by
Cipriana
by Cipriana of UrbanBushBabes.com
There is nothing like the feeling of well moisturized ends, but on the flip side there is nothing like the feeling of dehydrated ends, and let me tell you the latter is a feeling I would rather avoid. Depending on the porosity levels, density of the individual strands, texture and state of your hair (transitioning, coloring, use of heat) some may have to seal their ends more often than others, but there are a few tricks I have learned over the years that have helped me maintain moisture on my ends for longer periods of time.
I have found using thicker oils specifically on my ends provides for longer sessions of moisture. After I have saturated my ends with water I will use my “Love Potion #9” concoction as my first coverage and Jamaican castor oil separately as my final coverage of protection when sealing.
Remember normal porosity hair can only absorb so much water. Having unnecessary excess water hanging onto your ends can reduce the cover of protection as you begin to apply your oils. Remember your oils act as a barrier to seal in the moisture. You do not want your oils to slip away because you did not drain your ends first. Your ends should still have a very damp feeling to them but they should not be dripping water.
Your ends are the oldest part of your hair therefore more thirsty. As I always say you’re ends should be treated like your elders. They just need a little more love and attention. Remember the curlier the hair the more difficulty your sebum (the natural oils your scalp secretes) has in reaching your ends due to the very curvy path it has to travel. Sometimes sebum does not reach your ends at all so it is pertinent your ends receive twice the coverage when it comes to applying your oils or butter.
This tip is very important for longer lengths. As I previously mentioned the longer the hair the older it is, with the ends being the oldest part. After I seal I braid my ends, twist them, then apply more oil and roll and pin them up till they have dried. Placing your ends in a protective format such as a braid or twist can really keep your ends together and reap more of the advantages of moisture once they have dried. Twisting your ends rather than braiding might work better, especially if you are experiencing feathering (the ends of your hair tapering off in the shape of a feather). All hair naturally tapers off with age but very healthy ends should only taper a little. Also twisting provides an easier release process when you want to remove the protective styled ends.
No manipulation of your wet sealed ends means higher chances of your ends retaining moisture longer. Keeping your hands off ensures you are not losing any applied moisture.
I know this might be the kryptonite advice for someone who loves to wear their hair down but updo styles (where your ends are tucked away) can drastically reduce the amount of moisture you lose from your ends, especially if your hair is shoulder length and longer. When your hair is down wear and tear from clothing and the elements can do a number on your ends. Now women with hair above the shoulder have more of an advantage because it doesn’t make contact with clothing. Also women who constantly cut their hair in shorter styles keep their strands in a “new state”. The hair closer to the root is the newest part of the hair therefore ensuring constantly healthy ends
Now I know this might sound strange but your ends will tell you how often they need you to seal. I seal once a week, but I wear my hair in updo styles 24/7. Someone who wears their hair down more often or all the time might have to seal more than once a week. Just like the forces of Mother Nature our body is a force and goes through many changes, whether it be hormones, diet, stress, etc. Both of these forces can easily impact the way our hair behaves so stay in tune and listen to what your ends are telling you.
Last but certainly not least make sure your ends are at their best before you seal. Trimming or the “search and destroy” method for split ends can drastically change the way your ends retain moisture. Unhealthy ends means you are sealing damage! Those damaged ends can travel further along the strand and create more damage and dryness.
Again these are tips I have acquired over the years due to trial and error and hopefully my errors will result in your success.
Have you tried any of these tips? How do you ensure your ends are effectively sealed?
For more hair articles check out UrbanBushBabes.com.
41 Responses
Should I seal my ends while I’m transitioning or I should start sealing my ends after I’m done with my transition ?
The 8 tips on keeping hair ends healthy was really informative and useful. It made a lot of sense. Thank you.
Hi. What’s the proper method for sealing? I usually wash my hair > condition / deep condition > Cantu shea butter leave in conditioner > 2 strand twists > castor oil on my edges when I remember and moisturizer (Olive oil or the Cantu) when I remember. Any help with problems with this routine would be great. I have 4C hair by the way.
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Thank you so much for this post. I think this will do my hair some justice. I needed a way to keep it moisturized! Now I’m going to start sealing it. Thank you.
How can you tell when your ends need to be sealed in between washes?
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Thumbs up if your hair produces no sebum whatsoever. Thumbs down if no.
Mine is there just like she said, until the shoulders!!!
Hi my name is Morgan and I am the proud writer of my own natural hair blog, naturallyme93.blogspot.com! For some reason shea butter does not work for my hair. Any other heavy butters that I can seal with on top of my usual oil?
Thanks!
Morgan
Thanks for all the tips and advice so far! I noticed you mentioned Jamaican Castor Oil, as a Jamaican – I have to say “THAT is the real deal”! HOWEVER, I’ve seen many imitations; so many bottles that say “Jamaican Castor Oil” with pleasant smelling runny yellow junk inside. Jamaica is known for it’s black Castor Oil … it is a darker coloured, thick, potent oil, so you want to use it sparingly and it does not have the most pleasant smell (so you REALLY want to use a small amount!). When sealing, I mix a small amount of castor oil and coconut oil in my palms then apply it … that reduces the scent of the castor oil and I don’t end up choosing between the two oils that work well for my hair!
