Chemical relaxers take the curl out of hair by breaking it down and eventually weakening the cuticle. The straightening process can cause your hair to become brittle, dry and susceptible to breakage. Waiting two to three weeks after relaxing and using a shampoo that balances the pH of your hair and scalp, can help reduce damage and hair loss. The use of aloe vera gel can also help. Introducing aloe vera gel into your hair-care routine does not require the purchase of expensive aloe vera-based hai- care products. In fact, you can grow your own aloe vera plant and squeeze the gel right out of the leaves.
Step 1
Snap open part of an aloe vera leaf and squeeze a quarter-sized amount of aloe vera gel into your palm. Apply the aloe vera gel to your freshly washed, relaxed hair. Allow the aloe vera gel to sit on your hair for three minutes. Rinse well.
Step 2
Mix ¼ cup of aloe vera gel, 1 tsp. of glycerin and ¼ tsp. of olive oil. Rub a dime-sized amount of the solution into your hair after you wash and towel dry it. The aloe vera and glycerin solution will act as a leave-in pomade that will add smoothness and shine to dull, dry, relaxed hair. Store the remainder of the pomade in a sealed container for later use.
Step 3
Open the caps of your regular shampoo and conditioner bottles. Squeeze in approximately 1 tbsp, of aloe vera gel and shake well. The aloe vera gel will help to moisturize your hair while you shampoo and condition your hair.
Step 4
Make your own aloe vera conditioner by squeezing ¼ of a cup of aloe vera gel from a leaf of your aloe vera plant and mix it with a ½ cup of lemon juice. Apply the aloe and lemon mixture to your hair after you wash it and leave on for four to five minutes. Rinse.
Step 5
Apply a dime-sized amount of aloe vera gel to the tips of your fingers and use it to coat the ends of your hair after styling. The aloe vera gel will coat, smooth and protect the ends of your hair.
Tips and Warnings
- You can also squeeze a teaspoon of aloe vera gel into a small bowl and mix in ¼ cup of olive oil. Pop the bowl in the microwave to warm it up, and apply it to dry hair as a hot oil treatment. Leave it on your hair for 10 minutes and then rinse it out.
- Never apply aloe vera gel and olive oil mixtures to your hair when it is wet. Oil placed on wet hair is very difficult to remove.
Things You'll Need
- Aloe vera plant
- Glycerin
- Olive oil
- Shampoo
- Conditioner
- Lemon juice
Member Comments