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*NEW* SELF RELAXER SUPPORT: WHAT WORKS, WHAT DOESN’T

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addaboutmyhair said:
Maybe someone here could answer the following: I currently texlax my hair with Affirm mild. If I want to go straighter and relax it, can I go over my previously processed hair for say 5 minutes? Or do I have to start relaxing from the root and grow out the texlaxed hair?
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Bump for this question :) <3
 
afjhnsn said:
Bump for this question :) <3
Click to expand...

that's really good question too!

i hope some of the others will chime in with their ideas because i really don't have an answer.

all i can say is that i don't think my hair (fine 4/a or 4/b) would handle it well, so i personally would not try it.

i have some areas along the length of my hair which got alot less perm when i first started texlaxing, but when i wrap or rollerset, they straighten out just like the more relaxed ends.
 
addaboutmyhair said:
Maybe someone here could answer the following: I currently texlax my hair with Affirm mild. If I want to go straighter and relax it, can I go over my previously processed hair for say 5 minutes? Or do I have to start relaxing from the root and grow out the texlaxed hair?
Click to expand...

I have gone over underprocessed areas of my hair to make it straighter but there's really no guarantee that it will get as straight/textured as you want. Five minutes could be not enough or too much depending on how processed your previously relaxed hair is. I've done it before and I was fine but I knew that my hair was very underprocessed and felt that I had essentially missed some areas during the previous relaxer session. If you feel good about it, I say go for it and if not head to a salon and see what they can do for you. HTH!
 
grow said:
i have some areas along the length of my hair which got alot less perm when i first started texlaxing, but when i wrap or rollerset, they straighten out just like the more relaxed ends.
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I'm glad that's the case, because I have the same issue. The first time I texlaxed, I didn't straighten enough. The texture is lovely but it's a bit too thick for me. I don't want to try going over it again since I have texlaxed further since then. I'll have to practice my rollersetting.
 
Self relaxed for the 2nd time, this time becuz of you guys it came out so much better!!! I used affirm, mild. I got the temple clean relaxer applicator and the temple clean smoother that looks like a comb and my results are great! I did sooo much better this time.. After applying the relaxer I applied the affirm 5 n 1 reconstructor and let it sit for 20 mins... I then rinsed and applied neutralizing shampoo and let that sit too, which was new to me as well... I am happy with my results!! I did it!!
 
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What have you tried that you KNOW works:
Washing my hair a day or two before a relaxer, I just make sure not to wash/scrub my scalp. My hair is very dense and if I were to wait 7 days then I would lose a lot of hair while parting because I relax every 3 months. At the end of three months I have 1 1/2 inches of shrunken NG it is more pliable a day or 2 after washing. I know I could just spritz my NG the day before relaxing but I want to have my scalp manipulated as much as possible. I part with my fingers and apply the shampoo (Paul MItchell 3) but I dont rub it in, leave on 5 min and then rinse. I read this on Dlewis' blog and I decided to try it and it worked. I got some minor tingling at the end but that was to be expected.

What will you never do again because you know it DOES NOT work:
Using a non color indicator neutralizing shampoo, I need that indicator as reassurance.
I will also never use a protein that has keratin after rinsing.
Using pure vaseline as a base. Although it is an excellent base the relaxer gets stuck in the vaseline and it takes longer to rinse and nuetralize. I went back to my grease that has a mix of vaseline castor oil and coconut oil. It is easier to part with this one and easier to wash out. I use DAX Pressing oil with Coconut oil & Castor oil.
Put relaxr on my edges last. I use Mizani BB which is a pretty mild relaxer when I put the relaxer on my edges last each time they looked like I had never relaxed them. I only smooth them once as well.

Please include examples of things you believe in.
Using a lye relaxer.
Relaxing using the half method, I do the front first and it was a smoother application and more hair was relaxed than parting down the center.

Please include specific techniques.
Since I utilize the half method doing the front first, I have realized that sinc the back is much more dense I have to smooth the back 2x. The front only gets smoothed 1x. I get the texture I prefer this way.

Also, feel free to share which products you liked, and if possible, why.

Even add new techniques you haven’t tried yet, but are considering trying in the future.
 
