When your hair is relaxed and or color treated, steaming is one of the best things you can do to pamper your hair. Hair steaming is beneficial as the heat aids in hydrating dry hair leaving your parched tresses happy. The moist heat also encourages blood flow to circulate, promoting hair growth too! The steam lifts the hair cuticle allowing your treatments to penetrate deeply into the hair shaft helping to heal damaged hair.
Steaming has allowed my hair to retain moisture, increase softness and stimulate growth. It’s a must for my thirsty 4b hair! Along the way, I’ve discovered a few essential do’s and don’ts to be mindful of while steaming. Here are a few do’s and don’ts to remember while hair steaming:
Do…
1. Steam once a week. A weekly dose of steaming adds extra hydration to the hair. Over time, steaming aids in improving elasticity and moisture retention.
2. Grab a washcloth. Steaming generates a lot of heat and the moisture may run down your face or drip onto your shoulder. Use a washcloth to wipe your face or wear a headband to absorb the moisture, preventing it from dripping down.
3. Steam for 20-30mins per session. The duration of your steam session is everything! Be sure to stay put under that steamer for maximum hydration. Give your cuticles time to lift and absorb the conditioner. Grab a magazine or your favourite book to help pass the time.
4. Clip your hair up. It’s important to have all of your hair, ends included, under the steamer. Your ends are the oldest part of your hair so having them under the steamer ensures they will receive all the benefits.
5. Cool down. I’ve learned that after a steaming session, it’s key to wait until your hair is cool to the touch and then rinse the conditioner out. Cool hair signifies that the cuticles are officially closed sealing all the benefits of the conditioner inside the hair shaft.
Don’t…
1. Cover your head. Covering your hair with a plastic cap is one of the worse things you can do. You want your hair to be exposed directly to the moist heat. Allow your hair to feel the steam so that the conditioner can penetrate and work effectively. The direct steam melts the deep conditioner into your hair immediately.
2. Leave your hair down. Wearing your hair down, with conditioner, while under the steamer is not effective. Your ends, the oldest part of your hair, will be neglected and won’t receive the benefits of the deep conditioner under the direct moist heat.
3. Go under the steamer right away. I usually like to wait at least 5-7 minutes before sitting under my steamer. During this time I’ll finish applying conditioner to my hair, clip it all up and then go under the steamer. Five to seven minutes is enough time for the water to bubble up and the vapors to get hot.
4. Neglect your nape! Some steamers have a small hood making it hard to cover every inch of your head effectively. Try to position yourself, or your head, to get the steam on the nape area. This area tends to be a trouble spot for most, therefore it’s important not to forget it.
5. Over do it! Steaming is addictive; however, it should be done, at the very most, once a week. Increasing the frequency, on a weekly basis, can cause over-moisturizing. Over moist hair can lead to weak limp hair and possibly breakage.
Valerie Bremang founded Hairlista Inc. Social Network in 2008 as a platform to educate, inform and encourage women that they can achieve healthy hair.
