• You should trim you hair every 6-8 weeks along with your relaxer.
• Highlights don't have to be touched up every 6 weeks, you can have 2, 4, or 6 inches of new growth before you get a touch up.
• If you have gray hair that turns yellow, use a yellow out shampoo and/or conditioner.
• You should wrap you hair at night with a silk scarf. If hair is long enough roller set it every 2 or 3 days.
• If you had roller set your hair the night before, when you wake up, you should wrap your hair, eat breakfast, shower dress and comb out before you walk out of the door.
• Try to shampoo and condition your hair at least once a week.
• Never shampoo without conditioning.
• Roller setting is healthier than blow-drying.
• Whether your hair is relaxed or not, your hair will be healthier without regular blow-drying and curling.
• Always have relaxer or color done professionally.
• If you have to do one or the other yourself do the relaxer and wait until you can have the color done professionally.
• If you have to relax your own hair, apply some base on your scalp and ends lightly to protect them. Only apply the relaxer to the new growth.
• If you have hair that has never been relaxed and wish to relax your hair for the first time, have it done professionally.
• The trims apply to all hair textures. Just like a pair of jeans without a hem the ends will fray and split and work it's way up the strand.
• Moisturize your relaxed hair with a conditioning cream every 3 to 4 days if your hair is relaxed.
• Never ever, ever get your haircut when you are mad. Wait until you calm down and have time to think about your cut.
• If you have locks, make sure you twist your hair after every shampoo.
• Do you have an itchy scalp? Apply Sea Breeze to your scalp with a cotton swab before and after shampooing.
• If you need to use dandruff or medicated shampoo always shampoo twice and leave the second shampoo on for 10 minutes to penetrate the scalp, then condition.
• If you need major chemical service, do not walk into any salon. Do some research or get a referral.
• You want permanent color without the commitment of monthly touchups, get highlights.
• A conditioner is for your hair not your scalp, concentrate on your hair and rinse thoroughly so there isn't an accumulation of product on the scalp.
• When towel drying your hair, be gentle because rough movements can damage the cuticle layer of the hair.
• If you see a color that you like on someone else don't run out and get it without consulting with a professional. It might not be for you.
• You have used semi-permanent color for a while now you want to go lighter, see a professional, you will have to pre-lighten. Semi-permanent color doesn't lighten easily.
• You have permanent color and you want it lighter. See a professional, it has to be prelightened. Color does not lift color.
• You have questions and concerns about your hair, but your stylist seems aggravated or unconcerned, RUN!!!!!! There should never be a problem consulting with your stylist about YOUR hair.
• Don't shampoo, go under the sun, or swim for at least 48 hours after you're had color. It will fade.
• The relationship that you have with your hairstylist is one of the most important you have. Take care of them.
• Always rinse conditioner out of the hair with the coldest water you can stand, this will close the cuticle layer or the hair. The result is your hair will be shiny, and it will stimulate blood circulation.
• Always know how to style your hair when you get home. It will be very frustrating if the style looked great when you left the salon, but you could not recreate it at home.
• Oil your scalp with a castor oil based, hair oil two weeks prior to your relaxer every two to three days. This will lubricate your new growth, which will slow shedding and make the scalp less sensitive during relaxation.
• I don't recommend that anyone use a no-lye relaxer and I personally don't use no-lye relaxers because they cause dryness; and change the texture and integrity of the hair. Lye relaxers work quicker and leave the hair shiner and smoother.