Over time, I've developed a wash day routine that focuses on keeping my relaxed hair clean, moisturized, and manageable without doing too much.
I typically wash my hair about once a week, deep condition regularly, and take extra care when detangling and drying my hair. I've also learned that paying attention to how my hair feels helps me figure out what it needs.
If you're looking for ways to simplify your relaxed hair routine, here are five simple wash day habits worth incorporating.
1. Shampoo your hair more than once when needed
One wash doesn't always feel like enough to get my scalp and hair clean, especially when I've been using several styling products, or I have buildup on my scalp and hair. That's why I often shampoo my hair twice on wash day.For my regular weekly wash days, I typically start with a scalp-focused shampoo that I only use on my scalp. I follow that with a moisturizing shampoo or two, with one lather each. I concentrate the moisturizing shampoos on my scalp, but I also pull the lather through the rest of my hair before rinsing.
The first moisturizing shampoo lather helps get the cleansing process started. The second lather gives me another opportunity to cleanse my scalp and hair while adding moisture.
However, shampooing more than once isn't a rule you have to follow every single time. If my hair and scalp aren't particularly dirty or coated with products, I may not need two lathers.
I also don't use a clarifying shampoo every wash day. When I notice buildup, I may use a clarifying shampoo first and follow it with a moisturizing shampoo.
The goal is to get my scalp clean without making my hair feel unnecessarily dry.
I usually apply my deep conditioner in sections so I can distribute it throughout my hair, paying extra attention to the ends. I also use heat when deep conditioning. Depending on the wash day, I'll use my deep conditioning cap or hair steamer and typically leave the treatment on for about 30 minutes.
Deep conditioning is a regular part of my routine, but the type of treatment I use can change.
Before drying, I apply my leave-in conditioner and heat protectant. Both are usually in liquid form and are light enough not to weigh my hair down, but also add moisture. I've also experimented with different heat protectants to find products that work well for my hair.
One thing I try to avoid is starting the drying process when my hair is dripping wet. I’ll sometimes wring as much water from my hair as possible, and then air-dry for an hour or so before blow-drying. Lately, I’ve been sitting under my hooded dryer to accomplish this.
When blow-drying, I work in sections and use settings that help me control the amount of heat I'm applying. A heat protectant is an important part of my heat routine, but it doesn't make heat damage impossible. I still try to use heat thoughtfully.
The idea isn't to aggressively rub my hair dry. Instead, I gently wrap or press the towel around my hair to absorb water. Wet hair can be more vulnerable to mechanical damage, so I try to avoid rough handling, unnecessary friction, and pulling on my strands.
A microfiber towel is what I use, but you don't necessarily need a particular towel brand or an expensive hair accessory to make your routine work. You can also use an old, clean T-shirt and get a similar result. That’s what I did for many years before the T-shirts I used got too many holes in them.
The important part is being gentle with your hair and not twisting or rubbing it aggressively.
I separate my hair into manageable sections and gently work through the ends first. Once those are detangled, I gradually move higher until I can comb through the section more easily. I also use conditioner or an appropriate detangling product when needed to help with manageability.
When I’m a few weeks into a relaxer stretch, and my new growth starts popping, I try to be especially mindful around areas that tangle or resist the comb. I don't force the comb through knots. If I encounter resistance, I stop and work through that area more carefully. Paying attention to the ends is important, too. That's the part of my hair that can feel especially dry and become harder to manage.
Taking my time with detangling helps make the rest of my wash day less frustrating.
My wash day routine continues to evolve as I learn more about my relaxed hair and the products that work for it. What works for my hair may not work the same way for yours, so pay attention to how your hair responds and adjust your routine accordingly.
The goal is to build a routine that helps you keep your relaxed hair clean, manageable, and cared for without making wash day more complicated than it needs to be.
