by
The Natural Haven
Ms. Dee Kay (pictured above)
The max hydration method (mhm) makes a big bold promise of getting type 4c hair to get its natural coils into clumped up curls. Are you curious? Here is my analysis of the method.
What is the max hydration method?Â
The author of the method, Pinke Cube sent me some notes on the method. She is active on black hair media so do go there if you want more details. Here is a video of mhm afficionado, Ms.Dee Kay explaining part of the method in a few soundbites. Although, there are different versions of the method, she is explaining what is regarded as a routine for a regular user.
http://youtu.be/V0WjCHX3mGs
What other versions of the method exist?
I am going to be lazy here and tell you to click on the previous link to black hair media. I also believe an e-book will soon be available with further details. The one major addition that I can say is that a modified Cherry Lola treatment is recommended for beginners. If you do not know what that is………here it is.
http://youtu.be/25HCH6zN-7E
Does the max hydration method work?
There is evidence that the method works although the group number is small (about 10)Â –Â testimonial page. There is a lot of emphasis that for success, this method has to be done regularly and consistently – repeated daily/ every 2-3 days. Additionally, a curly girl route is recommended with an elimination of products containing sulfates and silicones. MHM advocates say that using a standard shampoo/conditioner does not replicate the results.
Should I be concerned about the high pH of the baking soda? Will it relax my hair?
Baking soda dissolved in water has a pH of around 8/9 and certainly while I do recommend that the mild acid to neutral range (5-7) is better, pH on its own is not sufficient to relax hair and hair is pretty resistant to change within the pH 4-9 range – (jog your memory)
Does baking soda or ACV actually clarify?
If you are a high/heavy oil user then the likely answer is no. I base my answer on my previous mini study of baking soda/ACV cleansing. If you are only lightly oiling on occasion and washing your hair daily as required in this method then maybe your result will be different.
Can this method damage my hair?
Generally, I’m not in favor of daily washing; as it introduces the hair to a lot of handling wear and tear. Additionally, there is one study that has linked prolonged hair wetness to damaging the inner cuticle cement that holds the cuticle layers together. However, many people are able to daily wash and still continuously grow long hair, so you have to analyze the long term effects for yourself.
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| Each cuticle is made up of several layers |
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| Each cuticle layer is ‘glued’ with a fat layer/cuticle cement in yellow |
Does hair really get more hydrated than normal with the max hydration method?
There is no study done to show the level of water in the hair before and after the max hydration method. Ultimately, hair has a limited amount of water that it can accept and it will generally reach this limit within 15 minutes of immersion in water. I do not believe that hair gets more hydrated, but what I think is possible is that the moisture levels in hair are not allowed to drop far down and balance out with humidity. The hair is almost constantly surrounded by water with a regular washing cycle combined with the use of a leave in conditioner and gel layer to further prevent moisture loss between the cycles.Â
Are there any downsides?
If you are lazy like I am, this method is not for you. You have to be ready to spend quite a bit of time washing your hair and if necessary, overnight conditioning, steaming and the baggy method can come into play. I do not have the will to sit with conditioner on my head for more than 10 minutes, so count me out. However if playing with your hair for hours is your thing……this method will give you satisfaction.
What about shrinkage and long hair, will it still work?
This method requires you to embrace your shrinkage fully. This is generally true for curl enhancing methods. I have not seen anyone with particularly long hair use the method, so I cannot tell you how well it works for long 4c naturals. Here is Pinke’s own video, she has longer hair than Ms. Dee Kay
http://youtu.be/mGr2F2LIObE
Here is another video from Protective Princess who was suggested as a long 4c natural by Pinke. She discusses in depth shrinkage, knotting, tangling and curl clumping.
http://youtu.be/mWSVrrXYUbI
So will you be trying the max hydration method?
28 Responses
I’m not 4c but I am low porosity and I’ve been doing something similar for years. Clarfy weekly, dc, I’m CG. I wash every three days. baking soda is a no for me. very drying.
I tried this method about four weeks ago (Sept. 2014) and I am still currently washing my hair this way. However, I modified a few steps because it was entirely too time consuming. (No overnight deep conditioning, only washed 3 times the first week, wash twice a week now) Even though I can’t prove that my hair is more hydrated, I feel that it is somewhat, because it takes much longer to be completely dry. I use this method only for hydration purposes because I do NOT wear wash n go’s. Never tried it, sorry! But the results are real, my wet fro clumps very neatly without any product in it. Since my shrinkage is about 60-75%, I wear twist outs, but I no longer use as much product when twisting my hair now. If anyone new to this method wants to give it a try, I recommend committing to at least a month to truly see results.
