Millions of women use hair relaxers to straighten out curly or kinky hair. These products penetrate the cortical layer of your hair to make it more manageable. However, the harsh chemicals they contain also damage your hair and lead to split ends, thinning hair and breakage. To avoid hair-relaxer dilemmas, use strategies that will keep your hair and scalp healthy.
Step 1
Relax your hair every 8 weeks to prevent over-processing and reduce damage, advises Andre Walker who has been Oprah Winfrey's hair stylist for 24 years. Use relaxers that have built-in moisturizers, recommends Liz Muller, owner of Liz's Hair Design in Hollywood, Florida.
Step 2
Use African black soap, which contains moisturizing shea butter, to wash your hair in between hair-relaxer treatments.
Step 3
Condition your hair daily with a conditioner for relaxed hair to prevent dryness and breakage. Use a hydrating mask such as Moroccan Oil at least once a week, advises Muller.
Step 4
Moisturize your scalp with a natural oil such as olive, jojoba or avocado oil ever three or four days to keep it healthy.
Step 5
Use a wide-tooth comb to smooth out and style your hair. But, avoid combing or brushing your hair every day. Tie your hair up at night in a silk or satin scarf to help maintain your hairstyle for a day or two and to prevent breakage. Use your fingers for styling.
Step 6
Avoid blow-drying your hair as heat strips hair of natural oils even more and causes it to break. Also, Muller explains that blow drying stretches hair and weakens it. Roller set your hair or let it air dry instead.
Step 7
Use heat-styling appliances such as flat irons or curling irons only once or twice a week, advises Walker. This will prevent dryness and minimize the damage done to your hair.
Tips and Warnings
- No-lye hair relaxers are preferable for color-treated hair and Brazilian hair relaxers are more suitable if you have curly hair or just want mild relaxing, according to Andre Walker. You may need to relax your hair more often if it grows quickly. However, never relax more than once a month. Do not dye and relax your hair at the same time. Avoid relaxing young children's hair because their hair and scalp are more sensitive.
- Use hair relaxers as recommended. Keeping them on for longer can cause severe burns and permanently damage your scalp.
Things You'll Need
- No-lye or Brazilian hair relaxer
- African black soap
- Relaxed hair conditioner
- Hydrating hair mask
- Natural oils
- Wide-tooth comb
- Silk or satin scarf
- Rollers
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