How to Stop Relaxed Hair From Breaking
While getting your hair chemically relaxed can increase your hairstyle options, it can also create a need for increased hair maintenance. Since relaxed hair is more susceptible to breakage than natural hair, it's important to take preventative measures to guard against damage. Relaxed hair is especially fragile during the week following chemical straightening. It will require extra protection from heat and friction sources until new growth emerges and the natural curl pattern returns. Learning how to take care of your relaxed hair can help it grow long and lustrous. Does this Spark an idea?
Things You'll Need
- Hair scissors
- Oil sheen
- Hair grease
- Clarifying shampoo
- Hydrating shampoo
- Conditioner
- Head wrap
Instructions
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Clip the ends of relaxed hair every six to eight weeks. Trim the ends up to 1 inch, based on your hair's overall condition and your desired hairstyle. This maintenance keeps split ends from traveling up the hair strand, which results in uneven breakage. Use sharp hair scissors to prevent uneven cutting and missed ends.
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Provide adequate moisture to prevent breakage. Spray a liberal amount of lightweight oil sheen to coat the hair from root to tip. Comb and brush the hair daily for greater penetration of the oils. Use a natural oil hair grease to lock in moisture after you wash your hair. This helps protect the hair from dryness and friction damage.
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Choose stress-free hairstyles to promote growth and prevent hair damage. Use tools such as blow dryers and flat irons in moderation. Try hairstyles such as cornrows, wet sets and wraps to avoid breakage caused by overheating the hair. Consider alternating between heated styling and stress-free styling for greater flexibility and increased damage protection.
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Wash relaxed hair with clarifying and hydrating shampoos to prevent breakage. Commit to regular hair washing schedule, based on your hair type, weather conditions and your exercise habits. Use a clarifying shampoo during the first washing after getting your hair relaxed. Clarifying shampoo contains chemicals that strip any residue left from the relaxing process. Choose hydrating shampoo for normal hair washing, to infuse moisture into the hair shaft.
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Use conditioners to prevent and repair weak spots. Apply a rinse-out conditioner after shampooing. Select a leave-in conditioner that contains natural oils, such as jojoba or coconut, and use it daily. Deep-condition your hair once a week, using a hot oil treatment. Using a combination of conditioning tactics gives relaxed hair the best protection from breakage.
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Tips & Warnings
Wear a head wrap or hat to protect relaxed hair during adverse weather conditions. This includes rain, heavy winds and snowy conditions.
Only relax your hair as often as the packaging recommends. Relaxing your hair too often can cause hair damage, including uneven breakage.
References
Resources
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Comments
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wow this is very good instruction thank you, I will defienty do this!
