If you’ve recently had your hair relaxed and are experiencing dry hair, don’t despair! I’ve done some research into why this happens and how to fix this problem, and here’s what I found.
Hair tends to become dry after it has been relaxed, particularly if it is a no-lye treatment, due to the fact that calcium is being transferred to the hair during the process. Calcium buildup can often lead to dry hair that appears very dull and frizzy. To remedy this, it is recommended that you clarify or chelate your hair post-treatment.
Keep reading to find out how you can fix your hair if it is dry post-treatment, as well as how you can prevent this from happening in the future.
How To Fix Dry Hair After Relaxer
Dry hair after a relaxer treatment is certainly not uncommon! The good news is that you can do some damage control by taking some simple steps to remove the unwanted build-up from your hair so that it feels soft, smooth, and silky again!
Step 01. Clarify Your Hair.
If your hair is super dry after a relaxing treatment, it’s most likely because there is a surplus build-up of protein in your hair because of the calcium found in the treatment.
A good clarifying shampoo will remove this unwanted buildup and return your hair to a blank canvas. This leaves your hair completely free of build-up so that it can successfully soak up any further moisturizing masks or treatments and reduce the time it takes for your hair to return to its normal state.
I recommend Moroccanoil Clarifying Shampoo from Amazon, as it specifically targets hair that is burdened by protein build-up after treatments such as relaxers.
Step 02. Chelate Your Hair.
If you’ve never heard of this before, then it’s best you learn now! Chelating your hair involves removing any excess calcium buildup or impurities after you have had a no-lye treatment.
Although no-lye relaxers tend to be softer on the hair and less likely to leave any damaging buildup, I still recommend following this step to stop any problems before they happen.
I recommend Natural Plant-Based Chelating Shampoo To Remove Buildup for the best results, as it is designed specifically for removing unwanted buildup in hair post-treatment.
Step 03. Moisturize Your Hair.
Now that you have completely stripped your hair of any excess buildup, it is now a blank canvas on which you can work on! The moisturizer that you choose will now be more easily absorbed into your hair, meaning that your hair will be restored back to its soft, smooth state much faster!
I recommend Vitamins Keratin Hair Mask Deep Conditioner. It really does tick all the right boxes, as not only is it 100% organic and cruelty-free, but it is also anti-frizz and is completely free of toxic sulfates and alcohol which can ruin your hair.
Simply apply the mask to your hair and leave it for 45 minutes before rinsing it out with cool, clean water.
Step 04. Give it a Trim.
When all else fails, I always recommend giving your hair a bit of a trim at the ends. This will help get rid of any dry, dead ends that are sapping moisture from your roots and making your hair look unhealthy.
Another benefit of a trim is that by removing excess hair, you are also removing pressure from your roots, meaning your hair can grow back longer, stronger and healthier!
Step 05. Invest in a Good Shampoo & Conditioner.
Going forward, you will need to invest in a good shampoo and conditioner that won’t dry your hair out or cause build-up. Remember, you cannot use your clarifying shampoo regularly, as this will strip your hair of all its natural oils and leave it extremely dry.
For regular use, you need to purchase a good, sulfate-free shampoo and conditioner that will both cleanse your hair and won’t leave build-up or dry it out.
Try not to wash your hair more than 2-3 times a week, as this can really dry it out and strip it of its natural oils, as you aren’t giving them enough time to replenish.
I recommend Argan Oil Sulfate Free Shampoo and Conditioner Set for the best results (and value for money)!
How To Prevent Dry Hair After Relaxer
The good news is that you can easily prevent dry hair after a relaxer treatment if you know what to do! Your hair will suffer less damage and it will take less effort to fix the problem. Here are the steps you need to take:
Step 01. Don’t Shampoo Straight Away.
One mistake many people make after relaxing their hair is to simply keep washing and styling it as they normally would. This is most likely the reason your hair becomes super dry after a relaxer treatment. The good news is that this can easily be prevented!
Instead of shampooing your hair, rather condition it only when its time fora clean. Shampoos can be very harsh on hair, especially African hair, and this can worsen the dryness after a treatment.
Conditioning your hair will not only clean it, but will restore moisture. If you must shampoo it, make sure you are using a sulfate-free shampoo similar to the one I listed above.
Step 02. Invest in a Silk Scarf and Pillowcase.
Your normal cotton pillowcase could be one of the biggest culprits behind your dry hair! Since your hair has recently been relaxed, it is at its most vulnerable.
Tossing and turning on your pillowcase causes friction between your hair and the casing, causing your hair to become very dry and frizzy when you wake up.
A silk scarf to wrap around your hair or a silk pillowcase will alleviate this problem. One benefit of wrapping your hair is that your hair will remain straight and tangle-free when you wake up!
Step 03. Avoid Using Chemical Hair Dye.
If you’ve just treated your hair to a relaxer treatment, you’ve already put it under a significant level of stress. Adding a chemical dye to the mix is a recipe for disaster!
If you want to prevent your hair from becoming dry and overprocessed, then I strongly suggest rocking your natural color for the time being, to give your hair a chance to recover.
Step 04. Always be Gentle With Your Hair.
This one should go without saying, but sometimes we do forget! Your hair follicles are extra fragile after you have relaxed them, so you’ll always want to handle your hair with care.
Whenever you are washing it, brushing it, or applying a treatment, treat every single strand of hair as if it is made out of gold! Avoid brushes that have sharp bristles as these can rip your hair out, and I always advise you to rather use your fingers if you can.
Rather use a gentle detangling brush if you are going to give it a proper brushing and don’t want to damage your hair.
Step 05. Wait 8-16 Weeks Before Your Next Relaxer.
While I know better than anyone how tempting it can be to want to touch up your roots as they grow in, you’ll be doing your hair a big favor by waiting at least 2-4 months before doing another relaxer treatment. This will allow your hair to stay healthy and prevent damage between treatments.
Related Questions
What is the difference between a no-lye and lye relaxer?
The main difference between the two is the type of chemicals used. In lye relaxers, the active ingredient is sodium hydroxide. In no-lye relaxers, the main ingredient is calcium hydroxide. Comparing the two, the no-lye- relaxer is usually the milder option and is ideal for those who have sensitive scalps. However, the calcium found in the relaxer can cause hair to become very dry.
I appreciate this article. Thank you so much for writing it. I love the recommendations. Keep up the good work.