Have you recently relaxed your curly, frizzy or wavy hair? So maybe now you’re worried about how to hydrate relaxed hair without weighing it down.
While conditioners have the consistency of a cream, the hair doesn’t retain it for long afterward. It can be difficult to moisturize without sacrificing the light texture of your hair.
There is nothing more frustrating than having your light hair suddenly feel heavy. Read on to learn how to keep your relaxed hair beautiful and healthy without giving up that nice, light, airy feel.
How to tell if my relaxed hair needs moisture or protein
Every hair needs moisture and protein to keep it healthy. Hair is made up of protein naturally, but sometimes you need an extra boost. And keeping your hair moisturized between adding heat and styling is essential to keeping it bouncy and silky.
This can be tricky because while protein treatments are available, they tend to strip the hair of moisture at the same time. So if your hair is off, it’s essential to determine if you need moisture in your hair or protein because you don’t want to make the situation worse.
If you brush your hair and notice that a lot of hair is falling out, it’s a sign that you need more protein. You may also have weak nails or itchy, red skin; These are other signs from your body that signal a decrease in protein.
To test for moisture, gently pull a strand of hair. Moist hair should stretch and bounce back; If your hair splits or breaks in place, it is a sign that there is too much protein and not enough moisture.
If you have too much moisture, you will notice a lack of volume, and your hair will be almost too soft. It will probably feel heavier than it did before.
How to moisturize relaxed hair without weighing it down
A common problem that leads to heavy hair is excessive moisture. While we know that relaxing hair can cause damage, sometimes we try to overcompensate with too much moisturizer.
Thick creams, too many products and over-application of moisturizers can do more harm than good and make your relaxed hair feel too heavy. So if you’re guilty of any of these things, take a step back and cut something to see if it makes a difference.
So now that we’ve told you what not to do, here are some things you can do!
Moisturizer and oil
One of the best ways to hydrate relaxed hair is by taking a two-step approach, including a moisturizer and oil to help seal in the moisture.
Start by cutting your hair; You can braid it or use clips to keep it out of the way, whichever you prefer. Next, take each section and gently rub a small amount of moisturizer into the hair. It is better to focus more on the ends as they are the driest.
Then, with an oil specially designed for hair, massage it in but be more generous at the ends. Next, gently tie your hair in a loose bun and use a satin cover. You can do it day or night, whichever is most convenient for your schedule.
Take care of your scalp
It can be easy to forget, but taking care of your scalp and making sure it gets some love is another important thing, regardless of your hair type.
Keeping the scalp moisturized and properly wrapped can prevent dandruff and product build-up, which contributes to the hair feeling heavy.
Hair oil instead of moisturizer
Hair oil is the unsung hero of hair care. If your relaxed hair feels too heavy lately, consider swapping your current conditioner for a hair oil instead. The oils are light, and less is needed to wet your stalls.
There are many different types to choose from, so you can choose what you think will be best for you.
Skip heat
Relaxed hair has already been through some harsh conditions, so it’s important to stay away from letting it go.
While you may be tempted to fix your hair with heating products, it’s best to stay away from them whenever possible. While heat protection products are available, you may run the risk of adding another product to your rotation, which can make your relaxed hair feel even heavier.
So, as a rule of thumb, skipping heat altogether for a while is your best bet.
Wash your hair less
While everyone has different hair types, those with relaxed hair should not wash their hair too much.
Doing so can irritate your scalp and can help dry out your hair even more. And if you also shampoo and scrub each time, it adds more product than you need.
brush your hair
Sounds like a no-brainer, but sometimes running a brush through your hair helps transfer the beneficial oils and moisturizers, all the way to the rest of your head.
While finger combing and simply massaging the product in may feel too simple to pass up, using a real hairbrush can help distribute these oils.
Exchange your products
This is something we tend to forget about! After we relax our hair, we fail to remember that the relaxer chemically changed our hair and how it reacts to certain products.
This means that some products such as our shampoos and conditioners will not work in the same way as they did in the past because they work for different hair types. So if your curly hair shampoo and conditioner aren’t working the way they’re supposed to because of your new relaxed ‘do, it’s time to retire them and find different products to use.
After our hair is relaxed, we will have to find a new product that will be lighter and stick closer to proper care for relaxed hair.
Say hello to Strong Hold products
Avoid the strong hold products you use to spray your hair in place. Since your hair is relaxed, not too much is needed. These products also take more chemicals, which means more stress on your hair. It is best to avoid them completely.
Cover your hair after treatment
Every time you go to sleep, feel free to put your satin cover over your head! Doing so helps keep all those nutrients inside and helps your hair absorb them, allowing it to keep that silky feel just a little longer.
On days you don’t use a treatment, using a satin or silk pillowcase can help reduce frizz and keep your hair moisturized between those humid days.
Do not use too many products
It probably feels too obvious, but it’s true! While many products are available, it’s best to stick with what you know. You can try things, but don’t try too much at once.
You don’t want to over-irritate your hair, and you don’t want to ruin your wallet either. So if you have too many products in your shower or hair routine, it’s time to clean them out.
Pay attention to the type of hair and the types of ingredients that will help you pull things off.
How often to moisturize and seal relaxed hair
Unfortunately, there is no straight answer to this as everyone’s hair is different. While we can tell you that it’s unhealthy to wash your hair every day, it doesn’t give you an idea of how often you should be doing it.
It just depends on what works for you! Experimentation and testing can help you find the results you want, or it can help you learn more cases of what not to do, which can help you in the future.
Just don’t be afraid to test different things to get the results you want; It may take some time, but once you know, you’ll never have a problem with it again.
Summary
The best way to moisturize relaxed hair without weighing it down is to reduce how often you moisturize, avoid using too many products, and avoid products with a thick consistency.
We tend to over-moisturize to compensate when our hair is dry, which can cause more damage than we think. Instead, it’s best to slow down and limit the number of different products we expose our hair to in order to track the best results.
So go ahead and develop a new routine to care for your relaxed hair; You will be surprised by the amazing results.