Do you really love your smooth relaxed silky hair? I know I did -- while my hair was relaxed in my pre-teen to young adult life.

The real question is--are you willing to go the extra mile to create a healthy, beautiful hairstyle? One that promotes versatility, while sustaining fullness and volume for a soft, smooth, silky relaxed finish?

One thing you should know about relaxed hair is that over processing and over-lapping your coif is one of the major causes of breakage, shedding and hair loss. The proper technique for relaxing any textured hair is to only relax the curl pattern 80 to 85 % straight -- that means your hair will still have a slight wavy consistency. This is known as elasticity - the ability to stretch.

What are the Top Five Ways to achieve healthy relaxed hair?

• Never allow your stylist to over process or overlap your existing straightened hair. If you happen to have different textures -- in the straightness or curliness of your relaxed mane, it's time for a corrective relaxer process. Every texture is different, so you may not have to relax exactly every 4 - 6 weeks religiously. The softer the texture, the longer you can wait in between touch up services, say 6 to 8 weeks, especially if you follow the 80 to 85 percent rule. Remember, that doesn't hold true for the short straight Mohawk or pixie styles.

• Always, deep condition on a regular basis with a protein and moisturizing combo to strengthen and soften your tresses. After receiving a re-constructor mask or intense conditioning treatment, follow up with a hydrating or moisturizing conditioner. Re-constructors straighten the hair but can also leave your coif a bit hard to the touch.

• Apply a touch of leave-in-conditioner before you blow dry, wrap or roller set. Spray a light thermal mist to protect against heat. Try letting your tresses air dry and then ceramic iron, if you are not receiving a wrap or roller set. And never blow dry completely wet hair with a hot blow dryer and brush or attachment comb. This method puts to much stress on the hair, especially if your hair is bone straight.

• Wear a silk or satin scarf to protect your hair against breakage. And if you prefer to wear your hair free, try a satin pillow case. Water or vapor mist will undo any heat applied ceramic straightening so make sure to wear a plastic cap in the shower or bath.

• Protect your split ends with a light moisturizing pomade, a botanical or silicone gloss or Shea butter /essential oil based creme. This technique will ensure your ends do not split in between a long overdue trim or cut.

Stay tuned for part two: The Top Five Ways to Achieve Healthy Natural Hair! Coming soon...