Relaxed Hair Thread

[Evolving78]

gabulldawg. 8-9 weeks is fine to relax. i say do it now. no need to struggle for two-three more weeks. also try a tea rinse to combat the shedding. protein strengthens the hair, it doesn't prevent or stop shedding. shedding is an internal, scalp issue.

 

[Guinan]

Hey Ladies!! Do any of you color your hair right after a relaxer using a color rinse (not permanent)? If so, when do you apply it; is it the last step?

 

[pre_medicalrulz]

Thanks for the reply. I usually wear buns or twist outs right now. I try not to straighten often. I love the idea of a spray bottle. I will probably have to stop by the bss tonight.

I'm thinking I may need to look into a protein dc. My hair sheds ALL of the time! I try not to worry about it since that's happened since back when I was natural, but it's annoying! Hairs everywhere. I would love to not have to deal with that for once in my life!

LOL!! Sorry if I confused you but I was responding to loveafterwar

 

[gabulldawg]

@gabulldawg. 8-9 weeks is fine to relax. i say do it now. no need to struggle for two-three more weeks. also try a tea rinse to combat the shedding. protein strengthens the hair, it doesn't prevent or stop shedding. shedding is an internal, scalp issue.

Thanks. I'll look up info about tea rinsing.

 

[Britt]

Hey Ladies!! Do any of you color your hair right after a relaxer using a color rinse (not permanent)? If so, when do you apply it; is it the last step?

Yes, I have muliple times in the past. After you relax and deep condition you apply your color rinse as the last step. This way, you do a light shampooing and rinse out conditioner when you do wash the rinse out... proceed to rollerset or style as usual. This is what they do at the Dominican salons.

 

[blackberry815]

has anyone used aphogee two step every 4 weeks?? or more often?

 

[Babygrowth]

Hey ladies. For those of you who do the mid-protein step, do any of y'all use natural/organic products like Curl Junkie's repair me or shescentit's Okra something or other? Just wondering. Do you think it even makes a difference vs using Aphogee 2 min? I just like those natural products better and wanted some experiences or opinions before I try it out.

Thanks in advance...

 

[pre_medicalrulz]

Relaxed heads have shrinkage as well. I hate it. Augh! Why I gotta flat iron to WL?! Why I can't just airdry to WL?! *rolls eyes*

 

[loveafterwar]

You might need a trim & then do a protein/ moisture treatment.

I did a trim 2 weeks ago so I'll try a moisture/protein treatment.

 

[Raspberry]

Hey @Raspberry! I was just thinking about you yesterday. I'm glad your relaxer went well . Yeah I have been sleeping on a cotton pillowcase for the last week too. I wear a silk scarf to bed but it always come off but I'm back on track with my satin pillowcase as of last night.

Sent from my iPhone using LHCF

Hey KiWiStyle! Yea I'm happy to have swangin hair and feel my scalp again lol. Are you still transitioning?

I'm so bad at keeping my scarf on my head at night, I stay thrashin around.

 

[KiWiStyle]

Hey KiWiStyle! Yea I'm happy to have swangin hair and feel my scalp again lol. Are you still transitioning?

I'm so bad at keeping my scarf on my head at night, I stay thrashin around.

Raspberry girl you must have me confused with another one of us, lol! I'm not transitioning I'll be 4 weeks post this Friday and looking forward to my next relaxer!

When you learn the secret to keeping a silk scarf on overnight, PLEASE letter know. Thank goodness got my pillowcase.

Sent from my iPhone using LHCF

 

[Guinan]

Hi Ladies!

So I wrote down my relaxer process, so please let me know what yall think

1. Base scalp/seal ends-ORS Scalp Baser, Vaseline (4 ends) and Olive Oil(4 ends)
2. Relax - Just For Me, Texture Softner
3. Neutralize - Just for me Neutralizer Shampoo
4. 2 min Protein Conditioner -Aphogee
5. DC 2hrs - Queen Helene Cholesterol mixed w/ my oils
6. Color Rinse for 30 mins - Clairol Jet Black
7. Chelate Shampoo - Elasta QP
8. Co-Rinse for moisture - Suave Tropical Coconut
9. Style

I hope I have everything in the right order and the right products. Any Suggestions would be appreciated. I am relaxing at the end of next month. I plan on stopping with the MN in two weeks.

-Thanks Ladies!!

 

[Nix08]

Hi Ladies!

