How to Achieve Healthy Relaxed Hair
Many African-American women relax their hair to make it less curly. However, if you you're not careful, the chemical solution used to relax the hair can lead to weak, thin and damaged hair. Keep a few guidelines in mind to make sure you get healthy relaxed hair! Does this Spark an idea?
Instructions
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Pre-treat your hair with a protein treatment 24 to 48 hours before you intend to relax your hair. Protein helps keep your hair strong during a relaxing treatment and keeps it from breaking off.
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Be sure to protect your scalp with a base cream before applying the relaxer to your hair. Relaxer can damage the pores on the scalp, which may lead to weak, brittle hair. The base, which is a thin petroleum product, protects your skin so that the chemicals in the relaxer don't burn your scalp.
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While the relaxer is in your hair, leave your hair alone. Do not comb the relaxer through the hair, or pull on the hair. The chemicals in the relaxer are enough to straighten your hair alone. If you absolutely need to, gently pat the hair with your fingers. Be sure to use a timer so you do not leave the relaxer in too long. Any burning or tingling is an indication that damage is taking place.
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After you rinse the relaxer from your hair with warm water, use a neutralizing shampoo that changes color to indicate that all of the relaxer is rinsed out. Leaving traces of relaxer in your hair can lead to permanent hair loss.
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Regularly use a deep conditioner on your relaxed hair, sitting under a hooded dryer for at least 30 minutes, if possible. This step helps restore moisture to the hair for a healthy look and feel! Rinse out the deep conditioner with cold water to seal the shaft and give the hair shine.
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After relaxing, your hair is still very fragile. Avoid any styling tools that use direct heat, such as blow-dryers and flat irons, for at least a week. Instead, try a roller set on wet hair, then go under a hooded dryer. The result will be shiny, bouncy, healthy hair!
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Tips & Warnings
If you are touching up new-growth, be sure not to re-relax your ends. Over-processing can damage the hair. Try putting conditioner on your already-relaxed ends to protect them, just in case.
Do not scrunch or scrub your hair will shampooing. Instead, try to keep your hair as smooth as possible.
To help improve the health of your hair even more, try widening the time period between each relaxer treatment you receive.
Only self-relax if you have an idea of what you are doing. If you are a beginner, go to a salon for a professional treatment.
References
- Photo Credit Creatas Images/Creatas/Getty Images
