Hair care practices are always evolving. If you’ve been anywhere near beauty TikTok, YouTube, or Twitter lately, you’ve probably come across the term “telaxer.” It’s not a typo or a new chemical formula. It’s the latest hair care technique shaking up the way Black women think about texture, versatility and protective styling.
What Is a Telaxer?
A telaxer, also sometimes spelled “texlaxer,” isn’t a special product that you can buy off the shelf. It’s actually a technique used to loosen the curl pattern of natural hair. To achieve the look, people are slightly under processing their hair with a relaxer. The result is softer, more manageable hair that still retains some of its texture and volume. Unlike traditional relaxers, which completely straighten the hair, a telaxer softens curls without eliminating them entirely. It’s that sweet spot between natural and relaxed, where you still get body and bounce with a bit more control.
This technique has become especially popular among Black women. It is clear that Black women crave the benefits of more manageable hair without sacrificing all of their texture. A telaxer is a way to customize your curl pattern without fully committing to either extreme.
Why Are People Telaxing?
For many women, especially those with tighter curl patterns, managing natural hair can be a rewarding experience. However, it’s not always quick or easy. Detangling, stretching, and protective styling can take hours, and for some, that time commitment just isn’t feasible. That’s where telaxing comes in. It offers a more flexible, low-maintenance routine, while still allowing you to work with your natural texture.
The appeal lies in the balance telaxed hair provides. It reduces the shrinkage and tangles that can make natural hair difficult to manage. However, it still leaves enough curl and volume to feel authentic and full. Many women also find that telaxed hair blends beautifully with their natural roots. It’s a great option for those who are transitioning or want to experiment without fully relaxing their hair.
How Does It Work?
Creating a telaxer look involves using a regular relaxer. You can opt to use the same type you’d use to fully straighten the hair. The key is to apply it with a lighter hand. Some people achieve this by rinsing the relaxer out much earlier than usual, giving it less time to break down the natural curl. Others modify the relaxer itself by mixing it with natural oils, like olive, coconut, or castor oil, or even with conditioner, to weaken its strength. The idea is to make the chemical process less aggressive, so that the result is a looser curl, rather than completely straight strands.
It’s a method that requires precision, especially with timing. Many people consult stylists who are experienced in working with textured hair or do thorough strand tests before applying the technique to their head.
Telaxer vs. Texturizer vs. Relaxer
Although telaxers, texturizers, and relaxers all involve chemical processing, their goals and results are quite different. A relaxer completely straightens the hair, removing all traces of the natural curl pattern. It results in sleek, flat strands that typically require regular touch-ups at the roots. A texturizer, on the other hand, is a milder formula that slightly loosens curls to create soft waves or a “S” curl pattern. It’s generally processed very quickly and marketed as a separate product category.
A telaxer lands somewhere between the two. It uses a standard relaxer, but is applied or timed in a way that leaves some curl or wave in the hair. The final result leaves a person’s hair textured and full. It’s less structured than a texturizer, but more natural-looking than a full relaxer. The big difference is that telaxing is more about how you apply the relaxer than what product you use.
How to Care for Telaxed Hair
Although telaxed hair is not fully relaxed, it still goes through a chemical process. This means aftercare is crucial. Moisture should become your best friend. Regular deep conditioning sessions and the use of leave-in conditioners will help keep your strands hydrated and soft. Protein is also important. Since you have altered the structure of your hair, incorporating protein treatments into your routine will help strengthen your strands and prevent breakage.
You’ll also want to keep your styling as gentle as possible. Low-manipulation hairstyles, like braid-outs, twist-outs, buns, and loose updos, can help maintain the health of your hair while showing off your new texture. Regular trims will keep split ends at bay, and protective styles, like box braids or wigs, are still totally compatible with telaxed hair. In any occasion, ensure your hair is healthy and moisturized underneath.
Telaxing offers a manageable, beautiful middle ground that allows you to enjoy texture without the full demands of natural hair maintenance. If you love your curls, but want a bit more freedom in your routine, telaxing might just be your next hair care move.