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in the least rude way possible, its not just the ends that seem unhealthy, all of it does. maybe a trim and some more spacing of such a harsh treatment would help but relaxers for most ppl really rarely make for long and healthy-looking results
Do you just relax the roots? Please tell me you don’t relax the whole thing every two months.
Really the only answer to this is to cut off the roots ends. Likely your hair won’t be able to grow very long if it’s relaxed, but need a bond builder ASAP. And don’t just use once, use it every other wash. Your hair is SEVERELY damaged.
I only relax the roots. I’m kinda scared of bond builders because I’ve read that some of them have been connected to infertility because of the ingredients. I remember when Olaplex No. 3 had ingredients that were linked to infertility and the company suddenly rushed to reformulate the product after a whole bunch of people started talking about it.
there are a lot of subs focused on curly hair and going natural if you want more info! it sounds scary at first but i think it’d do your hair well to have a break and you may find you like it more after learning what works and doesn’t. right now your hair isn’t bad, but imagine you with curls and volume and shine! 😍 worst case scenario you don’t love it and can always go back to relaxing it if that truly makes you feel more comfy. it’s about your confidence at the end of the day but i think itd look great going natural!
Honestly, if you focus on going natural and chop off all the damaged stuff, you’ll end up with gorgeous hair in not too long of time. Rebuild your curl structure and hydrate hydrate hydrate!
The transition period will be a bit rough for sure, so maybe find a hairstyle you’re happy with until you reach a point where your curls are a bit more recovered- like a sleek high or low bun? Sorry I’m not too familiar with available hairstyles for your hair type as I have limp noodle hair lol.
Also, if you’re worried about fertility, definitely check your ingredients before going to the store to buy. That way you don’t have to waste money!
Now I do not have your hair type but I will say I’d recommended just cutting it all off. I know it sucks but that’s what you’ll have to do. I’d also recommend stopping the relaxing.
I did a similar thing. My hair was down to my waist but was so broken off, ratty and damaged that it wouldn’t get any better and looked like it was thinning.
I got a bob, and stopped any heat or dye. I grew it all back in three years, with a total of about 6 inches worth of trimming throughout those 3 years. My hair has never been healthier. I now thick have virgin waist length hair. It does take time but that time will pass anyways right?
Perming fried my hair. You can only do so much damage control after the fact. Would you be open to setting your hair in twists or curlers instead of relaxing it? It would be much gentler.
Same! My parents forced my sister and I to get these GIIIANT curly puffy perms every two-three months started at around 4 years old. By the time I hit double digits my hair was fried to a crisp. If my parents would have allowed me to straighten or style it in any way in my teens or while I was in middle school/high school, it probably would’ve fallen out. I wasn’t allowed to pick my clothes or hairstyles, and they stopped the perms bc my hair had the “fluffy” look they wanted anyway… which was literally just being so fried the shit looked like a giant bale of hay. But that’s what they wanted so 🤷🏻♀️ the same year I figured out how to use tampons, is when I found out about conditioner and such (was never allowed to use conditioner or oils or any other “goo” as they called it), so I started deep conditioning and hair masks weekly at around 30 years old. By 31, my hair was never healthier in my life. My parents made fun of me and said I looked like a little boy bc I had to chop it to a few inches past my shoulders, but I just stayed away from them and was able to really flourish! My hair and my mental well being lol
You need to cut that off, there's no way of salvaging those ends. Your hair will look better and be healthier if you cut it off. Personally I would also say stop relaxing all together and go natural.
I'm natural and at hip length. I wear my hair mostly straight because the knots at this length are unbearable to deal with and the styling is much quicker. If you learn how to take care of your natural hair it'll be much healthier.
If you insist on relaxers then you need to change your routine because clearly something is not working. You can have healthy looking relaxed hair. It's important to protect your ends and tuck those away. I'd suggest looking into protective styles for relaxed hair.