I mix aloe water and vegtable glycerine in spray bottle spray hold ends spray and then add argan moroccon oil smells great and great for ends. FYI Glycerine adds moisture so I keep aloe water and glycerine great all by itself.
or use fav leave in conditioner along with caster, olive oil, and just a lil aloe water if you have. End will be curly and lie down with either.
great tips I love it. I will do these Except for tucking the ends away/protective styling. My hair grows so much quicker when I just let it be.
Wow such a useful tips especially for me because i was really upset due to thick hair. Thank u so much.
I think I’m overloaded with information. I lost as to what goes first. I was told to saturate my hair with coconut oil prior to washing. Does anyone recommend this?
I am struggling with sealing my ends. Sometimes they are super frizzy and other times they are fine.
What do you do to try your hair before you add the leave-in conditioner then the oil (ie, do you towel dry it or let it dry naturally until it is slightly damp)?
Also, I bought some Vatika oil. What is the best way to use it (as a sealant or leave-in conditioner)?
Thank you so much for the tips…I’m a newbie (3 months) and I want to make sure I’m sealing in moisture…this was really broken down and helpful!!!
I’m new to this and so confused I need before and after shots and tutorials or something. I think im on information overload. I need to just pick a regular routine for it all and just ride it out switching it up as i go till I find something that works. Ugh. Frustrated but still down!!
I think I suffer from information overload too. There are a few things that I’ve found and it stuck, and I’m noticing better results as far as texture and manageability with my hair. This blog is uber-helpful. I needed this in 2004 the FIRST time I went natural.
Can you explain further by what do you mean by tuck ends away?
This would have made a great video tutorial
Do you have to use the oil all over your hair to seal, or can you just place it on your ends for it to be effective? Thank you 🙂
what about sealing with products that contain petroleum, like old school hair grease eg blue magic? no or yes?
I’m having this same problem. I’d love some suggestion 🙂 Thanks!
wow, I think the castor oil is actually making a difference! it’s not all the way there yet, but for past couple days I’ve been drenching my ends with castor oil & the hibiscus shea butter [gonna get the real raw stuff when I run out of the commercial hibuscus-y stuff] at night when I braid my hair and my ends are really responding! not perfect yet, but I’m not stopping! 🙂 this week also I’ve tried to keep my hair tucked in — still not long enough to do a real bun yet but I can at least tuck & bobbypin for now… I have it out today in a bushy ponytail to test if my ends will hold up– then I’ll know if I’m on the right track… lol idk, maybe give yourself a little 1/4 inch trim all over and try the castor oil/shea butter immersion combo.
ok you guys… not sure if this problem is unique to me, but I’m baffled as to why my ends are so bushy! no breakage or anything [I keep checking] but like when I braid my hair each night the shaft to about a 1/4″ are smooth & soft but then the ends [the remaining 1/4 inch] are like a brush! example of a strand: ~-~~-~-~~-~~~-~~~~~*** I just got into castor oil, but I’ve been trying everything ever since I transitioned & chopped with not much lasting success… [really can’t afford anything fancy, so my hair has had a steady diet of Mane & Tale conditioning creme & Cantu shea butter cream + olive & coconut oils and Shea Moisture organic coconut hibiscus shea butter to seal]. I’ve also heard about ‘scab hair’ could this be an example? Well with that in mind I got fed up a couple weeks ago & cut off about a 1/2″ over all but I keep experiencing what feels like 2 different textures… : I’ve been avoiding flat ironing it too because that just gets disastrous when I encounter the ends… I’m kinda freaking out lol should I just calm down & follow the 8 points? 😉
I had the same problem and even chopped off too much because I thought it was split ends! I basically have to clear out my hair from root to end using a comb and then a brisle brush to smooth it out. I do all of this wet and then I have much better and productive twist outs!!!
I FINALLY found the Jamaican Castor Oil w/Coconut Oil mixed together. I will test this out b/c I LOVE to wear my hair out, almost ALL the time. I only rock puffs when I was too lazy to twist & roll my hair the night before. I will put this to the test b4 I weave up my hair for a protective style until New Years!
I actually seal my hair almost daily though I wear protective styles most of the time. Both sealing and protective styling has helped me retain my hair a lot this year so far. My hair went from APL to BSL this year and I owe it to taking better care of my hair.
What do you seal your ends with Carla?
Very informative article Cipriana.
Angela
very informative post! I did not use the method of saturating the ends with water, squeezing out the excess then sealing….will definitely try this to help me get back on track to retaining my hair length goals!!!
Thank you K and wishing you much success in obtaining your hair goals :D!!!
Cipriana, all of your hair tips have been working for me:) I thanked you on UBB, but I simply can’t thank you enough. So,alas, A MILLION THANKS TO YOU!!! =)
Anastasia, thank you so much but a million thanks to you!!! I love when someone finds a tip helpful and on top of that successful! So the pleasure is all mine 😀
After braiding my hair for a braid-out, I seal my ends by applying extra leave-in conditioner and twirling the ends around my fingers to make a coil.
Sealing my ends with oil dosen’t do anything for me. Also, I’ve found that sealing my ends with shea butter works well but causes my ends to attract lint which gets entangeled in my coils.
After braiding for a braid-out, I seal my ends with extra moisturizer and make a coil.
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