The 5 Essentials of Relaxed and Natural Hair Care

July 24th, 2011 - By Dr. Phoenyx Austin

Hola chicas! Dr. Phoenyx here and today we’re going to be chatting a little about similarities and differences in caring for relaxed vs. natural hair. Now contrary to popular belief, “caring” for relaxed hair is not that drastically different than caring for natural hair. And I can say this from personal experience. I’m a natural haired woman, and have been for over 6 years. But there was also a time when I had relaxed hair. Yes, it’s true that my natural hair doesn’t exactly “behave” the same as my relaxed hair did. For example, my natural hair responds differently to things like styling products, heat, and even water. But in the general sense, whether I was working with relaxed or natural hair, I made sure to follow certain basic principles- especially since my ultimate goal was to have long, healthy hair.

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  • jess

    can you tell me the names of the products you use? my hair is breaking really badly

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  • Shay

    i wash my hair when its dirty: moisturizing shampoo & conditioner and a deep conditioner. WIDE TOOTH COMBS ARE OUR FRIENDS ! I stretch my perms as long as possible 4 – 6 months and i use just for me (ive been using it since i was a kid and i refuse to switch). i moisturize often and i use Neutragena triple moisture silk touch leave in conditioner (amazingg!) my hair is usually in a low bun, or i rock a weave as protective styling. basically moisturizing products are key in hair growth, and patience is a virtue. my hair is below my bra strap.

    ps i always hear about people greasing scalps and things of that nature and while that may be ok, we really need to be moisturizing the shaft and especially the ends of our hair. HAPPY HAIR GROWING MY NUBIAN SISTAS

  • nursedred

    @wash often I think once a week is good and if your shampoo makes your hair to dry use coconut oil beforehand or just switch shampoo. I switched to Dr Bonner liquid soap available at all health food stores. It has no sulfates of any kind and is 100% certified organic. A half gallon is $10 and my hair is never dry

  • Rockie28

    Thanks for the tips ladies. . I’m five months natural and still haven’t found anything to define and fix my dry hair problem. And @wash often your supposed to dilute the shampoo with water for best results or thats what I heard several women say.

  • http://www.best-hair-care-products.com Leslie

    try Carol's Daughter products

  • Wash often?

    Wash your hair once a week?? Don't you mean two weeks lol. Remember shampoos also dry out your hair too and moisture helps it grow!!

    • Ashley Jane

      Once a week because your hair can get alot of buildup on it especially if you use products with petroleum in it. These products can build up and stunt growth. If you use products with petroleum in them than it would be wise to use shampoo's with milder sulfates or a clarifying shampoo because they are the only ones that can remove this kind of buildup. If you don't use don't use products with petroleum or you have natural hair, you should still wash your hair to remove dirt but find a shampoo that doesn't have sulfates in it or wash your hair with conditioner. Either way you have to clear your scalp of dirt or else it'll stunt growth. Washing your hair only drys your hair out when you wash too frequently with products that aren't good for your hair or when you're uninformed about washing your hair.

    • Kizzam

      Sulfate free shampoos and/or cowashes allow you to wash your hair more often without it drying out

  • delamiel

    hey i know this has nuthing 2 do with the post but does anybody know what kind of curls the model has ? I want to do that and i just want to know the name of the curl thanx :)

  • http://thenappylife.blogspot.com/ Thenappylife

    Check out some steps to care for natural hair… http://thenappylife.blogspot.com/

  • MarriedLady

    Oh, I forgot one of the most important points:

    ** Stop letting beauticians trim your hair on a regular basis. Your hair IS growing; you just can't see a difference because you keep getting it cut. I trim my hair myself, usually about once every 4-5 months.

  • MarriedLady

    I went natural 15 years ago after my daughter was born. I found a self-published book by a Black woman who talked about bad habits that keep Black women's hair from growing. At the time, my hair barely touched my shoulders. Today when I flat iron my hair, it literally hangs down the middle of my back! No pills, no gimmicks, etc. I simply followed this womans advice. (Sorry I can't think of the book – found it in a library in Staten Island 15 years ago, and have never seen the book anyplace else.) Main points:
    1) Hair should be washed at a minimum 3 times a week.
    2) Stop using heat on a regular basis. I will flat iron my hair once every few months & I let my natural hair air dry or even better in the summer, I dry it in front of the fan.
    3) If you use a brush on your hair, make it a very soft brush much like one you'd use on a baby. I style with my hands after I wash. I only comb when I condition.
    And don't get caught up in all these expensive products. I wash & condition with Suave ($1.00/each) and to keep my natural curly style looking great throughout the day, I use Lottabody ($10/large bottle – lasts about a month).

    Happy Hair Days Ladies!!

  • arieswoman

    I have thin, fine, poofy, extremely thirsty, curly fragile natural hair that needs a product with weight and moisture for curl definition…for daily moisturizing I have fell head over heels for Motions clear weightless hairdress…Murrary’s cream wax and garnier fructis surf hair stong at the scalp to control poofiness….co-wash hair 2-3 times a week….organix mint tea tree oil shampoo 2-3 times a month…..extra virgin olive oil for deep conditioning….coconut oil for sheen

  • me

    @sowhat, I’m natural too and I’ve found that products that you love but leaves your hair hard or dry, add a little e.o. (essential oil) to the product, like sweet almond oil, tea tree oil, etc, it almost re-formulates the product and softens up the results. Also try mixing in some whipped shea butter to the product. I could go on for days but I won’t :)

  • SoyUnaRosaNegra

    I’m recently natural and have tried Cantu Shea Butter and it was horrible! I heard great things about the coconut oil, so I think I’ma try that.

    • naturalista

      i use cantu shea butter and it works great for me. i have really thick course hair and it softens it up and do you use it when your hair is dry? if so, thats prolly why it doesn't work well. however, everyone's hair is different. don't give up on ur natural journey!

  • nikkislim

    My hair is natural. I only flat iron my hair. I use a deep conditioner once a week. I also use JBCO with a few drops of both tea tree and lavender oil. My hair is healthy, shiny, strong and very long. People always think that I have a weave. I’ve had people walk up to me and ask if its my REAL hair. LoL! Brothas have even complimented me on my hair many saying it nice to see a sista without a weave. Also ladies, remember to wrap your hair every night.

  • whitwhit

    @so what me too….but I love the smell

  • so what?

    I’m natural and not too fond of Mango Butter or Cantu Shea Butter (which are both highly recommended for natural hair). They leave it hard and dry.

  • ladylum

    I switched to natural hair after my last son. I love it but it's been a challenge. I know what to do now and I will follow through. @Prissy I'll have to try mango butter and I have heard great things about coconut oil. I will try that too.

  • Prissy

    I'm relaxed and I LOVE mango butter and coconut oil. Biotin pills work well too! ;-)

    • sarah

      yess! I also condition with coconut oil once a week and take biotin pills daily,its amazing!

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