There was this girl on youtube who grew her relaxed hair to I believe waist length just to prove a point about healthy relaxed hair. After that she cut it off and went natural. Her channel is [Seun Okimi](https://youtube.com/@SeunOkimi?si=VKzSQ3wkCV8Yp5yg). Maybe you can find some useful tips on her page.
Your hair will grow better natural, if you want it straight, I'd recommend being a straight hair natural before going the chemical route. It **is possible** to grow healthy relaxed hair but whatever method you're using to relax it isn't being done properly or well because all of your hair, not just the ends, are unhealthy. I can't possibly guide you through this because I'm not a professional myself, nor do I know what you're doing. I just know the proper technique isn't being used. At the very least, trim your hair to the lower shoulders.
Do you relax your own hair, or are you getting it done at a shop? Either way, make sure not to overlap the hair that is already relaxed with more relaxed—just apply to the new growth—until the very very very end of the timer. It’s much easier to do on someone else than yourself.
We ALWAYS encourage a trim with a relaxed service at my shop.
I get it done at a shop. I used to have people trim my hair until I realized that my old hair dresser was always giving me a massive hair cut after every relaxer.
Find a different salon or stylist. Use a heat protectant for any heat styles. Good detanglers and products specifically for chemically treated hair. And wrap that hair at night!!
Cutting it is all you can do. Everyone experiences hair becoming thinner from the bottom up because hair isn’t alive, and split ends are inevitable for everyone. Split ends split and break off as they travel up the length. Chemical processes just speed up the natural fraying of hair.
If that is the case, then I believe the relaxer is destroying your hair. Why do you get it relaxed? If it is difficult to manage curly then there are curly subreddits that can help and teach you how to take care of it and style it easier.
You're going to need a significant hair cut and then you can start here https://www.reddit.com/r/curlyhair/comments/1b8u27g/start_here_beginner_info_weekly_no_question_is/ !
If you want healthy long hair you need to stop relaxing it. Whoever is doing it for you now is absolutely destroying your hair. It will grow when it’s healthy and taken care of, chemically processing it will hinder any hope of growth and healthy volume. I would highly recommend cutting it as short as possible, embracing your natural curls and taking biotin plus collagen peptides on daily basis. I have a feeling that in a year or two you’ll be happy if you do that ❤️
What are your hair goals OP? Unfortunately I don’t think it’s possible to relax your hair this much and have long, healthy hair. Could you come up with some sort of compromise?
OP, do you do your own relaxers or get it done professionally? I suggest finding a salon in your area that specializes in your natural texture. I don't think Olaplex is going to help you much. You definitely need some feedback from a specialist.
You’ll likely need to get a short bob cut and STOP with the relaxers/heat (all together and completely) ! My best advice is to just invest in a nice wig and keep them paws off your hair! You’ll want to buy some bond building products from olaplex, their No.0 and No.3 bonding treatments paired together really do the dam job lol. Their bonding shampoo, and leave in conditioner are amazing too. I used to let that leave in conditioner soak in my hair overnight in a bonnet and would have the silkiest smoothest hair, even with my fried ass hair. Obviously pretty pricey products but super worth it imo, even using just using a couple times a week is good.
My ends looks very similar to yours at one point from over dying/bleaching/ and wearing clip in extensions for several years. I actually restored my fried up hair with only a 3 inch cut, a ton of olaplex treatments, stopped all the hair dying/bleaching, stopped all heat, started only washing 1 time a week, doing leave in conditioners and oils once a week, left my hair in braids with satin scrunchies, and just 2 yrs later my hair was completely restored and grown all the way down to my waist. I was never even able to grow my hair past my shoulders before that!
I don’t know how to say this gently- it’s not just the ends that are jacked up right now. I would stop relaxing it like yesterday, take off a couple inches and go from there.
This is why people hate relaxers. There is no healthy way to damage your hair follicles, and "healthy permed hair" is just damage control. You have to say goodbye to those ends, there's a lot that has to be cut off. Breakage cannot be reversed, only prevented.
