Low porosity curls have you feeling depressed or disappointed with your hair? Then it’s time to add a little heat to your curly hair maintenance plan! If you have 2c or 3a hair like me, try out a hair steamer for natural hair at home.
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As I mentioned in my How To Deep Condition Curly Hair With A Heat Cap, low porosity hair needs heat to help your moisturizer penetrate the hair strand. Unfortunately, after 3 years my heat cap malfunctioned. With one last puff of steam, the gel seeped from a small hole in the exterior.
My heat cap for curly hair gave me 36 months of life and while it worked great, I was ready to try something new. I researched hair steamer machines and purchased a highly rated one to review.
VICARKO Hair Steamer for home
The VICARKO hair steamer for home has loads of positive reviews. Just like the curly hair heat cap, the instructions are simple.
- Wash and rinse hair.
- Ring water out of hair. Comb through deep conditioner.
- Don a shower cap.
- Plug in hair steamer machine. Turn it on and choose your heat setting.
- Place on your head and get comfortable.
- Wear any length of time you choose. Personally, 30 minutes is great for my curls. Plus, I can watch an episode of my favorite sitcom!
- Rinse out conditioner and style as usual.
Electric Heat Cap Review
Here I am, modeling the electric thermal heat cap. As opposed to my previous microwavable heat cap, this hair steamer is extremely roomy. Any sized head or length of hair should work with this particular cap.
It also has an enclosed drawstring. This helps if you have a smaller head and to keep the steam from escaping.
The heat setting are convenient. Per the manufacturer, LOW is 113F and HIGH is 149F. I prefer the HIGH setting and find it does not burn my scalp or neck.
While the heat is uniform, the temperature is not constant. It auto shuts off to ensure it does not overheat. It then auto turns on after the temperature drops. On average, my hair steamer turned off/on every 5 to 7 minutes.
This spa cap folds into itself and is certainly portable. I could easily take it traveling within the United States.
I used a thin, disposable plastic shower cap underneath to keep the electric hair steamer clean. In addition, I purchased an extension cord so I could move more freely.
My Curly Hair Steamer Results
Two weeks ago, I had a curly hair cut (or DEVA cut) and low light highlights. My hair needed the deep conditioning treatment coupled with the hair steamer for natural hair.
My curls were soft and defined for 5 days! No frizz at the roots and SO much volume.
Here’s a before and after of my low porosity, 2c 3a curls after using the hair steamer machine. These photos were taken a few days apart.
Curl Care Products
I believe utilizing tools, such as a hair steamer, for curly hair health is important. However, one should not overlook the order and choice of hair products. Below are my curly hair products. They are tried and true.
- Cleansed curls with As I Am Coconut Cowash.
- Applied Surface Bassu Moisture Conditioner and combed through.
- Applied thermal heat cap for 30 minutes on HIGH.
- Rinsed conditioner out completely with cool water.
- Plopped for 60 minutes with 100% cotton t-shirt.
- Using prayer hands and scrunching, first applied Davines This Is A Curl Building Serum and then Kinky Curly Curling Custard.
- Fixed my curly hair part the way I like it.
- Diffused started at my scalp using my Black Orchid Diffuser.
- Scrunch out the crunch with Surface Hair Bassu Hydrating Oil with Flax See.
Conclusion
My first experience with the electric hair steamer was certainly positive. Since I have used a heat cap the last three years, I knew the results to look for. Less frizz, and softer, more defined curls.
While I prefer the mobility my microwavable heat cap gave me, this electric hair steamer is more comfortable and does the same job. I’d give it 5 stars.
