The age-old debate continues: chemically relaxed hair vs pure hair — which one truly grows quicker and makes your life simpler? Let’s lower by the myths and get to the true details about what’s occurring in your scalp and in your lavatory routine.
Spoiler alert: the reply would possibly shock you.
The expansion price actuality test
Right here’s the reality that’ll blow your thoughts: all hair grows at mainly the identical price no matter texture or chemical processing. Your hair follicles don’t care whether or not you’ve obtained a recent relaxer otherwise you’re rocking your pure coils — they’re pushing out about half an inch per thirty days both means.
The distinction isn’t in how briskly it grows, however in how a lot size you’re capable of retain. That’s the place issues get attention-grabbing and the true comparability begins.
Size retention showdown
Pure hair usually seems to develop slower due to shrinkage — your curls and coils can shrink as much as 75% of their precise size. In the meantime, relaxed hair hangs straight down, showcasing each inch of progress instantly.
However right here’s the place relaxed hair faces its greatest problem: chemical harm. These relaxers break down the protein bonds in your hair to straighten it, making every strand extra fragile. Extra fragile hair equals extra breakage, and extra breakage means you’re shedding size as quick as you’re gaining it.
Pure hair, when correctly cared for, tends to retain size higher over time as a result of it hasn’t been chemically weakened.
The upkeep actuality for relaxed hair
Let’s be actual about relaxed hair upkeep. You’ve obtained touch-ups each 6 to eight weeks, which implies common salon visits and chemical publicity. Between relaxers, you’re coping with two completely different textures — your pure new progress and the beforehand relaxed hair.
This twin texture scenario creates weak factors the place breakage likes to occur. You’re additionally restricted in your styling choices as a result of an excessive amount of manipulation may cause harm the place the textures meet.
Don’t even get began on the price. Common relaxer appointments, particular merchandise for chemically handled hair, and frequent deep conditioning therapies add up shortly.
Pure hair upkeep reality
Pure hair will get a nasty rap for being “excessive upkeep,” however as soon as you determine your routine, it might truly be fairly simple. The educational curve is steep initially — you’ve obtained to know your porosity, discover the precise merchandise, and grasp methods like protecting styling.
However right here’s what no person tells you: pure hair is extremely versatile. You may wash and go, twist out, braid out, or protecting model. Dangerous hair day? Throw it in a bun or wrap it up. No salon appointments required for fundamental upkeep.
The product trial and error part might be irritating and costly, however as soon as you discover your holy grail merchandise, you’re set.
Injury management comparability
Relaxed hair requires fixed vigilance towards harm. You’re coping with warmth styling limitations, chemical processing results, and the necessity for protein therapies to keep up energy. Over-processing is an actual threat that may result in extreme breakage and even hair loss.
Pure hair faces completely different challenges — dryness, tangles, and potential harm from improper detangling or an excessive amount of manipulation. However these points are usually simpler to handle and don’t require chemical intervention.
Styling flexibility face-off
Relaxed hair provides you that easy, straight look with minimal every day effort. However you’re considerably locked into straighter types, and humidity turns into your worst enemy. Sweat it out on the fitness center? Good luck sustaining that modern look.
Pure hair affords unbelievable versatility. You may go from curly to straight with warmth styling, however you even have the choice to embrace your texture fully. Wet day? Your curls would possibly truly look higher with a little bit moisture within the air.
The time funding breakdown
Every day upkeep for relaxed hair is mostly faster — wrap it up at evening, unwrap and elegance within the morning. Wash days might be simple with the precise merchandise.
Pure hair every day care varies wildly relying in your routine. Some days it’s a fast spritz and go, different days you’re spending an hour detangling and styling. Wash days might be all-day affairs, however you possibly can usually go longer between washes.
Value evaluation over time
Relaxed hair frontloads prices with common salon visits, however every day product wants could be less complicated. Pure hair spreads prices out extra — you would possibly spend extra on merchandise initially whereas determining what works, however you save on frequent salon visits.
Neither texture grows quicker, however pure hair sometimes retains size higher when you grasp the care routine. Relaxed hair might sound simpler day-to-day, nevertheless it requires extra skilled upkeep and cautious dealing with. The “simpler” possibility actually relies on your life-style, funds, and the way a lot time you need to spend money on studying about your hair. Select based mostly on what matches your life, not what another person says it is best to do.
