If you have been relaxing your hair for years, it might be difficult to think about going back to your natural hair. You may wonder what would happen if you stopped relaxing your hair. But fear not! Many people take this step to stop relaxing their hair, even after years of treatment.
What Happens if You Stop Relaxing Your Hair?
Relaxing your hair is extremely hard on your hair itself and your scalp, and it often causes chemical burns. If you’ve been relaxing for years, you might have experienced these.
When you stop relaxing your hair, you’ll notice the following:
- Your hair follicles may seem to get thicker.
- Your hair will feel stronger .
- Your scalp will get healthier.
Many people who choose to stop relaxing their hair simply get rid of all their relaxed hair by buzzing it off and starting new once they see new, natural hair growth. Although this is an option, you don’t have to cut off all your hair as you grow it out naturally.
However, eventually, you will have to cut your relaxed hair off—it will look so different from your natural hair growth that there will be no other choice, but you do not have to be bald straightaway if that isn’t your style.
How to Care for Your Hair When You Stop Relaxing It
Below are some essential relaxed hair maintenance tips to help you reclaim your natural hair after all it had to go through with relaxing, straightening, pulling, and all the other pain you had to go through.
Shampoo Less Often
Washing your hair with a sulfate-free shampoo once a week is preferred. You do not want to bother your healing scalp or disrupt the strengthening of your hair follicles more than you have to.
Shampooing once a week is fine, but you can still condition like we mentioned above (you can even use hair masks for moisture).
Towels
Normal towel-drying is a no-go when growing your natural hair after you stop relaxing it. You need to squeeze as much water out of your hair as gently as you can, and then use a microfiber towel to get most of the water out. And let your hair air dry.
Moisturize
In theory, you cannot give your natural hair enough moisture. You need to give it time to get strong and healthy and give it a chance to be your new crowning glory. To do so, you can condition it with a leave-in conditioner at least once a week, especially when you notice new growth.
Detangling and Styling
We all get tangles, but when you do, you need to be especially gentle when you detangle your hair to avoid breakage. Separate your hair into sections and use a wide-toothed comb with detangler spray slowly and gently when you have tangles.
You can even style your new natural hair in such a way that prevents tangles, or at least most of them. These styles include using foam curlers, top knots, braid extensions, and cornrows.
So, Is There Any Benefit to Stopping Relaxing My Hair?
Of course! You will no longer be weakening and thinning out your hair follicles, therefore looking to weaves and wigs to cover the breakage. You will have fuller, more luscious locks that you are free to braid, dread, or style any way you wish.
Or you can leave your hair free in all its natural glory. No more chemical burns, no more pain, and with the negative gone, you can feel empowered to be completely YOU.
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