Stripping Relaxed Hair; A How to Guide

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Relaxing or perming your hair was probably a decision you made to make it easy to manage your hair on a daily basis. However, with the rise in popularity of natural hair trends you might want to join the bandwagon. So is there really a way to strip relaxed hair and restore it to its natural state? Unfortunately, there really is no way of stripping your hair of a relaxer instantaneously other than letting it grow out or getting the big chop. Chances are you probably don’t want to go for the big chop. Here is a how to guide on how to strip relaxer from your hair by letting it grow out.

1. Stop Relaxing Your Hair

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The most natural thing to do when you want to go natural would be to stop relaxing your hair. It is not only relaxing that you should stop; you should also stop using chemical based-styling and coloring products. The chemicals in relaxers and hair dyes weaken the hair and once you stop using them it is important to give your hair proper attention. Your hair will be highly susceptible to breakage, but this should not worry you as long as you adapt a good maintenance regime.

2. Moisturize Your Hair Frequently

One of the maintenance regimes that you should adapt is moisturizing your hair as frequently as possible. Use a moisturizing shampoo that is designed to repair damaged hair. This helps to restore moisture naturally to the hair.

4. Condition and Treat your Hair

Double condition your hair after a good wash using both a rinse off conditioner and a leave-in conditioner. This is a method of deep conditioning your hair and you should perform it at least twice monthly. A hot oil treatment is also important and you should get one done at least once monthly. It is best to use natural oils such as jojoba or olive oil and avoid alcohol-based products.

5. Choose Length-Preserving Hairstyles

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It is important to go for length-preserving hairstyles such as twists or braids. Avoid hairstyles that require heat styling to prevent breakage. Achieve curls or waves using rollers instead of curling irons. In instances where you must style your hair using heat, select the lowest heat setting. When going to sleep cover your hair using a scarf or braid it. Loose hair can get caught up on your pillow and break off.

6. Trim regularly

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Yes, you still have to cut your hair but it would be trimming it rather than chopping it off. This helps to remove the damaged ends from your hair, which hamper growth. It is recommended to get a trim after about 2 to 3 months and it is also ideal to get a professional trim done. However, relaxed hair grows at the rate of ½ an inch per month or less if you regularly trim the split ends. This isn’t entirely something bad, because to transform your hair back to its natural state you will have to cut off the relaxed hair somehow.

7. Day-to-Day Natural Management

You literally have to go natural to get your relaxed hair back to its natural state. Start by adapting natural hair styling products and methods. Remember that it is best to allow your hair to air dry and comb it when it is about 50% dry using a wide-toothed comb. You can use a detangling agent before combing, as long as it is sulfate and alcohol free.

It is also important to limit combing and when you do use a wide-toothed comb starting from the bottom and going upwards. Try to comb your hair using the least number of strokes as possible and avoid pulling or tagging at the hair.

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Go for protective styles to limit the amount of times you style your hair. It might be difficult, but avoid touching your hair too much because the more you touch it the more it is likely to break. That is why having on braids or twists helps and they shouldn’t be done too tightly to avoid putting a strain on the scalp.

Lastly, give it time; your hair won’t go back to its natural state overnight. Give it time and have patience as well as stick to the tips mentioned above to restore your hair to its natural state.

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