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SignatureBeauty said:
Is anybody using the Phyto Relaxer? I am interested in using that, but I LOVE my texturized hair and don't want it bone straight, I have been using MBB whicH is EXCELLENT, but I see that phyto using No Lyes at all, No Sodium,No Calicum,No Lithium. so this is very interesting. Thanks Ladies! Oh, I have done a search but the Reviews are a couple years old.
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In order for the hair to change the texture "relaxers" have to use to use a chemical. The chemical that phyto uses is gaunidine carbonate (this is the active ingredient that changes the structure of the hair strand)
Check TAZ007's profile she uses phyto and her hair looks fab.

If the Mizani is working for you stick with it.
 
Thank You! Myjourney, I edited it and just started a Thread, since this thread was for Self Relaxer Tips! I will go check out Taz right now!
 
Subscribing. I'm going back to relaxing in 3 weeks. I've been self-relaxing for about 2 years now, but I've never relaxed 6 months of new growth before. I can't afford a stylist to do it right now. My mom offered to pay for me to go to a stylist and I may have to take her up on that offer...I know most people don't self relax that much hair, but does anyone have any suggestions or tips?
 
Subscribing!!!! I haven't relaxed my own hair in almost 20 years. But after reading this tread I think I have all the tools it takes. Thank you ladies for all your comments. I'm still very far away from my next retouch but I'll be taking notes.
 
newbeginnings2010 said:
Subscribing. I'm going back to relaxing in 3 weeks. I've been self-relaxing for about 2 years now, but I've never relaxed 6 months of new growth before. I can't afford a stylist to do it right now. My mom offered to pay for me to go to a stylist and I may have to take her up on that offer...I know most people don't self relax that much hair, but does anyone have any suggestions or tips?
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that's a great question. I'd like to know also if there is anything special/extra that's done on hair that's haven't been relaxed in over six months. I'm aiming for a 10 month stretch so I taught it was best to let my hairdresser relax it but if I have good instructions on how to handle that much growth I might attempt to do it myself.
 
ojemba said:
that's a great question. I'd like to know also if there is anything special/extra that's done on hair that's haven't been relaxed in over six months. I'm aiming for a 10 month stretch so I taught it was best to let my hairdresser relax it but if I have good instructions on how to handle that much growth I might attempt to do it myself.
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Well, if no one else chimes in, I guess I'll be the guinea pig! For now, my only thoughts are to use olive oil to protect the length of my hair and to help me detangle my new growth. I used olive oil on my wet hair once for detangling and it worked out well, but I haven't tried it on dry hair. I figure it will probably take more time to relax as well, so I'm thinking the olive oil will keep the relaxer from processing as fast. I also usually use my fingers (with gloves) to part my hair and apply my relaxer, but I will use an applicator brush for this one.
 
newbeginnings2010 said:
Subscribing. I'm going back to relaxing in 3 weeks. I've been self-relaxing for about 2 years now, but I've never relaxed 6 months of new growth before. I can't afford a stylist to do it right now. My mom offered to pay for me to go to a stylist and I may have to take her up on that offer...I know most people don't self relax that much hair, but does anyone have any suggestions or tips?
Click to expand...

this is a good question and as far as personal experience, my longest stretch was 17 weeks and yes, it was not so easy to get all of the ng, but that may also be because after a long time, the new growth is so much hair that it's not easy to cover as much ground so quickly.

maybe perming in halves could help, but i've never tried it.

the best i've ever read about stretching (she stretches 1 year at a time) is Sylver2!
they even started a thread and challenge inspired by her stretching techniques.
check this out and do not forget to see her fotki for steps!
happy viewing ladies!

http://www.longhaircareforum.com/showthread.php?t=356989
 
I'm planning on relaxing tomorrow I'm nervous and excited at the same time. It will be my first relaxer since being on my hair journey (15 weeks post). I've self relaxed for as long as I can remember but now whilst on this journey I'm scared something is going to go wrong...ah!!! I swear I've read this thread over and over during the last month and I have my plan all written out (pre greasing tonight, evoo in hair and a little protein condition). My motions relaxer is all done so I bought a Mizani relaxer and I think the switch is what has me most nervous....anyway just pontificating on here...I'll be sure to post an update after the fact. I so hope it's loaded with smiley faces rather than head wallbashing and tears:)
 
Nix08 said:
I'm planning on relaxing tomorrow I'm nervous and excited at the same time. It will be my first relaxer since being on my hair journey (15 weeks post). I've self relaxed for as long as I can remember but now whilst on this journey I'm scared something is going to go wrong...ah!!! I swear I've read this thread over and over during the last month and I have my plan all written out (pre greasing tonight, evoo in hair and a little protein condition). My motions relaxer is all done so I bought a Mizani relaxer and I think the switch is what has me most nervous....anyway just pontificating on here...I'll be sure to post an update after the fact. I so hope it's loaded with smiley faces rather than head wallbashing and tears:)
Click to expand...

