Use Hair Relaxer Products to Straighten Hair? How to Care for Relaxed Hair

Women with naturally kinky hair need to be extra gentle with their hair, especially before using hair relaxer products to straighten hair.  Treat this hair type like a fine silk blouse!  Use gentle shampoos and extra-hydrating conditioners and leave-in treatments.  Avoid shampoos with harsh sulfates, and styling products with petrolatum oil and heavy waxes.  Use leave-in conditioners with natural oils and butters.  Remember, everyone’s hair type is different, and you may need to experiment to find the hair care routine that works best for you.

If you use hair relaxer products to straighten hair, strengthen your hair from within by reducing stress and improving your diet.  Try not to worry about your hair!  Stress is proven to cause hair loss.  Eat a balanced diet, making sure you get enough protein and iron.  Eat foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids, as these are needed to support scalp health.  Foods rich in vitamin A and C, like dark green vegetables, help your body produce sebum to moisturize your hair follicles.  Supplement your diet with vitamins to support healthy hair, skin and nails.

Between hair relaxer treatments, try an intense strengthening treatment.  Like moisturizers for your skin, hair moisturizers smooth and improve the condition of your hair.  These leave-in products smooth the hair cuticle, add body, sheen and elasticity to the hair.  Hair relaxer treatments cause damage as they straighten hair, so find products with natural oils and proteins to restore the look and feel of your hair.  If you use hair relaxer products to straighten hair, wrap your hair at night to let your leave-in conditioners “marinate.”  Buy a mesh scarf from a beauty supply store that allows your hair to breathe, or a silk scarf to help minimize friction on the pillowcase.

If you’re trying to grow longer hair, using hair relaxer products to straighten hair will slow down the process.  To help minimize damage, avoid using gels and hair bands.  Gels can be very drying for those who use hair relaxer products to straighten hair.  Avoid constantly tying your hair back, as this can cause breakage or traction alopecia, a form of gradual hair loss.  If you don’t want to go natural, consider switching to a less harsh hair relaxer or texturizer.  There are products on the market that will loosen your curls without the risk of breakage or chemical burns! 

ArticleSource: ArticlesAlley.com