How to Make Relaxed Hair Look Soft and Shiny

Avoid combing your relaxed hair when wet to prevent further breakage.

Hair relaxers are strong chemicals that work by breaking down the hair's disulfide bonds. Once broken, they cannot reform and result in hair curls that are loosened or completely straightened. After several months of heat styling, wear and improper care, the relaxed hair will begin to break, leading to potential hair loss. Proper cleaning, conditioning, styling and maintenance of relaxed hair will protect it and restore shine and softness.

Things You'll Need

• Moisturizing shampoo and conditioner
• Deep-conditioning treatment
• Leave-in conditioner
• Wide-toothed comb
• Antifrizz shine serum
• Blow dryer
• Scarf or satin bonnet

Instructions

1. Wash and condition your hair every two to three days with moisturizing products. Work the shampoo into the hair from root to tips and rinse with cool water. Then apply conditioner, concentrating the majority of the product on the hair's tips. Allow the conditioner to remain for five minutes before rinsing it away with cool water. Cool water removes less moisture from the hair and restores shine.

2. Apply a deep-conditioning treatment to the hair at least once a week. Replace your normal conditioner with this product and apply it after shampooing. The deep-conditioner replaces vital nutrients to the hair, keeping it soft and shiny.

3. Apply a leave-in conditioner to the hair after emerging from the shower. The leave-in conditioner provides lubrication to the hair, allowing you to remove knots and tangles with less breakage. Remove the tangles with a wide-toothed comb to prevent further damage.

4. Restore shine to the hair with an antifrizz shine serum. Apply a dime-sized amount of serum to wet hair to restore the locks' glossy appearance.

5. Allow your hair to air-dry, if possible. Otherwise use a blow dryer on a cool setting to prevent causing further damage to your fragile relaxed hair.

6. Wrap your hair in a scarf or wear a satin bonnet when sleeping to prevent further damage and breakage that occurs when tossing and turning during the night.

References

• Long Healthy Hair Advisor: Getting Healthy Relaxed Hair
• Harvard: Hair Care Tips for Sisters On the Move