Relaxers are a good solution for hair management as they give your hair a smoother texture, therefore guaranteeing easier combing and less breakage.
However, if not done correctly, relaxers are known to cause damage which can come in the form of breakage, overprocessing, thinning, dry and brittle hair, inflamed scalp and a lot of other problems. We are here to help you relax your hair the right way! Here are things to do and things to do to prevent hair damage when using relaxer:
BEFORE
Before going through the relaxer process, here are a few things to do:
Do not agitate the scalp
A week before relaxing, do not agitate the scalp. This means minimal to no scratching or rubbing. You also need to make sure to remove your protective style (braids, cornrows etc) in advance to let your scalp heal from the stress and manipulation. The reason for this is that an agitated scalp will be sensitive to relaxer, leading to slight irritation or burning.
Base the scalp
We recommend basing the scalp before applying a relaxer. This means applying TCB Naturals Nourishing Hair Food on the scalp to protect it from the effects of relaxer. Your scalp will thank you!
DURING
While going through the relaxer process, here are a few things to do:
Only Apply Hair Relaxer To New Growth
This is where many stylists get it wrong. They apply hair relaxer to the hair, from root to ends.. When retouching the hair, one needs to ONLY apply a relaxer to the new growth. Applying relaxer to already relaxed hair, will lead to overprocessing and thinning hair. The only time one should apply relaxer to the whole hair, is when applying relaxer for the first time to natural hair.
Follow Timing Instructions
There is a misconception that once a hair relaxer is applied, it should be washed off once it starts ‘’burning’’ . This is wrong and should be avoided at all costs. Once the relaxer is applied, it should be washed off after the time indicated on the relaxer pack.
Use Neutralizing Shampoo
We cannot stress this enough. Relaxer must absolutely be washed off using Neutralizing Shampoo, NOT normal shampoo.
DO use TCB Naturals Neutralizing Shampoo to wash off the relaxer, so that you can stop the relaxer process and return the hair to its original pH. The Neutralizing Shampoo through its color indicator helps indicate all the relaxer has been completely washed off the hair.
DON’T use normal shampoo to wash off the relaxer because it does not neutralize or return the hair to its pH. Using normal shampoo means that the relaxer process is ongoing, which leads to overprocessing of the hair. Neutralizing Shampoo is so important because it prevents hair breakage, burning and other adverse effects that may result from overprocessing. This means that your hair and scalp will be healthy and thriving.
AFTER
After through the relaxer process, here are a few things to do:
Wait at least 6 to 8 weeks before relaxing again
It is good practice to wait at least 6 to 8 weeks before relaxing the hair again. This gives the hair a chance to regain strength and for hair to grow. Relaxing too frequently will thin the hair and ultimately lead to damage due to overprocessing. Enjoy and cherish your hair during this period.
Maintain a good hair routine
As you wait for the next relaxer, make sure to maintain a healthy hair regime using TCB Naturals products. We’re talking about:
TCB Naturals Deep Penetrating Treatment at least twice a month.
TCB Naturals Leave-In Treatment daily to moisturize.
TCB Naturals Nourishing Hair Food after Leave-In Treatment, to soften, add shine to the hair and keep it nourished.
TCB Naturals Sheen Spray every other day to revitalize dry and dull hair for healthy, natural-looking results with long lasting shine.
TCB Naturals Argan Oil or Coconut Oil which can be used for daily scalp & hair massage and occasional hot oil treatment.
What has been your experience with relaxers and damage? Let us know! We are social. Tag us for a chance to be reposted on Instagram. Our handle is @tcbnaturalskenya . You can also use the hashtag #HairThatLetsYouShine so that we can find you!
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