For Adults · Sources checked 22 September 2026 · General education.
1. Find your wash-day rhythm
Curls and coils do not all need the same washing schedule. Let dirt, oil and product buildup guide you, rather than copying somebody else's calendar. Choose a moisturising shampoo labelled for curly hair. Working in sections can make thick or long hair easier to handle. Persistent itching or flaking deserves advice, not just another styling product.
American Academy of Dermatology: curly and coily hair care2. Give conditioner time to do its job
Work conditioner through the lengths, following the bottle's amount, timing and rinse instructions. While the hair is wet and conditioned, ease out knots in small sections with your fingers or a wide-tooth comb. Start at the ends and work upwards. Avoid pulling a brush through dry curls. A rinse-out conditioner and a leave-in mask are different steps; check the label before swapping one for the other.
American Academy of Dermatology: curly and coily hair careAmerican Academy of Dermatology: healthy hair tips3. Keep drying gentle
Blot or wrap your hair with a towel or T-shirt instead of rubbing it roughly. If you use a dryer, choose low or medium heat and a product explicitly labelled for heat protection. An oil is not automatically a heat protector. At bedtime, a loose braid or loose high ponytail may help reduce friction; avoid a style that pulls on your scalp.
American Academy of Dermatology: healthy hair tipsAmerican Academy of Dermatology: curly and coily hair careWhere the shampoo fits
SheaMoisture positions its Coconut & Hibiscus Curl & Shine shampoo for thick, dry curls. Its directions are to massage into wet hair and rinse thoroughly. Follow your own bottle, including any regional ingredient or instruction changes. This is a shampoo example, not a promise that one formula suits every curl type.
SheaMoisture: Curl & Shine shampoo and directions
