Best Shampoo and Conditioner for Relaxed Hair

If you’ve straightened your hair, you may be worried about how to keep it looking its best. Straightening hair requires a chemical treatment, and chemicals can cause problems.

Some people may develop dandruff as a reaction while others may end up with a case of frizzies. Hair loss and more breakage may also become problems. 

Fans of straightening, however, point to the advantages of straight hair such as less tangling and greater ease in managing hair. So, if you want the benefits but are leery of the potential problems, know that there are ways you can protect your straightened locks.

What Makes Hair Relaxed?

To relax hair, it is chemically straightened, or the natural curl or wave pattern becomes relaxed. Once the hair has been straightened with chemicals it will remain straight and not revert to its natural pattern.

What Defines a Relaxer?

Often the terms permanent or perm and relaxer are used interchangeably. A perm is a chemical treatment applied to straight hair to render it curly.

Relaxers instead, disrupt the natural structure of curly or wavy hair to render them straight. There are three common kinds of relaxers used on hair:

• Sodium hydroxide known as lye relaxers,
• Calcium hydroxide known as no-lye relaxers,
• Ammonium thioglycolate, a weaker relaxer ideal for fine hair.

How to Care for Relaxed Hair

If you have relaxed your hair, it should be washed at least once weekly. Even if you do some deep cleansing of the scalp to prevent acne or dandruff from forming, harsh chemicals will contribute to dryness.

Unfortunately, dry hair is often somewhat brittle and is more prone to tangling. It also may lose the sheen and appear duller.

The best way to contrast the undesirable side effects is to use a shampoo and conditioner that are specifically formulated for straightened hair. Then integrate the use of these products with a deep conditioning treatment a couple of times weekly.

You can also use oil because relaxers tend to weaken hair shafts. Oils will aid in repairing hair and add extra protection against breakage.

For those with naturally oily hair, shampoos with sulfates are fine. For those with normal or dry hair, shampoos containing sulfates are to be avoided.

With drier hair, a conditioning shampoo is optimal especially if it contains ingredients such as argan oil, aloe, coconut oil, honey, or glycerin.

If you use blow dryers or hair irons to style your hair, we recommend using a thermal protection product, although with straightened hair it’s best to avoid excessive heat when styling hair. Leave-in conditioners also merit consideration.

How Long Will My Relaxer Last?

Relaxer treatments are permanent, in fact, to remove relaxer you have to let it grow out and trim relaxed hair off.

Does a Relaxer Damage Hair?

Not necessarily. Undoubtedly, if you also color your hair, avoid regular trims, and heat style, the damage can add up.

How Often Can I Relax My Hair?

Relaxed hair, like dyed hair, requires touch-ups. If you forgo touch-ups, hair may be at more risk for breakage.

Depending on your hair type and growth habit, you may need a touch-up after a couple of weeks or may be able to postpone one for as long as three months. Talk to your hair care professional about what is best for your hair.

Choosing the Best Shampoo for Relaxed Hair

Your primary concern when selecting a shampoo should be getting your hair clean while retaining moisture. Look for gentle shampoos formulated for damaged, dry, dyed, permed or chemically treated hair.

Ingredients are also an indication. If shampoos contain argan oil, aloe vera, shea butter, jojoba, keratin, or similar you are on the right track.

Our Picks for the Best Shampoo if You Have Relaxed Hair

1. Redken Acidic Bonding Concentrate Shampoo

Redken is a well-known name in salon care. This formula prioritizes moisturizing hair even after styling. The sulfate-free shampoo aids in repairing, strengthening, and conditioning hair.

In fact, the folks at Redken claim 56% less hair breakage with split ends up to 82% less visible for hair that appears smoother eleven times more than other formulas.

Redken has invented a bonding formula with acids that specifically work to seal hair ends, maintaining more moisture and protecting against both dryness and frizzies.

2. Nounou Davines Essential Haircare ShampooThis shampoo has been formulated to cleanse relaxed or chemically treated hair. It offers deep nourishment, leaving hair hydrated and soft to the touch. It can also be used to wash permed or bleached hair.

3. Pantene Truly Relaxed Pro-V Moisturizing Shampoo

Pantene has created a formula for this shampoo full of antioxidants and Pro-V nutrients, to not only moisturize hair but to protect it from further damage.

Pantene has included both jojoba oil and coconut oil in its formula. Hair remains smooth and fights frizzies even in high humidity.

4. Paul Mitchell’s Tea Tree Shampoo

This line of hair care products is plant-based. This is a great shampoo if you need to cleanse oil buildup or residual grime. It protects against dandruff while repairing hair that has been damaged by straightening chemicals.

Your scalp will love the combination of lavender, peppermint, and tea tree oil and the refreshing tingling sensation left after a wash.

Selecting the Best Moisturizer for Relaxed Hair

Water-based moisturizing conditioners are what you need to be shopping for. While oils can be fantastic for damaged hair, they will seal moisture in but water-based products will actually attract water into your hair.

Our Picks for the Best Conditioner for Relaxed Hair

1. Olaplex Number 3 Hair Perfector

For purists, this is more of a treatment than a typical conditioner, so you’ll need to do what the instructions say. Olaplex is a powerhouse in hair care, and this product meets expectations with its performance.

This formula repairs hair damage and restores softness and shine to your straightened locks. What’s more, you don’t have to go to a salon to get it. You will have to rinse after application.

2. Coco & Eve Like a Virgin Coconut & Fig Hair Mask for Dry and Damaged HairCoco & Eve has prepared a deep conditioning formula that contains argan oil and shea butter for superpower moisturizing.

It is formulated to penetrate hair strands deeply while restoring shine and luster and supporting hair hydration. There are no phthalates, parabens, or sulfates in the formula. Linseed is also in the blend for added luster.

3. Shea Moisture Leave-In Conditioner with Black Castor Oil

While the combination of shea butter and castor oil might at first seem heavy and prone to weighing hair down, this conditioner by Shea Moisture does no such thing.

The castor oil aids in hair growth and restoration while shea butter nourishes both the scalp and hair. The result is formidable with hair feeling softer to the touch and untangling with ease. Breakage should no longer be problematic. Even better, you’ll love the peppermint fragrance.

The Key Takeaways

In the end, you must select what offers the best result on your type of hair. Make sure that your shampoo pick is gentle on your chemically straightened hair and that it will not remove moisture but add it.

Then go for a super moisturizing conditioner to return nutrients and moisture removed during the straightening treatment.

Consider wrapping hair during sleep to prevent friction that can further damage hair while you sleep.