If you select links we provide, we may receive compensation.
Hair care expert and celebrity stylistKim Kimbleweighs-in on the proper procedures to follow when relaxing your hair.
Check out our tips for making your at-home relaxing session go as smoothly as possible.
@tylauren / Design by Michela Buttignol
Kimble says, “Washing your hair before getting a relaxer can cause scalp irritation.
You also should not have a lot of product in your hair before getting a relaxer.”
In some circumstances, however, you might want to condition before your relaxer.
“This works for relaxer touch-ups, not virgin relaxers.
The Olaplex No.3 will help minimize any damage from overlapping while applying the relaxer.
Byrdie Tip
Do not scratch or pick at your scalp before you apply your relaxer.
Broken or scratched skin may make your scalp more susceptible to burning.
Basically, chemicals won’t be able to touch all areas if there’s tangling ormatting.
Instead, work through your new growth with your fingers first, maybe the night before your touch-up.
This will give your scalp some time to rest.
After a gentle finger detangle, use a wide-tooth comb to workonlythrough your hair.
Stay away from your scalp as much as possible.
Comb through all the way to the ends, but don’t overwork a section.
Detangle and move on.
You should work quickly, but thoroughly.
If your hair is detangled, you shouldn’t have a problem separating small sections into 1-inch areas.
If you relax without help, it’s especially difficult to avoidoverprocessingon the back part of your head.
Drinking caffeine dehydrates your scalp and can cause irritation.”
I asked Kimble why combing is so bad for your hair and her response?
“I don’t recommend combing your hair too much because it can cause damage.
It stretches your hair and you don’t want to ruin the elasticity of your hair.
You have to be very gentle.
Always use the back of the comb and your fingers to smooth hair out with relaxer.”
Each relaxer kit gives time recommendations, and you should adhere to them.
If you do, expect to see breakage and hair fall in the coming days and weeks.
A neutralizer stops the relaxer from continuing to work on your hair and essentially eating through it.
Processing your tresses places stress on them, and they need some serious TLC after relaxing.
It never hurts to give your hair a little extra love after processing it.
2017;16(1):9-11. doi:10.1111/jocd.12262
