Does your hair feel dry, no matter what you do? Today you’ll learn the 6 easy steps of the Max Hydration Method – a deep hair treatment to strengthen and hydrate your hair.
This post may contain affiliate links, which means I’ll receive a commission on products purchased through my links, at no cost to you.
Click the Pinterest icon on this image to save this post for later!
So, raise your hand if you have any of these:
- Dry curly hair
- Low porosity hair
- 4C hair
For many of us with curly hair, we can struggle with strands that feel dry, look dull and lack curl definition.
It can seem like no matter how often you condition, your hair feels dry as a desert.
You’re probably very familiar with the struggle of hair that NEVER feels hydrated, especially if you have low porosity hair.
Sound familiar? Then it’s time for a deep, hydrating treatment.
If soft hair with no frizz sounds like something you’re into, keep reading. Here’s your ultimate guide to the hair regimen that can help you get the most moisturized, defined curls ever!
What Is the Max Hydration Method?
The Maximum Hydration Method is a hair regimen that became popular in the natural hair community about a decade ago, created by a user (PinkeCube) on the forum Black Hair Media.
It includes a hair treatment created by a YouTuber named Cherry Lola, as well as 5 other steps in the routine.
In total it includes 6 steps, mainly using DIY hair treatments.
The point of this whole regimen is, as you probably guessed from the name, to get your hair as hydrated as possible.
This is intended to be especially amazing for low porosity and 4C hair (though if you don’t have either of those, it could still work for you).
Low porosity hair has cuticles that are held tightly together. The hair tends to feel like it doesn’t absorb products and moisture, which leaves it feeling dry all the time.
It also tends to experience a lot of product buildup, because of the trouble it has with absorbing products.
Following the steps in this regimen will remove buildup from the hair and help your hair absorb moisture.
• Softer hair
• Hair that doesn’t feel dry and brittle
• Stronger hair that doesn’t break off
• More defined curls
• Removal of buildup
• Overall healthier, more moisturized hair
The Controversy of the Maximum Hydration Method
So, this hair routine has had a little bit of controversy. That’s because it contains baking soda. Though it’s very commonly used in DIY beauty treatments, the effects of baking soda can be too harsh for some people’s hair.
Baking soda opens the hair cuticle. Which may be helpful for low porosity hair that struggles to let moisture in. It also removes buildup from the hair and scalp, which you may want.
But, the flip side is that it can be very harsh for some hair types, leaving it too stripped of natural oils, and feeling dry.
Always follow any DIY baking soda hair treatments with a conditioner or deep moisturizing mask.
For those with high porosity hair, proceed with caution. It’s possible that you get awesome results from this routine, but there’s no way to predict how everyone’s hair will respond to the MHM.
If you try it and don’t love it, that’s okay! Stick to the deep conditioners and treatments that you know work well for your hair.
Also, if your hair doesn’t respond well to certain steps, or you just find it too time-consuming, you can adjust the routine to fit your preferences.
It’s kind of a lengthy process, but beauty takes time…right? I love doing at home treatments and turning my home into a spa, so this kind of thing is right up my alley.
It might look like a lot at first, but the steps are very simple, and I’ll guide you through them one by one.
Always do a patch test when trying a new ingredient for the first time, especially if you are allergy prone or have sensitive skin. If you experience itching, burning or other signs of an allergic reaction, discontinue use and consult a dermatologist.
Step 1: The Cherry Lola Treatment
The first step is a hair treatment created by a YouTuber called Cherry Lola. You can watch her original recipe here.
This treatment prepares the hair for moisture absorption, because it helps opens the hair cuticles to make the following steps more effective.
You don’t need to do the Cherry Lola Treatment every time you do the Max Hydration Method (MHM).
Do the Cherry Lola Treatment the first time you do the MHM. After that, follow only steps 2-6, and redo the Cherry Lola Treatment 1-4 times a month (depending on your hair’s results).
Benefits of the Cherry Lola Treatment
It reduces frizz and helps to smooth the hair. It helps to define curls, and allow an increase of moisture in the hair. It’s also useful for strengthening your hair, so that you can prevent breakage.
Cherry Lola’s Original Recipe:
Ingredients:
- 1 ¾ cups (14 oz) plain organic yogurt
- 10 tablespoons (150ml) baking soda
- 10 tablespoons (150ml) liquid amino acids
Adjust the amount of yogurt based on your hair length. If you have very long hair, increase the amount as necessary.
Directions:
- Add the baking soda and amino acids to the yogurt one at a time, mixing thoroughly (it should be a smooth, creamy consistency)
- Apply the mixture to your sectioned, dry hair, completely saturating all of your hair
- As you apply it, you should see your curls clumping together
- Leave it on for 20-40 mins
- Rinse thoroughly, making sure all of the mixture is out of your hair
- Condition
Step 2: Clarify Your Hair
The clarifying step is another treatment that uses baking soda. This step is going to help remove buildup from your hair so it’s totally ready to absorb tons of moisture that it’ll get in the next step. The conditioner will also help your hair to retain moisture and keep it feeling soft.
As mentioned above, if you’ve already done the Cherry Lola Treatment within the last few weeks, you’ll start with this as your first step.
