Texlax Process Part I: Moisture

Part I of the texlax process series.  This is a four part series on the steps to take to texlax your hair. The prepping process begins a week before applying the relaxer or texlaxer to make sure it’s in tip-top shape for the process.

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I like to do a moisturizing treatment and a protein treatment to prepare my hair for the process. However, if your hair doesn’t need any added moisture, feel free to skip to part II the protein treatment. 

Relaxers break down the protein bonds in your hair in order to obtain straightness. Having the proper moisture and protein balance allows your hair to be as strong as possible and prevent any type of breakage. I noticed if I skip the protein treatment my results are not the best and it causes more damage to my hair. While doing a moisturizing treatment is completely optional, I do recommend always doing a protein treatment prior to texlaxing or relaxing. 

If your hair needs additional moisture, be sure to include this step. Let’s walk through what my typical moisturizing treatment entails.

Moisturizing Pre-Poo

I begin with a moisturizing pre-poo using Salon Care Cholesterol Conditioner mixed with wheat germ oil. I use enough conditioner to fully saturate my hair from root to tip and I mix in 1-2 tablespoons of oil. After I apply the mixture, I cover my hair with a plastic shower cap. If I plan to leave the mixture on for a few hours, I will sit under the dryer for the first 20 minutes, but I skip the dryer if I’m leaving the pre-poo on overnight. 

Moisturizing Shampoo

To shampoo my hair, I use Keracare’s Moisturizing Shampoo. It does have a small amount of protein but not enough to prevent the moisturizing effects of the shampoo. My hair is protein sensitive and it tolerates the Keracare shampoo very well. Any moisturizing shampoo is fine but I recommend staying away from shampoos with silicone or clarifying shampoos during this process.  

Deep Conditioning

The next step in the process is to deep condition using steam. If  you don’t have a steamer, feel free to sit under a dryer of leave the deep conditioner on overnight. For this step, I love deep conditioning with Joico Moisture Recovery or Aubrey Organics Honeysuckle Rose Conditioner mixed with raw honey and hemp oil.

I normally steam until the water runs out, about 20-30 mins. After leaving the steamer, I immediately put on a plastic shower cap and continue to deep condition for a 3-4 hours or overnight.

You will notice that I love to mix oils in my conditioners. The oils I choose have high amounts of ceramides that provide nourishment and strengthening without the risk of protein overload. For more information on ceramides and the best oils, check out my benefits of ceramides post. 

I also up my moisturizing during the week and I GHE or baggy using my homemade moisturizing spray.