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.

How have your moisture levels held up this summer?