Why is my relaxed hair puffy?

Author: Samanta Howe  |  Last update: Saturday, October 4, 2025

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 do you know if your relaxed hair is damaged?

Here's two ways to know if your hair is damaged. 1. Your hair breaks easily. If your hair is breaking from little things, like taking off a T-shirt, it's a good sign that your hair is unhealthy. 2. You notice a change in texture. If your hair used to feel smooth and silky, but now it feels rough and rigid. Follow me.

How can I stop my hair from being puffy?

  • Use a Moisturizing Shampoo and Conditioner : Look for products designed to hydrate and smooth your hair, which can help reduce frizz and puffiness.
  • Apply a Leave-In Conditioner or Serum : After washing, apply a leave-in conditioner or smoothing serum to damp hair.
  • Avoid Towel Drying
  • Use a Wide-Tooth Comb

How do I make my relaxed hair soft?

Tips for healthy relaxed hair

Invest in a shampoo with hydrating properties to help you clean, maintain and restore hydration. Follow up with high-quality conditioner, specially formulated to promote softness. After all, the key to healthy relaxed hair is moisture and consistency.

What is over-processed relaxed hair?

Many hair professionals are careless and lack vital information when it comes to maintaining healthy relaxed hair. They typically misuse these chemicals by relaxing previously relaxed hair from root to tip or they leave the relaxer on too long, also known as ``Over processing''.

6 Reasons Why your relaxed hair is breaking | relaxed hair routine

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.

What are the disadvantages of relaxed hair?

Challenges of Relaxed/Texlaxed Hair
  • Relaxed/texlaxed hair is structurally weaker than natural hair. ...
  • Relaxed hair has lost some of its natural elasticity and this also increases the risk of breakage. ...
  • Relaxed hair that is over-processed can have a flat and lifeless look and feel.

How often should relaxed hair be moisturized?

Add Moisture Daily

Relaxed hair benefits from a daily application of hair oil or leave-in conditioner.

How often should relaxed hair be washed?

As a general rule, you should aim to wash your relaxed hair once a week. This frequency allows for the removal of product build-up and the maintenance of a clean, healthy scalp without over-drying your hair.

How long does it take for relaxed hair to go natural?

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.

Why has my hair gone fluffy?

It's a mixture of two things - humidity due to hot weather, and how hydrated your hair is to start with. The main cause of frizz is a lack of moisture in your hair. This causes your hair to seek out and absorb moisture from the air, causing frizz - which also explains why humidity can make frizz even worse.

What makes straight hair puffy?

Dryness, damage, heat styling, and excessive brushing can lead to too much poof. Luckily, you don't have to live with the frizz. Here's how to tame your frizzy straight hair and get the sleek, smooth look you crave.

How do I make my hair puffy and not flat?

How to get fluffy hair – 15 effective ways to achieve it
  1. Blow dry your hair upside down.
  2. Use volumizing shampoo.
  3. Use dry shampoo.
  4. Tease your hair (Back-comb)
  5. Try a blow-dryer with a hair diffuser.
  6. Opt-in for high-quality styling products.
  7. Use texturizing spray.
  8. Apply hairspray.

What breaks relaxed hair?

Relaxed hair can't take as much heat as natural hair and using it regularly dries it out – the number one cause to breakage. If the hair is damaged, heat should be avoided completely. Healthier tresses can take the heat, but use should be limited to prevent damage; no matter how hard it can be!

How many times a year should hair be relaxed?

The AAD shares that in the case of hair relaxing, touch-ups should only be done every two to three months, and that relaxer should never be applied to hair that has already been relaxed. You also want to make sure that you're using a hydrating shampoo and conditioner that won't strip your hair of moisture.

Does relaxed hair ever go back to normal?

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 to repair damaged relaxed hair without cutting?

How to Repair Hair After Relaxer Damage
  1. Wash with a Nourishing Shampoo. ...
  2. Apply a Sumptuous Conditioner. ...
  3. Repair with a Leave-In Treatment. ...
  4. Moisturize and Seal Dry Relaxed Hair. ...
  5. Detangle with a Wide-Tooth Comb. ...
  6. Avoid Blow-Drying Soaking Wet Hair. ...
  7. Use the Gentlest Hair Color Products. ...
  8. Sleep with Silk Pillowcases and Hair Wraps.

Can you put relaxer on hair with a product in it?

You also should not have a lot of product in your hair before getting a relaxer." Cleansing or even wetting your hair and scalp before you relax might lead to burning once you apply the chemicals, because your scalp hasn't had enough time to "rest" since your last shampoo.

How often should you oil your scalp relaxed hair?

Relaxed Hair: Due to the chemicals in relaxers and how they alter your hair's natural texture, it's essential that you oil your hair daily to prevent breakage.

What should you not use on relaxed hair?

Other Things That Are Bad For Relaxed Hair
  • Not using a wide-tooth comb to detangle your hair.
  • Brushing or combing your hair while it's wet.
  • Not using a heat protectant before using heated styling tools.
  • Flat ironing wet hair.
  • Using heat tools on hair that you've applied oil too (it's like deep-frying your hair)

How do you restore moisture in relaxed hair?

Relaxed hair can easily become dry and brittle if not properly moisturized. Deep conditioning treatments, hydrating masks, and leave-in conditioners are excellent ways to restore moisture to your hair.

Can a relaxed hair grow?

With a proper routine, you can honestly know how to take care of relaxed hair and make it grow! Learn how to take care of your hair, including hair care products, to keep it healthy and hydrated.

What can I use instead of a relaxer?

Some of the non-toxic and safer alternatives that you can use to straighten your hair include:
  • Blow-drying. Rather than using a hair relaxer, blow-drying your hair might prove helpful. ...
  • Heat styling. ...
  • Keratin treatments. ...
  • Oil treatment. ...
  • Silicone cream.

What happens to your hair when you stop getting relaxers?

Once you fully transition, you will find your natural curls may become drier much faster than your straight relaxed hair. Even though your relaxed ends will eventually go, it is still important to keep your strands from top to bottom moisturised. After all, your hair is still on your head.

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