
- cotton cushions
- loose hair
- rough fabrics
What helps:
- Satin Bonnet
- Satin pillowcase
- Pineapple with satin scrunchie
10. Balanced Moisture & Protein
Protein deficiency
Signs:
- limp curls
- “rubbery” hair feel
- bad definition
What helps:
- light protein care 1-2 times a month
- Rice protein, wheat protein, amino acids
- Then moisture!
Protein overload
Signs:
- hard, dry hair
- brittle tips
- Dryness despite care
What helps:
- Protein break
- only moisture products
- Deep Conditioning
- Apply oils to the lengths of the hair.
11. Nutrition & Nutrients
Healthy curls need a supply of vitamins and minerals from within.
Important nutrients:
- Omega-3 fatty acids
- Vitamins A, C, E
- Biotin & B vitamins
- Zinc & Iron
- protein
Signs of deficiency:
- brittle hair
- dry scalp
- slow-growing hair
What helps:
- varied diet
- Drink plenty of fluids
- Nutrition check at the doctor's office, if necessary.
Conclusion
Curls don't dry out for no reason – it's usually due to water quality, heat, products, friction, lack of sealing, protein balance, or diet.
If you improve these points step by step, your curls will:
- softer
- shiny
- defined
- healthier
You don't have to change everything at once – even small changes make a big difference.