This is for curly girls with LOW POROSITY hair. For some it doesn’t take much to keep their hair moisturized, for others it is one of the hardest things. I also don’t understand why this article was written if it wasn’t tried out by the writer but yet offered her opinion :/
I do a version of this, but only once a month. I’ve read some of the Natural Haven’s articles, so the baking soda and ACV portion of this routine has been proved to be ineffective. I’ve also read her article on hydral fatigue, so doing this routine every 2-3 days does not sound healthy for my hair, and it seems time-consuming.
So weekly, I co-wash, and once a month, I do a version of the MHM. But I kind of stumbled upon it. I alternate between the Aubrey Organics’ GPB and the Honeysuckle Rose conditioners, and according to the instructions, you can use it as a deep conditioner by applying it to dry hair BEFORE washing. So I started with conditioner first. Then to cleanse it, I decided to use clay. I’ve heard great things about Terressentials from Naptural85, but I didn’t want to pay the price. And clay mixed with aloe vera juice works very well. After that, I might do a quick conditioner, but usually, I just skip to a version of Kimmaytube’s leave-in and gel. I got the gel idea from the Curly Girl method because my hair has always been so frizzy.
I say that to say: It works, and it’s not completely far-fetched, but the version described in the article seems time-consuming, with some unnecessary steps.
I’ll be trying this method just b/c it caters to type 4 hair and our frustrations. I’ll definitely be tweaking the routine b/c my current routine works fine but I know my hair can be better. Two critiques I’ve seen that I’d like to refute: 1) yes, eating and drinking water is fine and dandy but our hair and nails are the last to get the benefits of our nutrition so saying oh just eat right as a counter to this method isn’t going to cut it. Nutrition and hair care are not interchangeable nor equal. Water needs to go onto the head directly and frequently.
2) I see over-hydration and manipulation is a concern. However, when you line up a typical natural routine: detangle, twist and section, wash routine, then twist again whereas with MHM you detangle once in the shower or out and let your hair be (the wash n go) unless you want to put it up into a set style. People keep mentioning the detangling time decreases so it’s not going to be the same 1 hour, 2 hour+ in a regular routine. If over hydration is a concern I’ll take that over chronic dryness b/c I’m too lazy to keep my hair properly moisturized. But a proper solution would be know your hair, know it’s limits, and balance.
Next, I feel like people are getting hung up on the word/style wash n go and curl definition when it comes to MHM. The point of MHM is to wear our hair in it’s natural, natural state at its full potential: no twisting, no stretching, no heat. It’s been discussed on this site how low manipulation retains length/health and that wash n gos aka letting your hair be is one way to achieve that. Washing frequently is the way to wear your hair as it is whether you follow MHM to a tee or adapt the routine.
Additionally, in black culture it’s not common that black women wash their hair this frequently so I think that’s another hang up. I totally get the keep it simple/lazy sentiment but I attribute it to the idea that we don’t wash our hair like white girls. If simple/easy (going two weeks without a wash but I’m eating healthy yet detangling my hair takes hours) is not what’s best for my hair then I’ll try washing everyday or every other day or every two days (you see what I did there?). What’s not working for our hair is going a week, 2 weeks or more without putting water directly on our head. So now you have weeks of knots, shrinkage, and shed hair plus your hair is two steps from brittle; no wonder it takes hours to detangle. Hours of detangling subjects you to snapping and breakage. Now you’ve lost growth progress.
At this point, it’s too early for a scientific analysis without enough experimentation and not enough case studies especially formal ones. Though I like simple stuff too, writing this off b/c you’re lazy isn’t a valid scientific reason to the credibility of this method. We all know natural hair is about experimentation and adapting to your needs but I believe one thing type 4 natural hair needs even if MHM specifically doesn’t work for you, it’s water. Contrary to popular belief it needs water frequently.
With a good balanced diet with enough protein, plenty of water, fruits and vegetables I don’t need protein treatment for my hair nor mid week or daily moisture session. The key to low po hair is to break in to moisturize. Once you achieve that you’re good to go. Also remember that overmoisturized hair can happen and hair porosity isn’t constant but changes. What I fear with the MHM is over manipulation of the hair and extreme ph changes within the same session and/or over the course of a week. For instance not everybody can stand overnight conditioning (scalp issues too, limp hair for over moisturizing, …). This is an intense moisture routine that not every 4c hair will be able to stand because hair isn’t only about hair type and porosity level. If the MHM gives you the result you want, go for it . I encourage readers to listen to their hair and find what works best for them.
