Dryness and breakage are two of the most challenging aspects of growing out natural hair from a relaxer. While chemical processing can cause dryness, natural hair is often dry as well because curls prevent the scalp’s natural oils from freely distributing over the length of the hair strand. Transitioning hair is more prone to breakage because the area where the natural hair texture meets the relaxed hair is very fragile. Overcoming these challenges requires using the right products and styling techniques.
Step 1
Use protective hair styles to minimize breakage while growing out your natural hair. Sew-in weaves, braids and wigs can be used to create attractive hair styles while avoiding the use of damaging high heat. These styles also minimize breakage by limiting the amount of time you spend manipulating your hair.
Step 2
Shampoo weekly, using a mild, moisturizing shampoo. Use the tips of your fingers to gently massage the shampoo into your scalp and then rinse the shampoo out by stroking your hands down the length of your hair to move the suds down and to the ends. After rinsing out the shampoo, apply a moisturizing conditioner.
Use your fingers to comb the conditioner through your hair, carefully untangling the new growth. Then separate the hair into sections and use a wide tooth comb to distribute the conditioner through the hair. For extra conditioning, put your hair up into a plastic chemical processing cap and let it sit for 10 to 15 minutes before rinsing. Apply a cream leave-in conditioner and then seal in moisture by applying a natural oil such as olive oil or jojoba oil.
Step 3
Deep condition your hair every two weeks to strengthen it. Wash your hair as you normally do, and then apply a protein or reconstructive deep conditioner to your hair. Cover your hair with a chemical process cap and sit under a hooded dryer for 20 minutes or as directed by the manufacturer. Rinse and proceed as normal by applying your leave-in conditioner and oil.
Step 4
Keep your hair moisturized daily. Apply a cream leave-in conditioner to your hair before combing. Detangle carefully, then rub a natural oil through the length of the strands.
Step 5
Cut off your relaxed hair. You can either cut all the relaxed hair off at one time or trim a little bit off every month as your natural hair grows out. Remember, the sooner you cut off the relaxed hair, the less time you will have to spend managing two hair textures.
Things You'll Need
- Moisturizing shampoo
- Moisturizing conditioner
- Plastic chemical processing cap
- Deep conditioner
- Hooded hair dryer
- Large-tooth comb
- Cream leave-in conditioner
- Natural oil (olive oil, jojoba oil, etc.)
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