Healthy Hair Tips - Black Relaxed Hair?

Any tips on maintaining healthy strong hair?

I have my hair relaxed by my hair dresser, and getting married in 8months time...

Whats the best way to maintain healthy strong hair...?

Good treatments, products, vitamins?

Cheers..

Healthy Hair Tips - Black Relaxed Hair?

Here, first I want to show you a link of my hair. It was past bra strap length, I cut it Jan 07, and it's already grown back to my bra strap. But I am very WARY of taking advice about hair when I can't see the hair of the person so:

http://fiu.facebook.com/album.php?aid=20...

Here you go, that's all mine.

Now:

You should roller set your hair every week. Roller setting your hair distributes low heat over a long time when underneath a dryer. I cannot stress the importance of roller setting to have and keep healthy hair.

Shampoo with a protein shampoo (I use Redken Extreme shampoo) because relaxing robs hair of protein.

Then deep condition (I order Mizani's Hydrafuse online bc they don't sell it to the public, just to the salons AND I mix it with KeraCare Humecto) for about 5-15 minutes UNDER THE DRYER. This is very important, the heat opens up your cuticles. Wash it out with cool water to close it. Relaxing dries out your hair.

Your hair needs a healthy balance of protein and moisture.

After that use a leave-in conditioner. I use KeraCare Leave-In, it is very concentrated so you don't have to use much and it is very, very good at protecting your hair against heat and other damaging factors including sun, wind, etc. I also use Nexxus' leave in conditioner called Luxxtress. It replenishes moisture AND has a bit of protein in it.

I use Design Essentials setting lotion, it is incredible for roller sets for me. So I have two leave in conditioners and a setting lotion in my freshly moisturized (deep conditioner, leave in conditioner) and strengthened (with the protein shampoo and part Luxxtress) hair. My hair is protected and happy.

You don't have to use only ONE brand's products. As you can see, I have mixed it up till I found the perfect matches for my hair.

When I take it out my curls are shiny and bouncy and full. I go to the salon bc I can't roller set my own hair but I can roller set other people's lol. You wouldn't believe the looks my hair gets. People always ask me if it's my own and I proudly say yes. After you take out your roller set, wrap your hair. Or you can get the roots blown out.

Wrap your hair at night with a silk scarf, it's so important to keeping your hair moisturized. Use a silk/satin pillowcase just in case your wrap falls out.

I know that money doesn't grow on trees but I promise if you invest your money on high-quality hair products, your hair will thank you.

You might also need a trim or cut because may have split ends. ONLY trim if you have split ends, other than that you have no reason to trim your hair every time you go get a relaxer or roller set your hair.

Also, you can start trying taking supplements. I used to use GNC's Ultranourishair, Biotin, and MSM. All these things are good for your hair. HOWEVER, if after 3 months you don't see improvement (and I mean look at your roots) then stop taking them. Some people don't metabolize synthetic vitamins as well as others, that's why you see some people swear by them and some don't. They help maximize your own hair growth POTENTIAL along with a good diet. They worked for me but I became too lazy.

I think this covers it all but you can always ask for more, I love to help people with relaxed hair! A lot of people hate on us and say we should go natural but there is such thing as healthy relaxed hair that you can grow long and thick as I have!

Healthy Hair Tips - Black Relaxed Hair?

if you want healthy hair, then don't get it relaxed! relaxing your hair makes it coarser and harder to handle and very unhealthy! use a hydrating shampoo and avoid heating tools like irons, blowdryers, etc. you may even want to buy a hair mask at the drugstore to replenish it and condition it for very healthy hair. hair masks are great for making your weak hair stronger - they are usually under $15 and make a difference! hope you like my idea!

Healthy Hair Tips - Black Relaxed Hair?

aww your getting married in 8 months!!!

umm , to maintain your hair strong and healthy,stay away from hot comb and straighteners.Relax your hair when you only need to like every month or every two months.Stay away from chemicals.Get a lot of deep conditioning.You can ask your hairdresser for hair treatments every week(ex:hot oil treatment)

Good luck and happy new year.

Healthy Hair Tips - Black Relaxed Hair?

I think Angelique pretty much covered it all very well!

The only thing I'd like to add is that you should wear your hair up. Wearing your hair up will keep the ends from coming in contact with the horrible weather elements (heat, wind, etc.) as well as bad fabrics (wool coats, hats, sweaters. This will help you retain more length b/c you will get less split ends.

Also, be very gentle when handling your hair and moisturize your ends every night before bed.

Use high-quality combs. I prefer bone combs but any "seamless" comb will do. You'll need various ones depending on what you're doing to your hair.

Healthy Hair Tips - Black Relaxed Hair?

Currently i have long hair and have been learning alot so...

i do not have a relaxer i stopped getting them 5 years ago ( and i've only have 3 relaxers in my life time so this is all natural) so i can show you how to take care of hair with or without a relaxer. With relaxers retaining moisture is key

1. The shampoo, unfortunately many black women are using shampoos with alcohol and petroleum jelly. step away from them. Use Aveda's shampoo.. specifically the name is Brilliant...go to the website. I use it, i love it, it mouisterizes my hair and the products are natural. i have also heard that KeraCare is great for relaxered hair.

2. Okay, step two condition it and then it is time to comb it out, Do not use a brush on you hair when it is wet,,it will hate you for it then break off in revenge. Put your your sections use a big tooth comb, to untangle it

3. Do a hot oil treatment atleast once a month with extra virgin olive oil...repeat..EXTRA VIRGIN olive oil..not the regular stuff. unfortunately i have yet to take this step however my hair is doing great. You will also need protein and deep conditioning treatments alteast once a month.

4. Okay on the daily basis you need to pay close attention to your hair...i recommend conditioning your scalp(3-4 times a week) and your ends(everyday) so that they will not get dry and unhealthy Petroleum jellly and mineral oil are weapons of mass destruction ( in other words do not use grease) it does so much harm to your hair it cannot be all explained here. So you ask what do I use...well natural oils grapeseed oil ( use it for hair it deflects heat so it is good for flat iron users like us)

jojoba oil(i use this for my scalp), extra virgin olive oil, sesame oil, emu oil, coconut oil...all these natural oils and more love you..i promise.I also use Aveda's Brilliant ( the name of the brand) emollient for my ends.

5. Next..if you want your hair straight but still be natural it is time to get a freakin good flat iron.,i have the Chi(Chi flat iron do not work in the UK)..it does the job but I recommend getting the Sedu because of the good reviews. make sure to protect your hair..i have so thermal protector from Aveda. When flat ironing your hair do not let the iron stay on your hair for too long, just 1-2 quick swipes.I strongly advise against flat ironing hair with relaxers.

6. If you have a relaxer ( i have heard and seen that Affirm is the best relaxer) don't continue to relaxer all your hair everytime you go to the salon..just the new growth and try to stretch relaxers as long as possible. Rollersets under hooded dryers, with the lowest setting at possible temperature is recommended.

7. You do not need to trim your hair everytime you go to the salon maybe every 3 to 6 months.

8. Wrap your hair in a satin or silk scarf to prevent damage before you go to bed.

9. Eat healthy, drink lots of water,

10 take multivitamins, and fish oil pills you can get from GNC.

Follow these basics steps, can manuver them according to your needs ( like some don't do oil or or protein treatments, so oil everyday while others once s week, so people wash their hair once a week while others once every two weeks , but you have to the basics.)