I believe just like anything in the hair community, one needs to do his/her homework and know her hair before jumping on any method or advice out there. I have low porosity 4c hair with 3 different textures on my head. What I understand about my hair is that as a 4c hair, I seldom need protein treatment but I crave for moisture. Because 4c hair retain moisture very well but has trouble getting that same moisture in, I need a way to lift up my cuticles. I don’t need the MHM long process to achieve the curl definition showcased by those who use the method. Here’s what I do: steam my hair with Q redew, shampoo with pure African black soap or clay soap, rinse well then apply a clay mix where I add glycerin, aloe and oil. Rinse after 15 minutes minimum, dry with a shirt for a few minutes and apply gel mixed with a little bit of aloe and let air dry without touching. Low porosity hair no matter the type must be clarified regularly because it get build up very easily. Aloe by itself isn’t good for 4c hair because its acidity closes an already shut cuticle tighter so it must be mixed for 4c hair to be able to enjoy its properties; but aloe is very good at clumping 4c hair and defining the curl. Glycerin or any other good humectant ( honey, maple sirup, molasses, coconut nectar…) attracts and keep moisture in the hair and the oil seal it in while lubricating at the same time. Clay is a natural healer, it not only balances the hair but conditions and elongates, detangles and defines the curls, and clarifies hair very well without stripping hair provided it is rinse out very well. Regular usage of clay knocks out ssks, tangles and you don’t even need a comb to detangle anymore.
Wet 4c hair has defined curls. Keeping the same definition when 4C hair is dry means being able to keep the same level of moisture. Once you know your hair, it’s like and dislike, you can achieve the same result than the MHM if MHM is not your thing but you still want the results it offers.
I don’t wash and go often simply because I don’t like my hair in my face all the time. So most time I don’t shampoo. I steam, clay wash, lightly apply my coconut oil-Shea butter-glycerin mix on damp hair, protective style and go.
Wait a minute,are they not porosity shampoos and conditioner to help???
How long do you have to keep doing this;Im too lazy,oh does anyone know if this helps with porosity levels?
Yeah….I’m too lazy for this. I have lo-po hair and I’ve found that steaming after putting leave in conditioner is the key to getting and keeping moisture in my hair. I’d rather stick with that than doing all this. Bless y’all who have the patience for this, seriously.
What is being left out of this analysis is that this type of procedure is for the “low porosity” type 4 hair. This information is on The Max Hydration Method website. Now once you receive max hydration, it is up to you to decide if you want to continuously keep doing this procedure or not. You can eat healthy & drink all the water you want, but something has to break in the hair, in order to keep moisture in the hair. For those non low porosity hair ladies who don’t have to worry about moisture retention, good for you.
For “maximum hydration” drink more water and eat healthier. Thats alot easier and more realistic than keeping up with this intense routine.
i seen the results and it looked great. however, this is one bandwagon i will not be jumping on. good luck to everyone who experiences with the mhm
Nah, I am too lazy for this one, and I will pass. A good moisturise and seal session will keep my hair feeling great and my curls looking good.
Thank you jesus for blessing me with 4a/b hair that is easy to work with!
Stahp. As someone with multiple textures, they all have their difficulties. My “4A/B” sections are the first to loc when I get lazy, and they’re worse than my “4C” sections when it comes to ssks. My “type 3” section breaks the easiest and sheds the most. Curl pattern doesn’t equate to ease of maintenance.
Plus, one person’s 4a hair might not act the same as another person’s 4a hair. My 4a is mostly medium-thick strands, with some finer strands scattered about. But my 3c patches will snap off and run for the hills at the mere sight of a comb or brush. (Hence the reason I gave those tools up; brushes are the enemy!)
And then there’s porosity. Most of my hair is on the low end, so it takes a good 5 minutes to really get it soaking wet in the shower. By then, I’ve pretty much drowned my higher porosity patches. Some of my hair stays wet for hours. Other parts of my hair, like the patches at my temples, are practically dry even before I leave the shower.
Despite all of that, I love my hair, with all its different quirks and behaviors. If I had 4c hair, who knows if it’d be fine or coarse or medium thickness, or if I’d have 4c all over my head instead of different textures, etc. Someone’s mostly-4c hair is probably “easier to work with” than my hair, for various reasons. Everyone should just get to know and love their own hair, regardless of type.
The sooner people stop the good hair type (curl pattern)/bad hair type stuff, the better.
Interesting section on the acv/baking soda and oils. So QUESTION: I use coconut and olive oils a few times a week, and once a week I wash my hair with a sulfate-free shampoo (I checked its ingredients against the ingredients in my other products to make sure they will cleanse them). Then once a month I add a tablespoon of baking soda to the shampoo to make it more clarifying. Does this information mean that the amount of cleansing from that baking soda is negligible?
