Relaxed hair is an excellent option for achieving a specific look or having easy-to-style tresses. However, it is essential to properly care for your relaxed hair to maintain its health and beauty. Relaxed hair requires a different set of care instructions than natural hair, and you need to follow them to avoid getting damaged locks. This article will discuss the best ways to care for relaxed hair. We will cover everything from shampooing and conditioning to styling and protecting your locks from damage. So if you want to learn how to care for relaxed hair like a pro, keep reading!
What Is Relaxed Hair?
First of all, let’s make sure we understand what relaxed hair is.
Relaxed hair is chemically treated with a relaxer, which softens the texture of the hair and makes it easier to manage.
These treatments work by breaking down the bonds in your hair, which makes it easy to straighten it without using heat or other harsh tools. It is a permanent process.
The downside is that relaxers can cause much damage if not appropriately used, so you must take much care.
Since relaxed hair is already more fragile than natural hair, it needs special care to remain healthy and beautiful.
Tips to Care for Relaxed Hair
Without further ado, let’s get into the tips that will help keep your relaxed hair looking fabulous.
#1: Schedule a Weekly Wash & Condition
It is essential to keep your hair clean and hydrated to avoid damage.
Washing your relaxed hair at least once a week will help remove build-up, dirt and oil that can cause damage to the hair.
Choose a gentle sulphate-free shampoo and conditioner for chemically-treated hair to get the best results.
Ensure you rinse thoroughly with warm water and follow up with a cold water rinse to seal the cuticles and help protect your hair.
#2: Incorporate Deep Treatments
An essential part of care for relaxed hair is deep conditioning.
Deep treatments help nourish and strengthen your locks and restore moisture that you may have lost due to the relaxer.
Hot oil treatments, deep conditioners and hair masks are all great options for deep treatments.
After cleansing your hair, apply a deep conditioner to your hair section by section to ensure even coverage.
Leave it in for at least 15 minutes or as per the instructions on the packaging, and then rinse thoroughly with cool water.
Add heat or steam to the process if you can, as this will help the conditioner penetrate deeper into your hair.
Some of our favourite moisturizing deep conditioners for relaxed hair include the following:
- Keracare Humecto Creme Conditioner
- TGIN Honey Miracle Hair Mask
- Aussie Moist 3-minute miracle deep conditioner
#3: Avoid Hot Tools
Heat styling tools can be great for achieving particular looks, but they can also cause a lot of damage to relaxed hair.
If you must use heat, always apply a heat protectant first, and keep the temperature at the lowest setting possible.
Air drying is best when caring for relaxed hair, so try to limit your use of heat styling tools.
If you’re in a rush and need to blow dry it quickly, always point the nozzle downwards and move it around so that you only concentrate the heat on one area for a short time.
#4: Visit a Professional for Relaxer Applications
When caring for relaxed hair, never attempt to do your own relaxer applications.
This process is best left to the professionals as they know exactly how much product needs to be used and can ensure that you don’t over-process or damage your hair.
An experienced hairstylist will also determine the exact amount of time your hair needs for processing.
While you may see some people doing their own relaxer applications, it’s best to avoid this as it can easily cause damage and breakage.
#5: Keep a Consistent Relaxer Schedule
It’s best to keep a consistent relaxer schedule to keep your relaxed hair looking healthy and beautiful.
Consistency means that you should not leave long gaps between relaxer applications, as this can cause the hair to snap off when you try to comb or style it.
If you wait too long, the hair will begin to snap off at the demarcation point (where the new growth meets the relaxed hair).
On the other hand, relaxing your hair too soon can lead to over-processing and, consequently, damaged strands.
For best results, it’s essential to keep track of your relaxer schedule and make sure you stay within the recommended time between applications.
Ideally, relax your hair every eight to twelve weeks or as your hairstylist recommends.
#6: Retain Some Texture
If you have relaxed hair, it’s essential to keep some natural texture in your hair.
The main objective of relaxers is to make the hair more manageable, not to eliminate all of its natural texture.
Retaining some of the natural texture in your hair is essential for ensuring that it stays healthy and strong over time.
Talk to your stylist about keeping some of the curl pattern intact when you go in for your relaxer application.
