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Find the Best Shampoo for Relaxed Hair: Our Top 5 Picks! (2024)

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Finding the right shampoo for relaxed hair can be like finding a needle in a haystack. You want something that is gentle, nourishing, and effective enough to keep your hair looking its best without damaging it further.

With so many options out there, it can be difficult to know what’s best for you and your tresses.

But fear not! We’ve done the research so you don’t have to. In this article, we’ll explore how to select the perfect shampoo for relaxed hair. We’ll also offer up our top 5 picks of shampoos specifically designed with Relaxed Hair in mind.

Key Takeaways

Finding the right shampoo for relaxed hair is crucial and can be a challenge. When searching for the best shampoo for relaxed hair, consider the following tips:

  • Look for gentle, nourishing, and effective shampoos specifically designed for colored, relaxed, or chemically treated hair.
  • Avoid sulfates and opt for sulfate-free shampoos to prevent stripping natural oils.
  • Some of the top shampoos for relaxed hair include Davines NOUNOU Hydrating Shampoo, Organix Keratin Oil Shampoo, Redken Bond Repair Shampoo, Truly Relaxed Moisturizing Shampoo, and Moroccanoil Clarifying Shampoo.

How to Select the Best Shampoo for Relaxed Hair

With so many options available, it’s important to understand the basics of what makes a good shampoo for your relaxed hair before selecting one.

Deep conditioning treatments, regular trims, and extra care are all essential for keeping your relaxer healthy and looking great.

When selecting a product, look out for ingredients like sodium hydroxide or ammonium thioglycolate, which can help keep the effects of relaxing lasting longer. Coconut oil, shea butter, and other moisturizing ingredients will also be beneficial in restoring dryness caused by chemical treatments such as straightening or coloring agents that often accompany relaxers.

It is necessary to avoid shampoos containing sulfates as these can strip away natural oils from relaxed hair, leaving it brittle and prone to breakage over time. The best way forward when choosing shampoos is to select those specifically designed for colored/relaxed/chemically treated hair.

Top 5 Shampoos for Relaxed Hair

Are you looking for the best shampoo for relaxed hair? With so many options, it can be difficult to know which one is right for you.

  • Davines NOUNOU Hydrating Shampoo
  • Organix Keratin Oil Shampoo 385ml
  • Redken Bond Repair Shampoo
  • Truly Relaxed Moisturizing Shampoo
  • Moroccanoil Clarifying Shampoo 8.5oz

All of them are designed specifically to nurture your chemically treated tresses! They will help keep your relaxer healthy with added heat protection and provide moisture-rich nutrients while avoiding sulfates that can strip away natural oils from relaxed hair.

1. Davines NOUNOU Hydrating Shampoo

Davines NOUNOU Shampoo, Hydrating DeepView On Amazon
You’ll love Davines NOUNOU Hydrating Shampoo for its delicately cleansing, deeply nourishing properties that make damaged hair look and feel soft and hydrated. It is specifically designed for low porosity, relaxed hair with a subtle scent. This product is recommended by hairstylists and multiple sites, and it provides excellent shine which helps bring life back into your tresses.

Enriched with coconut oil, argan oil, jojoba oil, aloe vera, shea butter, and cocoa butter, this shampoo moisturizes your scalp while providing maximum treatment results achieved in no time at all! Plus, you won’t find any harsh sulfates here, making it gentle on your locks without weakening or damaging them over time.

The only downside may be the plastic cap of the bottle, which can be difficult to open.

Pros
  • Delicately cleanses & deeply nourishes damaged hair
  • Provides excellent shine & leaves hair soft & hydrated
  • Suitable for low porosity relaxed hairs
Cons
  • Plastic cap of bottle can be difficult to open
  • Higher price point compared to drugstore brands

2. Organix Keratin Oil Shampoo 385ml

Organix Anti-Breakage Keratin Oil Shampoo,View On Amazon
Experience the nourishment and fortification of your relaxed hair with Organix Keratin Oil Shampoo. This damage repair shampoo is formulated to help strengthen split ends, reduce frizz, increase elasticity, and leave you with a luminescent shine.

Enriched with keratin proteins and argan oil for extra hydration, it’s gentle enough for all types of relaxed or color-treated hair while providing maximum treatment results without any sulfates or parabens.

However, some customers have reported heavy buildup on their tresses after using this product.

Pros
  • Helps prevent breakage and strengthens split ends
  • Leaves hair feeling nourished and fortified from within
  • Increases elasticity for longer, stronger locks
Cons
  • Heavy buildup can occur over time (use clarifying shampoos)
  • Sulfate/paraben-free but not ideal for oily scalps

3. Redken Bond Repair Shampoo

REDKEN Bonding Shampoo for DamagedView On Amazon
Try Redken Bond Repair Shampoo for a powerful punch of repair. It helps manage long, dry, frizzy hair while promoting healthier growth. This shampoo features an Acidic Bonding Concentrate formula and leave-in conditioner that’s great for overnight use on slightly dampened hair, especially the ends.