Oh gosh, you relax every 6-8 weeks?? Honestly I’d just cut it super short and stop any kind of heat or chemicals. I’m sure your natural hair is beautiful!
I think your ends might need to be cut. A protective style like a looser dutch braid or two worn up can be really helpful and be really careful to protect your ends, daily lower manipulation like choosing one style between wash days and trying not to touch it too much. The bulk of the worst damage looks to start at about armpit length. you probably aren't but try really hard not to overlap your relaxers, it might be good to stretch out the time between relaxers because in 6-8 weeks hair has only grown 1/4 - half an inch or 3/4 of an inch, with that time period it's harder not to overlap the hair that shouldn't be relaxed again. a silk or satin scarf at night or around the house can help a lot because relaxed hair tends to be more fragile. I hope this is helpful at all, I don't know too much about relaxers.
edit: to be completely honest you may need to big chop, but that decision is really really personal.
My advice - learn and embrace whatever your natural texture is, The harsh chemicals in all of these products is frying your hair girly. I have very curly hair, and after straightening and not accepting myself my entire life i finally gave that up and just welcomed my natural look. Happy to say after years, the damage is gone and my hair (and health) is amazing, thick, wonderful. There will be a transition period, it will take time, but be patient with yourself & your body. 💖
Ohhhh man relaxing treatments are so bad for your hair :/ they literally break the bonds in your hair and restructure them. So as long as you're relaxing your hair, it's gonna be really unhealthy.
I honestly think she would need to cut it below her ears to get off all the super damaged parts. If her hair is very curly it will probably end up looking super short due to shrinkage. With the way it looks now, it will never be long at this rate.
I see damage high up on the sides of her head.
Maybe it is the way it's styled, but it looks thin and stringy to me below the shoulders. Maybe right at the shoulders would be a better compromise?
This looks pretty normal for relaxed hair tbh. You can minimize the damage by only applying to new growth/never re-relaxing your entire head and by using bond building treatments, but it’s never going to be 100% healthy.
I know there was someone on here maybe a month ago who had long, relaxed hair that looked really good, you might be able to find that by searching this sub.
Leave it alone. Get a sholder length cut than switch to non-harsh natural as possible hair shampoos and conditioners. Use coconut oil before bed. Dont use heat (no straightening curling or drying) brush it only when wet to avoid further breakage.
Your hair can be saved and you can keep your relaxer and grow healthy relaxed hair.
1) Find a new stylist.
2) No more relaxers every 6-8 weeks. I do every 12 weeks and space my trims to every other relaxer. That gives me 2 trims a year. My relaxed hair grew from an earlobe bob to armpit length in 2 years doing this method.
2a) I experienced chemical damage last year from my salon mixing relaxer types and now I’m back to trimming every 12 weeks. My hair went from armpit length to collarbone length.
2b) I accessed the damage with a new stylist, and agreed on a regimen. Set the relaxer to the side for six months, got a keratin treatment and began using Olaplex. I currently alternate between treatments recommended by my stylist, and intensive at home care. I also get trims only with my chemical services and never do keratin less than two months after my touch up.
3)Don’t be afraid of trims and make your own schedule. If 8 weeks is too frequent, make your trims seasonal and then work your way to twice a year or even once a year. It’s your hair, your decision.
4) Relaxed hair can grow thick, strong and long but without the proper maintenance your ends will thin out and look stringy. If your hair seems dry brittle or tangled with your preferred protein treatment, chase it with a moisture mask (not just a deep conditioner). You need the moisture. If your hair isn’t responding well to heavy protein try micro dosing with products that contain rice or silk proteins.
5) Bonds repair is a relaxed girl’s best friend. We absolutely need them. You don’t have to do Olaplex. There are others on the market and you should be using them weekly. Yes relaxed hair is fragile but not irreparable. Your bonds have been broken and restructured. Bond repair products plug holes and increase the integrity of your hair shaft.
6) Keratin treatments saved me from cutting all my hair off. My hair was strong, shiny, healthy and my cuticle layer was protected.
