Keeping your mane straight can be a tricky task especially when you're not sure how often you should relax your hair. The answer depends on your lifestyle, how long you've had relaxed hair and whether you want to maintain the style or go for a fresh look!
Overlapping chemicals on already processed hair can cause breakage and damage. This is one of the main reasons why it's important to visit a professional for your chemical treatments.
Touch-ups should be done every two to three months, and the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) suggests that you should never use relaxer on hair that's already relaxed.
When your hair is relaxed, it's especially prone to breakage because the relaxing process depletes protein and moisture. It's important to find a protein-moisture balance that works for you, and to adopt a daily moisture routine.
Thin/straggly edges are another sign of breakage, and they can be easily corrected by getting a trim. It's also important to keep your hair as healthy as possible by avoiding high-maintenance styles that may lead to breakage, such as roller set hairstyles.
There's a growing trend in the natural hair community towards co-washing, which involves washing your tresses with a cleansing conditioner instead of shampoo. This method can be less damaging to your mane than traditional shampooing, and it can even leave it feeling softer and silkier. But make sure to rinse your hair completely and thoroughly once the processing is over!