I'm sure everything will go fine! When I first started my HHJ, I switched from lye to no lye ALL the time, trying to find the right one. Now I stick to strictly lye, but I never suffered a setback from the switches. You know how to self relax, so as long as you protect your previously relaxed hair and avoid too much overlapping, you won't have any trouble at all.

Now me on the other hand...I am still freaking out about relaxing 6 months of new growth in two weeks! :lol:
 
grow said:
this is a good question and as far as personal experience, my longest stretch was 17 weeks and yes, it was not so easy to get all of the ng, but that may also be because after a long time, the new growth is so much hair that it's not easy to cover as much ground so quickly.

maybe perming in halves could help, but i've never tried it.

the best i've ever read about stretching (she stretches 1 year at a time) is Sylver2!
they even started a thread and challenge inspired by her stretching techniques.
check this out and do not forget to see her fotki for steps!
happy viewing ladies!

http://www.longhaircareforum.com/showthread.php?t=356989
Click to expand...


Thanks grow! I have loved sylver2's hair from afar for a very long time, but we just have different textures. I've tried her methods and her products and my hair just doesn't respond well to them. I could NEVER just leave my NG alone for months. I did that once for just 10 weeks and suffered a bit of a setback because of it. Knotting and tangling like crazy! My stylist at the time just shook her head as she tried to get through it gently. :lol:
 
@newbeginnings2010, it's sad that those previous stretch methods didn't render better outcomes.

have you re grouped your methods?

maybe there was one specific technique that could really make a good impact.

on that link, there are dozens and dozens of people, so i really hope you find the new techniques that can make perming with 6 months of ng feasible!

the best of luck!



and to you too, Nix08! i recently switched perms and yes, have survived!

please let us know how it went and what you did so we can compare notes.

for example: when i switched perms:

i used coconut oil to base my scalp:nono:

i will not do that again because knowing coconut oil helps retain protein, it was too strong with the new perm.

if i ever switch again (i.e. go back to my original perm if it's available next time), i will use jbco to base the night before perming.:yep:
(reason being that even though my hair already "knows" the original perm, it now has other chemicals in it, so coconut oil is less neutral than jbco.)

other things i noticed whenever you switch perms:

LOOK AT THE INGREDIENTS AND THE DIFFERENCES OF INGREDIENTS IN THE DIFFERENT PERMS.
i say this because the perm i used had alot more protein in it naturally, so when i did my mid step protein conditioner, it was way too much and lead to protein overload. (my original perm was with very little protein, so the mid step needed to be stronger.)

i needed to use less protein in the midstep and up the amount of moisturizing dc.
(a chelating poo, thanks @NJoy and @JJamiah helped to take off any excess everything and from there i began the deep moisturizing dc's, which rebalanced my hair.)


ladies, in really keeping this information complete so that others, as well as ourselves can use it as a guide, please be sure to share any new information you come across.

i even come back to re-read my own past perm steps, so that i don't have to write it down (too much clutter) or use my computer space to keep that file, so this is good for our own purposes too!
 
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newbeginnings2010 said:
I'm sure everything will go fine! When I first started my HHJ, I switched from lye to no lye ALL the time, trying to find the right one. Now I stick to strictly lye, but I never suffered a setback from the switches. You know how to self relax, so as long as you protect your previously relaxed hair and avoid too much overlapping, you won't have any trouble at all.

Now me on the other hand...I am still freaking out about relaxing 6 months of new growth in two weeks! :lol:
Click to expand...

