If you’re reading this blog post, we’re guessing the question “how do you care for coarse hair?” isn’t far from your mind.

At Strand & Lock, we have clients with all different types of hair, including coarse hair. Many of these clients tell us that they aren’t sure how to care for their locks and that, whilst they leave the salon feeling sleek and bouncy, they find it hard to look after their hair in between visits. 

With that in mind, we’ve put together this coarse hair care guide to help you achieve that salon feeling, no matter how many weeks you have left before your next trim.

But let’s take it from the top and first take a look at what makes this hair type different, and what coarse hair actually is.

What is Coarse Hair?

Hair care for coarse hair is slightly different to that of other hair types because the strands are thicker and greater in diameter. However, it’s not just curly or coiled hair that can be coarse: straight and wavy hair types can also be prone to coarseness.

On the upside, coarse hair is generally stronger than other types of hair but the bad news is that it can be brittle and is likely to suffer from dryness and split ends.

How Do I Know if I Have Coarse Hair?

To find out whether or not you have coarse hair there is a simple test you can do. Take a single strand of hair and roll it between your thumb and finger. If you can hardly feel the strand, your hair is fine to regular. If there’s no mistaking the feel of the strand, you have coarse hair.

So what does hair care for coarse hair involve? Let’s take a look.

How to Care for Coarse Hair

1. Use the Right Shampoo 

Using a shampoo that has been specially formulated to care for coarse hair is essential. We especially love Aveda’s Nutriplenish™ Shampoo Deep Moisture which is just the thing to combat coarse hair’s typical dryness.

Packed with ultra-hydrating ingredients, including organic pomegranate oil, coconut oil and mango butter, this shampoo really shows dry hair who’s boss, leaving it looking and feeling clean, healthy, soft and smooth.

2. Always Use a Conditioner

One crucial weapon in your coarse hair care arsenal is a great conditioner. This will ensure that the hair’s shaft – the outer part – stays closed, which helps to retain moisture and shine. If you’re using the Aveda shampoo above your best bet is to use the accompanying conditioner; the Nutriplenish™ Conditioner Deep Moisture alongside it.

The conditioner will lock in moisture and is scented with Aveda’s own pure-fume™ aroma with cocoa, ginger, cardamom and other pure flower and plant essences.

Both the Nutriplenish™ shampoo and conditioner are suitable for all hair textures and are designed especially for dry and very dry hair.

3. Treat Your Hair to a Mask

When it comes to caring for coarse hair, your locks will thank you for showing them some extra TLC with little luxuries such as masks and oil treatments. Conditioners can only work so much magic and for an even more thirst quenching boost, the concentrated ingredients in an oil or mask are invaluable.

We love Aveda’s Dry Remedy™ Daily Moisturizing Oil, a daily leave-in treatment that instantly moisturises dry hair with organic buriti oil – one of nature’s most precious gifts and one that is harvested from the “tree of life” in Brazil. It leaves hair feeling soft, supple and shiny.

If you’re looking for a mask for coarse hair, try the Nutriplenish™ Masque Deep Moisture also from Aveda. You’ll be in good company – 96% of people who use it say their hair feels softer and more manageable after regular use.

4. Wash Your Hair – But Less Frequently

Because of the way coarse hair is structured, it needs washing less than other types of hair. That’s because it retains less moisture, therefore frequent washing can cause it to dry out even more so. 

You’ll know what is right for you, but if you are following the “norm” of washing your hair daily or every other day, we suggest reducing that to once every three or four days or even to just once a week.

5. Be Careful When Styling Your Hair

When it comes to caring for coarse hair, one thing is for sure and that’s going easy on the styling is a must. Anything that makes dry hair even dryer should be avoided if possible, and that includes heated styling tools such as straighteners as well as chemicals such as bleach and dye.

As tempting as it may be to try and add shine to your hair by blow drying it straight, this often has the opposite effect, making hair brittle and frizzy instead.

If you absolutely have to use heated tools on your hair – and that includes hair dryers – protect your hair in advance by using a product such as Aveda’s Heat Relief™ Thermal Protector & Conditioning Mist which protects hair from heat up to 450 degrees whilst also conditioning it.

6. Have Regular Trims

Because coarse hair is prone to split ends and breakage, booking in for a regular trim will help keep your locks looking healthier. We suggest every seven to eight weeks, on average, to keep those dry split ends in check. 

Which Products are Best for Coarse Hair Care?

When you’re choosing hair care products for coarse hair there are a number of nourishing ingredients to look out for. Dry hair will love any of the following:

– Avocado oil

– Castor oil

– Honey

– Glycerin

– Shea butter

– Aloe vera

– Coconut oil 

– Jojoba oil

– Olive oil

Generally speaking, you should avoid hair care products that contain alcohol as this tends to dry the hair out even more.

Coarse Hair Specialists at Strand & Lock London

At Strand & Lock, we know how to care for coarse hair. Our friendly and highly trained stylists have worked with every different hair type you can imagine so if you’re feeling like you’re at a loss caring for your coarse hair, why not give us a call?

We’ll be more than happy to share some more of our coarse hair care tips with you and you’ll be sure to leave our salon smiling.

We are also proud to be an Aveda salon, which means that all of the products we use on your hair are vegan, at least 90% naturally derived, and fabulous for hair – including coarse hair!

Along with all of our regular salon services, we also offer Aveda’s Nutriplenish™ Moisture Treatment which nourishes and quenches thirsty hair. Whilst it’s a real treat for all hair types, we find that when it comes to hair care for coarse hair, it’s hard to beat.

Book your appointment today and we’ll make sure you’re feeling fantastic in no time!