7 Common Post-Smoothing Hair Care Mistakes (Causes Quick Damage!)

You’ve just spent hours and a significant amount of money at the salon to get straight, soft, and manageable hair from a smoothing or rebonding treatment. Of course, you want these results to last as long as possible, ideally 6 months or more. However, in reality, many complain that their hair becomes frizzy, tangled, or even damaged again in just 1-2 months.

What causes this? Often, it’s not the salon’s fault, but rather trivial mistakes in at-home post-treatment care. Hair care after a chemical straightening process is very different from normal hair care. Are you making one of the following 7 fatal mistakes?

1. Mistake 1: Washing Hair Too Soon (Violating the 72-Hour Rule) This is the biggest sin after smoothing. The straightening agents (especially keratin/protein) need at least 72 hours (3 days) to ‘lock in’ perfectly to the hair shaft. Washing before 3 days—or even just getting it wet or experiencing excessive sweat—can ‘wash away’ that protein layer before it hardens. The result? Your hair won’t be as straight or as soft as it should be.
2. Mistake 2: Tying Hair Up or Tucking It Behind Ears During the first 3 days (ideally the first week), your hair is still very ‘malleable’ and easily ‘creased’. Tying your hair with a ponytail, clipping it with hairpins, or even the habit of tucking hair behind your ears will create permanent ‘marks’ or ‘bends’ in your newly straightened hair.
3. Mistake 3: Using the Wrong Shampoo (Containing Sulfates!) This is the most common long-term mistake. After 3 days, you wash your hair using your old shampoo from the bathroom. The problem is, almost all regular shampoos contain ‘Sodium Laureth Sulfate’ (SLS) or ‘Sodium Lauryl Sulfate’ (SLES). These are harsh detergents that will ‘strip away’ the protein layer from your smoothing treatment every time you wash. The result? Your hair quickly becomes frizzy again. Solution: You must switch to shampoos and conditioners labeled “Sulfate-Free” or “Keratin-Safe”.
4. Mistake 4: Swimming (The Enemy Called Chlorine) Chlorine in swimming pools and salt in seawater are sworn enemies of smoothed hair. Both are very ‘harsh’ and will quickly strip away the protective protein layer. If you must swim, wet your hair with fresh water first and coat it with a leave-in conditioner before wearing a swimming cap.
5. Mistake 5: Forgetting to Provide ‘Nutrition’ (Masks/Vitamins) Smoothing is a chemical process. Your hair will definitely experience stress. Relying solely on shampoo and conditioner is not enough. You must provide extra ‘nutrition’ at least once a week. Use a hair mask rich in protein or keratin, and use hair vitamins/serums daily on the ends of your hair to prevent dryness and split ends.
6. Mistake 6: Excessive Heat Styling (Flat Ironing) “But my hair is already straight, right?” Yes, but some people are still ‘addicted’ to flat ironing to get ‘extra’ straight results. Excessive heat from styling tools is the fastest way to damage chemically processed hair. Let your hair be. If styling is necessary, use a hairdryer on a medium setting.
7. Mistake 7: Coloring Hair Immediately Performing two heavy chemical processes (straightening and coloring) in close succession is a ‘disaster’ for your hair. Your hair shaft will be ‘destroyed’. Allow a break of at least 1-2 months between smoothing and coloring processes (especially if bleaching is required).

Conclusion

The essence of post-smoothing hair care is ‘gentleness’. Avoid harsh detergents (sulfates), avoid excessive heat, avoid tight ties, and provide extra nourishment. By avoiding the 7 mistakes above, your smoothing investment can last for months, not just weeks.

Looking for a safe shampoo for your smoothed hair? We have reviewed 5 of the best Sulfate-Free Shampoos on the market. Check out our recommendations here.