How To Get Wavy Hair Naturally

While there are various hair care tips for people with curly and straight hair, those with wavy hair are often unsure of what to do. Guidelines for them are often generalised, with no specific methods given for taking care of their hair.

Using the wealth of the ancient wisdom of Ayurveda, we are here to answer all your questions regarding how to maintain and enrich your naturally wavy hair.

Ayurvedic doctor's opinion

"Vata is visham-irregular . It does not follow a pattern of flow. Wavy hair that is confused between being straight or curly often is because of Vata's indecisiveness."

-Dr. Zeel Gandhi, Chief Ayurvedic Doctor, Vedix

What Makes Your Hair Wavy?

Ayurveda says that from one's skin type to hair type, everything is determined by the three doshas of Vata, Pitta and Kapha. A combination of these three constitutes the Prakriti or entity of a person. Identifying the correct quality of hair is very important in order to take care of it.

One can only be healthy if all the doshas in one's body are in balance. Any imbalance can cause hair and skin related diseases. The dominant dosha in your body determines many characteristics of your body which includes the type of your hair.

People who have a dominance of Vata dosha in their body have wavy hair. Similarly, those with Kapha dosha dominance have curly hair and those with Pitta dosha dominance have straight hair. [1]

How To Take Care Of Wavy Hair?

woman in bath towel apply moisturizing conditioner to hair

Once you know which dosha dominance is behind your wavy hair, you can find a solution for your hair related problems. Follow the given methods to take care of your wavy hair and make it more shiny, healthy and thick.

1. Keep Your Hair Hydrated

Hydration is the key when it comes to taking care of wavy, Vata dominant hair because the primary characteristic of Vata dosha is dryness. Hydrated hair looks and feels different. Although not as much as curly hair, wavy hair too prevents sebum to reach the ends of it, making the hair lose moisture quickly.

2. Using Right Shampoos & Conditioners

Waves are similar to curls and thus are equally prone to breakage and frizz. Your wavy hair needs that extra care of deep conditioning along with the right shampoo. If you are using any leave-in products like dry shampoos, conditioners or hair styling serums, make sure you apply them on the hair but not on the roots. These products often accumulate near the roots and block the passage of the sebum to flow through the hair, making it drier and rougher.

Aloe vera based shampoos are perfect for wavy hair. Aloe vera has a soothing effect on the scalp and it also repairs dryness and frizz. Shampoos that contain milk protein can also be used by people with wavy hair. Milk protein repairs split ends and strengthens your hair follicles.

Find a shampoo that has coconut extract in it, as coconut supplies the amount of vitamin E that wavy hair lacks. It also brings about the natural bounce in your waves and makes them shiny and smooth. Another ingredient that makes your naturally wavy hair smoother and softer is shikakai.

3. Essential Oils

The golden rule of Ayurveda is oiling your hair, leaving it overnight and washing it the next morning with lukewarm water and a herbal shampoo. Wavy hair is often Vata dominant and the essential oils that work magic for such hair are rose oil, almond oil and sesame oil. To make the oil more powerful, incorporate them with healthy herbs like amalaka, bhringraj, ginger etc.

A. Rose Oil: Wavy hair tends to be brittle and dry and rose oil is a cure for that. Rose oil reduces inflammation, itchiness and dandruff in the scalp. Rose oil also has a calming effect. You can also put a few drops of this in your shampoo.

B. Coconut Oil: Heat the coconut oil to a lukewarm temperature, spread the oil all throughout the head, comb your hair with your fingers and then wash it off. [2]

C. Almond Oil: Massaging almond oil into your scalp also reduces hair loss, increases the shine and increases follicle strength.

D. Argan Oil: Argan oil is rich in vitamin E and F which protects your beautiful wavy hair from UV rays. You can use this natural lightweight ingredient as a hair styler as it fights your frizz and makes your waves prominent.

Vedix Tip:Vata dominant or wavy hair people tend to have headaches quite often. You can ease this condition, by massaging your scalp with an essential oil in the evening at around 6 pm.

4. Deep Condition Regularly

Wavy hair gets tangled easily and needs a proper content of protein in it. It requires deep conditioning to avoid split ends and tangles.

A. Flax seeds: These are rich in Omega 3 fatty acids and when boiled down, they make a gel-like structure. This gel is a great way to nourish and deep-condition hair. To maximize its benefits, you can also consume flax seeds through your diet.

