The Grow Out That Isn’t Grueling

Hair relaxers - they are, without a doubt, a chore to maintain. Once every six to eight weeks, a woman shells out chunk of cash to spend several hours (all day even!) cooped up in a hair salon having the treatment done. Her scalp itches like crazy, but she dare not indulge the instinct to take her longest fingernail and dig in GOOD. Those chemicals are no joke, and there's no going back. There's no covering it or waiting for it to wear off. Once you start relaxing you keep relaxing, and that's why they call it "the creamy crack".

Growing out a relaxer is a challenge, and it takes a lot of thought and some definite moxie to make that move. Is it worth it? Many women do not have the kind of disposable income necessary to maintain a professional salon religon. They have no idea how to treat and care for their textured tresses properly. Their hair is straight, and that's all that can be said for it, as it has no shine or body or movement.

The Straight Up on Straightening

Naturally coarse and kinky hair can be worn straight without chemical treatment. The advances in hair tool technology leave a dizzying array of options for flat irons and blow dryers with far infrared heat, ceramic heaters, tourmaline gem infusion, titanium treatments, and more, all of which make hair straightening easier and healthier than it's ever been. It's a far cry from the days of running a smoking hot pressing comb fresh off the stove top through your locks. There are many temporary straightening balms that help seal in the style so that it lasts to the next wash. It requires an investment in good tools and products, but it's an option.

Co-Washing

Perhaps the single most important change you can make in your hair care is the way you cleanse it. Many women get relaxers to make their hair more manageable. Relaxed hair behaves better with shampoo. This thinking is backwards. You buy a product to clean your hair and make it healthier, shouldn't it be expected to work with your hair? Is it too much to ask for a product that doesn't cause your hair to knot, tangle, and break? Many natural hair women have adopted a co-washing routine for this reason. Co-washing is washing with conditioner. Conditioner has enough mild detergents to emulsify dirt and excess oil and take it out in the rinse. Sectioning your hair makes cleansing much more manageable. Use a lightweight, daily conditioner like AG Conditioner Light Daily Conditioner or ISO Daily Condition. For times when you a have a lot of product build up or excess dirt and oil, try a clarifier that is free of sulfates and other harsh detergents like Mastey Le Remouver Clarifier.