It’s a shampoo you won’t want to miss! A stitch in time saves nine when it comes to caring for your relaxed locks.

Sulfate-free and fortified with keratin proteins and argan oil, this liquid shampoo can help repair damaged strands quickly without weakening or damaging them further. It also provides a luminescent shine after every wash! However, some users have reported feeling greasy or clumpy afterwards.

If you experience these effects, try using less product at once instead of more than required.

Pros
  • Helps prevent breakage & strengthens split ends
  • Leaves hair feeling nourished & fortified from within
  • Increases elasticity for longer stronger locks
Cons
  • Heavy buildup can occur over time (use clarifying shampoos)
  • Sulfate/paraben-free but not ideal for oily scalps
  • Bottle can be difficult to manage in the shower

4. Truly Relaxed Moisturizing Shampoo

Pantene Pro-V Truly Relaxed MoisturizingView On Amazon
Treat your relaxed hair to the nourishing blend of Pro-V nutrients and antioxidants found in Pantene Truly Relaxed Moisturizing Shampoo. This will give you soft, tamed locks that are strong against future damage. The shampoo contains coconut oil and jojoba oil to help keep your hair hydrated while protecting it from dryness and breakage.

It’s gentle enough for color-treated or relaxed hair, and it’s sulfate-free, so you can feel confident knowing it won’t strip away natural oils.

Customers love this product’s wonderful scent, but they have also reported added shine and body when using this shampoo consistently on their manes.

Pros
  • Provides hair with a blend of Pro-V nutrients and antioxidants, making it strong against damage
  • Contains coconut & jojoba oil, leaving relaxed hairs soft & tamed
  • Gently cleanses without stripping away natural oils
Cons
  • Heavy buildup over time (use clarifying shampoos)
  • Not ideal for oily scalps
  • Bottle is difficult to manage

5. Moroccanoil Clarifying Shampoo 8.5oz

Moroccanoil Clarifying ShampooView On Amazon
Give your hair a deep cleanse with Moroccanoil Clarifying Shampoo 8.5oz! This sulfate-free shampoo is specially formulated to help remove residue from the hair caused by swimming or product buildup, so you can keep your locks looking and feeling healthy.

It’s suitable for all ages and types of hair – especially those prone to buildup – meaning you don’t have to worry about using it too often.

Use this clarifying shampoo once every two weeks as a reset wash. Rinse out with warm water before finishing off with cool water to lock in moisture better than hot temperatures do.

Pros
  • Helps remove residue from the hair caused by swimming or product buildup
  • Suitable for all ages & types of hair – especially those prone to build up
  • Luxurious Fragrance Originale scent leaves hair soft & shiny after use
Cons
  • Can be drying on already damaged/dry hair
  • Not ideal for oily scalps
  • Bottle difficult to manage

How Long Do the Effects of Relaxing Last?

The effects of relaxing your hair can last anywhere from six weeks to three months, so you’ll need to give it some TLC for lasting results.

  1. Wait 3-7 days before washing chemically-treated hair after relaxing with a low-lye relaxer or rebonding product.
  2. Use sulfate-free shampoo for the first wash post-treatment and avoid oversaturating your strands by concentrating products at roots and working down towards tips only when necessary.
  3. Dyeing is not recommended right away; wait at least two weeks or more after using any kind of chemical on relaxed hair in order to reduce risks associated with further damage due to excessive exposure of follicles that may already be weakened from recent treatments like coloring agents or styling tools used too frequently over time resulting in buildup around the scalp area which could clog pores leading to unhealthy condition if left unmanaged properly.

Adopting long-term strategies that involve a consistent haircare routine, including regular use of the best shampoos specifically designed for relaxed tresses, will help ensure prolonged positive effects without compromising overall health!

How Often Should You Shampoo Relaxed Hair?

Now that you know how long the effects of relaxing your hair last, it’s important to focus on maintaining healthy relaxed tresses. Shampooing twice a week is recommended for keeping hair clean and healthy. Be sure to use sulfate-free shampoos as these are gentler and better suited for relaxed hair than traditional products.

It’s best not to overwash or oversaturate the strands with product. Instead, concentrate shampoo at roots only when necessary and work down towards tips.

Additionally, conditioner should never be skipped! Here are 5 key points to remember:

  1. Use moisturizing ingredients such as coconut milk, virgin coconut oil, aloe vera, shea butter, etc.
  2. Avoid sulfates in shampoos.
  3. Don’t dye immediately after relaxers – wait at least two weeks before coloring treatments.
  4. Professional help is advised when lightening or first-time dye sessions occur.
  5. Keep scalp health in check by avoiding buildup from styling tools/products, which can clog pores leading to unhealthy conditions if unmanaged properly.

