When it comes to relaxing your hair, thee is a lot of advice out there about the importance of making sure that your hair is clean before beginning the process. But what does “dirty hair” actually mean and why can’t you relax dirty hair?
Dirty hair refers to hair that has not been washed or conditioned for a long period of time. This can be caused by various factors, such as excessive sweating, product buildup, environmental dirt and pollution, or just simply neglecting to shampoo your scalp regularly. The problem with relaxing dirty hair is that it will cause the relaxer chemicals to penetrate more deeply into the scalp, resulting in an uneven application that could lead to breakage and damage over time.
The best way to prepare your hair for a relaxer is to start by thoroughly cleansing and conditioning it at least one week before your appointment. This gives the natural oils within your scalp time to build up, which helps protect it during the relaxing process. If you are someone who sweats heavily on their scalp or suffers from product buildup, then you should consider using a clarifying shampoo prior to beginning the relaxing process in order to ensure that all excess oils and impurities are removed beforehand.
It is also important to ensure that you are detangling each section of your hair prior to starting the application as this will help prevent any snarls or knots from forming during the process which could also lead to breakage and damage. Lastly, make sure you seal in all of the moisture within each strand before beginning so that your hair is properly prepared for the chemicals used in relaxers.
By following these steps and making sure that you have thoroughly cleaned and conditioned your hair before beginning any chemical treatments such as relaxers, you can help prevent any potential damage while also ensuring a beautiful result once completed!
Applying Relaxer on Dirty Hair
No, it is not recommended to apply a relaxer on dirty hair. Relaxers contain chemicals that work to break down the bonds in the hair shaft, and dirt and oils can interfere with the effectiveness of this process. To ensure a successful relaxer application, you should cleanse your hair at least one week prior to relaxer application and avoid scratching your scalp or “lifting dandruff”.
Preparing Hair for a Relaxer
Preparing your hair for a relaxer is an important step in ensuring that your hair stays healthy and strong. Here are some steps you should take to ensure your hair is ready for the relaxer:
1. Wash and condition your hair with a protein-packed product. Protein helps strengthen the hair, making it more resilient to the chemical process of a relaxer.
2. Detangle each section of your hair with a wide-tooth comb and air dry it. This ensures that no tangles remain when the relaxer is applied.
3. Part your hair into four or more sections; this will make it easier to apply the relaxer evenly throughout each strand of hair.
4. Do not irritate your scalp; avoid any products that may cause irritation such as shampoos with sulfates, gels, or sprays containing alcohols.
5. Seal in moisture by applying an oil or deep conditioner before relaxing; this helps protect the hair from damage caused by the chemical process of relaxing.
By following these simple steps, you can help ensure that your relaxed hair remains healthy and strong ater the process is complete!
When Is It Not Advisable to Relax Hair?
If you are experiencing any signs of hair loss, it is best not to relax your hair. Permanent hair loss, meaning the destruction of hair follicles, can be caused by over-processing and relaxing your hair. Relaxers can make the problem worse, causing you to lose more hair. If you are already experiencing thinning or shedding of your hair, it is important to stop using relaxers immediately in order to prevent further damage. Additionally, if you have a dry or damaged scalp due to chemical treatment or excessive heat styling, it is also best not to use a relaxer.
Cleaning Hair Before Relaxing: Pros and Cons
It is important to prepare your hair and scalp before relaxing it. You should not shampoo your hair for at least one week before applying relaxer. However, you should cleanse your scalp with a pre-relaxer cleanser to remove any oils, dirt, or product buildup. This will help to ensure that the relaxer takes evenly and won’t burn your scalp when applied. After cleansing, make sure to rinse thoroughly and then either air-dry or use a blow dryer on low heat. Once your hair is completely dry, you can then apply the relaxer accoding to the instructions on the product packaging.
The Benefits of Relaxing Clean or Dirty Hair
It is always best to relax clean hair. Before relaxing, your hair should be washed with a clarifying shampoo about one week beforehand. Clarifying shampoos contain sulfates and help to remove any buildup that may be on the scalp or in the hair, which can lead to relaxer burns. This will also ensure that the relaxer is evenly distributed throughout the hair for optimal results. Additionally, dirt and oil can form a barrier around your scalp and hinder the penetration of the relaxer, so it is important to have clean hair before you begin.
Things to Avoid Before Relaxing Hair
Before you relax your hair, it’s important to follow a few simple steps to ensure the best possible results. Here are some things to avoid doing befre relaxing your hair:
1. Do not wash your hair 3-4 days prior to relaxer day. This can cause scalp irritation which can lead to burning during the relaxing process.
2. Avoid excessive scratching or working out, which can also cause scalp irritation and discomfort during the relaxer process.
3. Try not to manipulate or brush your hair too much prior to the relaxer; this can cause breakage and weaken the structure of your hair before it’s relaxed.
4. Lastly, don’t use any styling products like gels, mousses or hairsprays a few days before the relaxer as these products may interfere with the chemical process of relaxing your hair.
Relaxing Hair After Washing
It is best to wait at least four days after washing your hair before relaxing it. This will help ensure that your scalp has had time to generate a natural lubricant that will protect it from the chemicals used during the application process. If you relax your hair too soon after washing, you run the risk of the chemicals being absorbed more deeply into your scalp and potentially causing irritation or damage.
Can I Relax My Hair on the Same Day?
No, it is not recommended to lighten and relax your hair in the same day. The combination of chemicals used in both processes can cause over-processing which could lead to weak, brittle hair and increased breakage. Relaxing the hair requires a lot of manipulation and heat, both of which can weaken the bonds of the hair if done too often. It is best to leave at least two weeks between chemical services to give your hair time to recover and be strong enough for additional processing.
Disadvantages of Relaxing Hair
The main disadvantage of relaxing hair is that it weakens the hair, making it more prone to breakage. The chemicals used in hair relaxers can damage the scalp and hair if used incorrectly or left on for too long. Relaxing hair can also cause it to become limp and difficult to style. Lastly, it can be time consuming and expensive to maintain healthy relaxed hair, as regular trims are necessary to prevent split ends.
The Effects of Relaxed Hair on Hair Growth
Your hair growth rate is generally the same whether it is natural or relaxed. However, you may perceive a difference in growth rate because relaxed hair can retain more of its length due to less breakage, shedding, and loss. Proper care and maintenance of your hair type can help ensure that your hair reaches its maximum potential for growth. This includes using high-quality products, regular trims to reduce split ends, and protective styling when appropriate.
The Causes of Puffy Relaxed Hair
Relaxed hair is typically more prone to dryness and breakage, which can result in puffiness. This can be due to excessive heat styling, over-conditioning, or lack of adequate protein in the hair. A good routine for relaxed hair should include regular conditioning, deep conditioning treatments, and protein treatments. Additionally, use a heat protectant when using heated styling tools and try to keep your styling sessions short. Finally, avoid over-manipulating your hair as much as possible – this means limiting brushing and combing.
Conclusion
In conclusion, it is important to keep your hair clean and free of dirt before applying a relaxer. Not only can dirt lead to burning once the chemicals are applied, but it can also prevent the relaxer from working properly and lead to a bad outcome. Therefore, it is best to avoid shampooing your hair for at leat one week before a relaxer application, deep condition your hair with a protein-packed wash and conditioner, seal in moisture, part your hair into sections and detangle each section of hair. Lastly, if you are experiencing thinning or loss of hair, it is best to stop using relaxers as they could make the problem worse.
