1. Going to the salon for a relaxer touch-up every time your hair “ feels nappy ”. If you tend to perspire very easily your roots will revert because of the moisture and then when the perspiration dries it leaves a build up that makes your hair feel rough.
2. Over processing your hair. Make sure your hairstylist does not “pull the relaxer through the ends of your hair. Only new growth should be relaxed. If a hairstylist is “pulling through the relaxer” on already relaxed hair, you may want to consider getting a more qualified and professional hairstylist.
3. Not shampooing often enough. Relaxed hair should be shampooed weekly, at least. Chemically processed hair is much more delicate and needs moisture , which comes from water not oil, on a regular basis.
4. Letting unqualified, unskilled or unlicensed individuals relax your hair. Relaxing your hair is a permanent chemical process and should be taken seriously. I’ve seen plenty of black women with badly damaged hair from relaxers due to carelessness and misuse. Healthy hair is not a coincidence.
5. Avoid using heat styling tools such as flat irons and curling irons on dirty hair. Hair that isn’t freshly shampooed has very little moisture left. Think of what happens to the trees or grass during a summer drought. There’s lots of heat and little to no rain. The leaves dry out and the grass turns brown. The last thing you would do is add more heat. Using heat styling tools on dirty, dry hair is a sure way to having your hair crumble at the touch.