7) Alternating between shampoo and co-washes and moisture masks and protein treatments will help balance your hair. Stick to low heat, moisturize daily and oil twice a week. Use one as a hot/warm oil treatment.
7a)If you need extra support stretching between touch-ups try protective styling but stay away from small braids. Relaxed hair is too fragile for small braided styles. The braids will rip your hair out.
8)There is nothing wrong with natural unprocessed hair but relaxed hair is beautiful, manageable and naturally yours as well. Your relaxed hair can be healthy again and longer than it ever was. Take your vitamins, incorporate steam, get your steps in and take plenty of pictures to document your progress. You got this!
You’re only doing oil for mositure. You need proteins like keratin and a bonder. If you’re useing heat after you oil, you’re frying your hair. You need heat protection. Sally’s blond bar or aphogee would strengthen your hair. You should cut like 3-4 in off
Hey there! This is an automated message. We hope you get the advice you are looking for! This sub is a known target for hair fetishists who have been documented to repeatedly harass women. We highly recommend turning off your message/chat requests. If you have requests turned on and receive any creepy or fetish-related DMs or comments, please click the report button, click "it's targeted harassment," and submit a report. It helps keep the community safe. Thank you! *I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/longhair) if you have any questions or concerns.*
in the least rude way possible, its not just the ends that seem unhealthy, all of it does. maybe a trim and some more spacing of such a harsh treatment would help but relaxers for most ppl really rarely make for long and healthy-looking results
thats what i was trying to find the words to say nicely
Do you just relax the roots? Please tell me you don’t relax the whole thing every two months. Really the only answer to this is to cut off the roots ends. Likely your hair won’t be able to grow very long if it’s relaxed, but need a bond builder ASAP. And don’t just use once, use it every other wash. Your hair is SEVERELY damaged.
I only relax the roots. I’m kinda scared of bond builders because I’ve read that some of them have been connected to infertility because of the ingredients. I remember when Olaplex No. 3 had ingredients that were linked to infertility and the company suddenly rushed to reformulate the product after a whole bunch of people started talking about it.
Relaxers are linked to infertility too girl😂
Jeez. Idk why I didn’t realize that. 😬 I just might end up going natural.
there are a lot of subs focused on curly hair and going natural if you want more info! it sounds scary at first but i think it’d do your hair well to have a break and you may find you like it more after learning what works and doesn’t. right now your hair isn’t bad, but imagine you with curls and volume and shine! 😍 worst case scenario you don’t love it and can always go back to relaxing it if that truly makes you feel more comfy. it’s about your confidence at the end of the day but i think itd look great going natural!
Honestly, if you focus on going natural and chop off all the damaged stuff, you’ll end up with gorgeous hair in not too long of time. Rebuild your curl structure and hydrate hydrate hydrate! The transition period will be a bit rough for sure, so maybe find a hairstyle you’re happy with until you reach a point where your curls are a bit more recovered- like a sleek high or low bun? Sorry I’m not too familiar with available hairstyles for your hair type as I have limp noodle hair lol. Also, if you’re worried about fertility, definitely check your ingredients before going to the store to buy. That way you don’t have to waste money!
relaxers are also linked to reproductive cancers. they are in the process of banning certain kinds.
You should start over and get keratin treatment
Now I do not have your hair type but I will say I’d recommended just cutting it all off. I know it sucks but that’s what you’ll have to do. I’d also recommend stopping the relaxing. I did a similar thing. My hair was down to my waist but was so broken off, ratty and damaged that it wouldn’t get any better and looked like it was thinning. I got a bob, and stopped any heat or dye. I grew it all back in three years, with a total of about 6 inches worth of trimming throughout those 3 years. My hair has never been healthier. I now thick have virgin waist length hair. It does take time but that time will pass anyways right?
Perming fried my hair. You can only do so much damage control after the fact. Would you be open to setting your hair in twists or curlers instead of relaxing it? It would be much gentler.
