Hair care is important for everyone. Without a hair care regimen that is suited for your hair type, you may experience hair damage and breakage. Caring for your relaxed hair is vitally important because your hair has been treated with chemicals. If relaxed hair is not maintained properly, these chemicals can actually damage the hair. Growing relaxed hair can be a challenge. However, establishing a hair care regimen focused on maintaining moisture and strengthening the hair will enable your relaxed hair to grow.
Step 1
Wash your hair at least once per week with a moisturizing shampoo. The chemicals of a relaxer can remove a great deal of moisture from the hair. Replacing this moisture will help to strengthen the hair follicles and prevent hair from breaking. Limiting breakage is what supports hair growth. Additionally, using moisture-rich products helps to replace lost moisture and creates a healthy environment for your hair to grow, similar to the concept of plants in a greenhouse.
Step 2
Use a moisturizing conditioner each time you wash your hair. Like a moisturizing shampoo, a moisturizing conditioner helps to replace lost moisture and provides hair with needed elements to strengthen it and maintain its health. Conditioners are designed to strengthen hair; this is called increasing elasticity. Think of a rubber band. Its elasticity allows it to stand up to pressure when it is pulled or stretched. Conditioning your hair, particularly with a moisturizing conditioner, prevents it from becoming brittle and breaking, thus increasing its elasticity over time, helping it to grow. You should receive a deep conditioner each time you get a fresh relaxer, which is typically every four to six weeks.
Step 3
Visit the salon approximately four to six weeks after your relaxer for a retouch. A retouch includes applying relaxer to new growth (hair close to the scalp that has grown in over the previous few weeks). A retouch creates consistency in the texture of your hair, enabling easier styling and the ability to treat hair consistently. Consistency in texture and treatment is key to growing out relaxed hair.
Step 4
Get a trim by your hairstylist when you visit the salon. Trimming dead ends or split ends is important to promoting hair growth. Hair will not grow with damaged ends.
Step 5
Protect your hair from breakage by tying a silk scarf on your hair or by sleeping on a silk pillowcase at night. Cover your hair in extreme heat or cold to protect it from weather and pollutants.
Tips and Warnings
- A relaxer should only be applied by a licensed professional to prevent hair loss, hair damage or injury. Hair should be washed shortly after a workout to prevent a buildup of salt, which can prevent hair from growing. If you work out regularly or are an avid swimmer, it's not a bad idea to deep-condition your hair at home. To do this, apply conditioner to your hair and cover it with a shower cap. For extra treatment, sit under a hood-type blow-dryer for 10 to 15 minutes before rinsing.
Things You'll Need
- Moisturizing shampoo
- Moisturizing conditioner
- Silk scarf or pillowcase
- Shower cap (optional)
- Hood-type blow-dryer (optional)
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