Looking at the shampoo process in greater detail explains why it is so important. Basically shampoo opens the cuticle layer and allows water to pass thru. During this step is when atmospheric dirt, sweat, dandruff, and shed hair is removed.

In the case of curly girls, the shampoo process is even more important because it is during the shampoo process that moisture is introduced into the hair. As previously noted, curly hair can be more susceptible to dryness due to porosity issues. Porosity, as previously discussed, is the hair’s ability to absorb and retain moisture. Porosity can be affected by things such as excessive use of heated styling tools, chemical hair processing such as coloring, and the use of harsh shampoos and styling products. The goal of shampooing is to cleans the hair of styling products, atmospheric dirt, sweat, and dandruff without stripping it of its natural oils. These oils, called sebum, are emitted from the sebaceous glands in the scalp and are a vital part of the hair growth process. Harsh shampoos can negatively impact how the sebaceous glands work which can lead to dry, itchy, and flakey scalp.

Once the hair and scalp have been cleansed properly the next step is conditioning. Conditioning provides the hair with some essential properties that it might be lacking. It is during the conditioning process that certain conditions may temporarily be addressed. In an effort to infuse more moisture into the strands, many stylists are adding the service of steaming their client's hair. The goal of steaming is to improve the health of the hair by forcing water molecules into the strands and then closing the strands by way of the conditioner thereby trapping the water inside the hair strands. It should be mentioned that while conditioning is a helpful part of the hair care process it is not a permanent solution to hair problems as the effects of topical treatments applied to the hair only last for a few days or a week at most. That is why it is important to develop and maintain a weekly hair regimen that includes shampooing and conditioning. Allowing curly hair to go longer than 7 to 10 days without shampooing and conditioning is an invitation for tangling, and even more dryness and breakage unless it is being worn in a protective style.