Can we talk about relaxing bone straight and why people do this??

[PinkPeony]

me too! You can really see it when my hair is flatironed.

So you don't like it?
I actually quite like it because I think that's what makes my hair swing so easily.
My hair is still crazy thick when flatironed and lately kinda coarse

 

[curlcomplexity]

I recently just did a corrective lye relaxer and pretty much went to bone straight. At first I didn't want to, but I've noticed that my texlaxed hair had different textures. I thought that underprocessing my hair would be best, however, when you texlax/underprocess, you're not really going to get the exact same results every single time. This difference in textures lead to breakage as my hair got longer. After taking the advice of one of the members (thanks Macherieamour ), I took the plunge. My hair is easier to comb through and b/c it's pretty much the same texture all around, there's less breakage. Of course I will stay w/ the protein treatments and deep conditioning, but I guess bone-straight is best for me.

P.S. My hair is still very thick...thank goodness!

 

[curlcomplexity]

I don't relax bone straight simply because I don't like the look on me. It looks too unnatural and besides, texlaxing is healthier for my hair.

But, when I saw Machieramour's video blog i was like . The way she was able to comb her hair from root to tip like that. Ah man! I haven't been able to do that in years!! She and Silver2 have beautiful healthy heads of bone straight hair.

I, too, have thick hair with fine strands.

I feel ya DSylla...she had me AND my SO drooling too! I love your hair too by the way!

 

[macherieamour]

Hmmm...I mean...its really up to the individual. Some people relax bone strait because...thats just their personal preference.

And its mine...at least for now. I dont advocate people people relaxing bone strait on my website. i dont advocate or criticize anything people do. I just tell you what I do and, when I get more authors, they will tell you what works for them.

I mean, anytime you put chemical in your hair, you are going to alter its state so you will always be reversing damage in a sense. And to maintain bone strait hair, like any other altered hair, its often frustrating but its doesnt take an excessive amount of time and energy. The most time and energy I ve spent is learning the universal truths provided on this board: deep condition, limit heat, limit product, moisturize, etc.

What I think is a real marketing truth is that hair care companies, retailers and salons take advantage of the millions of black women who DONT know anything about their hair. Product manufacturers that sell products with awful ingredients or some rare nut oil from Argentina that really does absolutely nothing for our hair. Retailers that sell us hair syling tools and dont tell us how to use them so we fry our hair off. Salons that tak advantage of our patronage by double booking us and making us wait 4-5 hours on a Saturday afternoon. Im clearly exaggerating (this is not the case for tons of wonderful organizations) but there is a problem with the state of the hair care industry.

Anywhoo, Pixel Lady, you and your hair are phenomenal! Even starting this thread shows that you are concerned about your bone-strait relaxed sisters and thats really commendable. I think you wil get a lot of interesting perspectives.

 

[bludacious]

I agree with macherieamour! It is up to the individual.

I do what I do and that's it. I prefer bone straight hair and no it does not alter the state of my natural curl pattern. My tightly kinky coils always manage to find their way home. But this also affects us differently.


And nor will I tell someone they are wrong just because I don't agree. To me that's like saying it's my way or no way! Do what you do ladies...

 

[Serenity_Peace]

There are several points that I'd like to make with regards to this:

First, I think most black women--including myself--have been indoctrinated with the belief that the hair looks best when it's bone straight. I believe the majority of black women think that the hair must be as straight as possible to be as beautiful and as manageable as possible. I know sisters who run for the relaxer as soon as the slightest little fuzz appears. Now that I am learning more about why it's not necessary a good thing, I try not to.

Second, sometimes I relax bone straight accidentially. Out of fear of underprocessing, this sometimes happens, especially if you are switching relaxers and are not familiar with how the relaxer will take.

Finally, I think that some women with thicker hair relax bone straight because they don't want to be underprocessed, feeling that it's safe to be straight than sorry.

I suppose that as we learn more about proper haircare techniques this will change, but I don't see it changing anytime soon with the larger public outside of LHCF. I saw a woman in the BSS the other day and her hair was literally eaten from her scalp. She had bald spots and breakage everywhere. It amazed me that she figured that a relaxer could correct that.

 

[janeemat]

As for me if I'm going to have relaxed hair, I want it to be straight. What's the point in having a relaxer if it's still kinky. With that said, whatever makes your boat float. It's really a personal preference and what works for your hair.

 

[Southernbella.]

For the most part this is true...but the fact of the matter is, when you relax bone straight, you are completely breaking the cystine bonds and we know what that means in terms of condition. Just because someone's hair appears healthy doesn't mean it can't be healthier

You pointed out three women with beautiful heads of hair...I still think they are exceptions. However, I wonder if they all have the same hair type...this has my curiosity peaked!!

Southerngirl was relaxed about 80%, I believe. She had pictures of her hair with some texture left in it. She is 4A.

