The Ultimate Guide to Relaxed Hair Care: How to Maintain Healthy, Strong Strands

While relaxers make managing texture easier, they also change the structure of the hair, which means your strands need a little extra love. Whether you’ve been relaxed for years or you’re just starting your journey, this guide is your go-to for keeping relaxed hair healthy, hydrated, and strong.

Build a Solid Weekly Routine

1. Cleanse with Care (Once a Week or Every 10 Days)
Use a gentle, sulfate-free shampoo that won’t strip your hair of its natural oils. Every 3–4 weeks, use a clarifying shampoo to remove buildup and maintain scalp health.

2. Deep Condition Weekly
This is non-negotiable. Relaxed hair needs consistent moisture and protein. Rotate between moisturizing and protein-rich deep conditioners to keep the hair balanced and elastic.

3. Moisturize and Seal
Use a water-based moisturizer daily or every other day, and seal in hydration with natural oils like jojoba, grapeseed, or avocado oil. Pay close attention to your ends.

4. Limit Heat Styling
Flat irons and blow dryers should be used sparingly. When you do use them, always apply a heat protectant to minimize damage.

5. Protect at Night
Always wrap your hair in a satin or silk scarf or sleep on a satin pillowcase to prevent friction and moisture loss.

Stretch Your Relaxer Touch-Ups

To maintain thickness and avoid overprocessing, aim to relax your hair every 6 to 10 weeks, depending on how fast your hair grows. This gives your new growth time to emerge while minimizing the risk of overlapping onto previously relaxed hair.

Regular Trims Are Essential

Don’t be afraid of scissors. Trimming your ends every 8 weeks, or as needed, helps prevent split ends from traveling up the hair shaft and breaking your strands. Healthy ends = longer retention.

Treat Your Scalp Like Skin

Your scalp is the foundation of healthy hair. Keep it clean, nourished, and free of buildup. If you deal with itching or flaking, consider using a lightweight scalp serum or oil with tea tree, rosemary, or peppermint.

Watch for Signs of Imbalance

Dry, brittle hair may need more moisture. Mushy, stretchy hair? It may be over-conditioned and in need of protein. Pay attention to how your hair feels and responds so you can adjust your products accordingly.

Bonus: Protective Styling for Relaxed Hair

Styles like buns, roller sets, wraps, and loose braids can help reduce manipulation and protect your hair between wash days. Just be sure not to make styles too tight—they can lead to breakage, especially around the edges.

At MJ’s Mane, our Signature Relaxer System has these exact needs in mind—infused with powerhouse ingredients like sea moss and kakadu plum to support healthy, strong, and radiant strands.

Final Thoughts

Relaxed hair is not “less healthy”—it simply requires a different approach. With consistency, intention, and the right tools, your relaxed hair can thrive just as much as any other texture.

Explore our full blog for product breakdowns, tips, and styling ideas. And if you’re ready to take your routine to the next level, join our waitlist for exclusive access to MJ’s Mane’s upcoming launch.