Part 5 of 5: Caring for Relaxed Hair
- Relax your roots every 8-10 weeks. If you want to stick with the sleeker look of relaxed hair, you’ll need to apply the relaxer every 8-10 weeks.
- Keep your hair moisturized. All relaxers tend to dry out hair to some degree. ...
- Use a sulfate-free shampoo. ...
- Get your hair trimmed every 6-8 weeks. ...
- Limit your use of heat styling tools. ...
How often should you touch up your roots?
On average, most people will need to touch up their roots every 6-8 weeks, however, the level of regrowth we’re comfortable with and how quickly our hair grows varies from person to person. Read on for everything you need to know about regrowth. 1.
Do you have to relax all of Your Roots?
Hairstylists emphasize that you do not have to relax all of your roots. For very short hair, a so-called edge-up relaxes just the back of the hair, temples and sides. (Picture the hair that remains in male pattern baldness.)
How long does it take for roots to grow back after relaxation?
Those wavy new roots that are growing in don't have to ruin the sleek look of your relaxed hairdo. You should start to see new growth at the roots in about four weeks after getting your hair relaxed. According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, you should wait six to eight weeks between hair-relaxing processing treatments.
How often should you relax your hair?
Also, if you're prone to a quick-growing mane that grows faster than the average rate of around 1/2 inch per month, you may want to relax more often, perhaps every six weeks (versus eight). What Happens If You Wait Too Long Between Touch-Ups? "If you wait too long between relaxers, you can have some breakage in the hair," says Kimble.
How long should you go between relaxers?
Although eight weeks is the standard recommended time frame to go between relaxer touch-ups, some people just seem to not want to wait that long.
How frequently should I relax my hair?
It's important to let the new growth grow out to at least 1″ before you do a touch up. Relaxing your hair every 4-6 weeks is simply too short of a time frame for enough new growth to appear. I stretch my relaxers at least 10-12 weeks giving me more than enough new growth for a touch up.
How often should I relax my African hair?
Eight weeks is standard for a retouch. You do not want to reapply a relaxer to an area that has already been relaxed; it is very likely to cause breakage.
How many times should you relax your hair in a month?
5. Only relax when needed. Make sure you're only relaxing your hair when you are due for a relaxing treatment, and not when you feel a little new growth at the roots. Ideally, you should only be relaxing your hair once a month.
Can you get a relaxer every 6 weeks?
A good rule of thumb: There should be enough new hair growth for the relaxer to adhere to, and you should be able to see a clear line of where the relaxed hair begins and where the new hair growth ends. Often, this means you'll need a 1/2 inch to one inch of new hair growth, which usually occurs every eight weeks.
Does relaxer stop hair growth?
In some cases, if you continue to relax your hair, you can cause permanent damage to your hair follicles, when this happens, your hair will not grow back. Below is a picture of scarring alopecia on the top of the scalp. Scarring causes the hair follicle opening to close. This causes permanent hair loss.
Can your hair be healthy with a relaxer?
Having relaxed hair isn't synonymous with damaged hair. It's possible to have healthy, thriving hair even if it is chemically treated, however, overprocessing the hair with additional chemicals like hair color, heat styling, and skipping regular trims can lead to damage.
What should I not do after relaxing my hair?
Hair Care After Using Relaxers#1 Wash only Once or Twice Week. ... #2 Use Sulphate-Free Shampoo and Conditioner. ... #3 Condition. ... #4 Limit Heat Styling. ... #5 Nourish the Scalp. ... #6 Trim the Hair Regularly. ... #7 Use Protective Styling. ... #8 Don't Relax Hair too Often.
What are the side effects of relaxing your hair?
Hair relaxers straighten hair by penetrating the cuticle and the cortex layers of the hair shaft to loosen the natural curl pattern. This process leaves the hair weak, brittle and prone to breakage. It can even burn your skin, cause permanent damage to the scalp and lead to hair loss.
Should I get a relaxer or stay natural?
It all just comes down to preference. If you want to rock relaxed hair and have a more conservative, easy type of look then go for it. If you want to become more in-tuned with yourself and stand out a little, go natural.
Why does my relaxer not last?
Causes of Under-Processed Hair Rinsing your relaxer out way too early. Not smoothing the relaxer through your new growth. Coating your hair with too much product before you relax. Changing the relaxer you normally use.
How long does relaxed hair last?
about six to eight weeksThe results vary depending on your hair type, but usually a hair relaxer will leave your hair straight for about six to eight weeks. Unlike other permanent straightening methods, relaxing your hair will require touch-ups from time to time.
How long does relaxed hair last?
about six to eight weeksThe results vary depending on your hair type, but usually a hair relaxer will leave your hair straight for about six to eight weeks. Unlike other permanent straightening methods, relaxing your hair will require touch-ups from time to time.
How long does hair relaxer last?
six to 12 weeksHow long do relaxers last? “Depending on your hair texture and growth, relaxers last from six to 12 weeks before needing a re-touch,” says Sanders.
What are the side effects of relaxing your hair?
Hair relaxers straighten hair by penetrating the cuticle and the cortex layers of the hair shaft to loosen the natural curl pattern. This process leaves the hair weak, brittle and prone to breakage. It can even burn your skin, cause permanent damage to the scalp and lead to hair loss.
How long should I wait to relax my hair after coloring it?
2 weeks1) If you've recently coloured your hair, wait 2 weeks before using a relaxer. Using a relaxer too soon after colouring could cause the chemicals in relaxers to react badly with the hair colour, weakening and damaging your hair. 2) Keep a clock handy! Make sure you don't leave the relaxer on too long.
Why do you have to touch up roots before your hair grows out?
