How often should I use a relaxer?

The first time you use a relaxer, it should be applied from the scalp area to the ends of your hair. Every time after that first, virgin application, the relaxer should only be applied to the newly grown in hair. Depending on your wave pattern and how fast your hair grows, you should retouch no sooner than 6 weeks but on average around 8 - 10 weeks is normal.

I have relaxed hair. How often should I wash my hair?

The primary purpose of shampooing is hygienic cleansing to remove bacteria that can create scalp problems and to remove odors. Your cleansing regimen depends upon a few variables: your length of hair, hairstyle and physical activity. Shampoo and thoroughly rinse when your scalp has accumulated sweat, you have been in a smoky or dusty environment, or when you want to refresh your style. Always condition following your shampoo.

Can I use a relaxer of any strength?

Check your instruction sheet first. The same ingredients in "super" are in "regular", but with super strength. Super is formulated to penetrate faster for coarser, more resistant hair. Fragile, fine or thinning hair needs the least amount of contact time and manipulation, so never use "super" for this type of hair! Time of application and smoothing are the determining factors as to whether you should do your own application or get help from a friend or professional. If you have permanent hair color, you need a qualified salon professional to apply your relaxer treatments to avoid overlapping and breakage.

Can I replace the maintenance products in the relaxer kit with others?

The day of your relaxer treatment, keep it together! Use the items provided in the kit or the items recommended on the instruction sheet for optimal results. The components have been tested and designed to work together specifically post relaxer. Trying substitutions are best when shampooing between relaxer services.

How does a relaxer work?

Relaxer cream is designed to soften the hair strands which are every degree of curl configuration. Once softened, the strands can be manipulated or "smoothed" into a less tight curl configuration. "Texturizing" is the process when relaxer is applied for less time and, while combing or smoothing, just a bit of curliness is removed. Hair is considered "relaxed" when more curliness is removed and a nearly straight configuration is achieved.

Can I remove a relaxer from my hair?

Some people call a relaxer a "perm". This phrase came from the original classification of relaxers–permanent cream relaxer. That means a permanent cream relaxer is a permanent process and cannot be removed, stripped or reverted.

My natural hair always looks dull. Is it time for hair color?

If your natural hair is curly, kinky or nappy, the biggest problem is light not reflecting off of the hair's surface because it is not smooth. Keep your hair clean, fresh and conditioned. Apply a bit of Ultra Sheen Conditioner and Hair Dress daily for a kick of shine. If too much is used, your hair will attract environmental dust and start looking dull again. Silicone shine products look good when applied, but the shine is short-lived.

What kind of hair color is safe to use after I have relaxed my hair?

Use a "right out of the bottle", no-mix color formula, after reading the manufacturer's directions. These tend to be classified as semi-permanent or temporary colors. Powder colors that are mixed with water and tube or bottle colors that require mixing before use are normally permanent and should never be used on the same day as the relaxer application.

Is brushing good for the hair?

Brushing with pure, boar bristle brushes can be good for healthy hair. If your hair is breaking, splitting, thinning or other wise shedding or damaged–BE GENTLE! Do not add extra stress. Use your fingers to detangle before combing with a large tooth comb and save the brush for later.

What makes a good flat iron?

The most important features to look for in a flat iron are: Temperature consistency, fast heat up, warranty (at least 1 year), digital thermostat- (so you can see the temperature variations) and ceramic plates, which tend to create "drag" on the hair so the strands are more polished and smoother.

I am a man with a short tapered cut. Can I use soap to wash my hair in the shower?

Most shower soap is designed to remove body oils, bacteria and sweat residue. Most often you will need to "lotion up" afterwards to help keep your skin doing its job of protecting you from infection. While the scalp is an extension of the skin, conditioning shampoo would be a better choice, followed by a grooming product (new lotion) to keep your hair manageable and healthy-looking.

Can braids really damage my child's hair?

Adding artificial hair to a child's hair can add weight that pulls on the hair at the root area, creating a stressed follicle that refuses to produce the same thickness hair. Over time, this situation can result in premature balding. The use of synthetic hair prevents conditioner from penetrating into braids. Tightly braided, fragile edges can cause irreversible damage on developing hair follicles. If braids are worn, the style should be alternated so the same tension and directional pull is not exerted upon the hair each time. Also, avoid straight- back styles, instead change up the parts and make sure sides are braided down versus back.

If I decide to go from a relaxer to natural hair, do I have to cut off all my hair?

Chemically processed hair will always be weaker than unprocessed hair. The place on the hair strand where the two processes "meet" will be the area most prone to breakage. You can equalize the hair strand by blow drying, adding a dab of Ultra Sheen Crème Satin Pres and either warm comb pressing the root (or out growing area) or use a miniature flat iron on the new growth to consistently smooth and blend the two areas. Keep well moisturized to avoid excessive dryness.