Over 65% of people have some type of curly hair, whether it's waves, ringlets, or loose curls. These curls create beautiful locks that need to be cared for in a different way than their straight-haired counterparts.
Wet plopping is one of the ways you can achieve volume and curl definition if you have curly hair. What is wet plopping for curly hair? Let's dive in and find out the benefits of plopping and why you need to try this technique today!
Curly Hair Anatomy
As previously mentioned, the structure of curly hair is much different than straight hair. This means that the way it's cut, styled, and cared for will vary according to the type of curl you have. Not all curls are created equal, either, so it's important to understand your curl type.
The follicle is where your hair grows. The shape of the follicle is what causes the hair to curl. If you have an oval-shaped follicle, you're going to have curly hair.
Curly hair is also weaker due to its structure and twist. Oils on the head cannot cover the cuticle of the hair sufficiently leaving curls drier than straight hair. Curly hair needs extra care for these reasons, and it's prone to tangles.
With a little extra love and care, though, curly hair can be beautiful, voluminous, and free of frizz. Plopping is a great way to treat your curls and get the results you're looking for.
What Is Wet Plopping for Curly Hair?
Wet hair plopping might sound like an odd phrase, but it's really a method to bring out the definition of your curls after you wash your hair.
Wet plopping involves placing wet hair into a towel and twisting it on top of your head in a way that encourages definition. This is achieved by using a microfiber towel or hair wrap. While it's similar to scrunching your hair, you're actually using the towel to help create their shape.
How to Plop Your Hair
So how do you plop your hair? Here are some steps to follow.
1. Right out of the shower, apply your chosen curly hair product or leave-in conditioner. However, the great thing about plopping is that hair products are optional.
2. It's time to plop! Place a microfiber towel or twist on a flat surface and bend forward so the tips of your hair are laying on the towel.
3. Fold the towel around your hair, "plop" it on top of your head, and secure with a band or tie loose ends together. You're all done!
The length of time you keep your hair plopped is completely up to you. A good time is about 10-20 minutes, but some people prefer longer. You can even sleep in your plop if you wanted.
Take caution to remove your plop carefully. You don't want to create any further friction or frizz. You can choose to dry it using a diffuser or air dry it.
Benefits of Plopping
You might be wondering why you should plop your hair instead of letting it air dry or scrunching it into a towel. Here are some benefits to consider.
Because curly hair is notoriously dry, it's prone to frizz. This makes curly look wild and unruly. Plopping reduces frizz and gives curls a smooth appearance.
Sometimes you end up adding too much product to your hair and your curls end up weighed down or even hard and crunchy. The microfiber towel absorbs excess moisture including extra product so you get just the right amount for your hair.
Another benefit of plopping is to reduce your drying time. If you're in a hurry to get to work or drop the kids off, a microfiber hair wrap absorbs moisture quickly and efficiently. This means that you can have your curls styled and ready to go sooner rather than later.
Curly hair has a variety of textures ranging from coarse to fine. Those with fine curls may find it difficult to maintain volume without using several different hair products. Plopping increases the volume in your hair without having to apply copious amounts of volume-producing hair products.
Troubleshooting Plopping
At first, plopping might be difficult to grasp, though the concept itself is simple. It's not like twisting your hair on top of your head as you might have previously done. It takes some trial and error.
It's ok if you don't get it right the first couple of times. Just keep trying and you'll find the right way and length of time that works for you. You can make adjustments as you see fit.
Plopping works for most curly heads. However, it may only encourage tangles and twists for those with ringlets or tighter curls. The best thing to do is to keep going and see how it works out for you.
Avoid, if you can, using any terry cloth towels or t-shirts. Some might recommend t-shirts but the cotton is not as absorbent as microfiber. Other terry cloth towels bring out the frizz, so it's best to stick to microfiber if you can.
Is Wet Hair Plopping for You?
Hopefully, this article has helped answer the question, "What is wet plopping for curly hair?" Wet plopping is a simple way to get the curls and volume you desire. How are you going to try wet plopping today?
Are you looking for tools to help you maintain the definition of your curly hair? We've got you covered. Check out our microfiber towels and twisties today!