This is because your roots develop faster than the rest of your hair.
How long does it take for hair to grow?
In general, it’s accepted that hair grows about half an inch per month. Also, you’ve probably heard your stylist say to have your touchups done every six to eight weeks. That means if your hair grows at the average speed, in six to eight weeks your hair will be about one inch longer. Regardless of how quick it takes your hair to grow ...
What is tresemmé root spray?
TRESemmé Root Touch-Up Spray comes in a few different colors to help you cover your roots while you wait to get them retouched. This product is a holy grail concealer.
Do you need to touch up your roots?
Depending on the type of dye you use, you might not require a touch up as often. Going to the salon to touch up roots depends a lot on how your hair is colored.
How many centimetres does it take for a root to grow?
If your roots are, say, 8 centimetres and not 2 centimetres, there’s 6 centimetres that will develop differently due to the lack of heat.
How far does hair dye go past the root?
Your scalp gives off heat, and this heat won’t extend much further than 2 centimetres past the root. When hair dye is developing on your head, this heat can work to speed up the developing process. Since the temperature isn’t as high on the rest of your head, it won’t work as fast.
How to Maintain Relaxed Hair?
To maintain healthy hair when using a relaxer, Wauchope recommends deep conditioning, hot oil treatments, and trimming off any split ends to maintain healthy hair. Kimble reminds us that our nighttime hair routine is also important to maintaining strong, healthy hair even when relaxed. "Sleep in silk bonnets or on silk pillowcases to help avoid breakage," she says. She also encourages relaxed hair wearers to lean into protective styling, wet sets, and protein treatments. "Styles like roller sets [help] avoid over manipulating the hair."
What Is Relaxed Hair?
Relaxed hair is curly or coily hair that is chemically straightened with a chemical cream. A relaxer opens the hair cuticles, penetrates the cortex, and breaks down the bonds that make a hair strand curl. If you're wondering if the process is permanent, the answer is yes. The only way to undo a relaxer is to cut it out of the hair.
What Happens If You Wait Too Long Between Touch-Ups?
"If you wait too long between relaxers, you can have some breakage in the hair," says Kimble. It's a slippery slope when it comes to the length of time in between touch-ups: If it's done too often, it could have hair-damaging effects, and if it's not done enough, it becomes difficult to maintain.
Why do hair relaxers work?
According to colorist Jeremy Tardo, "Relaxers respond more quickly to the hair that is nearest to the scalp because of body heat. When the hair is more grown out, the unrelaxed hair closest to the line of demarcation is further away from the scalp. This means there is less heat on that hair which slows down the processing of the treatment. To compensate for this, the relaxer has to be left on longer to achieve the same level of straightening that could be achieved in less time if the regrowth was short. The additional processing is what actually causes the hair to weaken and potentially break."
Is relaxer hair permanent?
If you're wondering if the process is permanent, the answer is yes.
How long does it take for hair relaxer to work?
Let it process for the proper amount of time according to your instructions (usually 10 minutes). It’s important to move quickly while applying relaxer so you don’t overprocess your hair.
How much is a no lye relaxer?
It’s a gentler option that’s better for a nonprofessional use. Ms. Wallace recommends the Just for Me No-Lye Conditioning Cr è me Relaxer Kit, $21.39. Follow the instructions that come with the kit. These tips will help you optimize the process.
Can relaxed hair break?
As relaxed hair grows out, the new roots can create styling challenges, like edges that won’t lie smooth. Then, over time, breakage can occur at the fragile line between the old straight hair and the new textured roots.
Is it commonplace to relax hair at home?
Decades ago, it was commonplace to relax one’s hair at home, but as women began to rely on in-salon maintenance, fewer have experience in D.I.Y.-ing.
Do you have to relax your roots?
Hairstylists emphasize that you do not have to relax all of your roots. For very short hair, a so-called edge-up relaxes just the back of the hair, temples and sides. (Picture the hair that remains in male pattern baldness.)
Can you relax your own hair?
The most difficult aspect of relaxing your own hair is not being able to see the back and crown, said Joie Wallace, a hairstylist and colorist in Virginia. When touching up your roots, it’s important to avoid putting relaxer on hair that’s already straight.
Why Is It More Difficult To Grow Out Relaxed Hair?
Does it ever feel like your hair doesn’t grow as long as you want it to, even if you’re doing everything right, like moisturizing well and eating enough protein in your diet?
What happens when you relax your hair?
When you relax your hair, you’re giving up something you want to get rid of (unruly texture) along with something your hair needs to grow longer (hair strength).
How do relaxers work?
Relaxers straighten and smoothen your hair by breaking down the disulfide bonds in your hair.
How to tame unruly hair?
While relaxing your hair is a quick and easy way to tame unruly and disheveled curls, you still have to put more work in to make sure it grows longer and stronger.
When you're due for your next relaxer touch up, do you protect your hair?
When you’re due for your next relaxer touch-up, make sure you protect your hair that’s already been relaxed.
Can you grow your hair out with a relaxer?
If you want to grow your hair out while keeping your hair sleek and smooth, you have to give your hair the utmost care between relaxer touch-ups.
Does relaxed hair need moisture?
Your relaxed hair needs moisture to become healthy again.
Oil Method
Massage a quarter-sized amount of pure coconut oil into your scalp and onto the new hair growth after you shampoo and while the hair is still damp. This will add moisture and soften the new hair growth so it will loosen its curls.
Conditioner Method
Wet hair and shampoo as usual. Towel dry hair very gently, patting it dry, not rubbing.
Warning
Treat the demarcation line (where the new growth is forming) very gently when combing or the hair could break at that point.
