Relaxers are available in a variety of strengths, intensity, ingredients. No matter the composition, each includes chemicals that alter hair composition to create a straighter ‘more relaxed’ look. The chemicals also leave your hair vulnerable to easy damage. Relaxed hair needs special attention. A gentle hand, proper tips and tools will help you maintain the integrity of your strands and prevent against damage from heat styling, manipulation and products. Take a moment to peruse these eleven tips for relaxed hair care. Your strands will thank you for the love.
1. Professional Application
Relaxer application is serious business. This curl-loosening/strand softening product contains chemicals that can cause permanent damage if done incorrectly. Consult a professional for the best results. If a stylist is not an option for you, there are many affordable, easy to use boxed application kits. If you use an at-home product please be sure to enlist the help of a friend. Never underestimate the helpfulness of a second set of eyes and hands.
2. Regular Trims Are a Must
You already know that trimming your hair is important to maintaining its health. The ends are the oldest part of your strands. They are also the driest and most prone to damage. Treat them with care. Trim the ends as much or as little as you want. As long as you keep those split ends at bay all will be well.
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Trimming your hair is essential for maintaining healthy relaxed hair. It is important to trim off the split ends to prevent further damage. Split ends can cause the hair to become dry, brittle, and prone to breakage. Regular trims will help keep the hair healthy and strong.
When trimming relaxed hair, use sharp scissors to avoid fraying the ends. If possible, have a professional stylist trim your hair. They will be able to accurately assess the condition of your hair and trim it accordingly. If you are trimming your hair at home, make sure to use a wide-toothed comb to detangle the hair before cutting.
In addition to regular trims, it is important to use the right products for your hair type. Use products specifically designed for relaxed hair, as they are formulated to provide the necessary nutrients and moisture. Avoid harsh chemicals and products with sulfates, as these can cause further damage to your hair.
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3. Condition Well, Regularly
Relaxer chemicals strip away your natural oils and dry your scalp. You can counter this effect by using extra moisturizing products to cleanse and condition your hair; deep condition at least once a week. Consider giving the extra moisturizing reverse shampoo method a go. You will be happy for the extra effort when you see the difference.
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Relaxers are chemical treatments used to straighten curly hair, which can cause dryness and breakage. To counter these effects, it's important to condition your hair well and regularly. Deep conditioning should be done at least once a week to restore moisture and protect your hair from damage. The reverse shampoo method is a great way to add extra moisture to your hair. It involves applying conditioner to your hair before shampooing, and then rinsing the product off with warm water. This helps to lock in moisture and keep your hair hydrated. Additionally, a leave-in conditioner can be applied after shampooing to provide extra moisture and protection. It's also important to use a wide-toothed comb to detangle your hair and avoid tugging and pulling. This will help to reduce breakage and keep your hair healthy. Lastly, using a natural oil like coconut oil to seal in moisture is also beneficial. Applying this oil to the ends of your hair will help to keep it hydrated and prevent split ends.
4. Moisturize Well, Regularly
Your relaxed hair needs as much moisture as it can get. Moisture retention should be at the heart of everything you do to care for your hair. Use moisture rich products from beginning to end. Finish your style with a shine serum to add gloss and seal strands. Apply a lightweight natural oil light coconut oil between styles, focusing on the ends.
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Relaxed hair should be moisturized regularly to keep it looking healthy and shiny. Moisture-rich products, such as deep conditioners, should be used from start to finish to ensure that your hair is being properly hydrated. Finishing off your style with a shine serum or natural oil, such as light coconut oil, will help to add gloss and seal in moisture. Focus on applying the oil to the ends of your hair, as this is where the most damage is likely to occur.
In addition to moisturizing your hair, it is important to use the right tools for styling. Avoid using heat styling tools such as straighteners and curling irons as these can cause further damage. If you do need to use heat, make sure to use a heat protectant spray before you start. Also, try to keep your styling to a minimum and avoid using too much product, as this can weigh down your hair and make it look dull.
Finally, it is important to get regular trims to keep your hair looking its best. Trimming your hair every six to eight weeks will help to keep your ends looking healthy and prevent split ends. This will also help to keep your hair looking its best and make it easier to style.
5. Use Minimal Heat
Flat irons, curling irons, and blow dryers get the job done in little time. Choose ceramic ionic tools with temperature control. These tools give you the best results at lower temperature settings. Use your heat styling tools at minimal temperature in conjunction with heat protection spray/serum to save your strands from heat damage.
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6. Gentle Coloring
You like to change up your hair when the mood strikes. Coloring relaxed hair is absolutely possible and should be done with great care. If you want to change your hair tone go with a temporary hair color. The subtle color change is gentler on your strands. Consult a professional for a permanent color change, especially if it lightens your strands.
