Relaxed Hair Thread

[Evolving78]

Shampooed my hair twice with SE shampoo, apply hair mayo for 5 mins in the shower, rinsed, dc under dryer with cholesterol, rinsed, used rinse out conditioner.

Applied Aphogee Provitamin leave-in and CON repairing oil. Dried under hooded dryer. Applied my castor oil mix to my crown, applied some MC oil to my ends, bun.

I won’t wash my hair again until Wed.
I went heavy with the oil the other day, so I needed to wash that out..

 

[Bad&Bougee]

I'm now 20 weeks post. I just redid my braids. Still feeling too lazy to relax. I have the feeling the longer I stretch the more I may regret my decision.
I need to start working on my detangling plan now.

I miss stretching. I think because I was natural for so long I can't stretch anymore. After about 10 weeks my hair cuts a fool. It gets dry as heck, breaks at the line of demarcation and no matter how much I DC and TLC, my hair still rebels. I think I lose more hair trying to stretch. Maybe after a year of relaxing I will try to stretch again.

 

[LushLox]

I need to do my hair, I didn’t do it at the weekend cause I was too tired and I’m still too tired. I’ll have to find the energy tomorrow cause my hair starts acting up if it doesn’t get its regular dose of Aqua.

 

[Sosoothing]

I miss stretching. I think because I was natural for so long I can't stretch anymore. After about 10 weeks my hair cuts a fool. It gets dry as heck, breaks at the line of demarcation and no matter how much I DC and TLC, my hair still rebels. I think I lose more hair trying to stretch. Maybe after a year of relaxing I will try to stretch again.

I hear you. My hair is still only on my head because of the braids I'm wearing. Without braids I have to relax every 8 to 12 weeks or else it's a disaster.

 

[betteron2day]

Depends on what you are looking for. Lye or No Lye?

@ItsMeLilLucky I really don't know. I'm thinking of going with no lye.

 

[Destiny9109]

I have breakage in the top of my head and nothing has changed in my regimen except the relaxer. I guess it's time to switch from Fiberguard.

 

[Evolving78]

I have breakage in the top of my head and nothing has changed in my regimen except the relaxer. I guess it's time to switch from Fiberguard.

Is the relaxer you currently use drying? Does your crown felt drier than the rest of your hair? I know I switched back to no lye, due to too much overprocessing and dryness. Plus, I used a product (no relaxer) that caused dryness, irritation, and hair loss in my crown area. My crown was already in a fragile state from using ORS lye, and No lye. And I accidentally used coarse strength of CON twice earlier.
Switching to CON regular has really helped turn things around.

 

[lalla]

Can anyone shed some light on how oil weakens a relaxer? I had read that oil has no PH so I was wondering as to how it actually makes its weaker because the relaxer itself will still have the same percentage of lye?

Or is it perhaps because the viscosity is reduced? Or does it in theory work in diluting the relaxer as it is being mixed into an oil- based emulsion?

*any thoughts ladies?

Oil + Lye + water==> soap + glycerin

There will be more soap & glycerin in the relaxer, and fewer molecules of lye to react with your hair.

 

[LushLox]

I have breakage in the top of my head and nothing has changed in my regimen except the relaxer. I guess it's time to switch from Fiberguard.

Hmm how many times did you use it and is it lye or no lye? It must have been expensive too because you have to buy it in bulk.

This is why I'm so wary about switching relaxers.

 

[LushLox]

I miss stretching. I think because I was natural for so long I can't stretch anymore. After about 10 weeks my hair cuts a fool. It gets dry as heck, breaks at the line of demarcation and no matter how much I DC and TLC, my hair still rebels. I think I lose more hair trying to stretch. Maybe after a year of relaxing I will try to stretch again.

I think it's definitely something that you have to *ease* into if you're not used to it.

I have always stretched, since I was a teen, I just didn't know that there was a technical term for it.

 

[ItsMeLilLucky]

I washed, DC'd, and blow dried my hair, and I WAS gonna flat-iron. Even plugged it up. At the last minute my laziness kicked in and I just ended up putting it in my regular two braids I can't see myself flat-ironing on a regular basis. I guess I'll have to go someone to flat-iron for me cause I'm too lazy to

 

[MzSwift]

Finally texlaxed today after 31 weeks. Why did I not check my supplies? I had to use my baby's short 30 minute naps to do all of the prep so half the day was gone before I could even start my process ( he's up for 2-3 hrs and then down for 30 measly minutes) Y'all, I only had less than half a jar of relaxer left to perm 7.5 months of new growth. Guess who was NOT going out to get more!!

So I stretched it 50% relaxer, 25% EVOO, 25% cheapie cone condish and applied. I admit the application was pretty thin but I think I'm happy with the mix, I'm just going to use more mix per section next time.