So I wrote down my relaxer process, so please let me know what yall think

1. Base scalp/seal ends-ORS Scalp Baser, Vaseline (4 ends) and Olive Oil(4 ends)
2. Relax - Just For Me, Texture Softner
3. Neutralize - Just for me Neutralizer Shampoo
4. 2 min Protein Conditioner -Aphogee
5. DC 2hrs - Queen Helene Cholesterol mixed w/ my oils
6. Color Rinse for 30 mins - Clairol Jet Black
7. Chelate Shampoo - Elasta QP
8. Co-Rinse for moisture - Suave Tropical Coconut
9. Style

I hope I have everything in the right order and the right products. Any Suggestions would be appreciated. I am relaxing at the end of next month. I plan on stopping with the MN in two weeks.

-Thanks Ladies!!

pelohello the protein step generally goes before the neutralizing step. Otherwise your plan looks great!

 

[Nix08]

Duplicate post

 

[Nix08]

But do rinse out the relaxer well before the protein step.

 

[BKfinest]

Hi ladies, I'm relaxed as well. My question is are you moisturizing and sealing daily? if so, how do you do this without you hair being weighed down? I've tried and my hair gets weighed down.

 

[LaToya28]

I don't wear my hair down often, but when I did, I didnt moisturize and seal the way I do now. I would use a small amount of Keracare creme hairdress mixed with a little serum before wrapping it for the night. And I would only do that about twice a week. Other than that I'd just use serum.

 

[BKfinest]

I don't wear my hair down often, but when I did, I didnt moisturize and seal the way I do now. I would use a small amount of Keracare creme hairdress mixed with a little serum before wrapping it for the night. And I would only do that about twice a week. Other than that I'd just use serum.

Thank you ....I think I have to M&S twice a week as well.. daily is just to much

 

[pearlific1]

After being taken from BSL/grazing MBL to barely grazing APL, I have recently decided to fire my stylist and take over all aspects of my hair care. I want to self relax but have been putting it off since my setback in Aug in order to learn all I can before I start the process.

Soooooo I have a dumb question: what is the purpose of the protein step before the neutralizing? What does it do? I dont recall my former stylist doing this step.

 

[Americka]

After being taken from BSL/grazing MBL to barely grazing APL, I have recently decided to fire my stylist and take over all aspects of my hair care. I want to self relax but have been putting it off since my setback in Aug in order to learn all I can before I start the process.

Soooooo I have a dumb question: what is the purpose of the protein step before the neutralizing? What does it do? I dont recall my former stylist doing this step.

http://m.voices.yahoo.com/benefits-mid-relaxer-protein-conditioning-step-6545488.html

1) The Mid-relaxer protein step restores precious proteins lost to the chemical relaxing process.

The chemical relaxing process drastically changes and permanently affects the hair's natural protein structure. In order to straighten the hair, the cortex's disulfide linkages must be broken. But in order to even enter the cortex, the relaxer must first break through the cuticle's protein infrastructure. The mid-relaxer protein step helps replenish your hair's lost protein. While the conditioning effects are only temporary and the proteins are often larger than the ones the hair has given up to the relaxing process, the conditioner's proteins go a long way toward improving the condition of your hair at one of the most critical points.

Because the hair's cuticles are lifted and highly permeable immediately after the relaxer is rinsed, proteins-- even larger ones are able to bind deeply within the hair shaft.

2.) Mid- Relaxer Protein Step Guarantees Maximum Protein Penetration In the Hair Fiber.

The protein step's position just after the relaxer is rinsed, and before the hair is neutralized means the proteins get maximum penetration and relocation within the hair fiber. Again, because the cuticles are lifted, proteins of all sizes are able to penetrate deeply into the hair fiber.

3.) The Mid-Relaxer Protein Step Increases Hair Volume and Thickness.

The proteins deposited on the outer hair shaft during the mid-relaxer protein step dramatically increase the shaft diameter of each hair fiber. This increased shaft diameter creates the feeling of thicker, stronger hair strands. This is in direct opposition to what typically occurs during a relaxer where the hair is left feeling limp and lifeless for several days just after the relaxer service. The mid-relaxer protein step will give the hair a little umph and recreate the volume and body that relaxing tends to zap away at least initially anyway.

4.) The Mid-Relaxer Protein Step has a neutralizing effect on the relaxer.

Because protein reconstructors and conditioners are formulated at acidic pHs (between 3.4-5.5), these conditioners have a net neutralizing effect on the hair fiber. This is very important. The low pH ensures that the hair shaft is not damaged while the hair is being conditioned. The protein conditioner has in effect started the neutralization process.

 

[divachyk]

Question, is it best (safer, less breakage) to comb relaxed hair when it's wet, dry or damp?

I learned to comb my natural hair sloppy wet, but I don't think that's good for my relaxed hair.

Charla, my order of preference: damp, dry and wet.
Damp - my hair doesn't snap as easily when in this phase. I use slippery a concoction when combing -- water/AOWC spritz.

Dry - my hair does ok so long as I don't comb excessively. I use a detangling spray to help minimize tangles -- Oyin Juices & Berries or AV Moringa Detangler.

