We all know that curly hair is stunning, beautiful, unique and sometimes challenging to manage. Read on for helpful tips + tricks!

We recently held a Curls Night Out event at our PENZONE Salon + Spa Gahanna/New Albany to embrace those curly locks and learn how to manage them. There were live demos, food + drinks, giveaways, curly girl product consultations and more. We’ve shared just a few of the helpful tips + tricks we learned below!

MYTH 1: Regular washing will dry up curly hair.

FACT: Regular washing is actually good for curly hair!

Washing the hair clears the scalp of product buildup and grime. Product residue and grime can cause weak or greasy hair. When the scalp is clean, the sebum production stabilizes, which minimizes the chances of oily, greasy hair.

MYTH 2: Normal shampoos work on curly hair.

FACT: The short answer – no.

You need to use shampoos that are specifically formulated for curly or wavy hair. Some shampoo chemicals can strip the hair of moisture, causing frizz and dryness.

If you have curly hair, don’t use shampoos with sulfates. Sulfates are foaming agents that strip the hair of its natural oils. These chemicals are often used in dish soap and laundry detergent too! Make it a point to read the labels carefully to check for sulfates.

Choose shampoos that are 100% sulfate-free and silicone-free. When you apply the shampoo, do so without rubbing the hair vigorously. The friction could cause frizz.

MYTH 3: It’s alright to skip the conditioner.

FACT: Conditioner is a curly hair girl’s best friend.

Conditioner will tame frizz, reduce dryness and boost hair strength. A rich, hydrating conditioner will moisturize the hair roots, fill out holes and add shine to lackluster hair.

If you want soft, shiny, silky-smooth hair, never skip conditioner. Generally, the tighter the curls, the drier the hair, so adjust the amount of conditioner you use.

Leave-in conditioners are also perfect for taming misbehaving waves.

MYTH 4: Your hair is always dry and tangled.

FACT: Hair that is kinkier and tightly coiled produces less natural oils, which results in the appearance of dry and tangled hair.

Hair that maintains elasticity and is moisturized won’t dry out quickly and isn’t susceptible to tangles.

To stop dryness and tangles:

• Create an effective hair moisturizing method using a rich moisturizing conditioner for your weekly or bi-weekly washes
• Follow with a heavy sealant like castor oil or raw shea butter
• Avoid certain silicones and sulfate based shampoos, conditioners, light oils and butters

MYTH 5: Brushing curly hair regularly can lead to straighter tresses.

FACT: Brushing naturally curly hair agitates the curls, causing ruffled tresses.

Sure, the hair seems flat after a good brushing, but this won’t last for long. Extremely curly hair is prone to breakage and brushing tight curls could cause the hair follicles to weaken. If you have tight to medium curls, ditch the brush and use your fingers to loosen the curls. We recommend finger combing curly hair in the shower and applying a hydrating conditioner. If you feel the need to brush, only do so when your hair is damp.

MYTH 6: Your curly hair will never grow long.

FACT: Your natural hair is capable of growing out and reaching your desired length goal, it just takes time and patience.

The rate of your hair growth depends on several factors:

• physical and mental health
• diet
• hair and scalp regimen
• genetics

Also, consider the amount of shrinkage you get after washing, this can disguise the true length of your hair. If you’re interested in showing your length, create styles that stretch the hair, like twist-outs, braid-outs and roller sets, as opposed to your usual wash and go.

If you’re interested in embracing those gorgeous, glam curls schedule a Curly Girl Cut and Style with one of our Curly Girl professionals who has been trained to work with curly hair.

To find a professional who offers Curly Girl services at a salon near you, check out our FIND YOUR MATCH tool.

GENEVIEVE, SENIOR DIRECTOR @ PENZONE SALON + SPA GAHANNA/NEW ALBANY.

SAMANTHA, SENIOR DIRECTOR @ PENZONE SALON + SPA GAHANNA/NEW ALBANY. HAIR TRAINING TEAM MEMBER.