Hair Swells Up With Water is that Good?

[TrueSugar]

Hey Out There!!!!


Recently I cowashed and dc my hair. Before I cowashed, I rinsed some of the product buildup out to make the cowash process better. I noticed that my hair swelled up. There was less frizz but more shrinkage. After I cowashed and dc, my hair was the same but cleaner. I was wondering if the swelling was a good thing? If so, can you give me recommendations on how I keep my hair that way?


Thank you in advance.

 

[heirloom]

Read this http://www.thenaturalhavenbloom.com/2012/08/does-your-hair-have-hygral-fatigue.html

 

[bhndbrwneyes]

never heard of that. I will go a few weeks without washing my hair 3-5 times each week per my usual routine.

Thanks

 

[Ann0804]

I believe the book " The Science of Black Hair" talks about this (one of my hair books I can't remember the name) but it says to prevent the swelling just apply coconut oil first ( like a pre poo).

 

[TrueSugar]

Thanks for responding and I read that post. Hydral fatigue? I dont wash every day or even sometimes 2x per month. I noticed that my hair felt better for a few days. So I really dont know what to make of it. But just to be sure, any swelling of my hair is a bad thing?

 

[Kilacurlz]

If you mean what I think you mean, my hair does this too. By swell up you don't mean the individual hairs appear 'fatter' but that you have more shrinkage? When my hair is well moisturized my curls are very, i dont know, boingy and when you squeeze them they bounce right back/don't lose their shape. Anyway when it's not as moisturized it hangs a lot more and is more wavy rather than curly. I rinse or co wash daily and I've never had hydral fatigue or mushy hair. Just ignore my post if this is not at all what you meant. Lol

 

[Amarilles]

Everyone's hair swells in water. Hygral fatigue is more a concern for hair that's high in porosity since it keeps absorbing water and it can break under the stress. Also a concern for those who pre-poo/baggy with waterbased products like conditioners overnight or while at work and the like...overnight pre-pooing/baggying with penetrating oils (like coconut oil or olive) helps reduce HF though.

If you want the hair to swell less, wash (or style) with colder water. It doesn't have to be freezing or anything but just not hot or warm. Cold water has less energy than hot/warm, and you'll notice that your hair will shrink a little less if you use it.

 

[TrueSugar]

okay thanks, I like that it swells up, even though there is shrinkage. I find that my hair looks much healthier.

 

[HeavenlySkies]

I believe the book " The Science of Black Hair" talks about this (one of my hair books I can't remember the name) but it says to prevent the swelling just apply coconut oil first ( like a pre poo).

That is correct. The book is awesome.