Hola,
I have been getting a perm my whole life. I am mixed, Puerto Rican and black. I will be going to college soon and I wanted to know if there was any way that I could prevent having a relaxer so often. My mom usually pays for me to go every 6 weeks at this Dominican Salon (NYC girl lol). I don’t really trust anyone but my beautician, co I will be doing my hair on my own. I know that I will definitely have to get a blower and a dryer and rollos, but if I put in a conditioner every single time I wash it will it make it last longer. i usually use the Nexus Therappe shampoo and a conditioner by alter ego that has garlic in it which believe it or not smells really good. My beautician used to put in a leave-in conditioner before she would put the rollos in but she recently said that I didn’t need it because the conditioner made it really soft that she could easily put in the rollos. Do you think that by putting this in all the time it could allow my roots to be softer and I could manage my hair better without a perm? Or at least until I am able to get back to home.

I love you and your site btw. Me has ayudado mucho!
Gracias,
Amanda

Hola Amandita

Congrats on going off to college! Enjoy every moment and study hard.

To answer your question, you should use a good conditioner every, single time you shampoo and use a good conditioner even if you plan on wearing your hair natural. I like Alter Ego Garlic, but there are other products that work better for my hair. Notice, I said “my” hair. What I’m trying to tell you is go with what works for YOUR hair.

So, if you find products that leave your hair, particularly your new growth, soft and manageable, stick with them. I’m a hard-core product junkie. I tend to try stuff just because it’s on the shelf and dare I say, because it smells nice (no laughing).

Now, pay close attention to how your stylist combs your hair when she does your rolos and pay closer attention to how she handles the blower. You will benefit greatly if you learn to do your rollos and lag behind, with regard to learning how to blow out your hair. Keep in mind, although the blower is less damaging to the hair than the flatiron (this is just my opinion), it still has the potential to burn your hair. Once the hair has been damaged, there’s no return. You simply have to nurse your new growth.

Also, if you find that you are not getting your hair as straight as you like, which will probably be the case until you learn to wheel that blower, work with you have. Instead of doing a dubi, try finger curls. You’ll have volume to your hair, but it will still have sway. Me entiendes?

Please, stay in touch and I’m glad that I’ve been able to help.

Mil besos!

LaNegra