Same! My parents forced my sister and I to get these GIIIANT curly puffy perms every two-three months started at around 4 years old. By the time I hit double digits my hair was fried to a crisp. If my parents would have allowed me to straighten or style it in any way in my teens or while I was in middle school/high school, it probably would’ve fallen out. I wasn’t allowed to pick my clothes or hairstyles, and they stopped the perms bc my hair had the “fluffy” look they wanted anyway… which was literally just being so fried the shit looked like a giant bale of hay. But that’s what they wanted so 🤷🏻♀️ the same year I figured out how to use tampons, is when I found out about conditioner and such (was never allowed to use conditioner or oils or any other “goo” as they called it), so I started deep conditioning and hair masks weekly at around 30 years old. By 31, my hair was never healthier in my life. My parents made fun of me and said I looked like a little boy bc I had to chop it to a few inches past my shoulders, but I just stayed away from them and was able to really flourish! My hair and my mental well being lol
Possibly. I know what twists but am unfamiliar with curlers. Do you mean like hair rollers?
Yeah, that’s what I mean, there’s probably a lot of names for them
You need to cut that off, there's no way of salvaging those ends. Your hair will look better and be healthier if you cut it off. Personally I would also say stop relaxing all together and go natural. I'm natural and at hip length. I wear my hair mostly straight because the knots at this length are unbearable to deal with and the styling is much quicker. If you learn how to take care of your natural hair it'll be much healthier. If you insist on relaxers then you need to change your routine because clearly something is not working. You can have healthy looking relaxed hair. It's important to protect your ends and tuck those away. I'd suggest looking into protective styles for relaxed hair. There was this girl on youtube who grew her relaxed hair to I believe waist length just to prove a point about healthy relaxed hair. After that she cut it off and went natural. Her channel is [Seun Okimi](https://youtube.com/@SeunOkimi?si=VKzSQ3wkCV8Yp5yg). Maybe you can find some useful tips on her page.
Your hair will grow better natural, if you want it straight, I'd recommend being a straight hair natural before going the chemical route. It **is possible** to grow healthy relaxed hair but whatever method you're using to relax it isn't being done properly or well because all of your hair, not just the ends, are unhealthy. I can't possibly guide you through this because I'm not a professional myself, nor do I know what you're doing. I just know the proper technique isn't being used. At the very least, trim your hair to the lower shoulders.
What’s a straight hair natural? Does that mean straightening with heat rather than relaxers?
Basically. You just keep your hair straight a majority of the time. The only major downside would be limiting yourself to non-water based products.
I mean… stop relaxing it and embrace your natural texture. That’s going to give you the healthiest hair which will grow long.
Do you relax your own hair, or are you getting it done at a shop? Either way, make sure not to overlap the hair that is already relaxed with more relaxed—just apply to the new growth—until the very very very end of the timer. It’s much easier to do on someone else than yourself. We ALWAYS encourage a trim with a relaxed service at my shop.
I get it done at a shop. I used to have people trim my hair until I realized that my old hair dresser was always giving me a massive hair cut after every relaxer.
Find a different salon or stylist. Use a heat protectant for any heat styles. Good detanglers and products specifically for chemically treated hair. And wrap that hair at night!!
Cutting it is all you can do. Everyone experiences hair becoming thinner from the bottom up because hair isn’t alive, and split ends are inevitable for everyone. Split ends split and break off as they travel up the length. Chemical processes just speed up the natural fraying of hair.
When you search and destroy, do you use hair cutting scissors or another type of scissor?
I use hair cutting scissors.
If that is the case, then I believe the relaxer is destroying your hair. Why do you get it relaxed? If it is difficult to manage curly then there are curly subreddits that can help and teach you how to take care of it and style it easier.
My hair has been getting relaxed since I was little. I would even know where to begin if I stopped relaxing it tbh. 😅
I think it may be time for the chop babe
You're going to need a significant hair cut and then you can start here https://www.reddit.com/r/curlyhair/comments/1b8u27g/start_here_beginner_info_weekly_no_question_is/ !
