Maintaining twists while washing hair can be a challenge—especially when the goal is to reduce frizz and keep your style intact. Whether you’re new to protective styles or looking to improve your current wash day routine, this guide offers step-by-step instructions to cleanse, condition, and care for your hair without compromising the integrity of your twists. With the right approach and a few trusted techniques, it’s possible to keep your hair clean, moisturized, and frizz-free throughout the process.
Step One: Prep Hair For Washing
Before washing your hair, finger comb it in order to minimize tangles and knots. Use a oil like the Root2tip’s Grow It Long Serum to aid in the finger combing and the goal is to minimize hair breakage. Detangling before your hair gets wet is important.
Step Two: Wash Thoroughly.
Before wetting hair, apply shampoo directly to your scalp and massage it all over. This is a trick from stylist and it does a great of job of clarifying my scalp. By the time you add water and shampoo to your hair be sure that your scalp is already well on its way to being clean. We suggest using Root2tip’s Stimulate and Cleanse SLS Free Shampoo on your scalp.
Lot of us wash our hair but pay little attention to our scalps. This is important because when you don’t get your scalp clean you run the risk of fungal and yeast build up on the skin. This has a direct (and negative) impact on hair health.
Step Three: Condition With A Hydrating Conditioner.
We’ve all heard that natural hair needs a lot of moisture. So it is very important use a hydrating conditioner in order for your hair to stay healthy and to minimize breakage. Root2tip’s Comb Out Cowash conditioner increase the ease of detangling as the light formula sinks quickly into strands to add moisture and slip to make detangling your hair a breeze. We recommend co washing weekly.
Step Four: Rinse And Comb Out.
After rising out the conditioner use a wide tooth comb to comb out my hair. This should be done carefully to avoid unnecessary breakage, starting from the ends and working up to the roots.
Step Five: Style In Two Strand Twists.
As you comb out your hair, braid or twist it in big sections to make it easier to handle. Then go section by section and put in two-strand twists. I really can’t tell you how much people adore two strand twists.
Now that your hair has a good length, once the twists are in you can pull your hair back into a ponytail, use styling combs to create Mohawks, cornrow it or do any number of up-dos to diversify the style.
Step Six: Nighttime Care
Preserving hairstyles overnight plays a major role in maintaining moisture and preventing tangling. Applying a light moisturizer and braiding the twists into a few large braids—or cornrows—before putting on a satin or silk nightcap can keep the style fresh for longer. This nightly routine typically takes only 10 minutes and significantly extends the lifespan of the hairstyle, especially for busy individuals.
Step Seven: Customizing Your Hair Routine
There is no one-size-fits-all approach to hair care. For instance, some may not find it necessary to wash their hair multiple times a week. Unlike straight or oily hair types that require frequent washing, those with tightly coiled or kinky textures often benefit from less frequent shampooing. Over-washing can lead to dryness and brittleness, so it’s essential to tailor routines based on individual hair needs and texture.
Step Eight: Enjoy The Twist-Out
The twist-out is a favourite style for many with natural hair, offering volume, texture, and personality. Over time, the hair becomes fuller and more defined. To maintain the twist-out style, it’s helpful to braid or twist the hair at night, just as with twists. This helps preserve the curl pattern and extend the life of the style.
For those with shorter twist-outs, looser braids help maintain shape. For longer twist-outs, tighter braids can elongate the look. While methods like “pineappling” work for some, tightly coiled textures often benefit more from sectioning and braiding to retain structure.
Tips To Reduce Frizz While Washing
To minimize frizz, avoid rough towel-drying or aggressively manipulating the hair. Instead, gently squeeze out excess water with a microfiber towel or cotton T-shirt. Wash and condition hair in sections to reduce tangling, and always use products that offer slip and moisture. Sealing in hydration with a lightweight oil or leave-in conditioner after washing also helps keep the hair smooth and frizz-free. Also do not run twist upwards while washing instead rub it downwards to limit the frizz.
Conclusion
Washing your hair while in twists doesn’t have to mean sacrificing your style to frizz and tangles. With the right preparation, gentle techniques, and consistent night time care, it’s entirely possible to keep your hair healthy and your twists looking fresh. Customizing this routine to suit your hair’s specific needs—whether it’s washing less often or adjusting the products used—will make wash days easier and more effective. Stick with a process that nourishes your hair, protects your ends, and supports your styling goals for long-term natural hair success. Visit www.root2tip.com for variety of haircare products.