This post is a result of an email received and will address the top 5 relaxed hair regimen products to establish a healthy hair regimen. The regimen that I follow and the products that I use are universal and would even work for naturals and transitioners. This post will focus on ground staples found at local stores.
Relaxed Hair Regimen
Before jumping into the discussion of relaxed hair regimen products, let’s talk about the actual hair regimen. I believe a hair regimen should be established first before considering product. Fully understanding the what and the why of hair care is a key aspect to understanding what category of hair product to purchase. A basic relaxed hair regimen includes the following steps and will be used for the basis of our discussion:
- Pre-Shampoo
- Cleanser
- Protein Treatment
- Deep Conditioner
- Leave-In Conditioner
Top 5 Relaxed Hair Regimen Products
Pre-Shampoo
Pre-shampooing or pre-poo for short is a step that is done to detangle the hair, soften the hair and lessen the stripping effects of shampoos. I like using oil and conditioner for my pre-poo. Oil gives the hair slip for detangling and conditioner softens the hair. Using both oil and conditioner are not required although I prefer to use both. I saturate my hair with oil and then layer on a thick, creamy conditioner on top. I put on a plastic processing and sit under my Hot Head Deep Conditioning Cap for 30 minutes.
Product Recommendation: My favorite is extra virgin coconut oil because it protects against hygral fatigue but I know some have coconut oil sensitivities. Therefore, my recommendation is extra virgin olive oil as it penetrates the hair and nourishes it inside out.
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Cleanser
The hair and scalp should be cleansed properly for it to remain healthy. Hair can be cleansed with either sulfate or sulfate-free shampoo. Sulfate-free shampoos are milder and in some cases not as cleansing and can cause buildup. Sulfate shampoos tend to be a little harsher but cleanse the hair of product buildup.
Product Recommendation: I prefer sulfate shampoo because it keeps my hair free of product buildup which means it absorbs all of the moisture I feed it on wash day and the subsequent days thereafter. Current Favorites: Nexxus Therappe (sulfate shampoo) and Carol’s Daughter Monoi Repairing Shampoo (sulfate-free shampoo).
Protein Treatment
Protein strengthens the hair and patches up cuticle damage. Protein treatments can be mild, medium or hard. I never use hard protein treatments which are treatments that harden the hair like Aphogee 2-step. Those type of treatments are just too harsh for my hair.
Product Recommendation: Aubrey Organics GPB is a great protein treatment that falls in the mild to medium category that is effective at balancing moisture and balance. There may come a time when a stronger protein is required to handle breakage but Aubrey Organics GPB is a great starter protein.
Deep Conditioner
Deep conditioners are designed to replenish the moisture in the hair.
Product Recommendation: Silk Elements Kera Minerals Smoothing Deep Conditioner is moisturizing and offers slip which is helpful for detangling your hair.
Leave-In Conditioner
A leave-in conditioner is to be applied to the hair at the end of the wash to provide the hair with lasting moisture.
Product Recommendation: I like Cantu Shea Butter Creamy Hair Lotion and Cantu Shea Butter Leave In Conditioning Repair Cream. Both are excellent and hydrating. The hair lotion is thinner than the repair cream and would work better for thin / fine hair.
Moisturizer
Hair craves moisture, thus you might find the need to moisturize your hair throughout the week or evenly daily.
Product Recommendation: The Cantu Shea Butter Creamy Hair Lotion and Cantu Shea Butter Leave In Conditioning Repair Cream can also be used as moisturizers.
Sealer
Once the hair is moisturized, you should follow up with a small amount of oil to “seal” or lock in the moisture so that it does not evaporate. The oil acts a barrier to keep the moisturizer locked into the strands. Since nothing is permanent, the moisture will eventually escape but adding oils slows the evaporation process.
Product Recommendation: I love avocado oil but extra virgin olive oil works great too.
Diana says
August 13, 2015 at 9:51 amWhat a great regimen!! Ido all these steps but have not done protein treatment in a long time. Have to do it soon. Thanks for the visit. Nice blog you have here
Jay | Relaxed Thairapy says
August 13, 2015 at 9:52 amTY for visiting and enjoying the article/blog. What’s your preferred protein product?
Tomes Edition says
August 13, 2015 at 10:56 amYou hit the nail on its head Jay. I’m a fan of aphogee lol and not a fan of cantu leave in, it just makes my hair too crunchy.
