The Curly Hair Rules I Don't Follow as a Hair Loss Expert | Dr. Idriss

For most of my life, I thought I had frizzy hair that needed to be blow-dried straight. Now, in my 40s, I’m finally learning how to work with my natural curly and wavy texture — while also thinking about my hair through the lens of a dermatologist who treats hair loss. In this video, I’m sharing my current curly hair routine, the curly hair rules I actually follow, the ones I ignore, and how I balance getting good curl definition with protecting the health of my hair and scalp. We’ll talk about how often to wash curly hair, scalp buildup, sulfate-free shampoo, clarifying, detangling, diffusing versus air-drying, heat protection, curl creams, mousse, gel, hair oils, frizz, breakage, and how to tell the difference between normal shedding and true hair loss. I also explain why “healthy curls” and “perfect curls” are not always the same goal. Some curly hair advice is really about styling and preserving curl pattern — but your scalp still has its own needs, especially if you’re dealing with oiliness, dandruff, seborrheic dermatitis, irritation, or product buildup. And if you’re seeing a widening part, thinner ponytail, increased shedding, bald patches, or a real change in your hair density, that is a different conversation from frizz or breakage. Hair loss needs to be understood and treated for what it actually is. My biggest takeaway: your curls tell you how gently to wash. Your scalp tells you when to wash. I’m still learning my own natural texture, and that’s part of wha