Relaxed hair is often dry because the relaxing process weakens the hair and causes it to lose moisture. This is primarily due to the chemical changes that occur when the hair's natural structure is altered.
Here's a breakdown of the reasons:
- Chemical Processing: Relaxers break down the disulfide bonds in the hair, which are responsible for its strength and elasticity. This process can leave the hair porous and more susceptible to moisture loss.
- Moisture Loss: Relaxed hair is more prone to losing moisture because the cuticle layer (the outer layer of the hair shaft) can become damaged during the relaxing process, making it harder for the hair to retain hydration.
- Protein Loss: The relaxing process also leads to protein loss, weakening the hair further and making it more susceptible to dryness and breakage. The video excerpt suggests combatting this weakness with protein treatments, even on the day of relaxer application.
- Improper Care: After relaxing, proper care is crucial. Using harsh shampoos, skipping deep conditioning treatments, and over-styling with heat can exacerbate dryness.
Therefore, a combination of the chemical process weakening the hair's structure, leading to both moisture and protein loss, coupled with improper aftercare, are the main reasons for dryness in relaxed hair.