Ingredients:
- ½-1 tablespoon baking soda
- 1/3 cup conditioner (increase the amount if you have long hair)
Directions:
- Apply the mixture evenly from root to tip
- Leave on for 10-30 minutes
- Rinse well
NOTE: If you prefer, you can do an apple cider vinegar (ACV) rinse instead of the baking soda clarifying treatment.
Apple Cider Vinegar Rinse Instructions:
- Mix 2 tablespoons of apple cider vinegar with 1 cup of water
- Saturate your hair and scalp with the mixture
- Leave on for 10-30 minutes, then rinse
For your first time doing this rinse, start with a smaller amount of ACV. If you already know that your hair responds well to ACV rinses, use this recipe:
- 1 part ACV
- 1 part water
Step 3: Co-washing and Detangling
Co-washing (cleansing your hair with conditioner) is a method that is used for gently washing the hair.
Washing with conditioner prevents the hair from being stripped by regular shampoos that can be harsh, and dry out the hair.
In this step you won’t be washing, but instead, leaving the conditioner on your hair as if it were a hair mask.
This technique will deeply moisturize your hair, and help it to feel soft. Use a co-wash product, or to keep it simple, use a regular conditioner.
You can also take this step as an opportunity to detangle the hair. The conditioner that you use should give your hair a lot of slip!
Use a wide tooth comb, a Wetbrush, or your fingers – whichever method you use, be gentle and work your way up from the ends.
Directions:
- Apply your conditioner or co-washing product evenly to the hair from root to tip
- Cover with a shower cap
- Leave it on for 15 minutes
- Gently detangle, starting from the ends and working your way up
- Rinse well
Step 4: Bentonite Clay Mask
Bentonite clay is great for getting juicy-looking, defined curls. Some other benefits of bentonite clay are:
- Reduces dandruff, flakes, and scalp itchiness
- Smooths the hair, reduces frizz and increases shine
- Helps to strengthen the hair
- Absorbs excess oil and dirt, and gently cleanses the hair and scalp
If you want to swap for another clay that works well, you can also use Rhassoul clay.
Ingredients:
- 1 cup bentonite clay
- 1 ½ cups water or apple cider vinegar
- 1 tablespoon olive oil (or other carrier oil of your choice)
- 1 tablespoon honey
Directions:
- Thoroughly mix the ingredients, so the mixture has a smooth consistency
- In sections, apply the mixture evenly to the hair from root to tip
- Leave on for 15-20 minutes
- Rinse well
BONUS TIP: Use a hair dye bottle with a nozzle to make application easier. Pouring liquid clay on your hair can get messy!
Step 5: Leave-In & Styling Product
The specific products you use in this step are totally up to you. Use your favorites that always give you a great hair day!
The original instructions call for a leave-in conditioner and a gel. You could also use curl creme, alcohol-free mousse, serum…whatever you find gives your hair amazing definition, shine and softness.
Directions:
- On sections of wet hair, apply your leave-in conditioner
- Follow up with your preferred styling product
Step 6: Dry Your Hair
This step is pretty obvious, and maybe doesn’t really count as one! If your hair dries pretty quickly, go ahead and let it air dry.
If you have low porosity hair, it may take a looong time (like, many hours) to air dry. In that case, gently blow dry your hair, and use a heat protectant.
Directions:
- Either air dry, or use a diffuser (on a low setting)
- Avoid running your fingers through your hair or handling it much, because that can cause frizz and undefined curls
And, you’re done!
MHM FAQ’S
It totally depends on your hair! Start with once a month, and if your hair responds well, try twice a month. Some people get great results from doing it weekly.
It has also been popular to follow the Maximum Hydration Method 7 day challenge. This is when you do steps 1-6 on day 1, and then steps 2-6 every day for a full week.
It is intended for low porosity hair, but you can still try this method if you have high porosity hair.
After the first time you do this routine, take note of the look and feel of your hair. If you like the results, try it twice per month, and then reevaluate again. But if your hair feels dry, rough and does not look or feel good, discontinue the treatments.
You can do it 1-4 times a month, depending on your hair and how it responds. Start with once per month, and then adjust how often you do the treatment based on how your hair feels.
No, you don’t have to. There are steps in the routine that will remove buildup and clarify the hair. You can start step 1 on dry hair.
If you tend to get a lot of buildup on your hair, do the regimen on a day after you’ve done your regular wash day routine, so you can start on clean hair.
You May Also Like: DIY Japanese Scalp Treatment for Hair Growth
Summary of The MHM Steps & Ingredients
To give you a quick overview, here’s a brief list of the steps, and the ingredients/products needed for the entire treatment.
1. Cherry Lola Treatment
2. Clarify
3. Co-wash
4. Bentonite Clay Mask
5. Leave-In Products
6. Dry Your Hair
• 1 ¾ cups plain organic yogurt
• 10 and ½-1 tablespoons baking soda
• 10 tablespoons liquid amino acids
• 1/3 cup conditioner, plus enough conditioner (or co-wash) to saturate all of your hair
• 1 cup bentonite clay
• 1 ½ cups water or apple cider vinegar
Optional: An additional ½ cup apple cider vinegar
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 tablespoon honey
• Leave-in & styling products
This hair regimen is a great way for dry natural hair and low porosity hair to get some much-needed hydration. Try it and see how your curls transform!
Don’t forget to save this to your favorite hair care Pinterest board by clicking one of the Pinterest icons on this post!
