Get a new head of hair by stopping those ends from breaking off
So you’ve finally taken the plunge and relaxed your hair. Are you worried about the breakage associated with chemical relaxers of have you been relaxing your hair for years but have never been able to retain length? You know your hair is growing because you have to touch up the roots every couple of months but somehow your hair remains the same length. What’s going on? The answer is simple. The ends of your hair are breaking off at the same rate at which it’s growing so your hair is stuck in a loop. How do you solve this problem and get flowing tresses?
First thing is to understand the reasons behind the breakage. Chemically relaxed hair is hair that has been changed from its natural state by breaking the bonds that create the curls or kinks in the hair. The hair is then reformed into its new straight form by combing or smoothing while the chemical relaxer is in the hair. Hair that has been relaxed loses its elasticity when the bonds are broken hence minor stress on the hair can easily cause the hair to break.
Another thing to consider is that most chemical relaxers can only break the bonds in the hair once they have stripped it of its natural moisture. Black hair tends to be dry in its natural state but once it has been stripped off its moisture by chemical relaxing, it is even drier and may even get brittle hence even more breakage.
Some would say that relaxed hair by nature is ‘damaged hair’. I say not so! Relaxed hair has been chemically modified so cannot be treated the same way that natural hair is. It’s much the same way that someone with fine straight hair cannot treat their hair the same way as someone with voluminous curls! Relaxed hair is in a category of its own and the way to care for it successfully is to provide it with what was lost during the chemical processing and learn to treat it in a way that will promote and not deter its growth.
Relaxed hair needs: regular deep conditioning treatments, daily moisture infused into the hair as well as sealing the moisture in, protein treatments and care with the correct tools. Misuse of heat tools is a very common reason behind hair breakage. Heat styling should always be done on clean, freshly deep conditioned hair. The reason behind this is simple. Some of the moisture will be lost during the heat styling process but deep conditioning* infuses extra moisture into the hair shaft hence leaving the hair with a good amount of moisture even after the process. Another reason is that dirty hair contains oils* (whether natural or added) and heat styling your hair with oil only serves to ‘fry’ the hair.
There are many resources online where you can learn proper techniques for taking care of your relaxed black hair. You just have to have the patience to find them! See the article on 5 easy steps to longer healthier relaxed hair.
Myra Lee says
You STOP BREAKAGE when you STOP using relaxers…….that’s real!!!
Irene Danso Nana Ama says
I don’t think so
Myra Lee says
LOL!!! I KNOW so!
Rivian Jones says
I have never had my hair break off and I have had perms since I was 10. So your wrong!
Myra Lee says
I appreciate your defense, but, any hairstylist will tell you that RELAXERS DAMAGE your hair……sure would like to see a picture of your hair………since 10 years??? UNBELIEVABLE…..
Rivian Jones says
Sorry you may have went bald but my hair is going through more ish half natural. My hair has never been unhealthy with a perm if you don’t do proper maintenance it will break same with natural hair. I’m looking at all these women with these dried up damaged fros and I’m thankful for my perm. Should have took care of your hair better!
Myra Lee says
So now you’re a CLAIRVOYANT???!!! LOL!!! No INTELLIGENT person would dare to relax a CHILD’S hair…..and for your information, I am NOT wearing the BEAUTIFUL natural at this point and time. I KNOW for a fact, and you do too, that RELAXERS are not healthy for anyone’s hair…….face that fact BALDY! LOL!!! I can just imagine what your “HEALTHY” hair looks like! LOL!!!!!!!!!
Rivian Jones says
Myra Lee okay but my hair is thicker then your s and a wavy texture so wether perm or natural my hair looks better. You are just saying stuff like a child I actually looked at your hair and it doesn’t look healthy my opinion. Also my aunt was a hairstylist and kept up regular maintenance on my hair. I never experienced breakage until I dyed my hair other then that between my aunt doing it I had a low maintenance routine. I’m sure your doing way more to your hair but as I stated take care of your hair then a relaxer won’t break also I perm every 6 months because every 6 wks is not good. I never said perms aren’t harmful hell any chemical on your hair is harmful, I stated that my experience has been great wether you believe it I don’t care. Instead of you on a post about perms battling with every one who does not agree with you probably should go do something with your hair. By the way why are you on a post about relaxed hair if your against it? see as I stated earlier you are childish tuh.
Neeky Lethallady Henry says
Hair will break if its relaxed or natural if you dont take care of it
Myra Lee says
Rivian Jones, your OPINION means absolutely NOTHING to me, lol!!! I don’t know what page you’ve looked at, ’cause my pictures are NOT posted!!! However, I do have pics of one of my grandbaby’s, and my hair is just like hers…..face it, relaxers are a no-no. Whether you take care of it or not, RELAXERS DAMAGE the follicles of the hair……Any credible hairstylist will TELL you that, and you KNOW it I feel so sorry for you….must be quite stressful, ’cause I SEE that you wear weaves!!!
Tarsha Denverbroncosfan Webb says
I’m sorry I can’t do natural. I have a relaxer my hair is healthy and I’m almost at bra strap length. Everything that’s on blackhairinformation.com for naturals I use the same information for my relaxed hair. I have friends who are natural and their hair is not growing at the rate of mines. To each their own.
Pattie Armstead says
Agree! There are some naturals who look a mess. Hair isn’t growing, isn’t healthy, dull etc…
Tarsha Denverbroncosfan Webb says
I also keep telling them about this website and they roll their eyes at me. It’s all about education.
Pattie Armstead says
Natural hair doesn’t mean healthy hair. I see naturals all the time and their hair does not look good. Those who are natural have breakage as well. I rarely see a natural with healthy bouncy hair.
Neeky Lethallady Henry says
We all go thru hair struggles regardless if relaxed or natural
Love your hair to life says
There is enough division between us as black people….PLEASE don’t let a personal preference of NATURAL OR RELAXED hair put more distance between us…I am a hairstylist and I do relaxed and natural hair…..It’s all about educating yourself and doing what’s best for YOUR hair…..That’s all to it……Everyone please be happy and respect each other’s opinion and experience…..Everyone’s opinion and experience is different….
God Bless and Be Nice