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Jay | Relaxed Thairapy says
August 13, 2015 at 11:13 amI will never use Aphogee again. That stuff is way too strong. Stay far away from Cantu leave in because we can’t have you with crunchy hair!
Candice says
August 14, 2015 at 2:35 amGreat post!
My top 5 products would be:
Macadamia deep repair masque
Coconut oil
Giovanni smooth as silk shampoo
DB lemongrass transitioning creme.
Aphogee 2 minute reconstuctor
OMG coming up with 5 was harder than I thought lol, that’s the product junkie in me. I have a lot of products that I love but these are always in my stash
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Jay | Relaxed Thairapy says
August 14, 2015 at 10:16 amGood list! Yes, it was tough coming up with just five. We seriously have issues. 🙂 Glad I’m not alone in this fight.
Patti says
August 14, 2015 at 5:21 pmPre-shampoo: Olive Oil & Honey
Cleanser: Giovanni Ultra-Repair Shampoo (moisturizing) or Jane Carter Hydrating Invigorating Shampoo (clarifying)
Protein treatment: Giovanni Nutrafix Reconstructor
Deep Conditioner: Shea Moisture Superfruit Masque
Leave-In Conditioner: Shea Moisture Raw Shea Butter Detangler
Jay | Relaxed Thairapy says
August 17, 2015 at 7:00 amHi Patti! Great list. I have not tried the SM super fruit. The raw shea line didn’t do much for my hair from what I remember. I didn’t use the leave in though. I used the shampoo and conditioner.
Patti says
August 21, 2015 at 1:45 pmYes, the Superfuit Masque and Shampoo work well for me. Both are very moisturizing, and the masque also has some protein lower down on the list. I just would not use them together – the fragrance from one is fine, but both would be a little too much.
Patti says
August 21, 2015 at 1:47 pmI meant Superfruit. Typing all this on my phone, and mixing up some letters.
Nicole says
September 23, 2015 at 2:49 amOk Jay so I took down my box braids after 6 weeks and I need some serious help in the protein department my ends are thin like I can easily break them without pulling. Can you recommend a high protein treatment I think I may have over moisturized my hair. I don’t think I’ll be transitioning for as long as intended to either I used a new clarifying shampoo on wash day (herbal essences detoxifying shampoo) and it caused massive tangling and dryness to the point where Tressemme split remedy conditioner or Aussie STRONG 3 minute miracle did nothing for my hair. Im thinking of cutting my hair into a bob except the back will be the same length as the front. I don’t heat style my hair and I have relaxed, bleached, and twice within 2 weeks (it turned green jay yes you know I know better lol) dyed hair. I’m not messing with Aphogee plus I don’t have a dryer and I don’t believe i need a light or medium protein treatment. At the most I’d say I have 2 inches of natural hair and the rest is relaxed, but its only the ends of my hair that are now thinner and weaker. I have shoulder length hair and I did my color treating all in the winter/almost a year ago. Surprisingly I didn’t have any adverse effects to double coloring which may have been because I was in full effect ayurvedic powder mixed with my deep conditioner, coconut milk, and coconut water mode, so moisture & conditioning was not an issue. Now I’ve never double colored my hair before this incident nor will I ever be doing so again and I’ve also never had this happen before
Jay | Relaxed Thairapy says
September 24, 2015 at 9:55 amHi Nicole! I’m sorry to hear about your thinned ends and green hair!! If you need a fix like right now and you cannot wait for a product to ship to you, I like Ion Effective Care Treatment (the red label) from Sally’s Beauty.
When I colored my hair many moons ago, my hair broke off. Perhaps this might be the issue?
As you stretch your relaxer, the thickness of the new growth makes the relaxed ends look weak so do keep that in mind. However, you said they are breaking so you likely need a good protein treatment to correct the issue you’re currently experiencing.
It might take more than one treatment to resolve the issue though. When I first started using Komaza Protein Strengthener, it took several treatments before breakage got under control. Their strengthener is awesome and it’s my go-to. I def recommend this one. It’s a medium to hard protein treatment on my hair but some believe it to be a hard protein for their hair. It can be used with or without heat. The only downside, you have to order!
Nate says
January 1, 2016 at 2:32 pmHey Jay
Have you ever tried any co-wash conditioner? If so what’s your thoughts on it?
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Jay | Relaxed Thairapy says
January 1, 2016 at 5:53 pmHi Nate, I co-wash pretty infrequently. When I do, I use TRESemme Naturals Conditioner or Aussie Moist Conditioner. My hair prefers shampoo and a good deep conditioner over co-washing.