Last Updated on March 2, 2023 by Verna Meachum

Curly hair is hard to maintain. Curly hair follicles stop growing after it reaches a certain length. Ever heard of these? Well, you’re not the only one.

There’s a lot of misinformation out there about caring for curly hair.

From product recommendations to tips for holding curl shape, these popular beliefs about what works and what doesn’t for curly hair vary significantly.

Let’s look at some of the most common ones to help you sift through all the curly hair myths. And find out what the truth is.

Debunking Curly Hair Myths

We outlined a few common myths for those with textured hair and the facts behind them to give you curly hair tips that you can trust.

Curly hair is not easy to maintain: myth

Curly heads may be more prone to tangling and shedding because of the movement of the hair follicles on your scalp. However, that doesn’t necessarily mean curly hair is difficult to care for.

Your lifelong adventure with curls will tell you that products play an important role in how your curls look and feel. Finding specific products to match your hair texture is essential.

Many products are available to easily manage curly and wavy hair, such as shampoo, conditioner, and leave-in products. They will all help keep your strands hydrated.

Brushing your hair will straighten the texture: myth

Many believe brushing their curls will make them straighter, but this isn’t true. In fact, using the wrong brush to detangle your hair can wreak havoc on your curls. It makes them frizzy or causes them to lose their shape.

Like straight hair, curly strands are fragile, and although brushing won’t change the curl pattern, it could create tension in your scalp and in the cuticle layer of your hair shaft.

When it comes to managing your curls, nothing beats having plenty of slip!

To detangle with ease, opt for a conditioner or detangling spray and use either a wide-tooth comb or brushing brush – in just a few passes you’ll be able to effortlessly detangle any knots in your hair. Making the switch will make life oh so much simpler; trust us on this one!

Curly hair is always dry: myth

Although curly hair is generally drier than straighter hair, it doesn’t mean it’s naturally dry and straw-like in texture. Because of the tighter curl pattern, the natural oils in the scalp struggle to travel down curly strands as easily as straight hair.

So your coils may need additional help keeping the scalp and hair hydrated. Being a curly girl doesn’t mean you’ll always have dry hair.

You may have days when you need to upkeep your hair care routine. So using the appropriate products regularly will help to keep your strands moisturized.

You’ll know that a dry scalp is common if you have thick, coily hair. So using a rich leave-in conditioner after you wash your hair and in between wash days is needed.

Many believe oil-based products alone will provide moisture, but that isn’t the case. You’ll need to start with a water-based product to provide the initial hydration. Then an oil sealant like castor or argan oil will help to lock in that moisture.

Remember to avoid specific ingredients known to dry out the scalp when used in excess, including silicones and sulfate-based shampoos that may strip away your natural hair oils.

Curly hair is tangled: myth

Tangled hair is a common issue that many of us with various hair types have to face. But with a regular hair care routine, it’s easy to comb through without pain.

Unfortunately, the myth that ALL curly hair is tangled is still widespread—but this is not true.

As mentioned, using a wide-tooth comb or detangling brush will help your curls and minimize shedding too.

The best way to start detangling is to start at the bottom of your hair shaft with a wide-tooth comb or detangling brush and work your way up gently. Starting from the roots can cause your hair to break off due to the tension.

You should never trim your ends: myth

Trimming your ends is not only necessary but also beneficial since it helps reduce split ends and keeps the curly strands healthy. Aim for a trim at least every six weeks or so, if possible.

Generally, with curly hair, if you notice a difference in texture at the ends of your hair compared to the rest of it – this could be due to breakage which can slow down healthy growth.

To ensure your hair doesn’t experience any further damage, trim the split ends off. Doing this will help you maintain healthy hair and retain length.

If you’re not sure how to trim your own curly hair, we recommend booking an appointment with a curly-hair specialist stylist who will be able to provide advice and trim your curls safely.

Curly hair struggles to grow: myth

Your curly hair can reach long lengths with the right care and attention. Although curls indeed tend to shrink more than straight strands, especially when they’re dry, this doesn’t mean you can’t have long hair.

To grow out your curly hair, it’s not about the products you use. What’s more vital is nurturing your hair to reach its full potential.

You can start by using a sulfate-free shampoo that won’t strip away natural oils from your scalp, followed by an intensively deep conditioning treatment to help keep your curls hydrated and healthy.

Additionally, protective styles, such as braids or buns, can help your strands grow without you having to do much. As long as there isn’t too much tension, these styles help your curly hair retain length.

Moreover, investing in quality curl creams and oils will help keep curly hair strong and soft.

Final Thoughts

With so many myths about curly hair floating around, they could hold you back. Don’t let them prevent you from getting the most out of your curls.

Just as not all curly hair myths are true, there is no right or wrong answer regarding what products you should use.

As I always say, let your hair be your guide – so don’t be afraid to experiment and find the combination of products that work best for you.