A friend asked me a question regarding her hair and I thought I should share her predicament. Her hairdresser left a relaxer on for too long and her hair is now in bad shape. It is limp, breaking off at the ends and very dry. She wanted to know how to rescue it without chopping it.
Her hair is over-processed. When a relaxer is left on the hair beyond the recommended processing time, the result is over-processed hair. So what do you do if you are the victim? The good news is that you can nurse your hair back to health although it requires time, patience and dedication.
Heat: It is the worst thing you can expose your hair to when dealing with over-processing. Avoid direct heat as much as possible since it weakens the hair further. Curling and flat irons must be avoided. Heatless styling like flexi-rods or wrapping could help you achieve certain looks. Over-processed hair is severely damaged.
Styling time: Give your hair a break. Leave it alone! There is no need of washing it every day. Shampoo the hair at least twice a week, and if you have to blow dry, use the lowest heat setting. Avoid shampoos that are sulphate-rich. Use sulphate-free shampoo at least once a week.
Professional treatment: Most over-processed hair is as a result of unprofessional/home treatment. Your damaged hair requires a professional treat. This should be done on a regular basis at least every three months. This treatment involves a conditioner that soaks into the hair follicle and repairs it at the roots, essentially stopping it from breaking and giving it more shine.
Protein: Your hair desperately needs protein if it is in a bad condition. If it has lost elasticity and feels spongy, a protein treatment will help. It does what conditioners do, only better. Our hair is made up of protein, which are broken when hair is chemically treated. Protein fortifies the strands and bonds with them to make them stronger. Follow the protein treatment with an intensely moisturising conditioner to balance out the protein and keep it from becoming brittle.
Protectant spray: This protects the hair from heat damage. When you must use heat-styling tools, manage the over processed hair using a protecting spray to protect your hair from frizz, damage and dryness.
The trim: If hair is severely damaged, get a haircut. Do not cut the entire hair but trim the split ends, dead strands and frizz. Chop one to two inches every six weeks, otherwise the ends will continue to break off and the there will be no recovery.