How to Moisturize African-American Relaxed Hair & Scalp
Relaxers use strong chemicals to permanently alter the hair's texture; this often leaves the hair drier and more fragile. Many African-American women are used to applying petroleum-based pomades directly to the scalp to moisturize the scalp and hair. While oiling the scalp can be helpful in some circumstances, it isn't enough to moisturize your hair and it may be counter-productive. Keeping African-American hair moisturized and supple involves more than putting oils on the scalp and hair -- it requires developing a hair care routine designed to help the hair retain moisture. Does this Spark an idea?
Things You'll Need
- Moisturizing shampoo
- Vegetable or nut-based oil
- Spray bottle
- Leave-in conditioner
- Wide-toothed comb
- Deep conditioner
- Conditioning cap
Instructions
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1
Examine your styling routine and products. Minimize the use of heat and styling products that contain alcohol. Cream hairdressing products that contain fatty alcohols such as cetyl alcohol and stearyl alcohol are the exception, as they are not drying.
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2
Look at your shampoo's ingredient list. If it contains sulfates, such as Sodium Lauryl Sulfate, Ammonium Laureth Sulfate, Ammonium Lauryl Sulfate, TEA Laureth Sulfate or TEA Lauryl Sulfate, these may be causing dryness and irritation. Switch to a sulfate-free moisturizing shampoo.
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3
Moisturize your scalp with vegetable or nut-based oil (such as olive, sweet almond or jojoba oil) after shampooing, while your hair and scalp are still damp. Part your hair and apply the oil with your fingertips, massaging gently. If your hair starts to dry, spray it with water to keep it damp.
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Apply the leave-in conditioner to your hair, starting from the ends, working your way up to the roots. Distribute evenly by finger-combing, then combing with the wide-toothed comb. Style as desired.
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Apply deep conditioner to damp hair at least once a month, but no more often than once a week. Comb through and put on the conditioning cap. Leave on for the time specified by the manufacturer's directions. Rinse and style as desired.
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Tips & Warnings
You may need to try several product combinations before you find the one that best suits your hair.
Consider getting recommendations from people whose hair and scalp is most like your own.
If your hair remains dry, consider co-washing, a process involving using conditioner to clean hair instead of shampoo.
If you like how your hair looks and feels after getting it professionally relaxed, ask the stylist for product recommendations.
Do not wash your hair with shampoo more often than twice a week. If you have an active lifestyle, you may be able to alternate shampooing with co-washing or simply rinsing sweat from your hair with warm water.
References
Resources
- Photo Credit Comstock Images/Comstock/Getty Images
