Can you reverse relaxer damage?

Author: Ashley Denesik II  |  Last update: Friday, August 29, 2025

One of the best-kept secrets to reversing relaxer damage and restoring scalp health is using a high-quality scalp serum. Scalp serums provide the essential nutrients your scalp needs to heal, improve blood circulation, and promote healthy hair regrowth.

Can damaged relaxed hair be repaired?

In most cases, if you move quickly, your client's damaged relaxed hair can be repaired, but it all comes down to how stressed out their strands really are. If it's a case of boosting hydration and taming frizz, treating hair to deep treatments and moisturizers can make a big difference.

Will my hair grow back after relaxer damage?

If the chemical burn caused by your hair relaxer was severe, it may also leave scars across the scalp. In this instance, the burnt areas are unlikely to fully regrow hair and may result in areas of permanent baldness where the follicles have been destroyed.

Does relaxed hair ever go back to normal?

Relaxers are permanent, so whatever parts of your hair that have been in contact with a relaxer will never grow back naturally. Therefore, at some point in time your hair must be cut off to above the demarcation line. If you're not willing to go for the big chop, the next step is to do regular trims of your hair.

How to reverse hair relaxer?

Can You Strip a Relaxer From Hair? The only answer to this question is "no." "There really is no such thing as stripping relaxer from hair because once texture has been removed, you can't put it back," says Branch. "Any such process would significantly damage hair further.

Relaxer broke her hair off| How we fixed her damaged hair pt2

What does damaged relaxed hair look like?

Signs of damaged relaxed hair can include dryness, breakage, split ends, and loss of elasticity. Hair may also feel limp and lifeless, lacking the volume and body it once had.

Is relaxer reversible?

Since chemical processing is known to have long-term effects, you're probably wondering if hair relaxers are permanent. The simple answer is no. According to the American Academy of Dermatology, curly hair relaxers should be repeated every two to three months to keep strands straight, and only to new growth.

How to fix damaged hair from perm?

Nourish the lengths and ends with shampoos and products designed for dry hair in order to hydrate them as much as possible. You can also try keratin-based products. These penetrate the hair's fibre to regenerate the hair.” Oils are also a good option, as long as you're careful not to apply too much.

How long does it take to completely grow out a relaxer?

Whether you decide to do a big chop or gradually grow out a relaxer, it's going to take at least three to four months to start to see real change. For some, it may be a full year before you're completely chemical-free.

Can relaxers permanently damage hair follicles?

One of the immediate dangers of hair relaxers is the potential for chemical burns and scalp irritation. These products can cause permanent damage to the scalp and hair follicles, leading to hair loss and scalp infections.

Can you get your curls back after relaxer?

So, the good news first: even if you used a relaxer, your natural texture will return eventually. The bad news: it's going to take some time to return to a full head of curls – especially if you're waiting for it to happen by regrowth alone. As new hair grows, the texture will come in just as you remember.

How to treat damaged scalp from a relaxer?

To help soothe your scalp once the chemical treatment has been removed, there are a couple things you can try:
  1. Apply unscented aloe vera to your scalp. ...
  2. Apply a cool compress. ...
  3. Avoid any hot styling tools like flat irons and blow dryers.

How do I get my natural hair back after relaxing?

Apply a heat-protecting product, and be gentle where your natural hair meets your relaxed hair, because it's prone to breakage. Trim an inch of relaxed hair every six to eight weeks. Month 6: With two to three inches of new growth, you can now see your natural curl pattern.

Can you undo hair relaxers?

When hair is relaxed the chemical bonds in hair are permanently dissolved. This process cannot be reversed in order to become natural. If you want to go natural you can either transition, big chop or do the stepped chop. Some hair types don't take very well to relaxer so they never really straighten properly.

How to tell if your hair has been overprocessed?

The two easiest ways to know if your hair has been over-processed are by the look and feel of it. What does over processed hair look like? The most common signs include dullness, fragile ends, and breakage.

Is perm damage reversible?

With regular haircuts, men can remove the results of a bad perm within a few months. Women who wear their hair long are stuck with perm damage for much longer.

What shampoo is best for damaged hair?

Best Shampoos for Damaged Hair
  • Crown AffairThe Volumizing Shampoo for Oily, Flat Hair. ...
  • Living ProofPerfect hair Day (PhD) Hydrating Shampoo. ...
  • NécessaireRosemary Shampoo For Thinning Hair. ...
  • amikaThe Kure Strength Repair Shampoo​ ...
  • K18 Biomimetic HairscienceDAMAGE SHIELD pH Protective Shampoo.

Can a hair perm be reversed?

A reverse perm is actually the process of taking curl OUT of hair. It can be used to change a naturally tight curl to a looser curl. It is often referred to as retexturizing.

Does your hair go back to normal after a relaxer?

Yes, as long as you do not continue to process your hair with any chemical treatments. According to Medical News Today, hair grows at the equivalent of 0.2 to 0.7 inches per month. As a result, your natural hair texture will eventually come back after a relaxer. This hair is sometimes called “new growth.”

How do I remove hair relaxers from my hair?

Yes, the only way to get rid of relaxed ends is to cut it off. The chemicals have permanently changed the structure of the hair they've been used on. Some people do a 'big chop' and others transition for a while until the hair is a comfortable length to them so that cutting off the ends isn't as drastic a change.

Why is my relaxed hair puffy?

Frequent conditioning is key for relaxed hair so it's possible that the fuzziness is due to a lack of moisture in the hair. Plus, don't forget about protein. Hair that needs strengthening from protein tends to frizz because the hair cuticles don't lie flat, but have lifted scales due to chemical and/or heat abuse.

How to fix an over-processed perm?

Steps
  1. Buy products that include nourishing ingredients like argan oil and glycerin. ...
  2. Shampoo your hair with a hydrating product that doesn't contain sulfates. ...
  3. Use conditioner after you shampoo to hydrate and repair your hair. ...
  4. Work leave-in conditioner into your hair to give it long-lasting moisture.

How do you know if your hair is permanently damaged?

8 Telltale Signs That Your Hair Is Damaged
  1. 01 of 08. Hair Isn't Shiny or Bouncy. ...
  2. 02 of 08. You're Dealing with Breakage. ...
  3. 03 of 08. Ends are Thinned Out. ...
  4. 04 of 08. There's Lots of Tangling. ...
  5. 05 of 08. It's Not Growing. ...
  6. 06 of 08. Hair is Crunchy or Stiff When Wet. ...
  7. 07 of 08. Your Hair Feels Brittle. ...
  8. 08 of 08. It's Hard to Manage.

Will relaxer ruin my curls?

Does relaxer damage curly hair? Yes, relaxers can potentially damage curly hair. The chemical process can weaken the hair and make it more prone to dryness, breakage, and other forms of damage.

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