The Complete Guide to Post-Smoothing Hair Care: Keeping Your Hair Healthy and Shiny

5 Essential Keys to Maintaining Smoothed Hair for Months

Straight, soft, and perfectly “flowing” hair—that’s a dream come true after hours of smoothing at the salon. This process is an investment, both in terms of time and cost.

However, this investment can be wasted within weeks if not cared for properly.

The biggest enemy of smoothed hair is incorrect care, which makes it quickly return to being frizzy, dry, or even damaged. To ensure your investment lasts for months, you not only need to follow a care routine but also avoid certain prohibitions.

Here are 5 essential keys to keep your smoothed hair straight, healthy, and shiny, just like it was fresh out of the salon.

Strict Prohibitions: 3 Things You MUST Avoid

Before we delve into what you should do, let’s discuss what you shouldn’t do.

• Don’t Wash Too Soon: Wait at least 48-72 hours after the smoothing process before washing your hair. The straightening chemicals need time to “lock in” perfectly.
• Don’t Clip or Tie: Avoid clipping, tying, or even tucking your hair behind your ears for the first 3 days. This can create permanent “kinks” in your newly straightened hair.
• Don’t Use Just Any Shampoo: This is a fatal mistake. Avoid shampoos containing Sulfates (Sodium Laureth Sulfate/SLS). Sulfates are harsh detergents that will “wash away” your hair’s smoothing keratin layer, making your hair dry quickly and revert to its original state.

5 Essential Care Keys for Smoothed Hair

Once you’ve passed the prohibition period, here’s your new routine:

1. Choose the Right ‘Weapon’: Sulfate-Free Shampoo

   As discussed above, shampoo is a key determinant. From now on, “Sulfate-Free Shampoo” is your new best friend. This type of shampoo cleanses gently without eroding your hair’s protective and keratin layers.

   • Comb Tip: Use a wide-tooth comb, especially when your hair is wet. Newly smoothed hair is more fragile when wet. A wide-tooth comb detangles without pulling or breaking hair strands.
2. Essential to Lock in Moisture with Keratin Conditioner

   After smoothing, your hair loses some of its natural moisture. Shampoo cleanses, but conditioner is what protects it.

   Choose a conditioner that explicitly mentions “Keratin” or “Protein” in its ingredients. This will help replenish lost proteins, coat the hair shaft, and keep it soft and straight.

3. Essential Weekly Ritual: Hair Mask

   Your hair needs extra nourishment. At least once a week, replace your conditioner with a Hair Mask or Creambath.

   Hair masks have a more concentrated formula and are designed to penetrate deep into the hair shaft, providing intensive nourishment, maintaining elasticity, and making hair more manageable. Choose a mask rich in moisturizers like Argan Oil, Shea Butter, or Avocado.

4. Essential Protection: Avoid Excessive Heat

   Even though your hair is already straight, the temptation to use flat irons or hot hair dryers might still be there. If you must use hot styling tools, it’s essential to use a Heat Protectant Spray first.

   This will create a barrier between the hot tool and your hair, preventing it from “burning” and becoming dry and split-ended.

5. Protection While Sleeping: Change Your Pillowcase

   This is a professional tip often forgotten. Cotton pillowcases can absorb natural moisture from your hair and create friction as you sleep, making your hair tangled and frizzy in the morning.

   Replace your cotton pillowcase with one made of Satin or Silk. Its smooth surface drastically reduces friction, keeping your hair smooth, straight, and tangle-free when you wake up.

What If Your Hair Is Already Dry or Damaged?

If you’re reading this too late, and your hair is already showing signs of damage—dryness, dullness, or hair loss—don’t panic. The tips above will help, but you might need a more intensive recovery plan.

For a comprehensive step-by-step guide on how to diagnose and fix the most common hair problems (including hair loss, dryness, and dandruff post-chemical processes), we have compiled a complete guide in our Ebook.

In-Depth Guide: Get our expert guide in the Ebook “The Healthy Hair Playbook: Your Action Plan for Common Hair Problems” available on Amazon.

Conclusion

Caring for smoothed hair is about consistency. By avoiding prohibitions and adopting these 5 essential care keys, you will not only keep your hair straight but also healthy and shiny for a longer period.

Ready for your next smoothing consultation or need professional hair care?

[FREE CONSULTATION & BOOKING VIA WHATSAPP]