client with black curly hair at hairdresser
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Over-processed black hair occurs when black hair receives frequent chemical applications. This also occurs when one chemical application, such as a relaxer or perm, is left on the hair beyond the recommended processing time. According to Hairfinder.com, once black hair is over-processed, the only treatment option is to minimize the damage and wait for your hair to grow. BlackHairPlanet.com advises the best way to treat over-processed black hair is to begin a strict weekly regimen of deep conditioning treatments.

Weekly Conditioning

Rinse your hair with warm water until your hair is saturated.

Apply your hot oil treatment according to the directions on the package.

Shampoo and condition your hair.

Saturate your hair with the deep conditioner. Place a plastic cap over your hair, and sit under a hooded hair dryer or hair dryer bonnet for 30 minutes.

Rinse the conditioner out with warm water. Take your hands and squeeze the excess water from your hair. Detangle your hair with a wide-tooth comb.

Dry your hair. You can let it air dry, or sit under a hooded dryer or hair dryer bonnet. Style as desired.

Nighttime Care

Use a wide-tooth comb to comb out any snags or tangles in the hair.

Place a fingertip full of hair butter or hair dressing into your palm, and rub your hands together to emulsify (thin out) the cream. Smooth the cream onto your hair using your hands, making sure to smooth the cream over the sides and back of hair.

Brush your hair with the paddle brush to help distribute the cream through your hair.

Create a side part in your hair with your comb. Take your paddle brush and brush your hair around your head as if you were using your head as a giant roller.

Take your boar bristle brush and smooth your hair to make it lay flat while wrapped around your head.

Pour a drop of setting lotion into your palm. Rub your hands together, and smooth your hands around your head to help hold your hair in place.

Tie a silk scarf or doo rag around your head or place a nylon stocking cap on your head. Secure the head covering with at least four hair clips (one clip for each side of the head).

Morning Care

Remove the hair clips and your head covering. Comb your hair down with your wide-tooth comb.

Lightly spritz your hair with a leave-in conditioner. Comb the conditioner through your hair.

Place a dime-sized amount of smoothing or frizz serum into your palm, and rub your hands together to thin out the serum. Smooth your hands over the top and under your hair.

Use your paddle brush to smooth and distribute the serum through your hair.

Style your hair as desired.

Tips

  • Wash your hair once a week to prevent moisture loss.

  • Apply a dry-end serum to your ends to prevent frizzy and split ends.

  • If your over-processed hair is limp, apply an egg-sized amount of volumizing mousse to your hair before wrapping it at night.