As a curly-haired icon, you already know how important it is to give your luscious locks a little extra love in the form of moisture. Since curls & coils are naturally more prone to dryness than other types of hair, layering on the hydration helps lock in moisture to keep your curls defined & bouncy.
But alongside all of that extra love & care, it’s important to remember that too much moisture can be a bad thing. If your hair is suddenly knotting or tangling, or if it’s feeling a bit flat, you might be dealing with something called moisture overload.
The good news? With the right know-how, you can tackle curly hair moisture overload & get your curls bouncing back to normal.
What Is Moisture Overload in Natural Hair?
As someone with natural hair, you likely make it a priority to keep your curls & coils super nourished & hydrated. So, the idea of over-moisturizing might not have crossed your mind—& that’s okay! We’re here to help.
Moisture overload, also known as hygral fatigue, occurs when—you guessed it—your hair receives too much moisture. Often, this happens because you’re unknowingly using too many moisturizing products on your tresses. As a result, your hair can become overly soft, making it weaker & more elastic than usual.
Key Signs Your Natural Hair May Need a Better Moisture Balance
If your curls have been feeling a little off lately (or if you’re just staying ahead of the game to prevent moisture overload), there are a few signs to watch out for. & don’t worry—having one or two symptoms doesn’t mean you’re stuck with hygral fatigue forever.
The first step to solving moisture overload is identifying whether you have it, so keep an eye out for these telltale signs:
- Limp strands – You might notice your curls have lost their usual definition & natural structure. With limp hair, you may also notice that it’s harder to maintain your natural curl pattern, even with the help of your go-to styling products.
- More breakage – Curly & coily hair is more prone to stress & breakage due to its unique shape. With moisture overload, however, you may notice excessive breakage, especially when rinsing out your hair in the shower or combing out your curls.
- Hair tangles – When you have excess moisture in your hair, your hair cuticles can lift & weaken. If this occurs, your strands will start rubbing against one another, resulting in unexpected tangles & knots.
- Less volume – Have you noticed a lack of va-voom in your curls where there used to be a welcome overabundance of volume? Too much moisture can weaken your hair shaft, resulting in hair that’s flat & in need of revitalization.
Common Causes of Moisture Overload in Curly & Textured Hair
If you have curly hair, moisture overload might take you by surprise. You certainly wouldn’t be the first person to notice a difference in your natural texture & wonder—how did this happen?
Some of the frequent culprits of moisture overload include:
- Co-washing frequently – We love a good co-wash as much as the next curly girl or guy. But if you’re co-washing too often, you can give your hair an overload of moisture (hence the name).
- Leaving deep conditioners on for too long – Deep conditioning treatments are a surefire way to give your curls & coils the moisture they crave. But if you use them too often or leave them on for an extended period (or both), it’s possible to oversaturate your hair with hydration.
- Styling your wet hair into protective styles – Sometimes, it's easier to craft the best protective styles on natural textures while the hair is still wet. However, those styles can trap excess moisture, further weakening the hair shaft.
- Moisturizing without protein – Some curl products prioritize hydration but lack the protein your strands need to maintain hair strength. Protein, often found in the form of keratin or plant-based options like corn or soy, is essential for keeping your curls balanced & healthy. However, it is important to be aware that protein overload can also occur.
Simple Steps to Rebalance Moisture in Curly & Natural Hair
By now, you’re probably wondering what you can do to correct this little hair snafu. Don’t worry—we’re here to give you all of the tips on how to fix moisture overload in curly hair:
- Clarify your curls – If you think your moisture overload is due to using too many moisturizing products, incorporate a clarifying shampoo, like the PATTERN Cleansing Shampoo, into your routine. While you don’t need to use it often, sudsing up once or twice a month can help remove excess moisture, as well as product buildup.
- Reduce heavy conditioners – We’re not suggesting you ditch the heavy hitters completely, as they’re ideal for keeping your hair hydrated. However, you might want to consider reducing the frequency you’re using heavy conditioners, leave-in treatments & deep conditioners. On days you forego those treatments, opt for a lightweight conditioner, such as the PATTERN Lightweight Conditioner, instead.
- Dry your hair – To prevent prolonged dampness, let your hair air dry or use the PATTERN Diffuser Attachment to dry your hair entirely before starting a protective style.