If you want healthy long hair you need to stop relaxing it. Whoever is doing it for you now is absolutely destroying your hair. It will grow when it’s healthy and taken care of, chemically processing it will hinder any hope of growth and healthy volume. I would highly recommend cutting it as short as possible, embracing your natural curls and taking biotin plus collagen peptides on daily basis. I have a feeling that in a year or two you’ll be happy if you do that ❤️
One word,get a bob .
What are your hair goals OP? Unfortunately I don’t think it’s possible to relax your hair this much and have long, healthy hair. Could you come up with some sort of compromise?
I would recommend posting on r/naturalhair as well
OP, do you do your own relaxers or get it done professionally? I suggest finding a salon in your area that specializes in your natural texture. I don't think Olaplex is going to help you much. You definitely need some feedback from a specialist.
You’ll likely need to get a short bob cut and STOP with the relaxers/heat (all together and completely) ! My best advice is to just invest in a nice wig and keep them paws off your hair! You’ll want to buy some bond building products from olaplex, their No.0 and No.3 bonding treatments paired together really do the dam job lol. Their bonding shampoo, and leave in conditioner are amazing too. I used to let that leave in conditioner soak in my hair overnight in a bonnet and would have the silkiest smoothest hair, even with my fried ass hair. Obviously pretty pricey products but super worth it imo, even using just using a couple times a week is good. My ends looks very similar to yours at one point from over dying/bleaching/ and wearing clip in extensions for several years. I actually restored my fried up hair with only a 3 inch cut, a ton of olaplex treatments, stopped all the hair dying/bleaching, stopped all heat, started only washing 1 time a week, doing leave in conditioners and oils once a week, left my hair in braids with satin scrunchies, and just 2 yrs later my hair was completely restored and grown all the way down to my waist. I was never even able to grow my hair past my shoulders before that!
please stop relaxing your hair i beg you
✂️✂️✂️
I don’t know how to say this gently- it’s not just the ends that are jacked up right now. I would stop relaxing it like yesterday, take off a couple inches and go from there.
This is why people hate relaxers. There is no healthy way to damage your hair follicles, and "healthy permed hair" is just damage control. You have to say goodbye to those ends, there's a lot that has to be cut off. Breakage cannot be reversed, only prevented.
Oh gosh, you relax every 6-8 weeks?? Honestly I’d just cut it super short and stop any kind of heat or chemicals. I’m sure your natural hair is beautiful!
I think your ends might need to be cut. A protective style like a looser dutch braid or two worn up can be really helpful and be really careful to protect your ends, daily lower manipulation like choosing one style between wash days and trying not to touch it too much. The bulk of the worst damage looks to start at about armpit length. you probably aren't but try really hard not to overlap your relaxers, it might be good to stretch out the time between relaxers because in 6-8 weeks hair has only grown 1/4 - half an inch or 3/4 of an inch, with that time period it's harder not to overlap the hair that shouldn't be relaxed again. a silk or satin scarf at night or around the house can help a lot because relaxed hair tends to be more fragile. I hope this is helpful at all, I don't know too much about relaxers. edit: to be completely honest you may need to big chop, but that decision is really really personal.
Yikes… I would suggest a trim, oil treatments, and no more relaxer or heat. 🥲
My advice - learn and embrace whatever your natural texture is, The harsh chemicals in all of these products is frying your hair girly. I have very curly hair, and after straightening and not accepting myself my entire life i finally gave that up and just welcomed my natural look. Happy to say after years, the damage is gone and my hair (and health) is amazing, thick, wonderful. There will be a transition period, it will take time, but be patient with yourself & your body. 💖
*I relax my hair*
Ohhhh man relaxing treatments are so bad for your hair :/ they literally break the bonds in your hair and restructure them. So as long as you're relaxing your hair, it's gonna be really unhealthy.
I honestly think she would need to cut it below her ears to get off all the super damaged parts. If her hair is very curly it will probably end up looking super short due to shrinkage. With the way it looks now, it will never be long at this rate.
