Curly hair: 5 mistakes to avoid for healthy curls
Introduction
💡 Key takeaways
You do everything to take care of your curls… but every morning it's the same story: unruly frizz , dry ends , undefined curls . What if, without realizing it, you're making these simple mistakes that sabotage your efforts overnight?
In this article, we share the 5 most common mistakes that prevent your curly hair from staying defined, supple and hydrated day after day.
One of them, in particular, has a dramatic impact … for minimal effort : it's simply a matter of changing your pillowcase . Because your curls don't just rest on cotton for a few minutes: they sleep there, rub against it, and dry out… for 8 hours every night .
Summary
Curly hair: 5 mistakes that damage your curls (and how to avoid them)
Curly hair has that certain something magical: movement, texture, a natural sensuality. But behind this beauty often lies a daily struggle. Because maintaining healthy curls requires more than just a good shampoo and a few quick treatments.
Sometimes, it's small, automatic, almost invisible gestures that sabotage your efforts. You apply suitable products, you moisturize conscientiously… and yet, your curls remain dull, dry, or unruly.
What if the solution was simply to correct 5 common mistakes , allowing your hair to breathe, regain its natural bounce , elasticity , and vibrant softness ? Let's start with the one that almost everyone makes without realizing it...
Mistake #1: Drying your curls with a cotton terry towel
Why is cotton the enemy of your curls?
Terry cotton towels damage curly hair . Their rough texture lifts the hair cuticles, causing frizz, breakage, and loss of moisture.
The cuticle, the hair's protective layer, cracks under friction, making curls fragile and dull. Wet hair is particularly vulnerable: this daily habit can ruin months of care.
The gentle solution: plopping and a microfiber towel
For gentle drying , opt for the plopping method with a microfiber towel or an organic cotton t-shirt. Microfiber (80% polyester + 20% polyamide) absorbs excess water without damaging the cuticle. The key is to gently pat your hair dry after shampooing, without rubbing.
Mistake #2: Brushing your hair when it's dry
The massacre of loop definition
Dry brushing is disastrous for curls. This harsh action breaks the "clumps" (groups of hair forming the curls), destroying their natural structure.
The result: broken curls, uncontrollable volume and a total loss of definition .
How to untangle without ruining everything?
To preserve your curls , only detangle wet hair after applying conditioner or a hair mask.
Use your fingers or a wide-toothed wooden comb (anti-static and soft). Always start at the ends to avoid creating new knots.
For thicker textures, pre-detangling with a leave-in conditioner makes it easier to glide through.
Mistake #3: Neglecting your nighttime routine, the mistake that costs your curls dearly
Cotton, the silent enemy of hydration
At night, when your curls deserve extra care, a cotton pillowcase can become their worst enemy . Cotton absorbs natural oils and product residue, leaving your hair dehydrated when you wake up. This rough fabric also creates intense friction while you sleep, leading to frizz, tangles, and breakage.
Did you know that this absorption is equivalent to losing 30% of your nighttime hydration ? Repeated movements on the pillow accelerate cuticle wear, making curls less defined.
The solution: the silk hair pillowcase
Changing your pillowcase is like applying a hair mask overnight. Silk, being 100% natural, offers a smooth surface that reduces friction by 70% compared to cotton. The result: your curls retain their definition, without unwanted frizz .
Unlike cotton, silk doesn't trap oils or treatments. It preserves moisture, like an invisible protective film. Its anti-static properties also prevent flyaways.
