Sealing- Why is this necessary and more

Hi Ladies,
Curlcita back again with newbie questions. I read that a lot of you ladies have your moisturizing product and your sealing product. I'm a little confused on the moisturizing / sealing issue. I get it that you put water based moisturizers in your hair to add moisturize and use a oil/butter to seal in the moisture. I understand that if you reverse that process, you end up with dry hair because you would seal the moisture out but I have a few questions:

How long does "sealing" last? I have read that some people seal their ends nightly.

After you seal a part of your hair do you have to wash it in order to add moisture i.e. the water based products again?

Why is sealing necessary?

Thanks again. I think I'm heading over to the big sisters thread now... clearly I need one! lol!

Hi Curlcita,

Each head of curls is different so the frequency of moisturizing and sealing is going to vary. I washed my hair on Sunday evening yet since I used castor oil to seal my hair I probably won't need to moisturize again until the end of the week. Castor oil is a heavier oil than other oils I have used. As you mentioned about it's necessary to seal your hair with a natural oil/butter to lock in the moisture from your moisturizer so the elements won't withdraw it from your hair.

Before sealing you should use a water-based moisturizer to add moisture then follow this step with an oil or butter of your choice. No washing necessary after this. Just style hair.

I agree with HAMPTONSFNST 100%

Each head is going to be different and will operate on a different schedule. You may want to experiment with a schedule to determine which regimen will give you the results you desire.

i co-sign with hamptonsfnst and tiashauntee

Thanks so much ladies for your prompt responses. Your answers prompted a few more questions.

hamptonsfnst, you mentioned you sealed your hair with castor oil... did you do the whole head and not just the ends?

How do you know when it is time to moisturize again and the seal has worn off? Is it just that your hair feels dry?

Does that mean you can add another moisturizer without cowashing /shampooing or do you have to start the whole process again?

This may help with some of the info you are looking for:

http://tiashauntee.blogspot.com/2009/12/moisturizing-and-sealing.html

tiashauntee wrote:This may help with some of the info you are looking for:

[url=http://tiashauntee.blogspot.com/2009/12/moisturizing-and-sealing.html

http://tiashauntee.blogspot.com/2009/12/moisturizing-and-sealing.html[/quote[/url]]

Thank you!

CurlCita wrote:

tiashauntee wrote:This may help with some of the info you are looking for:

[url=http://tiashauntee.blogspot.com/2009/12/moisturizing-and-sealing.html

http://tiashauntee.blogspot.com/2009/12/moisturizing-and-sealing.html[/quote[/url]]

Thank you!

No problem, I almost forgot that I had that one. I hope it helps.

I take a section of hair that I will twist and after shingling with my moisturizer I distribute a fingertip amount of the oil through that section. Make sure you concentrate on the ends because they are the first to get thirsty. I know by the feel of my hair and condition of my scalp when it is time to either wash or moisturize/seal. HTH