- Only wet hair on wash days – Keep your hair dry between washes to reduce the likelihood of excess moisture penetrating your strands.
Best Practices for Maintaining Healthy Moisture Levels in Natural Textures
Before diving into how to maintain consistent moisture levels, let’s break down the characteristics of healthy curls & coils. This will help you recognize when your hair is perfectly hydrated, so you'll know when to start implementing our best practices:
- Curls shrink when dry, a key indicator of optimum hair elasticity.
- There’s minimal breakage & split ends are present.
- A natural shine enhances the overall appearance.
- Curls easily create & hold their natural pattern (especially with a little help from a favorite styling product).
Once your mane has returned to its pre-moisture overload glory, there are a few tricks you can keep up your sleeves to ensure your curls stay just the right amount of hydrated:
- Create a balanced wash-day routine – Alternate between moisturizing & protein treatments to maintain your hair’s optimum strength & hydration.
- Skip the over-washing – While everyone’s natural hair is unique & benefits from a different number of washes each week, we recommend aiming for only one to two weekly hair washes. This will help ensure your hair stays clean without stripping its natural oils.
- Condition within reason – As we said, hold onto those moisturizing treatments—they’re fundamental to establishing a solid curly hair routine! Experiment with the frequency of conditioning products for your specific curl type without over-hydrating. Consider using a deep conditioner or hair mask, like the PATTERN Intensive Conditioner or Treatment Mask, once a week & adjust based on your hair’s response. Also, don’t forget to use leave-in conditioners or hair oils, such as the PATTERN Leave-In Conditioner or Jojoba Oil Blend, to help seal in moisture. Remember, start small & increase the amount until you find the ideal balance.
Top Products to Keep Your Natural Hair Hydrated & Balanced
For premium hydration—without over-moisturizing—here are some of our top PATTERN recommendations:
- Hydrating Shampoo – If you’re rocking an eye-catching crown of curls or coils, start your wash day routine with a shampoo that gently cleanses & removes buildup without removing the moisture your hair wants & needs.
- Treatment Mask – This mask softens & strengthens hair while simultaneously promoting hair growth. Plus, powerhouse ingredients, like rice water ferment, help prevent your follicles from rubbing against each other. This can help reduce breakage & leave your hair feeling healthily hydrated.
- Bounce Back Pre-Poo – If you love the versatility of showing off your curls one week & opting for sleek, straight strands the next, you’ll appreciate our pre-poo. Infused with Murumuru seed butter & hibiscus flower extract, it’ll help your coils spring back into action after your next wash.
- Hydrating Mist – Could your curls use a burst of hydration between washes? Our Hydrating Mist is here to give your locks a curly refresh, reactivating their bounce while keeping them safe from pesky environmental stressors.
- Heavy Conditioner – If you have coily or tightly textured hair, choose a rich & creamy heavy conditioner for the ultimate nourishment. Ours provides exceptional slip, making your post-shower routine a breeze. Use it to easily condition your curls to perfection.
- Lightweight Conditioner – Conditioning is all about balance. Whether you have thin curly hair or your coils need a break from the heavy conditioner, our lightweight conditioner offers a touch of moisture while softening & strengthening your tresses.
Keep Moisture Overload at Bay with PATTERN
You’re a natural beauty who’s determined to maintain your perfect curly hair—moisture overload won’t win on your watch! If you think you might have it (or want to prevent it in the future), there’s no need for a complete hair product overhaul. With a few thoughtfully chosen items, you can correct your hair’s moisture imbalances & get those stunning locks back on track.
At PATTERN, we empower your journey with your natural texture. Whether you’re newly embracing your curls or looking to simplify your routine while creating stunning styles, we offer a collection of products designed just for you. Crafted with safe, natural & ultra-nourishing ingredients, our products provide affordable luxury for your hair—no matter where you are in your hair care journey.
Find your perfect moisture balance & unlock healthy, hydrated curls today with PATTERN.
Sources:
NIH. The what, why and how of curly hair: a review. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6894537/
NYSCC. An Overview on Hair Porosity.https://nyscc.org/blog/an-overview-on-hair-porosity/
NIH. Hair Cosmetics: An Overview. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4387693/
Cleveland Clinic. Could Rice Water Be the Secret To Healthier Hair? https://health.clevelandclinic.org/the-benefits-of-using-rice-water-on-your-hair
