Can Relaxed Heads Grow Long Hair??

Relaxers when used incorrectly can cause a lot of damage to your hair. A lot of girls believe that their relaxed tresses is the reason why their hair is damaged and "isn't growing". I personally believe that a person with relaxed hair can still have healthy, long hair, but there's a lot of work involved when your relaxed. Here's some things to keep in mind:

1. Seek a professional when deciding to relax your hair. If you choose to self relax (like myself), make sure you follow the correct steps in the relaxer process (basing your scalp, protecting the previous relaxed hair (avoid overlapping), rinsing ALL of the product out, not leaving the relaxer in too long, etc.) This is where the damage starts, if the correct steps aren't taken. Remember, a relaxer is a chemical process that breaks down the bonds in our curly hair which leaves the hair vulnerable, weak and dry. (Guide to Safely Applying Chemical Relaxers)
2. Moisturized tresses are happy tresses. Never leave your hair dry. This will cause breakage! I like to use the analogy - Picture the leaves on a plant that hasn't been watered...
3. If you are using direct heat on your hair (i.e. flat iron, curling iron, blow dryer) use a heat protectant! Heat protectants act as a protective barrier against heat, humidity and other environmental actors. 
4. Always wait at least 6-8 weeks to relax your hair. I'm a stretcher, i like to wait at least 16+ weeks to relax. Why should you stretch? Stretching prevents overlapping previous relaxed hair and over processing (which is the #1 reason why a person can suffer breakage from chemically processed hair).
5. Try not to over shampoo your hair and focus on the scalp unless your hair is really oily or dirty. Shampoos can strip the hair from it's natural oils. Try using moisturizing shampoos...moisturizing shampoos gently cleanses and nourishes hair while leaving it moisturized, soft, shiny, and manageable.
6. I got this tip from Traycee (Keep it Simple Sista) "You may have to alternate between a non protein conditioner and a protein conditioner every few months or often. When hair is dry and brittle it may have too much protein. If hair is limp and stretchy, it lack protein"
7. Have a love affair with a leave in conditioner. Leave ins nourish your hair and also protects the hair from the environment (sun, wind and cold) as well as heat damage.
8. If possible, skip the hair dryer and try air drying. This is the most healthy way to dry your hair...aka...NO HEAT DAMAGE...yayeee. Try adding a little Coconut Oil or Argan Oil to your hair before you air dry. Air drying helps you to keep the moisture in your hair longer than blow drying.
9. Protect those ends ladies. Remember the ends of your hair is the oldest and most vulnerable. Retaining and keeping healthy ends=Longer healthy hair. This part needs extra moisture because it takes time from the oils from your scalp to reach this part. So don't forget to show the ends some TLC, they'll thank you!
10. Try using a clarifying shampoo to help with product build up monthly. I like to use Suave's Clarifying Shampoo.
11. Bonus: DEEP CONDITION!!!!! Deep conditioning adds moisture back into the hair that is removed by daily activites and some styling products. Try to make this apart of your weekly hair routine. It's really easy to deep condition ladies. You can deep condition with or without heat. If you hate having to sit under the hair dryer for minutes upon minutes...try using Aussie Moist 3 Minute Miracle Deeeeep Conditioner.

More Relaxed Tips

• 8 Common Chemical Relaxer Mistakes Self Relaxers Make
• Benefits of the Mid-Relaxer Protein Conditioning Step
• Can Chemical Relaxer Stretching Damage Your Hair?