Telaxing the hair preserves the protein within the strand, as it’s not broken down completely by the relaxer. Since there is more protein left over in the strand, texlaxed hair tends to crave more moisture as opposed to protein treatments. Relaxed hair benefits from consistent protein treatments to build the integrity of the strands that were weakened by the relaxer. A balance of both moisture and protein is important to maintain healthy hair.
Relaxed and texlaxed hair differs in texture. Texlaxed hair is filled with volume, thickness and of course texture! Texlaxed hair isn’t completely relaxed in order to achieve a fuller thicker appearance. Relaxed hair is just the opposite! Relaxed hair is straighter with fewer kinks in the strands. Due to the differences in texture, each hair type requires care that is unique to its characteristics.
Although both relaxed and texlaxed hair requires relaxers to achieve their style, the amount of time the relaxer is left on the hair varies. For example, when I relax my new growth, I spend approximately 25 minutes applying and smoothing my relaxer whereas someone with texlaxed hair may finish the entire process in 10-15 minutes. Those who are texlaxed omit the smoothing step for less straightness and more texture. The goal is not to get the hair straight but to just to loosen the natural curl pattern.
Depending on the style you chose to wear, both relaxed and texlaxed hair require a certain level of manipulation. Texlaxed hair is easier to comb, detangle, and overall manipulate in sections - preferably while moisturized. Texlaxed hair tends to be thick and highly textured; therefore, sectioning off the hair in 6-8 sections helps to cut down on matting, tangles and breakage. As relaxed hair can be quite straight, putting the hair in sections is not a necessity due to its ease in manageability, though it’s quite helpful.
Ladies with texlaxed hair often voice fears of their hair reverting after it’s been freshly flat ironed! Completely understandable! It’s a fact that flat-ironed texlaxed hair can revert back to a kinkier texture if humidity is present in the air. Texlaxed hair, as opposed to relaxed hair, requires an arsenal of anti-frizz and anti-humidity products to help combat reversion while straight. Relaxed hair, though it’s a possibility, rarely experiences this dilemma.
