One of the key steps of the Curly Girl Method is to deep condition on a regular basis. This is to help moisture penetrate your hair and scalp and so there’s no better way to do so than to enlist the help of a thermal heat Cap.
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If you have spent years straightening, blow-drying, and using harsh cleansers such as shampoo, you can really cause a lot of damage to your hair.
So what is a thermal heat cap and how can it help your curls?
A thermal heat cap is a heated deep conditioning cap that opens up hair cuticles. This allows a deep conditioner product to penetrate the strands of your hair more easily. This aids in the repair of damaged hair and split ends.
A thermal heat cap is therefore a great investment for anyone who is interested in following the Curly Girl Method.
It is not only a better way to deep condition, but a thermal cap will help you reach your hair goals much faster.
This deep conditioning cap from Amazon is one of the best on the market.
It is one size and effectively helps heat and product penetrate the hair follicles. It’s made from durable material and can be used over and over again.
Benefits of Thermal Heat Caps
According to antidotestreet.com, Thermal Heat Caps are:
- Eco Friendly
- Reversible and Reusable
- Available in multiple colours
- Easy to use
- For all hair types and textures
- Produces enough heat for a 20-45 minute treatment
- No cords, No fuss – Freedom to move about while deep conditioning your hair
Let’s look at the benefits of a thermal heat cap in more detail:
Improved Deep Conditioning
Thermal heat caps are designed to work alongside your favorite deep conditioner in order to maximize its effect.
Each hair strand is protected by hair cuticles which form the outermost part of the hair shaft.
The cuticles become frayed or damaged when your hair is exposed to harsh chemicals. This can be from products such as hair dye, bleach, or even shampoo.
Hair cuticles can also become damaged when you use excessive heat like hairdryers or hair straighteners.
In order to repair the damaged cuticles, we use deep conditioner which softens the cuticles and rebuilds the structure of each strand.
However, when using deep conditioner in the shower, the product is really only applied to the outer surface of hair strands as the cuticles only stay open for a short period of time.
This means that there is no difference if you apply the product for 3 minutes or 30 minutes. The product will simply not fully penetrate the hair.
With a thermal deep conditioning cap, however, you can open the cuticles for a significant period of time. This allows your deep conditioner to work its true magic.
Also Read: Is Sparkling Water Good For Your Scalp? (Solved)
Thermal Heat Caps Are Easy To Use
Using a thermal heat cap really couldn’t be simpler. The cap is eco-friendly, fully reversible, and made of 100% cotton.
The heating element is flaxseeds which are sewn into the cap and once heated, retain the heat for up to 45 minutes.
The cap is also cordless. You are therefore free to do whatever you want while the treatment is working. The cap is comfortable, soft, and easy to put on.
Do ensure that you use a plastic cap underneath the thermal heat cap to retain moisture and heat.
Directions:
- Place a protective plastic cap on your deep-conditioned hair
- Put thermal heat cap into the microwave for 30-45 seconds on each side
- Do not exceed 3 minutes in total
- Place the heated cap on your head, on top of the plastic cap
- Ensure to tuck in any flyaway hairs
The thermal deep conditioning cap comes in a variety of colors and styles and will last you for many years.
As the cap contains no gel or fluids, it will never leak. It can then be used over and over again if given proper care.
Added Moisture
As you may know, the main cause of frizzy hair is a lack of moisture.
Hair can feel straw-like and dry when your scalp doesn’t get enough hydration. This is where the thermal heat cap really comes in handy.
When used, the thermal heat cap releases hot steam into your hair follicles and scalp, opening up the cuticles and adding moisture to the base of your hair.
The combination of steam and a conditioning product acts as a hydrating elixir and rebuilds the very structure of your hair strands.
Moisture is essential for curls to form and the more you hydrate your hair, the shinier and bouncier your curls will be.
Besides deep conditioning, this is also why co-washing is such an important step of the Curly Girl Method, as you mix water and conditioner together to essentially drench your hair.
If you suffer from any of the following, you may benefit from using a thermal heat cap with your deep conditioning routine:
- Dry and brittle hair
- Frizz
- Limp curls
- No shine
- Breakage
- Split ends
If you are a Curly Girl beginner, I would highly recommend using a thermal heat cap with your favorite deep conditioner once a week.
Many new starters give up too quickly because their curls have no shape or bounce.
Please consider deep conditioning for at least 4 weeks before trying alternative methods as your curls simply need to be rebuilt from years of chemical and heat abuse.
If after 4 weeks you do not notice a difference, a cut may be needed to improve the condition of your curls.
Also Read: How To Use Castor Oil For Protein Sensitive Hair
Improve Elasticity Of Curls
One of the easiest ways to identify healthy curls is to look at their elasticity. Elasticity is the hair’s ability to return to its original form after tugging and pulling.
Extensive use of styling products, combs, hairbands, and heating appliances can affect your hair’s elasticity and cause breakage and even losing your curl patterns.
This is of course one of the main reasons why we do not use excessive heat nor brush our hair on the Curly Girl Method.
However, it is unreasonable to expect us not to use styling products, a blow-dryer or even tug and pull at our hair every now and then.
That’s why it’s important to follow a healthy hair care routine that allows you to maintain the elasticity of your curls as well as live a little!
The best way to improve your curls’ elasticity is to ensure they are hydrated and that your hair has a balanced amount of protein.
By using a thermal heat cap, you can maintain hydration and protein content by nourishing your curls with a deep conditioner.
It is important that you find the right deep conditioner for your needs as your hair may be protein sensitive. If that is the case, you will want to find a conditioner that is protein-free.
A quick 3 step Curly Girl Guide to improve curl elasticity:
- Avoid excessive heat from blow dryers
- Do not brush your hair except with a wide-tooth comb
- Deep condition with a thermal heap cap
Save Money On Products And Hair Treatments With Thermal Heat Caps
The final reason why you should invest in a thermal heat cap is your bank balance!
A trip to the salon can easily set you back hundreds and we often believe that brittle and dry hair is unsalvageable.
I would urge any curly girl to give deep conditioning a go before chopping off your locks.
A trim is needed every now and then no doubt, but you’ll be surprised as to how much your hair can change with just a few treatments.
The better condition your hair, the less often you’ll need to deep condition and have it cut.
Furthermore, as your curls adapt to the Curly Girl Method and natural products, they will eventually need fewer products which in turn will save you even more money.
Also Read: How To Pre-Poo For Low Porosity Hair: Easy Guide
Let’s look at ways in which a thermal heat cap will save you money:
- Fewer visits to the hairdressers
- Fewer products used
- Fewer co-washes
- Fewer deep-conditions
There are so many benefits to using a thermal heat cap.
Furthermore, the healthier your hair becomes, the less time you’ll need to spend on your morning routine. Many Curly Girls simply wake up, do a 5-minute refresh and bolt out the door.
It really doesn’t have to be complicated if you simply use the correct products to their maximum potential.
And there is no better way to maximize the potential of a deep conditioning product than using it in conjunction with a thermal heat cap.
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