My hair has a lot of texture, which is good because I'm fine haired but I think next time I will get it exactly right. I'm getting ready to braid it up and put it under a wig/scarf for a week so that baby doesn't pull it out. I plan to flat iron next week since I'll be at the inlaws celebrating Christmas early.

I took lots of pictures to document. Once I figure out how to get them over from Google Photos without first downloading them, I'll post them here. I think photo documenting kept me on track as a natural. It's another thing I got lazy about as a texlaxed head and I regret it.

 

[Bad&Bougee]

I think it's definitely something that you have to *ease* into if you're not used to it.

I have always stretched, since I was a teen, I just didn't know that there was a technical term for it.

Good idea @LushLox, I will take baby steps. Thanks!

 

[abioni]

I just relaxed my hair. I bought a plastic spatula from the beauty store and used it to apply the relaxer. I didn't like using the spatula for the back of my head. I couldn't tell where I was applying the relaxer to. Some parts of my hair at the back are not properly relaxed. I have to do a corrective the next time I touch up. I will use my hand as I usually do the next time.


I found the video below. I like her method of dividing the hair into small twists so she doesn't have to do it while relaxing. I will try it next time.

 

[irsgirl]

I just relaxed my hair. I bought a plastic spatula from the beauty store and used it to apply the relaxer. I didn't like using the spatula for the back of my head. I couldn't tell where I was applying the relaxer to. Some parts of my hair at the back are not properly relaxed. I have to do a corrective the next time I touch up. I will use my hand as I usually do the next time.


I found the video below. I like her method of dividing the hair into small twists so she doesn't have to do it while relaxing. I will try it next time.

I just watched this video yesterday! It was very interesting how she divided her hair into those small sections like that! Thought about doing mine,but that thought didn't last too long!

 

[fifigirl]

I just relaxed my hair. I bought a plastic spatula from the beauty store and used it to apply the relaxer. I didn't like using the spatula for the back of my head. I couldn't tell where I was applying the relaxer to. Some parts of my hair at the back are not properly relaxed. I have to do a corrective the next time I touch up. I will use my hand as I usually do the next time.


I found the video below. I like her method of dividing the hair into small twists so she doesn't have to do it while relaxing. I will try it next time.

Thanks for the video! I'm thinking of relaxing tomorrow or next so this will help

Thanks for the video! I'm thinking of relaxing tomorrow or next so this will help

 

[abioni]

Why? Because of the amount of work that goes into it?

I just watched this video yesterday! It was very interesting how she divided her hair into those small sections like that! Thought about doing mine,but that thought didn't last too long!

 

[irsgirl]

No just because I was being lazy and I have a couple more weeks til my relaxer!

 

[MzSwift]

@irsgirl and @fifigirl

Thanks to @sunnieb , that's how I've done my relaxer for the last two times. The prep is longer but it's so worth it because it speeds up the application so much! It really cut my app time in half and now there's no worry about a section overprocessing. Also, I feel like I was able to base my scalp better. It's definitely worth a try!

ETA: Last time, I preparted, twisted and based my scalp a day or so before. I think I prefer to do it that way, it helps to break up the process. Then when I was ready to relax, I just did a second base on my scalp right before applying my relaxer.

 

[sunnieb]

Yep @MzSwift those twists take me a minimum of 45 minutes to do - but it's so worth it! Been doing it since I started self relaxing back in 2011. I wish I could remember the LHCF member who suggested it back then.

I reactivated my Fotki. Here's my album on how I relax.

 

[Evolving78]

View attachment 418047

Yep @MzSwift those twists take me a minimum of 45 minutes to do - but it's so worth it! Been doing it since I started self relaxing back in 2011. I wish I could remember the LHCF member who suggested it back then.

I reactivated my Fotki. Here's my album on how I relax.

I did this with my last two touch ups, and it helped tremendously.

 

[irsgirl]

View attachment 418047

Yep @MzSwift those twists take me a minimum of 45 minutes to do - but it's so worth it! Been doing it since I started self relaxing back in 2011. I wish I could remember the LHCF member who suggested it back then.

I reactivated my Fotki. Here's my album on how I relax.

Ok I went to your Fotki. I am so tempted to relax like this tonight and cut my stretch by a couple weeks. Do you think I could put the little tiny cloth scunchy things at the end of my new growth and relax with it on the twist?

 

[Destiny9109]

Is the relaxer you currently use drying? Does your crown felt drier than the rest of your hair? I know I switched back to no lye, due to too much overprocessing and dryness. Plus, I used a product (no relaxer) that caused dryness, irritation, and hair loss in my crown area. My crown was already in a fragile state from using ORS lye, and No lye. And I accidentally used coarse strength of CON twice earlier.
Switching to CON regular has really helped turn things around.