By following these guidelines, you’ll enjoy softer, smoother locks while still maintaining their natural movement!

Should You Dye Relaxed Hair?

You shouldn’t dye relaxed hair immediately after a relaxer, but instead wait at least two weeks or longer before attempting any coloring treatments. This is to ensure that the chemical straightening procedure has had enough time to settle and won’t be disrupted by additional chemicals in the dye.

Relaxers can already cause damage if not done correctly, and adding more chemical products could make matters worse. Additionally, some color options may require extra care for sensitive scalps due to their stronger formulas which could lead to dryness or other issues when used too soon after relaxing hair.

Therefore, it’s best practice for you to seek professional help with your first lightening session and wait several days between relaxer applications and coloring sessions whenever possible. It’s also important to note that protecting your tresses from environmental factors such as sun exposure is just as crucial during this period of recovery, so use protective hairstyles like braids or buns throughout the process.

How Long After Relaxing Should You Wash Your Hair?

Waiting a few days after relaxing your hair is key to protecting it from damage and achieving the best results – don’t let impatience lead to compromising your tresses! When deciding how long after relaxing you should wash your hair, there are a few factors that need to be taken into consideration.

Firstly, consider the length of your hair. If it’s longer than shoulder-length, it’s advised to wait 3-7 days before washing.

Next, take into account any chemicals used in the relaxer treatment as they may still be present on the scalp when washing too soon after application.

Finally, product buildup can cause irritation, so it’s recommended to use sulfate-free shampoos with gentle ingredients such as coconut oil or aloe vera.

Aftercare post relaxation also includes avoiding dyeing treatments until at least two weeks have passed.

Taking Care of Relaxed Hair

To keep your relaxed hair looking its best, it’s important to use a sulfate-free shampoo and conditioner that are packed with nourishing ingredients such as coconut oil or aloe vera.

Heat protection is essential for preventing breakage and styling damage. Look for products with active ingredients like sunflower seed extract or olive oil that provide UV protection without weighing the hair down.

Deep conditioning treatments should be used once every four weeks to restore moisture levels in the scalp and help reduce split ends from forming.

Scalp care is also key when caring for relaxed hair. Use a gentle scrub once per week to remove buildup of product residue while stimulating blood circulation on the scalp.

Healthy styling involves using natural oils like avocado or jojoba before heat treatment but avoiding over-styling which can cause irreversible damage due to chemical reactions between relaxers and other chemicals found in some products.

Finally, selecting the best shampoo specifically designed for relaxed hair will ensure maximum results achieved by waiting at least 3 days before washing after the relaxing process has been completed!

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What are the benefits of using a shampoo specifically designed for relaxed hair?

Using a shampoo specifically designed for relaxed hair can help nourish and protect your locks from damage. It will also provide moisture, reduce frizz, add elasticity, and give it an extra shine – all with the added bonus of being sulfate-free! Additionally, its subtle scent makes it refreshing to use every day.

Can I use a regular shampoo on relaxed hair?

Using a regular shampoo on relaxed hair may not be the best choice as it can strip away essential oils, leaving hair dry and brittle. Instead, opt for a hydrating shampoo specifically designed to maintain the straightened state of your locks while keeping them healthy.

What type of dye is best for relaxed hair?

It’s best to wait at least a couple of weeks or a month after relaxing before dyeing your hair. Professional help is recommended for the first session as it can be damaging. Opt for permanent dyes that are ammonia-free and enriched with nourishing ingredients such as shea butter or coconut oil to keep your relaxed hair healthy.

Is it ok to use heat on relaxed hair?

It is best to avoid using heat on relaxed hair as it can cause further damage. Heat styling should be done sparingly and with a thermal protectant.

How can I prevent split ends on relaxed hair?

To prevent split ends on relaxed hair, try using a shampoo and conditioner formulated for your specific hair type. Regular trims are also important to reduce the amount of split ends you have. Additionally, avoid using heat tools too often as this can weaken the strands and increase breakage.

Conclusion

To keep your relaxed hair healthy and looking its best, it requires special attention. You can help maintain its strength and shine by selecting the right shampoo that considers the ingredients, gentleness, and added benefits it provides.

After shampooing, don’t forget to condition and avoid dyeing or lightening your hair soon after relaxing. Taking care of your hair is like taking care of a delicate flower, it requires nourishment and tender, loving care.

With the right products and a little bit of patience, achieving beautiful, healthy relaxed hair is possible.

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Mutasim Sweileh

Mutasim is a published author and software engineer and beard care expert from the US. To date, he has helped thousands of men make their beards look better and get fatter. His work has been mentioned in countless notable publications on men's care and style and has been cited in Seeker, Wikihow, GQ, TED, and Buzzfeed.