How to Care for Chemically Smoothened Hair: Essential Tips and Techniques

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How to Care for Chemically Smoothened Hair: Essential Tips and Techniques

Question

Learn the best practices for maintaining chemically smoothened hair to keep it healthy and lustrous.

Chemically smoothened hair can transform frizzy and unruly locks into sleek, manageable tresses. Whether you’ve recently undergone a smoothening treatment or are considering one, it’s important to understand how to care for chemically smoothened hair to maintain its beautiful results. In this article, we’ll provide you with essential tips and techniques to keep your chemically smoothened hair looking its best.

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Understanding Chemically Smoothened Hair

Before diving into the care routine, let’s first grasp the basics of chemically smoothened hair. Chemically smoothening, also known as hair relaxing, is a chemical process that permanently alters the structure of the hair strands to reduce frizz and achieve a smoother texture. This procedure breaks down the protein bonds in the hair, allowing the hair shaft to be reshaped and restructured.

Essential Tips for Caring for Chemically Smoothened Hair

Taking proper care of your chemically smoothened hair is crucial to maintain its health and longevity. Follow these essential tips to ensure your hair stays smooth and shiny:

1. Use Sulfate-Free Shampoos and Conditioners

To prevent the stripping of natural oils and to maintain the integrity of your chemically smoothened hair, opt for sulfate-free shampoos and conditioners. Sulfates can be harsh on chemically treated hair, leading to dryness and frizz.

2. Moisturize Regularly

Chemically smoothened hair tends to be more prone to dryness. Keep your hair well-hydrated by using moisturizing products such as leave-in conditioners, hair masks, and serums. These products help to replenish moisture and nourish the hair.

3. Protect from Heat Styling

Excessive heat can damage chemically treated hair, causing breakage and weakening the hair strands. When using heat styling tools such as flat irons and curling wands, always apply a heat protectant spray to shield your hair from the high temperatures.

4. Avoid Overwashing

Frequent washing can strip away the natural oils from your hair, leaving it dry and brittle. Try to limit your hair washes to two or three times a week. On non-wash days, use dry shampoo to refresh your hair and absorb excess oil.

5. Opt for Wide-Toothed Combs

To prevent unnecessary breakage and damage, use wide-toothed combs or detangling brushes when combing through your chemically smoothened hair. These tools help to minimize friction and reduce the risk of hair breakage.

6. Trim Regularly

Regular trims are essential for maintaining healthy hair, including chemically smoothened hair. Schedule regular appointments with your hairstylist to get rid of split ends and keep your hair looking fresh.

7. Protect from Sun Exposure

Prolonged sun exposure can cause color fading and dryness in chemically treated hair. Shield your hair from the sun’s harmful UV rays by wearing a hat or applying a UV-protecting hair spray before heading outdoors.

8. Deep Condition Weekly

Deep conditioning treatments provide an extra boost of moisture and nourishment for chemically smoothened hair. Treat your hair to a deep conditioning mask or treatment at least once a week to keep it hydrated and healthy.

9. Avoid Chlorine and Saltwater

Chlorine and saltwater can be damaging to chemically treated hair. Before swimming in a pool or the ocean, wet your hair thoroughly and apply a protective leave-in conditioner or hair oil. After swimming, rinse your hair with fresh water to remove any residual chlorine or salt.

10. Sleep on Silk or Satin Pillowcases

Cotton pillowcases can cause friction and lead to frizz and breakage. Switch to silk or satin pillowcases, which are gentler on your hair and help to minimize hair damage while you sleep.

11. Minimize Color Treatments

Chemically smoothened hair is more delicate and prone to damage. Minimize the frequency of color treatments, as they can further weaken the hair strands. If you decide to color your hair, consult with a professional stylist experienced in treating chemically smoothened hair.

Frequently Asked Questions about Chemically Smoothened Hair

1. Is chemically smoothened hair suitable for all hair types?

Yes, chemically smoothened hair can be done on various hair types, including curly, wavy, or frizzy hair. However, it’s important to consult with a professional stylist to determine if your hair is suitable for the treatment.

2. How long does chemically smoothened hair last?

Chemically smoothened hair typically lasts for about three to six months, depending on your hair’s growth rate and how well you maintain it. As your natural hair grows, you may notice a visible difference between the chemically treated hair and new growth.

3. Can I style my chemically smoothened hair with heat tools?

Yes, you can style your chemically smoothened hair with heat tools; however, it’s crucial to use a heat protectant spray to minimize damage. Additionally, avoid excessive heat exposure and always use heat styling tools on the lowest heat setting possible.

4. Can I go swimming with chemically smoothened hair?

Yes, you can go swimming with chemically smoothened hair. However, it’s important to protect your hair from chlorine and saltwater by wetting it beforehand and rinsing it thoroughly afterward.

5. Can I color my chemically smoothened hair?

While it is possible to color chemically smoothened hair, it’s recommended to consult with a professional stylist who has experience in treating chemically treated hair. Coloring can further weaken the hair strands, so caution should be taken to minimize potential damage.