Related read: Best Moisturizing Shampoos For Dry Relaxed Hair
2. Make deep conditioning part of your routine
Deep conditioning is one of the wash day habits I prioritize. I deep condition once a week, and most weeks I reach for a moisturizing deep conditioner. The reason is my relaxed hair tends to be on the dry side. So some weeks it can start to get rougher or harder to manage, particularly toward the ends. A good conditioning treatment can help improve softness, manageability, and the feel of my hair.I usually apply my deep conditioner in sections so I can distribute it throughout my hair, paying extra attention to the ends. I also use heat when deep conditioning. Depending on the wash day, I'll use my deep conditioning cap or hair steamer and typically leave the treatment on for about 30 minutes.
Deep conditioning is a regular part of my routine, but the type of treatment I use can change.
3. Apply a heat protectant before drying
I don't skip heat protectant when I'm using any heat styling tool on my relaxed hair. Even though I try to limit how much heat I use, I still use heat styling tools as part of my routine. I typically do a roller set or use my Shark FlexStyle or Shark SilkiPro when I blow-dry my hair.Before drying, I apply my leave-in conditioner and heat protectant. Both are usually in liquid form and are light enough not to weigh my hair down, but also add moisture. I've also experimented with different heat protectants to find products that work well for my hair.
One thing I try to avoid is starting the drying process when my hair is dripping wet. I’ll sometimes wring as much water from my hair as possible, and then air-dry for an hour or so before blow-drying. Lately, I’ve been sitting under my hooded dryer to accomplish this.
When blow-drying, I work in sections and use settings that help me control the amount of heat I'm applying. A heat protectant is an important part of my heat routine, but it doesn't make heat damage impossible. I still try to use heat thoughtfully.
Related read: My 7 Best Heat Protectants For Relaxed Hair
4. Use a microfiber towel to remove excess water
This is a simple habit that I find useful on wash day. After rinsing out my deep conditioner, I wrap my hair in a microfiber towel to help remove excess water. I like doing this while I take care of a few other things before styling my hair.The idea isn't to aggressively rub my hair dry. Instead, I gently wrap or press the towel around my hair to absorb water. Wet hair can be more vulnerable to mechanical damage, so I try to avoid rough handling, unnecessary friction, and pulling on my strands.
A microfiber towel is what I use, but you don't necessarily need a particular towel brand or an expensive hair accessory to make your routine work. You can also use an old, clean T-shirt and get a similar result. That’s what I did for many years before the T-shirts I used got too many holes in them.
The important part is being gentle with your hair and not twisting or rubbing it aggressively.
5. Detangle from the ends up
Detangling is one of those steps where slowing down can make a difference in my wash day experience. I try to avoid starting at my roots and dragging a comb through my entire length of hair. Instead, I work from the ends upward.I separate my hair into manageable sections and gently work through the ends first. Once those are detangled, I gradually move higher until I can comb through the section more easily. I also use conditioner or an appropriate detangling product when needed to help with manageability.
When I’m a few weeks into a relaxer stretch, and my new growth starts popping, I try to be especially mindful around areas that tangle or resist the comb. I don't force the comb through knots. If I encounter resistance, I stop and work through that area more carefully. Paying attention to the ends is important, too. That's the part of my hair that can feel especially dry and become harder to manage.
Taking my time with detangling helps make the rest of my wash day less frustrating.
Related watch: How I Detangle My Relaxed Hair
Keep your relaxed hair wash day simple
You don't need to change your entire wash day routine to start caring for your hair differently. You can begin with one habit, such as being more intentional about detangling or making sure you're using a heat protectant before drying.My wash day routine continues to evolve as I learn more about my relaxed hair and the products that work for it. What works for my hair may not work the same way for yours, so pay attention to how your hair responds and adjust your routine accordingly.
The goal is to build a routine that helps you keep your relaxed hair clean, manageable, and cared for without making wash day more complicated than it needs to be.
Which of these wash day habits do you already follow, and which one would you like to try?
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