Moisture Focused Wash Day 11.5 Weeks Post Relaxer

It's another wash day. I decided to forgo one of the steps in my shedding plan which was to go one and a half to two weeks between wash days this time around because my new growth was starting to feel dry.

Since I was experiencing dryness my focus was on putting some serious moisture back in my relaxed hair by steaming and using moisturizing products.

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Pre-pooed: Since I had dry detangled the night before with the assistance of some sunflower and coconut oil I went right into my pre-poo. My mix this wash day was sunflower oil, coconut oil, honey, and Suave Natural Infusions Moisturizing Conditioner with Macadamia Oil. I let this sit on my hair for about 30 minutes under a shower cap.

Cleansed: After rinsing I cleansed with Eden BodyWorks Jojoba Monoi Moisturizing Shampoo. This is where I started to run into issues. I planned to do a green tea rinse after cleansing and forgot to brew the tea during my pre-poo! 

Why I Do Tea Rinses On My Relaxed Hair

So there I was in the shower debating whether or not I'd get out and brew the tea. Since I'm trying to combat my shedding I decided to get out and brew the tea. This added about an extra hour to my wash day since I had to dry off, wrap my hair in a towel, brew the tea and wait for it to cool. Oh well...I'm hoping it was worth it.

Deep Conditioned: After the green tea rinse I applied Eden BodyWorks Jojoba Monoi Deep Conditioner and did a steam treatment for about 20 minutes. Here's how I did the steam treatment: I put a shower cap on my head, wet a towel and warmed it up in the dryer, wrapped the towel on my head, and then covered my head with a plastic bag. I let my hair cool for about 10 minutes from the steam treatment and then rinsed with cool water.

Leave Ins: I towel-dried for 30 minutes then applied the Pantene Moisture Mist Detangler and Eden BodyWorks Coconut Shea Leave-in.

Dried: Next I let my hair air dry for another 30 minutes and then sat under my hooded drier with my new growth stretched to finish drying. I have to say, my hair tends to hold moisture better when I sit under the dryer than when I air dry. I'm not sure why, but this is something I will be looking into.

Sealed: After my hair cooled for a few minutes, I sealed with a mix of sunflower and coconut oil.

 

The results were pretty good. My relaxed hair felt more moisturized than it had in a while and I think not completely air-drying had something to do with that. There was minimal shedding, so I think the green tea rinses are working. I'm not sure how much of an effect the steam had as the towel I used was a bit big so it was hard to wrap it around my head and I don't think the towel got as hot as it could have. I do plan on trying the steam again next wash day.

I did notice after taking my pictures that I could see through my relaxed hair, particularly on the left side. I think that's the result of my shedding (sad sigh). I'm hoping it's because of the new growth shrinkage causing some sections of hair to be shorter than others.

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