7. Protective Styles
Give your hair a break from daily manipulation – opt for a protective style. You are probably already doing the protective style thing without even realizing it. A bun here, braid there or updo are all you need to stylishly tuck away your ends and preserve your hair health.
8. Wrap for Maintenance
Straight styling takes time and you want to preserve it as long as possible. Instead of doing the daily heat tool touch-up wrap your hair at night, each night. The style is pretty quick and easy to install - minimal time commitment for maximum results. Brush hair in a circular motion, pin in place and cover with a satin scarf, comb in the morning.
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Wrapping your hair for maintenance is an effective way to preserve your straight style and keep your hair healthy. Wrapping your hair at night helps to protect it from breakage, tangles, and frizz, and also helps to retain moisture. To wrap your hair, start by brushing it in a circular motion to create a smooth surface. Then, use bobby pins to secure the hair in place. Finally, cover your hair with a satin scarf, which is a great choice for wrapping because it is gentle on your hair and helps to keep moisture in. When you wake up in the morning, simply remove the scarf and comb your hair. Wrapping your hair at night can help to keep your style in place for days and can also help to keep your hair looking and feeling healthy.
9. Protect at Night
Your hair experiences its longest period of rest, free of manipulation while you sleep. Overnight your hair is still vulnerable to damage and excessive dryness as we toss and turn in our sleep and are surrounded by dry air. Cover your hair with a satin bonnet or sleep on a satin pillowcase to protect against breakage, knots and dryness.
10. Strengthen with Protein
Protein treatments reinforce hair strength, restoring much of the bond that was broken with relaxer chemicals. Some relaxed ladies wait 72 hours after relaxer application to do a protein treatment while others incorporate a “soft” protein treatment into the relaxer process. Consult your stylist about which protein treatment is right for you.
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Protein treatments are a great way to strengthen relaxed hair and help to restore the bonds that were broken during the relaxer process. Protein treatments can be done in a variety of ways, including a “soft” protein treatment that can be incorporated into the relaxer process. When deciding which type of protein treatment is right for you, it’s best to consult with a professional stylist who can provide advice based on your individual needs.
In addition to protein treatments, there are a number of other steps you can take to ensure your relaxed hair is healthy and strong. Deep conditioning treatments can help to nourish and hydrate your hair, while regular trims can help to remove split ends and keep your hair looking its best. You should also use a wide-toothed comb to detangle your hair and avoid using heat styling tools as much as possible. Finally, it’s important to use a gentle, sulfate-free shampoo and conditioner to help preserve your hair’s natural moisture.
11. Sun Protection
Relaxed hair is vulnerable to heat damage of all kinds, including sun damage. Cover your tresses with a hat, scarf or umbrella to protect against sun damage. Yes, sometimes your style is too fly to cover up. When this happens apply a little UV spray or an all-natural UV protector like coconut oil to shield your strands. Small amounts go a long way.
Being a naturalista is not for everyone. Many use relaxers while many others move between being one or the other from time to time. Nevertheless, relaxers are serious business. We cannot stress enough the serious nature of relaxers and relaxer application. Please consult about which relaxer is best for you, even if you have been relaxing for a number of years as products can change slightly over time. With proper attention, tools, and tips relaxed hair can be super healthy and grow as long as you want it to. Pamper it. If you already follow similar steps then you are well on your way. How do you care for your relaxed hair?
Comments
Cindy: Try blackstrap molasses on your hair, leave it on for 50 minutes, it strengthens hair and leave it frizz free
Ayanni62: Great info . Will definitely use these treatment . Ty
Cee: Hair mayo is fantastic too! It helped growth, as does hair tablets and amla products from dark and lovely during the summer
apple: Yes! I love the convenience of being relaxed and I have pretty healthy hair. I like to stretch between relaxers because of I don't like to have too much chemicals and to also stretch my money going to the salon lol
TyphaineXOXO: These tips are also for natural and transitioning hair, right? Next week I am 1 year post and I love seeing my natural hair grow!!
Meghan: Yay! An article for us! lol but I've been relaxed since I was 3 or 4 and find my natural hair (new growth) to be pretty difficult to work with, although I do love natural hair on others!
Lana: Oil regularly and use wooden brush
Vanessa: I have relaxed and colored mid back length hair. I agree with these tips except be careful about using coconut oil. It doesn't work for all. Be careful with protein also. Too much protein can make all of your hair snap off. Make sure to check the porosity of your hair before choosing a protein.
RAWYogi: I'm biracial and do some of these already. However, I must say for the women who have similar hair texture as I do, skip the relaxer and opt for a keratin treatment. They are the BEST, my hair has always been pretty soft but after those treatments there is no dryness, my hair is amazing to the touch and looks super shiny. And more importantly there aren't any dangerous carcinogenic chemicals involved.
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