B. Amla powder: Amla powder can be used as a deep conditioning agent as it stimulates hair growth, strengthens the roots and prevents early greying, which also is a major Vata characteristic.

5. Air Drying Hair

Air drying is a boon for wavy hair as it not only naturally dries your hair but also gives it a natural carefree look, which is fashionable and trendy. You can also apply a leave-in conditioner or essential oil, but only at the ends. Gently scrunch your hair while air drying to speed up the process.

6. Avoid Heat & Styling Products

Blow dryers, hair straighteners and curlers, all apply artificial heat on wavy hair, which by nature is already prone to dryness. These styling devices further dehydrate the hair and make the waves rough and frizzy.

7. Avoid Chemical Processes

Not only permanent chemical processes like straightening, but even temporary chemical treatments like hair colouring and keratin treatments, can affect your waves permanently. Any artificial chemical added to your hair makes your hair follicle weaker, the tips of your hair rough and make them frizzy.

8. Trim Hair Regularly

Whether your hair is Vata, Pitta or Kapha dominant, curly, wavy or straight, regular trimming is important for all. But as Vata dominant or wavy hair gets split ends faster than other hair types, it needs more frequent trimmings than the rest.

9. Comb Hair Gently

Comb your hair carefully and in small sections. Following the given steps can help.

Start detangling your hair in the shower after applying a conditioner. However, do not be hard on the knots as wet hair is weaker. Use your fingers in place of a comb to detangle and remove knots.
When using a comb, tackle the top to middle section of the hair and the bottom layer separately. The bottom length of the hair has more tangles so when you brush it from top to end at a stretch, it breaks more hair.

What Hair Care Routine Is Good For Wavy Hair?

herbal hair oil with herbs in

Since Vata hair type is already normal to dry, slightly rough and has thin hair density, it is recommended to oil your hair two-three times a week. Use a light, less sticky oil like almond oil, infused with ayurvedic herbs like bhringraj, liquorice, shatavari and ashwagandha. [3]

You can also follow a nourishing diet involving nuts, seeds for enriching the hair from within.

Follow the given steps to take care of your wavy hair:

Detangle your hair before washing it.
Oil your hair at least twice a week and wash it off after a few hours.
Wash your hair with an herbal shampoo and then apply a leave-in conditioner.
Air dry your hair by scrunching your hair with your palms.
Drink lots of water and keep your body, and therefore your scalp hydrated.
Stay in warm and humid places, avoid ac rooms.
Use lukewarm or cold water to wash your hair.

Difference Between Wavy Hair & Curly Hair

The major difference between curly and wavy hair is the cause behind each. Thus, while Kapha dosha dominance causes curly hair, Vata dosha dominance causes wavy hair. Other differences are:

Wavy hair has lower porosity than curly hair.
Wavy hair is less dry and frizzy than curly hair.
Curly hair needs more deep conditioning than wavy hair.
Wavy hair changes its texture easily and is less stubborn when undergoing chemical treatments.
Wavy hair is fine and curly hair is coarse.
Wavy hair has less moisture than curly hair.
Wavy hair is rough and curly hair is lustrous.

Frequently Asked Questions On Wavy Hair

1. Can We Turn Straight Hair Into Wavy Hair?

Your hair can turn from straight to wavy if your prakriti changes from having Pitta dominance to Vata dominance. The reasons might be a hormonal change or a dormant gene activating suddenly. Years of chemical damage and hair styling products can permanently change your hair structure into wavy.

2. Which Haircut Is Best For Wavy Hair?

different shapes of female hairstyles

The following haircuts suit your naturally wavy hair perfectly:

Long layers
Asymmetrical bob
Cheek length bob
Neck-length bob
Inverted bob
Blunt cut
Full length with fringe

The Last Word

With the right care and maintenance, you can flaunt wavy tresses that are healthy and lustrous. We at Vedix believe that Ayurveda has an answer to all your hair problems. So, whether you are facing problems with taking care of your naturally wavy hair or looking for a perfect haircut to enhance your appearance, it's important to find solutions that suit your hair type.

Once you know the cause behind hair-related issues, you can implement the right hair care routine, follow a holistic nutritious diet, stay hydrated and choose the right hairstyle and products.

Know Your Dosha Now