Thanks for the confidence boost newbeginnings2010 honestly I feel more assured already:)

I know using heat is a no no (I do anyway) but perhaps you could blow dry your roots (and/or flat iron) a few days before your relaxer to make the new growth more manageable. Yes I'm hanging my head in shame as I suggest this but I'm a newbie so I think I get a pass:) haha
 
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grow, that is an excellent point regarding the protein - I'm going to google that now:) Or maybe I ought to do some work first;)
 
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Can someone please explain the MID PROTEIN part? How does that work?

In my mind I am imagining, rinsing our relaxer, slapping on a protein treatment, sit for ? mins, rinse and then use nuetralizing shampoo? What about burns? This doesn't sound right.
 
BlackDiamond21 said:
Can someone please explain the MID PROTEIN part? How does that work?

In my mind I am imagining, rinsing our relaxer, slapping on a protein treatment, sit for ? mins, rinse and then use nuetralizing shampoo? What about burns? This doesn't sound right.
Click to expand...

Doesn't sound right, but works! It will leave your hair feeling strong. The trick is to rinse out ALL of the relaxer REALLY WELL, and you only leave the protein in for 2 - 3 minutes (at least that's what I do). It stops the breakage in its tracks. If your scalp is based well and the length of your hair is protected, you shouldn't suffer any burns or extra breakage by not neutralizing for a few minutes.
 
newbeginnings2010 said:
Doesn't sound right, but works! It will leave your hair feeling strong. The trick is to rinse out ALL of the relaxer REALLY WELL, and you only leave the protein in for 2 - 3 minutes (at least that's what I do). It stops the breakage in its tracks. If your scalp is based well and the length of your hair is protected, you shouldn't suffer any burns or extra breakage by not neutralizing for a few minutes.
Click to expand...

Oh dear:( I was going to leave mine in for like 10 -15 minutes but I think 2-3 sounds like a much better plan:) Especially since I did a lot of protein (maybe a little too much) last week. I co washed and did a pure moisturizing DC and have not used any protein products since so I think I'm good to go:)
 
Nix08 said:
Thanks for the confidence boost 'newbeginnings2010' honestly I feel more assured already:)

I know using heat is a no no (I do anyway) but perhaps you could blow dry your roots (and/or flat iron) a few days before your relaxer to make the new growth more manageable. Yes I'm hanging my head in shame as I suggest this but I'm a newbie so I think I get a pass:) haha
Click to expand...

@Nix08
Thanks for the tip! I can get my newgrowth pretty straight by braiding it down on 80% air dried hair overnight with Shea butter and unbraiding it in the morning. It doesn't work well for a braidout, but the roots are straighter and ready for relaxing! That way I can still tell the difference between the two textures and I avoid the heat.

And don't hang your head in shame! If it makes you feel any better, I don't plan on washing my hair again for the next two weeks until my relaxer (October 2nd), and I've been here for 4 years! That's a total of 3 weeks without washing! :blush: :lol:
 
Nix08 said:
Oh dear:( I was going to leave mine in for like 10 -15 minutes but I think 2-3 sounds like a much better plan:) Especially since I did a lot of protein (maybe a little too much) last week. I co washed and did a pure moisturizing DC and have not used any protein products since so I think I'm good to go:)
Click to expand...

I'm afraid to leave the protein treatment in that long because of potential breakage because the relaxer is still processing. I have done 5 minutes before without a problem, but that's because I finished applying the relaxer early.
 
I asked this question in the past and this is how it was explained to me.

Protein also works as a neutralizing step. When you relax your hair your cuticles are open because of the relaxer, when you neutralize this immediately closes the cuticle meaning that the protein you use will be working on those closed cuticles.

By exchange when you use protein in your mid-step you are filling in your cuticles with a strengthening agent before they get a chance to close. So you rinse out the relaxer fully, apply your protein treatment for 3 minutes or so, and then neutralize clamping down the cuticle and protecting your hair shaft.
 
Everytime I go to to TempleClean.com and go to the purchasing area, I cannot select to purchase just the Gold Sprush. What am I doing wrong???
 
Nix08 said:
Oh dear:( I was going to leave mine in for like 10 -15 minutes but I think 2-3 sounds like a much better plan:) Especially since I did a lot of protein (maybe a little too much) last week. I co washed and did a pure moisturizing DC and have not used any protein products since so I think I'm good to go:)
Click to expand...

Hi Nix...I have left my mid-step protein condish on for 15 minutes with no ill effects...my minimum is 5 minutes

Either way you should be fine.
 
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