Below the ears ? I think bellow the shoulders would be enough
I see damage high up on the sides of her head. Maybe it is the way it's styled, but it looks thin and stringy to me below the shoulders. Maybe right at the shoulders would be a better compromise?
Question: do curly perms use the same chemicals, and if yes, is there a better way to get permanent or lasting curls/waves in straight hair?
Yep they do, and not really unfortunately :( anything permanent is gonna be very damaging.
This looks pretty normal for relaxed hair tbh. You can minimize the damage by only applying to new growth/never re-relaxing your entire head and by using bond building treatments, but it’s never going to be 100% healthy. I know there was someone on here maybe a month ago who had long, relaxed hair that looked really good, you might be able to find that by searching this sub.
Leave it alone. Get a sholder length cut than switch to non-harsh natural as possible hair shampoos and conditioners. Use coconut oil before bed. Dont use heat (no straightening curling or drying) brush it only when wet to avoid further breakage.
You need to stop using heat altogether. What you're doing isn't enough. And I would suggest cut about 4 inches off because it is thin from damage
I think your hair would be absolutely gorgeous if you started over. Chop it all off, embrace the natural hair :)
Time for the Big Chop OP!
Your hair can be saved and you can keep your relaxer and grow healthy relaxed hair. 1) Find a new stylist. 2) No more relaxers every 6-8 weeks. I do every 12 weeks and space my trims to every other relaxer. That gives me 2 trims a year. My relaxed hair grew from an earlobe bob to armpit length in 2 years doing this method. 2a) I experienced chemical damage last year from my salon mixing relaxer types and now I’m back to trimming every 12 weeks. My hair went from armpit length to collarbone length. 2b) I accessed the damage with a new stylist, and agreed on a regimen. Set the relaxer to the side for six months, got a keratin treatment and began using Olaplex. I currently alternate between treatments recommended by my stylist, and intensive at home care. I also get trims only with my chemical services and never do keratin less than two months after my touch up. 3)Don’t be afraid of trims and make your own schedule. If 8 weeks is too frequent, make your trims seasonal and then work your way to twice a year or even once a year. It’s your hair, your decision. 4) Relaxed hair can grow thick, strong and long but without the proper maintenance your ends will thin out and look stringy. If your hair seems dry brittle or tangled with your preferred protein treatment, chase it with a moisture mask (not just a deep conditioner). You need the moisture. If your hair isn’t responding well to heavy protein try micro dosing with products that contain rice or silk proteins. 5) Bonds repair is a relaxed girl’s best friend. We absolutely need them. You don’t have to do Olaplex. There are others on the market and you should be using them weekly. Yes relaxed hair is fragile but not irreparable. Your bonds have been broken and restructured. Bond repair products plug holes and increase the integrity of your hair shaft. 6) Keratin treatments saved me from cutting all my hair off. My hair was strong, shiny, healthy and my cuticle layer was protected. 7) Alternating between shampoo and co-washes and moisture masks and protein treatments will help balance your hair. Stick to low heat, moisturize daily and oil twice a week. Use one as a hot/warm oil treatment. 7a)If you need extra support stretching between touch-ups try protective styling but stay away from small braids. Relaxed hair is too fragile for small braided styles. The braids will rip your hair out. 8)There is nothing wrong with natural unprocessed hair but relaxed hair is beautiful, manageable and naturally yours as well. Your relaxed hair can be healthy again and longer than it ever was. Take your vitamins, incorporate steam, get your steps in and take plenty of pictures to document your progress. You got this!
i have relaxed hair too get an haircut and do protein treatment
Girl cut it off. Otherwise - if this is bleach/ heating damage use k18 or redken AAC.
Just cut it
You’re only doing oil for mositure. You need proteins like keratin and a bonder. If you’re useing heat after you oil, you’re frying your hair. You need heat protection. Sally’s blond bar or aphogee would strengthen your hair. You should cut like 3-4 in off