Here is my updated hair regimen - January 2015:
I have tried to keep my regimen as simple as possible whilst maintaining a moisture & protein balance. I wash and deep condition my hair once a week which is usually at the weekend, If I feel like my hair is in need of a refresh during the week then I will do a quick co-wash.
Week 1-2:
Pre-poo with a moisturizing conditioner and or an oil mix on dry hair, cover with a plastic cap and sit under the hood dryer for 20 - 30 minutes, then rinse.
- Shampoo with a sulfate free shampoo, then towel dry for 5 minutes.
- Tea Rinse.
- Deep condition;
- apply light protein protein reconstructor for 3-5 minutes, rinse then follow with a moisturising conditioner mixed with an oil mix;
- apply moisture & protein balanced conditioner mix with an oil mix
- Cover with a plastic cap and sit under the hood dryer for 20 - 60 minutes, then rinse.
- T shirt dry my hair for 15 - 30 minutes.
- Spritz with detangler and detangle my hair in sections.
- Apply leave-in conditioners.
- Use satin scarf method to air-dry, when I get 8-10 weeks post, I stretch my new growth with the tension method using cool air if I plan to wear my hair down.
- Oil my scalp.
- Moisturise and seal my hair in four sections.
- Exactly the same as above but I shampoo using a clarifying shampoo to remove any build up.
Every 6 Weeks & 1 Week Post Relaxer
Hard Protein Treatment:
Co-wash Routine:- Prepoo with moisturising conditioner mixed or sealed with an oil or oil mix, cover with a plastic cap and sit under hood dryer for 30 minutes.
- Wash hair with clarifying shampoo.
- Apply Protein Treatment to length of my hair from root to tip and sit under hood dryer for 30 minutes then rinse.
- Deep condition with a moisturising deep conditioner mixed with oils, cover with a plastic cap under a hood dryer for 30 - 45 minutes.
- T shirt dry my hair for 15 - 30 minutes.
- Spritz hair with detangler and then detangle in sections.
- Apply Leave-ins.
- Use satin scarf method to air-dry.
- Oil my scalp.
- Moisturise and seal my hair in four sections.
- Co-Wash with a moisturising conditioner, then towel dry for 5 minutes
- Apply Deep conditioner mixed with my additions, cover with a plastic cap and sit under the hood dryer for 15 minutes.
- T shirt dry my hair for 15 - 45 minutes.
- Apply Leave ins and then detangle hair.
- Use satin scarf method to air-dry.
- Oil my scalp.
- Moisturise and seal my hair in four sections.
Daily Hair Care:
- Moisturise and seal my hair in 4-6 sections; 1-2 times a day.
- Oil my scalp every other night.
- Keep hair in a bun or other protective styles majority of the week if not 7 days a week.
- At night I put my hair into a low loose bun secured with a satin scrunchie and cover with my satin scarf. I also sleep on a satin pillowcase.
- Texlax hair every 12-14 weeks.
- Dust my ends every 4-6 weeks or as necessary.
- Trim when needed (approx every 3 4 months).
- Baggy my ends/hair when needed.
- Light protein treatment once a week
- Hard protein every 5 - 6 weeks.
- Clarify hair every 3 weeks.
- Tea rinse weekly.
Base my scalp with vaseline and apply Roux Porosity Control and Vaseline to the length of my hair from the demarcation line.
Relaxer:
ORS Professional Olive Oil Relaxer Creme - Lye / Normal Strength (18 - 20 minutes).
A few tips...
- Try to keep hair manipulation by combs and brushes to a minimum. I used to wrap my hair every night with a paddle brush, I stopped using brushes in October 2012. I use a wide teeth detangling comb to detangle on wash days and a rat tail comb to part my hair in the week. Other than that I just finger comb my hair where possible.
- Always remember to detangle your hair starting from the ends of the hair and working your way up to the roots.
- A satin scarf or satin pillowcase is a must to help you on your hair journey. Without a satin scarf or pillowcase, your hair is then left to rub on cotton pillow cases all night, leading to dry hair, unnecessary rubbing and breakage.
- Keep the use of direct heat to the very minimum, if you don't have time to roller set or air-dry every week then try using the cool setting on your hair dryer.