Wet - my hair snaps easiest in this phase if combed without any product applied. I will spritz with my AOWC mix to help with slip & ease of combing.

Ladies, can I PLEASE get some advice??

The last time I relaxed my hair I skipped my nape area. It didn't feel like there was much new growth back there and I have had some breakage, so I figured it would wait until my next touch up to relax back there. Now it is a bit off the chain back there. Very hard to comb through and feels rough to the touch. I was wondering if I should relax early (at 2 months instead of 3 months post) and take care of my nape, or just wait it out until December. I would like to prevent any excess breakage back there. Any help would be greatly appreciated. TIA!

gabulldawg. 8-9 weeks is fine to relax. i say do it now. no need to struggle for two-three more weeks. also try a tea rinse to combat the shedding. protein strengthens the hair, it doesn't prevent or stop shedding. shedding is an internal, scalp issue.

gabulldawg, I agree with shortdub78 -- I would end the stretch to avoid any excessive breakage. It's not worth the hassle or headache.

 

[Americka]

Relaxing tomorrow, so I pre-sectioned and based my scalp.

ETA- I finished about fifteen minutes ago. My hair is "less" processed than I'd like and it felt slightly rough even after dcing. I'll do a corrective in January and return to my old relaxer.

 

[gabulldawg]

I went ahead and relaxed yesterday. I also did a brief protein DC. I'm glad I did. Now I feel prepared for my next stretch and i'm ready to kick it up a notch. My hair health seems to be getting better over time. I think i'm doing something right!

 

[mschristine]

Got a sample of the ORS hair repair intensive moisture cream and the ORS anti breakage cream in the mail...love it!! Went to the store today and bought both of them and every packet of the nourishing deep conditioner they had...

 

[lamaria211]

Got a sample of the ORS hair repair intensive moisture cream and the ORS anti breakage cream in the mail...love it!! Went to the store today and bought both of them and every packet of the nourishing deep conditioner they had...

Have you tried the nourishing DC yet? I'd love your review . I just bought a pack from Sally's (they had a lot) but I want to try it before I went wild.

 

[Charla]

@Charla, my order of preference: damp, dry and wet.
Damp - my hair doesn't snap as easily when in this phase. I use slippery a concoction when combing -- water/AOWC spritz.

Dry - my hair does ok so long as I don't comb excessively. I use a detangling spray to help minimize tangles -- Oyin Juices & Berries or AV Moringa Detangler.

Wet - my hair snaps easiest in this phase if combed without any product applied. I will spritz with my AOWC mix to help with slip & ease of combing.

THanks for these details divachyk; I really need to learn my relaxed hair this well! I'm getting there thru trial and error slowly but surely!

 

[divachyk]

THanks for these details divachyk; I really need to learn my relaxed hair this well! I'm getting there thru trial and error slowly but surely!

Charla, many days of errors led me to this understanding. I still get it wrong from time to time but I don't let it get me down.

 

[Evolving78]

THanks for these details divachyk; I really need to learn my relaxed hair this well! I'm getting there thru trial and error slowly but surely!

when i detangle, i am all fingers during the first 4 weeks after a touchup. 4-8 is fingers first, comb on 80-90% dry.

i am going back to applying my leave-ins first and just gently separate and glide my fingers through.

i tee-shirt dry too to remove excess water and it still keeps my hair smooth. the key to figuring out what will work for you hair is knowing your porosity. i have low porosity hair, with high porosity ends. my ends have been colored a lot. my ends get dry very quickly, so that is my main focus on dusting and trying to keep them moisturized and sealed. i also can't go too long with out washing my hair. i have to wash it at least once a week. since i moisturize and seal daily, that causes more buildup, so i have to wash at least 2x a week.

i don't stay away from sulfate shampoos. i use hydrating shampoos that are not clear or that are creamy. my hair doesn't feel stripped.

right now i am trying something a little different. i am going to switch between cowashing and shampoo every two days since i am just wearing a bun. i will be air drying as well. i will throw in a light protein treatment every other week.

you will always be learning when it comes to hair period. do you keep a journal?

 

[sckri23]

How is that pink moisturizer? Cause I just used some at my friends house its the "hood girl staple" lol.

 

[Raspberry]

@Raspberry girl you must have me confused with another one of us, lol! I'm not transitioning I'll be 4 weeks post this Friday and looking forward to my next relaxer!

When you learn the secret to keeping a silk scarf on overnight, PLEASE letter know. Thank goodness got my pillowcase.

Sent from my iPhone using LHCF

KiWiStyle Know what, I was thinking about our former relaxed buddy. But yea, I know what you mean. My hair is relaxed super bone straight right now and I don't mind at all. I'll be enjoying relaxed hair for a while.