Black Hair Relaxer Tips

By: ElizaCoe

Follow these black hair  relaxer tips for a great outcome!

1. Section hair in 4 braids, base each scalp section and coat previously relaxed ends with Vaseline.

2. Apply relaxer with gloved fingers. It is better to start at the crown and work outwards unless your nape is the hardest part to straighten. The nape and edges are usually the most fragile and should be saved for last. When finished with one section, clip and start on another until all sections are done, smoothing with fingers.

3. Smooth hairline last then re-smooth sections one final time.

4. Remove gloves, Super rinse with warm water.

5. 5 min protein conditioner

6. Neutralize shampoo. leave on 5 min, rinse. repeat shampoo just in case.

7. Moisturizing conditioner. 15 min under dryer or heat cap.

8. rinse in shower, roller set and dry on medium heat (don't forget to add a leave in conditioner and a heat protectant.

Important Considerations- Black hair relaxer tips.

Written by: Audrey Sivasothy

Your 4 Step Pre-Relaxer Game Plan- Preparing your hair for a relaxer is one of the best things you can do for your hair heath. You can follow these pre and post relaxer strategies whether you self relax or see a stylist for your chemical treatments. Ensuring your hair is in top physical condition prior to the relaxer service will give you better results with the finished product.

Step 1: Clean it Up! -Your final shampooing should take place on the last 3-5 days before your relaxer. At this wash (particularly if you desire a straighter, more thoroughly processed result), you should use a clarifying shampoo to remove any deposits or product buildup on the hair.

A clarifying shampoo, or any "stripping" shampoo containing the detergents Sodium Lauryl/Laureth Sulfate or Ammonium Lauryl/Laureth Sulfate will be strong enough to remove buildup and maintain a clean and clear head of hair. (Assuming you use minimal or non- heavy products leading up to your hair service.) I highly recommend Pantene Pro-V Purity Shampoo ($3-5) for clarifying purposes. If you do not wish to have a bone straight look and prefer some texture, then you may continue to apply your products in their normal ratios up until the relaxer.

Step 2: Toughen it Up!- You should treat your hair to a protein treatment the final wash before your relaxer. Follow up the treatment with a good moisturizing deep conditioning. Giving your hair a protein treatment in the days leading up to your relaxer application gives your hair little more protein to work with going into the relaxer. This prevents the relaxing process from totally compromising the strength of your hair when your inner protein bonds are manipulated. To determine which strength of protein reconstructor to use, I would first do a breakage assessment of the hair. If you are already having some breakage, I would go with a moderate to heavy treatment for damaged hair. I recommend the Aphogee Treament for Damaged Hair (under $8) for heavy protein conditioning. If you don't have any noticeable breakage, then a lighter/milder treatment should be fine. I recommend Aphogee 2 Minute Keratin Reconstructor or Motions CPR Conditioner for light protein conditioning. Both products are less than $5 at any beauty supply store. You can substitute whatever brand of protein reconstructor/conditioner you like to use. Do not proceed with the relaxer application if you are still having noticable breakage or shedding. After you have completed steps 1 and 2, do not wash, scratch, or do anything to disturb your scalp.

Step 3: Protect It!- The day of relaxer, pay special attention to the length and ends of your hair. The hair shaft and ends are especially vulnerable to damage from the relaxing process unless you protect them. Applying a light coating of something like olive oil, castor oil, a thick conditioner, grease or vaseline to your scalp and hair past the new growth prevents the rest of your hair from being "re-relaxed" as a result of overlapping and runoff during the final rinsing of the relaxer.

Protection for the length and ends of the hair is essential because the short, compact nature of the new growth makes it is virtually impossible to avoid overlap. This "chemical run" and lack of protection for the shaft and ends is one of the many reasons quite a few relaxed ladies have thinner, and thinner ends.

Also remember, that oiling the new growth itself may leave you under processed because the relaxer has to penetrate through the layers you have put on. If you want a straighter turnout, be sure that you do not coat your new growth-- only coat your scalp and hair shaft past the new growth. As always, apply protective base (vaseline, oil, grease) to your scalp, tops of ears, and other sensitive areas . The base will give you an extra layer of protection between the relaxer crème and those areas.

Step 4: Stand Test It!- Perform a strand test before applying any relaxer (or hair coloring chemicals) to your hair, even if you have previously used the chemical in question. Our bodies change, and so does our tolerance and allergies to certain products.

Also, it is not uncommon for companies to alter formulas over the years as well. A chemical that may have worked well for you for years may suddenly fail to give you desired effect it once did. Performing a strand test will always let you know where you stand.

Black Hair Basics: Articles and tips

Choosing The Right Relaxer- Learn how to choose

Black Hair Relaxer Tips- Not using the right relaxing method can cause you costly mistakes.

Your Hair Type- Four basic hair types, which one are you?

Moisturizer Basics- Moisture, moisture, moisture! Our hair can't live without it!

Neutralizing Tips- Neutralizing steps and secrets you probably are not doing.

Hair Regime- Planning a hair regime that's right for you.