I don’t notice any problems from using the baking soda and I do tend to have an itchy scalp as wash day approaches. Thanks if anyone has any insight!!
Well it’s summer break and I’m home so I figured I’d try the method. Dont normally give into these hair fads but protectiveprincess’ ‘promise’ of no ssks really gave me the push to do it. Spent a few weeks securing just the exact ingredients (Had to order and wait for some. Botanical gels and others not exactly at the corner store where i live) Wasnt cheap.
The cherry lola method did nothing for me. It was just sticky and smelly and I noticed no improvement after the treatment. I lasted all of 4 days. Did the cherry lola on the Monday and my last mhm cycle on the Friday.
The method did deliver on hydration and defined curls. So yes I do believe now that my fine 4c hair can do a wash and go ‘look’. I did notice a reduction in knots and tangles as the products allowed good slip. What I also noticed was the amount of hair that came out as I went through the method and that is the reason why I eventually stop doing it. There was a significant size ball of hair that built up as I moved from clarifying through to gel. the ball didnt reduce in size as the days went by. Then I started noticing patches of shorter hair. NO NO! SMH.
On the Sunday went back to my synthetic ors conditioner did a protein treatment and my hair seems to be on the mend now. Thought to myself maybe my results would have been different if I did the heavy protein treatment before the mhm but not willing to go back there. After all it isnt news to me that my hair doesnt like to be handled when wet.
So the method didnt work for me but there were some helpful take aways. I now have a good alternative to shampoo as the method pushed me to order the clay and its been working fine and a liked the acv clarifying. Was really hoping this could work for me. Oh well. Back to the drawing board on those knots and tangles. Sigh
Is there a vegan cherry lola recipie? I’m allergic to dairy. ^^;
I’m a vegan & I would use coconut cream instead of the yogurt. I personally wouldn’t try this method, but I do deep condition my hair with coconut cream and coconut oil. It leaves my hair extremely soft & my frizzy kinky 4a curls poppin.
Ooooweee….hunnny…no ma’am. I’m one of them lazy naturals too. I need my regimen as simple as possible. I still get my hair to stay hydrated without doing all that. For some maybe it is necessary, but if you don’t have that kind of time, there are other, less time consuming methods that can be used to achieve curl definition/max hydration.
I bc my daughters hair almost two weeks ago. Her hair was extremely dry due to all the flat ironing and blow drying. When I cut her hair it was straight on the ends and curly at the roots. I was tempted to relax it again-but I didn’t. So I purchased Curl Junkie Curl Rehab Strawberry ice cream and I deep condition her hair every other day. Finally it is softening and her curls are becoming more defined. I know first hand if you give your hair the moisture that it needs it will grow.
No I won’t. It is just too much stress. And time is too precious.
To each her own. We all have to do what works for us as individuals. For me personally, it seems like waaay too many steps in too short of a period of time. When I initially started my journey my hair was dry(ish), seemed fragile and didn’t curl easily at all. I think I was just doing too much “stuff” to it. When I started my simple regime of weekly deep conditioning, moisturizing, and twisting/twisting-out, my hair greatly improved. One day I did the rare wash and go and my curls formed beautifully with little effort. I got the same results of “maximum hydration”, I just got them OVER TIME.
I didn’t care too much for trying this until I watched Protective Princess’ video above. I don’t care about having defined coils, but when she described how her detangling time is reduced and she no longer gets SSKs, that got my attention. My hair is very fine, very dense, and collarbone length when blown out/straightened, so knots and detangling are a huge deal for me.
What I want to know is: how do you “recover” after a blowout? Would that reset my hydration to zero? Is there a blowout method I could use so that I wouldn’t lose all moisture? I LOVE to blowout my hair every other month or so and I need it as a sporadic option.
You know I gave this method a serious side-eye, but after watching a reading I might give it a try. I agree with you Alexia, when she said that her detangling time was seriously cut was what got my attention. And no/reduced SSK! I want to try this like right now, too bad I’m on a serious protective style mission until I get over my APL/BSL plateau. I hope more type 4s catch on and document their results.
Yes…this. I do a shortened version once a week after doing 3 days straight (I also do it in the sink), and see benefits. I don’t like my curls super-defined, so half-results are perfect for me.
So far I no longer use styling cream (just moisturizer) my hair dries faster, stays soft, and for length, I just pineapple at night. The clay seems to be the key (I don’t use a lot of oil, so clarifying isn’t a big deal) and that’s easy since I do it on my face already.
My hair is WAY easier to detangle and my ends are doing much better so far (I get horrible SSKs)