6. Will chemically smoothened hair revert back to its natural state?

Chemically smoothened hair is permanent, meaning it will not revert back to its natural state. However, as your hair grows, you may notice a demarcation line between the treated hair and new growth.

7. Can I use any shampoo and conditioner on chemically smoothened hair?

It’s best to use sulfate-free shampoos and conditioners specifically formulated for chemically treated hair. These products are gentler on the hair and help maintain the smoothening effects.

8. How often should I trim my chemically smoothened hair?

Regular trims are important for maintaining healthy chemically smoothened hair. Aim to get a trim every six to eight weeks to prevent split ends and keep your hair looking its best.

9. Can I use oil treatments on chemically smoothened hair?

Yes, oil treatments can be beneficial for chemically smoothened hair. However, it’s important to use lightweight oils and avoid applying them to the scalp, as they can make the hair appear greasy.

Caring for chemically smoothened hair requires a diligent and gentle approach. By following these essential tips and techniques, you can ensure that your chemically smoothened hair remains healthy, shiny, and manageable. Remember to use sulfate-free products, moisturize regularly, protect from heat styling, and practice good hair care habits to maintain the longevity of your chemically smoothened locks.

Now that you have the knowledge to care for your chemically smoothened hair, go ahead and flaunt your sleek and beautiful tresses with confidence!

Author Bio: As a hairstylist with extensive experience in treating chemically smoothened hair, our author is passionate about helping individuals maintain healthy and gorgeous locks. With a deep understanding of the techniques and care required for chemically treated hair, they provide valuable insights to keep your hair looking its best.

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Anonymous · Answer 1 · 2023-07-01T19:25:23+00:00

The debate over whether it’s better to use shampoo first or last is as old as time itself. After all, if you shampoo first and then oil your hair, will the oil get washed down the drain? Or, alternatively, if you oil before washing your hair with shampoo and conditioner, will the ingredients in those products strip away any of the benefits of using an oil before showering?

The answer is both. Use it as a pre-shampoo treatment and follow up with shampoo.

You can use hair oils both as a pre-shampoo treatment and as a post-shampoo treatment. The answer is both!

If you want to use it as a pre-shampoo treatment, apply the oil to damp or dry hair. Massage it in well and leave it overnight before washing your hair in the morning with shampoo. This will give your scalp some TLC while also conditioning your strands from root to tip.

If you want to use it as a post-shampoo treatment, apply the oil after cleansing but before styling (i.e., blow drying). This will lock in moisture so that frizz doesn’t have time to form on humid days; plus since there’s no need for heat tools (which can cause damage), this approach is gentler on fragile strands than other options like deep conditioning masks or hot air brushes/tools

It’s important to note that no matter what you do, oiling your hair before shampooing will not prevent stripping the natural oils from your scalp and hair.

It’s important to note that no matter what you do, oiling your hair before shampooing will not prevent stripping the natural oils from your scalp and hair. The oil will simply sit on top of them and then be washed away when you shampoo.

If you want to use an oil-based product as part of a pre-shampoo treatment routine, make sure that it contains ingredients that are designed specifically for this purpose (like argan or coconut oil).

If you don’t use a conditioner, you will definitely notice this stripped effect if you use oil on your hair and then wash it straight after.

If you don’t use a conditioner, you will definitely notice this stripped effect if you use oil on your hair and then wash it straight after. Oil acts as a great conditioning treatment for dry or damaged hair, but it won’t give your locks the moisture they need if they’re already well-moisturized from the inside out (by way of the aforementioned conditioner).

Therefore: If you do use conditioner, there is no need to oil before shampooing–just let the product work its magic while keeping your strands clean!

If you do use a conditioner on your hair then you can use oil before shampooing without experiencing the stripped effect because the conditioner will be there to protect your hair.

Conditioners are designed to moisturize and help keep moisture in your hair, so using them after shampooing will help keep it that way.

On top of that, it’s good practice to start cleansing your hair at least once every week to avoid build-up on your scalp and hair.

Oil can be used before or after shampooing, but no matter what you do, oiling your hair before shampooing will not prevent stripping the natural oils from your scalp and hair.

You can use oil either before or after shampooing without experiencing any adverse effects

You can use oil either before or after shampooing without experiencing any adverse effects. You can use oil as a pre-shampoo treatment and follow up with shampoo, or you can use it as a post-shampoo treatment and follow up with conditioner.

If you have dry hair, then using an oil before washing is recommended because it will help seal the moisture in your hair shafts better than just using shampoo alone. On the other hand, if you have oily scalp and greasy roots, then applying oils after cleansing will be better for your scalp because it will absorb excess sebum from the roots without clogging pores on top of them!

So, there you have it! We hope this article has helped you decide whether or not you should oil your hair before or after shampooing. As always, we recommend doing what works best for your individual needs. If you have any further questions about using oils on your hair, feel free to reach out in our comment section below

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How to Care for Chemically Smoothened Hair: Essential Tips and Techniques