How to Steam Hair

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Steaming your hair is a great way to moisturize it. Regardless of which method you use, wash your hair before you steam it, as the steaming process works best on clean hair. Start by covering your hair in your favourite conditioning product. Then, use a hot face cloth and shower caps or a hooded steamer to steam your hair. This will cause the conditioner to sink deep into your hair. Enjoy your fresh, shiny hair!

Method 1
Method 1 of 2:

Using a Hot Towel

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  1. Squeeze the conditioner into your hands and rub them together. Then, use your fingers to smooth the conditioner down the shafts of your hair, starting at the roots. Make sure that you apply an even coating. If you run out of conditioner by the time you get to your ends, simply use a little more. [1]
  2. If you have long hair, tie it up in a low bun first. Then, place the shower cap over your head and tuck any stray hairs underneath. [2]
    • Purchase a shower cap from a pharmacy or the hair care aisle of a supermarket.
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  3. Continue to squeeze the face cloth until there are no drips coming off it. This is important, as hot drips of water have the potential to burn your neck. Shake the face cloth to ensure that there are no drips of water left in it. [3]
    • If you have a hair turban, you can use this instead of a face cloth.
    • Face cloths work well because of their small size. If you don’t have one, use a similar sized cloth instead.
  4. Set the microwave to the highest setting and press start. This heats up the water in the cloth which will help to steam your hair. Don’t worry if you see steam coming off the cloth while it is in the microwave – this is normal. [4]
    • If your microwave plate is dirty, place the face cloth into a microwave-safe bowl to keep it clean.
  5. Position the face cloth on the middle of your head over the shower cap. If you feel the face cloth slipping down your head, simply adjust it back onto the middle of your head in a more balanced position. [5]
    • Wear gloves when transferring the face cloth to your head to avoid getting burnt. Alternatively, use a potholder to remove the face cloth.
  6. This helps to stop the heat from escaping and encourages steam to form. Don’t worry if the shower cap doesn’t fit over your whole head, simply stretch it over the face cloth. [6]
    • If you don’t have another shower cap, place a plastic rubbish or garbage bag over the face cloth instead.
  7. This gives time for the steam to soak into the strands of your hair. Try to sit relatively still so that the face cloth doesn’t slip off your head. Read a book, watch TV, or simply relax! [7]
    • If you want really moisturised hair, leave it to steam for up to 2 hours. However, be sure to reheat your face cloth 2-3 times during your steam.
    • If the face cloth falls off, simply put it back into its original position and place the shower cap back over it. You might want to reheat it before you replace it if it's cooled off.
  8. Take the shower caps and face cloth off your head and untie your hair, if necessary. Then, adjust the shower to the highest pressure and allow the water to push the conditioner out of your hair. The cold water helps to seal the hair cuticles and locks in moisture. [8]
    • The beautiful moisturised feeling will last about 1 week. Avoid steaming your hair more often than this, as steaming too often weakens your hair.
    • Leave your hair to air-dry. This maximises the moisture in your hair and minimises heat damage.
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Method 2
Method 2 of 2:

Steaming Your Hair with a Hooded Dryer

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  1. Saturate your hair with a deep conditioner . Smooth a small handful of conditioner over your hair. Start at your roots and then work your way down to the ends of your hair. Use your regular conditioner or opt for a deep conditioning product.
    • Where possible, use products with natural ingredients, as these will protect the natural oils in your hair.
    Audrey Davis-Sivasothy, Chemist and Cosmetologist

    Steaming is an exceptional way to infuse moisture, especially for type 4 hair. The steam causes the hair cuticle to swell and lift, allowing deeper penetration of oils and conditioners. For best results, apply your favorite deep conditioner or oil to towel dried hair before steaming for 15-30 minutes.

  2. Position your head inside the hood of the drying machine and set it to the steam setting. This will create steam inside the dryer, which will cause the conditioner to sink deep into your strands of hair.
    • If the hooded dryer you're using doesn't have a steam setting, you can try putting it on a low setting. However, it's best to get a steamer instead.
    • If you don’t have a hooded dryer, contact your local hair salon and request to use theirs. There is normally a small cost for this. Alternatively, consider purchasing your own from a hair supplies store or online. This is a great option if you want to steam your hair regularly.
    • If your hair hangs below the hooded dryer, tie it up.
  3. The cold water seals the hair cuticle and locks in moisture, which helps to make your hair look shiny. Stand under the stream of water in the shower and allow the pressure of the water to push the conditioning product out of your hair.
    • If necessary, use your hands to help push the conditioner down your strands of hair.
  4. This prevents heat damage and helps to keep your hair in pristine condition. The drying time will depend on how long and thick your hair. On average, it will take about 3 - 6 hours for your hair to completely dry.
    • Steam your hair up to once a week, as steaming too often weakens the strands of hair.
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Expert Q&A

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  • Question
    How do you dry textured hair after steaming?
    Wyvetta Bowles
    Beauty & Hair Care Advisor
    Wyvetta Bowles is a Beauty and Hair Care Advisor and the Founder of Crown of Glory Beauty Salon Inc. With over 27 years of experience, Wyvetta specializes in bridal and special event hair and makeup, hair care maintenance, and hairstyling techniques that lead to less damage. Wyvetta attended Flair Beauty College and received her Associate’s in Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services.
    Wyvetta Bowles
    Beauty & Hair Care Advisor
    Expert Answer
    Don't let it dry naturally, because your afro textured hair is going to poof up. Make sure to add some type of solution or maintenance product, such as a conditioner, to add moisture back.
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      Things You’ll Need

      Using a Hot Towel

      • Conditioner
      • 2 shower caps
      • Face cloth
      • Gloves
      • Cold water

      Steaming Your Hair with a Hooded Dryer

      • Conditioner
      • Hooded dryer
      • Cold water

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      Expert Interview

      Thanks for reading our article! If you’d like to learn more about steaming your hair, check out our in-depth interview with Wyvetta Bowles .

      References

      1. ↑ https://www.aad.org/public/everyday-care/hair-scalp-care/hair/healthy-hair-tips
      2. ↑ https://www.aad.org/public/everyday-care/hair-scalp-care/hair/curly-hair-care
      3. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/shorts/sIYVaU7wvmE
      4. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/shorts/sIYVaU7wvmE
      5. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/shorts/2q0oMiS_7WY
      6. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/shorts/2q0oMiS_7WY
      7. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/shorts/whe7GjsSseQ
      8. ↑ https://www.uclahealth.org/news/6-cold-shower-benefits-consider

      About This Article

      Article Summary X

      To steam your hair at home, start by smoothing 2 tablespoons of conditioner into your hair and placing a shower cap on your head. After tucking any stray hairs under the cap, soak a clean cloth with water and wring it out as much as possible. Make sure no drips come off of the cloth, as hot drips of water can burn your neck while you steam your hair. Put the cloth in the microwave for 2 minutes on the highest setting and place it on top of your shower cap once it’s steamy. With the hot cloth in place, put another shower cap over it and let your hair steam for 30 minutes. Finally, rinse your hair with cold water to get all of the conditioner out. For more tips from our Cosmetology co-author, like how to steam your hair with a hooded dryer, read on.

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