{"id":4012,"date":"2025-10-20T10:04:54","date_gmt":"2025-10-20T14:04:54","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/prose.com\/?p=4012"},"modified":"2025-10-20T10:05:23","modified_gmt":"2025-10-20T14:05:23","slug":"curls-after-chemical-straightener","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/prose.com\/blog\/curls-after-chemical-straightener","title":{"rendered":"Curls After a Chemical Hair Straightener: How to Get Them Back"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

What Is A Relaxer?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Relaxer is a chemical hair straightener that permanently uncurls hair. The strands on our head are made of keratin proteins which are held together by disulfide bonds that give hair its elasticity, strength and curl pattern. How curly your hair is depends on the number of disulfide bonds it has. By chemically breaking these bonds, the keratin can be realigned and straightened. Think of it as a reverse perm. The solution is applied at the scalp then pulled through to rearrange the strands in a straight line.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The process needs to be repeated every eight weeks to address regrowth. Because there\u2019s some inevitable overlap, these treatments are known to damage and overstretch individual hair shafts, making them increasingly prone to fissures and breakage. While home kits are readily available and cost-effective, these products also make it easy to over-process the hair. Another risky relaxer move includes not waiting the recommended amount of time between touch-ups.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But, the most important aspect to remember: \u201cChemical relaxers are irreversible,\u201d says Faith Huffnagle, veteran stylist. \u201cThe only way to get rid of one is to wait for it to grow out.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What Isn\u2019t A Relaxer?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Japanese Straightening\/Thermal Reconditioning:<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

This process uses chemicals and heat to alter the structure of hair, loosening hair proteins, then reshaping hair cells. It can be damaging, but many consider it worthwhile for six to seven months of stick-straight strands. Once the treatment fades out, the hair will return to its original texture.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Keratin Treatment\/Brazilian Straightening:<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

A coating of keratin<\/a> is painted and sealed onto the hair shaft, creating a moisture barrier that reduces frizz and gives hair a shiny finish. Typical results last around three months, then gently fade out as hair goes back to its natural structure.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How Do I Get My Curls Back?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

If you\u2019re wondering how to get curls back after chemical straightening, your natural texture will return with new hair growth. The bad news: it\u2019s going to take some patience to return to a full head of curls.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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As new hair growth occurs, the texture will come in just as you remember. The section that was relaxed, however, will remain straight. Many women choose to cut off the length to speed up the process. Or, you can try trimming a little off the ends after each shampoo to slowly whittle away the over-processed ends. But if that\u2019s too dramatic a move, twist outs<\/a>, flat twists and protective styling<\/a> work great to disguise the two, opposing textures and hide compromised and weakened ends.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There will be a very weakened line of demarcation where the relaxed hair and new growth meet that can easily snap. Additionally, hair will have two different pHs<\/a> with relaxed hair being very alkaline, and fresh growth more acidic, which makes finding the right cleansing, conditioning and styling products challenging.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

During the growing out phase, you\u2019ll want to avoid heat, harsh chemicals (including keratin treatments), extensions or anything else that puts undue stress and pulls or tugs at hair. Nourishing and conditioning ingredients<\/a> will be beneficial to keep the hair from breaking off prematurely. For this awkward phase, Prose recommends botanical ingredients like maracuja oil<\/a> to restore hair\u2019s strength and hyaluronic acid<\/a> to deeply moisturize hair fibers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Additional Pro Tips<\/h2>\n\n\n\n