I just had my hair rebonded again…only after 4 months! I know I shouldn’t have done it because rebonded hairit can do serious damage to my hair (which it did – some ends are too frizzy). But I love my hair now because it’s super straight. I don’t need to blow-dry or iron it to make it straight. I just air-dry it and little combing then I’m off! Many of my friends didn’t like it because it’s poker straight unlike my previous rebonded hair which had volume. Feeling guilty that I had the rebonding done only after a few months, I tried searching for hair care tips.

What is rebonding?

Hair rebonding is the process of making your hair poker straight, it breaks the chemical bonds of your hair and then the solution straightens them and the bonds are re-arranged permanently. This treatment is a little harsh for your hair and thus after care is of utmost importance if you don’t want to lose your hair. There are two categories of chemicals that are used, the first one being a relaxant or cream softener which will break down the natural hair structure and the second one is a neutralizer which will help in giving the hair a new structure. However when we say permanent, don’t expect your fresh growth to be straight, for permanent implies that the hair once treated will remain straight till the new growth doesn’t appear. Quite apparently, the new growth will require subsequent touchups.

Here’s the collated information I got from the internet on how to take care of rebonded hair:

  1. After a rebonding procedure, do not wet your hair for 3 days to let the chemicals soak in and make your rebond last. Just suck up the feeling that your hair gets greasy for a few days and avoid any parties for the moment. Avoid swimming after a rebond.
  2. After a rebonding procedure, do not tie your hair or put your hair behind your ears.
  3. After a rebonding procedure, when you sleep make sure your hair is straight and your head is not trapping your hair in a weird angle.
  4. After 3 days, wash your hair with shampoo and conditioner. Apply the conditioner at the tip of your hair for 5 minutes. Wash off your hair thoroughly of any residue.
  5. Use a deep conditioner or hair mask once a week. Use a leave-on conditioner or hair serum after towel drying your hair. Using a leave-on conditioner after washing will add shine and help provide the oil and moisture your hair has lost.
  6. Do not use any heated electric instruments, not even a hair dryer. If you need to dry your hair quickly and hair dryer is unavoidable then use on cold air function where it will only blow lots of air.
  7. Avoid using a brush since the movements may cause tension in the hair instead use a wide toothed comb.
  8. Don’t even think of any other chemical treatment after rebonding your hair, your stylist may recommend you for highlighting or any other service after a gap of 1 month or so but do not get carried away “STAY AWAY”. Once rebonded don’t think of doing anything to your hair for at least 6 months, not even a touch up.
  9. Oil and steam your hair every fifteen days. You can wrap a towel dipped in warm water, around your hair. This will deep condition your hair.
  10. If you need to iron your hair, use a ceramic flat iron. If you are going to blow-dry your hair, use an additional protein spray. It has substances that coat and protect the hair from heat, dirt and sun, while nourishing the hair at the same time.
  11. A balanced diet is very important include a lot of nuts, sprouts and red meat in your diet, your hair is made up of protein and to nourish it you need to feed it with the right food.
  12. Have your hair trimmed on a regular basis; every three months would be ideal. If your ends split, this split can travel along the hair shaft, causing damage further up. Do not hang on to damaged hair for the sake of its length.

Related posts:

  1. Hair care for permed hair
  2. My hair story
  3. A hairy day at Tony and Jackey Salon
  4. I love my new do!
  5. Curls or straight?