No my hair is moisturized, but it's weird that I've never had this happen until I started using it. The only other thing is I cut back significantly on direct heat, I've only used heat twice in the last 7 months. Maybe I should start using heat again lol.

 

[Destiny9109]

Hmm how many times did you use it and is it lye or no lye? It must have been expensive too because you have to buy it in bulk.

This is why I'm so wary about switching relaxers.

Only twice so far, it's lye. The tub itself was a little less than $40.

 

[LushLox]

Only twice so far, it's lye. The tub itself was a little less than $40.

Ah right yeah I forgot with the lye you get the big tub. Still a lot of money though if you're unable to use it.!

 

[ClassyJSP]

4 months post relaxer and my new growth is just disrespectful at this point. Last night was the longest it has ever taken me to wash and detangle my hair. I plan on self relaxing this Sunday and getting a trim. The good news is my hair is a few inches away from being BSL I just hope this trim doesn't take me back to APL.

 

[HairDr]

Q. from a professional with very little experience in relaxing. I suddenly have 2 clients who get relaxers. One of which is male, Mexican descent, extremely wiry curly hair, which is also very dry and I’m having problems I could use some advise with. I relaxed 2 weeks ago with Affirm. I had used the product before on him with beautiful results, however this time it started burning before it was smoothed thoroughly and processed, so I took it off. Naturally his hair was not relaxed enough and we decided to redo at a later date. The next day he told me his scalp was blistered. Now, 2 weeks later, his scalp is healed and he wants to do it again. ??? Do I dare? Do I change product? Should I treat him first with something? After? Thanks for any help!

 

[Alma Petra]

Q. from a professional with very little experience in relaxing. I suddenly have 2 clients who get relaxers. One of which is male, Mexican descent, extremely wiry curly hair, which is also very dry and I’m having problems I could use some advise with. I relaxed 2 weeks ago with Affirm. I had used the product before on him with beautiful results, however this time it started burning before it was smoothed thoroughly and processed, so I took it off. Naturally his hair was not relaxed enough and we decided to redo at a later date. The next day he told me his scalp was blistered. Now, 2 weeks later, his scalp is healed and he wants to do it again. ??? Do I dare? Do I change product? Should I treat him first with something? After? Thanks for any help!

The box relaxers I used to use usually come with instructions in the box that say to not wash one's hair for a number of days prior to relaxing and to avoid scratching or irritating one's scalp for days as well. Also if his scalp shows any signs of not having completely healed then the instructions would say to not relax because there should not be any breaks or inflammation in the skin. I wonder if his healing is complete after just 2 weeks. You will have to verify this before proceeding. And you will need to base the scalp to cover it and protect it from the relaxer. You can use vaseline or if the relaxer comes with its own protector, you will have to use that. Apply generously to the scalp.

Also avoid relaxing the first few millimeters of hair at the roots. The instructions actually say to avoid relaxing the first inch or two so that the relaxer may not touch the scalp, but this of course defeats the purpose in my opinion. So just avoiding a couple of millimetres should do the trick. Another very important factor is that you will need to be very quick in application if he has a lot of hair. My sister once burned my scalp and hair because she was sort of slow. By the time parts of my scalp started to burn, she hadn't yet applied the relaxer to the remaining hair, let alone smooth it. Parts were damaged and parts were under-processed.

Good luck!

 

[Lymegreen]

Q. from a professional with very little experience in relaxing. I suddenly have 2 clients who get relaxers. One of which is male, Mexican descent, extremely wiry curly hair, which is also very dry and I’m having problems I could use some advise with. I relaxed 2 weeks ago with Affirm. I had used the product before on him with beautiful results, however this time it started burning before it was smoothed thoroughly and processed, so I took it off. Naturally his hair was not relaxed enough and we decided to redo at a later date. The next day he told me his scalp was blistered. Now, 2 weeks later, his scalp is healed and he wants to do it again. ??? Do I dare? Do I change product? Should I treat him first with something? After? Thanks for any help!

I won't do it again after two weeks. maybe you can blow it out to get it straight? That usually works for me and I have knotty hair.
I would not advise attempting to correct until it is time to retouch.

 

[CodeRed]

I always use two b/c I stretch my relaxers and I mixed in some stuff from Sally's that keeps relaxers, perms, etc from burning.

I know this is an incredibly old post but does anyone know what this stuff is? I had someone looking for it the other day and I've never heard of it but she said her previous hair dresser used to purchase it from
Sally's in a packet and it kept perms from burning. I don't know what this is.