The Top Tips for Steaming Natural Hair in the Winter to Prevent Dryness

April 06, 2021

Written by Verna Meachum of The Mestiza Muse

When the temperatures drop, the beating wind and cold air are guilty of stripping every ounce of moisture from your curls. And when the temperatures climb, while the sun feels great on your skin, its harmful UV rays can wreak havoc on your tresses.

Conditioners, hair masks, and oils seem like the logical fix for dry or parched hair. But in today’s blog, I’m going to provide a much simpler solution: hair steamers. Steaming is one of the best things you can do to pamper your hair. Even though you might be using different kinds of products to achieve healthy, soft, and supple hair, the products might only work to a certain extent or may not work at all if the products do not penetrate deeply and get absorbed in your hair. But when you use a hair steamer, it ensures deep penetration and absorption of the products into your hair.

There are lots of benefits to using a hair steamer, such as to restore color vibrancy, to strengthen the elasticity of hair, but the most well-known benefit is moisture retention. The steamer uses heat and water to lift the hair’s cuticle and allow conditioners and other treatments to penetrate the hair strands.

The Different Types of Steamers
There are traditionally two types of hair steamers -- hooded and handheld. If you choose a hooded steamer, go with a big or large hood. A wide and deep hood will ensure you cover the back, front, and edges of your hair. If you choose a handheld steamer, select a steamer with a large water reservoir so that there will be enough water for your conditioning sessions, and this will ensure that there are no interruptions during the steaming session. You can easily cover your strands with a handheld steamer, although it can be a little bit tiresome, holding the steamer in your hands while steaming.

How To Prep Your Hair
To get the most out of hair steaming at home, prep your hair with your favorite deep conditioner. I personally love As I Am Hydration Elation, Briogeo, Mielle Organics Babassu Oil & Mint Deep Conditioner, and Red Rawkyn. Or you can add a few drops of hair oil, like Righteous Roots Oil to any deep conditioner for added hydration. If alternating between pre-poo oil and deep conditioning treatments, I suggest weekly or bi-weekly steaming. Just be sure not to overdo it as over-steaming can over-moisturize your hair, making it limp and weak. So, use a hair steamer for no more than 20 to 30 minutes.