Relaxers aren’t scary when you’re prepared. Pamper your scalp, listen to your hair, and treat pre-relaxer days as the spa ritual they deserve to be. With the right products, gentle handling, and a dash of patience, you’ll enjoy stunning, healthy results, week after week.
What to do before relaxing your hair
Give yourself at least a week before relaxer day to gently pamper your hair and scalp!
1. Hands off the Shampoo: As strange as it sounds, don’t wash your hair for at least a week before your relaxer appointment. When you skip a wash, your scalp’s natural oils build up, forming a gentle but effective barrier between your skin and the relaxer cream. This simple step drastically reduces your risk of irritation and burns!
2. Skip the Sweat: Exercising is usually great for you, but in the world of relaxers, sweat is the enemy. The heat and moisture from workouts open your scalp’s pores, making them more susceptible to chemical burns. So, two days before your relaxer, put exercise on pause. Use dry shampoo if you must, but stay cool and calm!
3.Flat Iron on Your Last Wash Day: About a week before your relaxer, after your last pre-relaxer wash, go ahead and flat iron your hair. Why? Straight, detangled hair makes it SO much easier for your stylist to apply relaxer evenly—no tugging or yanking at tangles. Bonus: the detangling is gentle, reducing the temptation to scratch an itchy scalp.
4. Protective Styling: In the days before your relaxer, keep your hair in loose, gentle styles—think soft ponytails, low buns, or wraps. Ditch the tight accessories and skip anything that puts stress on your scalp or edges.
5. Slather On a Barrier Cream: Before the relaxer goes on, ask your stylist to apply a protective layer—think Vaseline, Aquaphor—around your edges, ears, nape, and even exposed scalp if you’re extra sensitive. This simple trick is a lifesaver for those prone to burns or breakouts.
What not to do before relaxing hair
1.Don’t Scratch Your Scalp! That random itch might be tempting, but resist, resist, resist. Even tiny scratches (or over-brushing) can turn into burn magnets during your relaxer. If you absolutely must, gently pat the area, but avoid using fingernails.
2. Skip the Hair Accessories: In the 24 hours before your relaxer, give tight headbands, hats, scarves, and hair elastics a break. The friction and heat can irritate your scalp and open pores, upping the risk of burns.
3. Don’t Leave Products in (Except Barrier Creams): Gels, sprays, or heavy leave-ins can affect relaxer results or interact with the chemicals. After your last prep wash and straighten, keep products to a minimum.
4. Never color or cut your hair right before a relaxer session. Chemical treatments make your scalp extra delicate, and fresh color can interact badly with the relaxer.
Dodge these common pitfalls and you’re much more likely to walk away with smooth, happy, and healthy hair.
Conclusion
By following this routine, you’re creating the perfect environment for your relaxer: calm scalp, protected skin, and manageable hair that’ll make salon day a breeze.
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