If you have relaxed hair, here are 7 tips for you

I was reading this great blog and got to an article that might interest all the ladies with relaxed hair, who want their hair to remain healthy and beautiful. It is full of very accurate fact and these 7 tips will make a difference in the state of your relaxed hair. Thank you AfroDeity.

So you havent joined the naturalution and you like keeping your hair straight with a relaxer, there are several things you can do to take care of your hair.

As your hair will be more fragile because of the chemicals in your relaxer (these break the bonds in your hair) you will need to treat it a bit more delicately and if you know how, taking care of relaxed hair isnt actually that difficult and doesnt have to be a chore!

1. Rules for relaxers:

• Dont relax hair too frequently - The generally rule on most relaxer kits is relax every 6 - 8 weeks, It is probably best to leave as long as you can, 10 - 12 weeks if you can. This gives you more new growth so that overlapping relaxer is harder and allows your scalp to rest.
• Dont overlap the Relaxer - adding more relaxer to previously relaxed ends doesnt make them any straighter, they are already weak and all this does is cause them to fall off.
• Wash out the relaxer properly. If you must self relax as I am sure many of us have done at least once, make sure you use the neutralising shampoo in the kit and follow the instructions on the kit. Some have pre-shampoo treatments and some ask you to wait 5 mins before washing out. Make sure you follow this and wash out the relaxer as much as you can, 10 times if you have to!
• Follow the timing instructions, do not leave relaxer in for more time than it says on the box and use the correct relaxer strength for your hair type.
• If in doubt take your home kit to a professional and get them to do it for you.

2 . Moisture - Relaxed hair is dry and needs moisture.

• Wash your hair regularly, this keeps the scalp clean and brings moisture to your hair
• Lock in that moisture in with natural oils - Coconut Oil, Jojoba Oil, Argan Oil, JBCO. So many wonderful oils with so many uses! I fing Jojoba Oil especially beneficial for relaxed hair!
• Invest in a good leave in conditioner and moisturise on daily basis.
• Deep condition every week.

3. Perfect your hair washing technique Shampoo Scalp, Condition Ends

• Shampoo your scalp not your ends. Over-shampooing ends will strip them of much needed moisture, thus leaving the processed ends extremely dry and prone to breakage.
• Condition your ends. Get most of your deep conditioner needs to end up on your ends.

4. Careful Styling Techniques

• Invest in a good heat protectant. Apply liberally before using heat on your hair
• Experiment with a few heatless styles
• Air Dry your hair.
• Avoid metal and plastic brushes and combs as they can pull out and break already weakened strands and cause the dry ends to frizz.

5. Know your Products and Ingredients

• Protein and Moisture balance is important. Try to alternate between the two types of products
• Determine how often your hair really needs a protein treatment and switch between protein-based and moisturising products depending on your hair’s needs.
• Look for natural ingredients in your products
• I recommend trying products with Coconut Oil. It is definitely all it is cracked up to be !

6. Protect Your Ends

• Wear a satin scarf at night
• Protective Styles to keep your ends moisturised and protected from your collar and cotton clothing
• Up dos (such as buns) that look best with the ends tucked in allow you to and protect your ends during harsh weather.
• Stay away from regular rubber bands with metal parts because they will rip out your sensitive strands.

I think I got most of them but If you have tips to share please post! We love to hear from you !!

Embrace Your Inner AfroDeity

Leilu

Source: http://www.afrodeity.co.uk/2012/06/seven-tips-for-relaxed-hair.html

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My regimen for relaxed hair

- Deep condition (pre-poo) overnight twice a week alternating a protein and a moisturising conditioner each week.

- Co-wash (conditioner wash) hair 3 times a week, first time with a moisturising conditioner, then a protein conditioner (when I did not pre-poo with one) and last time with moisturising conditioner again.

Had a small amont of oil to seal my hair and air dry or proceed to your normal styling.

- Never brush relaxed hair when it's wet asthis is when it is the weakest. Always use a wide tooth comb.

- Moisturise twice daily between washes with a 10p coin sized amount of moisturiser or spritz your own moisturising concoction, seal with oil. Avoid excessive combing .

Once every 2 weeks wash hair with a sulfate free shampoo (shampoo is very drying for our hair) and deep condition with a light protein or moisturising conditioner. Roller set the hair, sitting under a dryer for a smooth straight style or air dry.

- Rotate the conditioners (both moisturising and protein) every other week so that the hair does not get use to them and stop responding to them.

- Clarify once a month with Apple Cider Vinegar (ACV), this is really good to get rid of build up and leaves the hair soft and smooth.

- Use a hot oil treatment on the hair every 4th Saturday (once a month).

- Make sure to use heat protectant when using a heat. Use only temperature controlled flat irons/curl irons.

- Use a strong protein treatment to the hair every 6-8 weeks or when breakage is noticed, any heavy protein treatment must be followed by deep conditioning with a moisturising conditioner.

- It is best to use a strong protein treatment a week or 2 weeks before relaxing your hair. This will prepare your hair for the chemical and strengthen the hair.

- It is best to use the same relaxer with each touch up (at least use the same brand) which should be every 3-4 months. You want to have at least 1.5-2 inches of hair before relaxing, any sooner and you run the risk of over processing the hair, also the least you are in contact with chemicals the better it is.

- Avoid relaxing the hair ‘bone straight’; ask your hairdresser to leave a bit of curl in the hair. This is to leave the hair with some of its elasticity.

-If you self-relax, always use a neutralizing shampoo to wash the hair after the relaxer has been in the hair for the recommended time. This will remove of all trace of relaxer from the hair and ensure that the hair is restored to its normal ph level.

- Use a caramel or molasses treatment a month after the relaxer touch up to hydrate the new growth and keep it straight without using too much heat.

- Do not braid the hair for the first 2 weeks after a relaxing.

- Keep hair braided for 4 weeks at a time especially if the hair is at shoulder length as that is when it rubs on your clothes, it helps with length retention.

-When the hair is braided, keep your normal washing and conditioning routine to keep the hair moisturised until you take down the braids.

- Do not braid too close to the edges (small baby hairs) to avoid losing and thinning of the hairline.

- Clarify the hair once every 4-6 weeks or when a lot of product has been used during the week to get rid of build up. Doing this often will only keep the hair ‘stripped’ and dry.

- Trim the hair only if you want full ends as your strands do not grow at the same rate. Trimming the hair more often than every 6 months will only serve to reduce the length gained and does nothing for the overall health of your hair.

- Track your growth progress every 3 months with pictures.

- Keep your hair in a satin scarf at night and baggy as often as you can to keep hair moisturised.

- Take daily vitamins to ensure you have enough vitamins in your system.

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