How to Grow Waves in Your Hair

Grow waves in your hair by wrapping it at night.

Although naturally wavy hair is genetic, you can force your hair into a wavy pattern by wrapping it at night. Hair wrapping maintains your hair's style, and when your hair is slightly damp, it allows its natural waves to loosen. With the proper hair products and a soft scarf, you can press the hair down to create a wave pattern. According to Lisa Akbari, author of "The Black Woman's Guide to Beautiful Hair," you should use a satin, rather than a cotton, scarf because cotton absorbs your hair's essential hair oils.

Things You'll Need

• Towel
• Leave-in conditioner
• Soft to medium-bristled brush
• Satin scarf
• Moisturizing hair lotion

Instructions

1. Rinse your hair in the shower to remove dirt and build-up from hair products. Gently towel blot dry to absorb excess moisture. Don't rub it dry because rubbing causes friction and damages the cuticle.

2. Spray a leave-in conditioner in your hair to soften it and improve manageability, since it can easily become tangled when damp.

3. Rub two or three drops of moisturizing lotion in your damp hair. Apply extra moisturizer to tangles and gently rub to detangle. Brush your hair forward if you have short hair, or brush it back if you have long hair, so that it lies flat against your scalp.

4. Wrap the satin scarf around your hair and tie a knot in the back to secure it. Be careful not to wrap the scarf too tightly so that it doesn't form a temporary indent in your skin.

5. Remove the scarf in the morning. Brush the hair forward or back with the soft- to medium-bristled brush to maintain the waves. Wash your hair every three or four days if there is product build-up from the moisturizing lotion.

Tips & Warnings

• Wash and condition your hair with a clarifying shampoo to remove impurities. Follow up with a moisturizing deep conditioner to restore your hair's natural oils and maintain its waves.

References

• "The Black Woman's Guide to Beautiful Hair"; Lisa Akbari; 2002
• Marie Claire: Styling Tips for Wavy Hair