Chemically treated hair, also called relaxed hair, is hair (Afro or curls) that has been straightened or relaxed with a chemical treatment.
This chemical breaks down the natural curl pattern of your hair, thereby straightening it. This method is used by many Black women and is popular for making thick, dense hair more manageable.
The result is a canvas of smooth, chic, sleek hair that is suitable for a variety of hairstyles, including weaves, wigs, straight extensions and clip-ons and even the multigenerational tong-curled look.
Chemically treated hair, however, needs extra care and attention – beyond the tried-and-tested oil moisturiser. We give you tips on how to care for your chemically treated hair.
How to treat it
Because your hair has been treated with a chemical that has altered your hair's natural curl pattern and made it straight, it is essential to use hot oil and protein treatments and hair masks. These are essential to moisturise the hair, giving it shine and strength. For hair that is conditioned regularly, a deep-conditioning treatment may be given but no more than twice a month.
How to care for it
Chemically treated hair may have a bad reputation for being unhealthy but there are perfectly healthy ways to care for and wear it. One of them is keeping it moisturised. Weekly shampooing and conditioning of the hair is essential.
After applying conditioner, cover your hair with a plastic cap and sit under a dryer (or in the sun – you want to steer away from too much exposure to heat) to allow the conditioner to penetrate the hair shafts.
The conditioner will help soften your hair and return the natural oils that were stripped from it by the shampoo. Rinse out the conditioner after 30 to 45 minutes, air dry your hair (or use a hair dryer on medium heat) and apply a water-based moisturiser, which - again - is important to keep your hair well hydrated.
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Tips for maintaining relaxed hair, according to Essence.com:
1. Wash weekly and ensure adequate moisture: Generally, hair needs to be washed once a week with a purifying shampoo. However, with chemically treated hair, it is also important to moisturise the hair adequately, which can be achieved by using protein-rich conditioners.
Experts also advise co-washing – cleaning the hair with a conditioner – to avoid drying out the hair by using shampoo too often.
2. Have the ends trimmed regularly: Trimming the ends of the hair is important for both the growth and health of the hair, whether it is natural or relaxed.
3. Limit heat styling: Since heat dries out our tresses, it's important to reduce the amount you use. If you must use heat on your hair, be sure to use a heat-protectant product.
4. Drink water and watch your diet: Vitamins such as B12 and omega supplements, water and diet also play a role in maintaining the health of your hair.
5. Avoid over-processing: A relaxer touch-up is recommended at least every six to eight weeks. Over-processing can lead to weak, brittle hair.