You can achieve texture retention by keeping the relaxer in your hair for only a few minutes.
Retaining some texture will give your hair more body and volume and help reduce breakage from over-processing.
#7: Wrap and Protect Hair at Night
Your nighttime care routine is just as important as your daytime routine when caring for relaxed hair.
At night, wrap your hair in a satin scarf or bonnet and protect it from friction caused by lying on cotton pillows.
To further protect it, you can opt for satin pillowcases. Cotton pillowcases can absorb moisture and cause breakage, so a satin one is the best option.
Satin scarfs, bonnets and pillowcases will prevent your hair from drying out and help retain its softness, sheen and shine.
#8: Trim as Needed
Regular trims are essential for caring for relaxed hair.
Trimming your hair helps eliminate split ends, which can travel up the shaft and cause more breakage if not taken care of.
Trim your hair every 6-8 weeks or as needed to keep it healthy and strong.
Unless you’re going for a specific style or your hair is severely damaged, you don’t need to get a drastic cut.
A trim of just a few millimetres can help keep your hair looking healthy and beautiful.
Not only will regular trims help prevent split ends, but they’ll also help keep your hair looking neat.
#9: Moisturize, Moisturize, Moisturize
It’s vital to keep your relaxed hair moisturized.
The best way to infuse moisture is by using a deep conditioner at least once weekly.
You can also use leave-in conditioners and lightweight oils such as argan or jojoba oil throughout the week to keep the hair hydrated.
When choosing a deep or leave-in conditioner, ensure it has natural ingredients that help nourish and protect the hair, such as aloe vera or shea butter.
Using these products will help keep your relaxed hair soft, healthy, and strong.
#10: Use Protective Hairstyles
Protective hairstyles are essential for caring for relaxed hair.
Such hairstyles help protect the ends of your hair from damage, reduce split ends and keep your strands healthy and strong.
The ends of your hair are the oldest parts, so keeping them protected is essential.
Maintaining a protective hairstyle can help reduce breakage and give your hair a break from styling products and heat tools.
There are many protective hairstyles, such as buns, braids, twists and more.
Select a style that is easy to maintain and fits your lifestyle.
Protective hairstyles are a great way to care for relaxed hair while still looking stylish and chic!
#11: Incorporate Protein Treatments Occasionally
To maintain the strength of your relaxed hair, consider incorporating protein treatments into your care routine.
Protein treatments help repair damaged hair and restore its strength. The protein molecules help fill in the gaps of weak hair shafts and give them more strength.
You can find various protein treatments in stores or make your own at home using simple ingredients such as egg, avocado and mayonnaise.
Using a protein treatment that best fits your hair type and needs is essential.
No matter which protein treatment you use, follow the instructions and use it no more than once a month.
You don’t need to do a protein treatment often, but just once or twice a month is enough to keep your hair healthy and strong.
Protein treatments are essential for relaxed hair, so add them to your care routine.
How to Care for Relaxed Hair Everyday
In addition to the care tips mentioned above, you can also do a few things daily to care for relaxed hair.
These include:
- Moisturize hair in sections: Don’t wait until your hair feels dry before applying moisture. Moisturize your hair in sections, using a leave-in conditioner to keep it soft and nourished all day.
- Seal in moisture with a light oil: After moisturizing, it’s essential to seal in the moisture with a light oil such as argan or jojoba oil. This sealing will help keep your hair hydrated and give it a glossy finish.
- Detangle carefully: When detangling your relaxed hair, start from the ends and work your way up. Use a wide-toothed comb, and don’t be too rough when detangling to prevent breakage.
- Wear protective styles when sleeping: To help prevent tangles and damage, opt for wearing a protective style such as a braid or bun. Alternatively, wrap your hair in a silk or satin scarf.
Conclusion
Care for relaxed hair is essential to keeping it healthy, strong and shiny.
The care tips above will help you keep your relaxed hair looking its best over time!
Good care for relaxed hair includes gentle shampoos, deep conditioning weekly, protective hairstyles, and occasionally, incorporating protein treatments.
Additionally, make sure to moisturize, seal in moisture and detangle hair carefully.
Finally, remember to wear protective styles when sleeping for extra care.
With the proper care routine, your relaxed hair will look beautiful and be healthier than ever before!
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