 

[Southernbella.]

I'm not so sure this was because her hair was relaxed bone straight...if it in fact was.

How would this allow for more control? Would you elaborate on this please? Thanks!

You don't have to relax bone straight...to get end result bone straight hair. Naturals can bone straight hair.

This is what fascinates me. I have about 3 inches of newgrowth, and when I flat iron it, it is the straightest, silkiest my hair has EVER been. Even when it was relaxed bone straight, it was straight, but it had a coarse feel to it. My natural hair gets disturbingly straight with just one pass (I'm 4A/B). I wonder why that is?

 

[digitaldiva]

I used to relax bone straight. But not all stylist could do that to my hair and keep it healthy.

 

[LocksOfLuV]

I feel you too Pixel, but hell, I won't lie to ya, relaxing bonestraight IS easier.

When I was bone-straight I never had problems with detangling/knots/matts etc. My hair combed like butta! Ahh the good ole days. I have no problem with relaxing bonestraight but I do think relaxing bonestraight and anything over 9 weeks is just TOO much. I mean, atleast compensate some.

But whatever people want to do with their heads is on them. Not everyone enjoys texlaxed hair or even can handle it. When I first went texlaxed I tried numerous times to go back, now I just deal with it. Some people just don't have the time/knowledge/or skills and I can't blame them. It's a whole new head of hair.

 

[Jaegermany]

Ive always relaxed bone straight. I like the look it gives. You may be right it may have a negative impact on the overall health of my hair. But if you want to know why someone would do it for me... its as simple as I like the look it gives.

And truthfully I dont even need relaxers to begin with so anytime I do relax its going to be bone straight...me just likey

 

[lisana]

My hair was relaxed bone straight for most of my relaxed life. You just do what has been done forever by everyone and accept is as fact and don't stop to question it. As I became more knowledgeable about my hair I realized that it's just never a one size fits all approach. My hair is thin, fine strands with medium density. Bone straight was killing my hair. Now I use ORS Regular and I don't think it would relax me bone straight even if I wanted it too. But I am kind of having an internal debate with my self right not because of my crown are. That hair and the hair right behind it grows super fast and is more 4a than 4b but it' more resistant when relaxing. I am thinking about using super ORS in that area. But after reading this, maybe I will just strat relaxing in that area first so I will having more smoothing time and see if that works. Usually I start from the nape. Pixel Lady, can you explain more about the process you use when relaxing hair without ever having to use a super.. .Is it more about the smoothing or the time or what. Thanks

 

[Southernbella.]

I feel you too Pixel, but hell, I won't lie to ya, relaxing bonestraight IS easier.

When I was bone-straight I never had problems with detangling/knots/matts etc. My hair combed like butta! Ahh the good ole days. I have no problem with relaxing bonestraight but I do think relaxing bonestraight and anything over 9 weeks is just TOO much. I mean, atleast compensate some.

But whatever people want to do with their heads is on them. Not everyone enjoys texlaxed hair or even can handle it. When I first went texlaxed I tried numerous times to go back, now I just deal with it. Some people just don't have the time/knowledge/or skills and I can't blame them. It's a whole new head of hair.

Yes it is! Bonestraight is definitely easier to wash/detangle/style.

 

[Sistaslick]

It's really a personal preference and what works for your hair.

That one sentence basically sums it all up!
I can see where super, straight hair would have issues, but best believe "texlaxed/texturized/purposely underprocessed" comes with its own set of troubles. Just like double processing, some people can't even dream of permanently coloring and maintaining a relaxer at the same time while others can experiment all they want and not lose a hair.

We are all so different; it's difficult to make blanket statements without stepping on someone's toes. That's kinda like starting a thread saying "Why do you feel the need to color your hair? Because it's so damaging." Alot of people would feel judged. Honestly, I do think Pixel was coming from a place of concern and was just trying to help.

No matter what it is, you just have to know when something isn't for you and work from there.

 

[LocksOfLuV]

Yes it is! Bonestraight is definitely easier to wash/detangle/style.

Yes.

Plenty of times, I miss it and I am even thinking about going back once I get the length. Who knows.

I am not trying to be mean or "discouraging" but sometimes I see people who relax bonestraight/less than 8 weeks and in their siggy they say they want to be AL (AssLength ) and all I can do is think. At some point you are gonna have to sacrafice for the length you want. I am not saying it is completely impossible, but it is extremely hard to be bonestraight and AL. Check out the features of the month. 90% of the relaxed ones left some texture to their hair to be where they are.

I can't see how people think that relaxing their hair to an inch of it's life every month for years will result in AL hair. Just not very feasible. Not trying to be mean, I am just telling the truth. Someone has to say it. There isn't enough baggies, protein treats, MTG, vitamins in the world to compensate for that level of protein lost on the strands.

It's just something to think about.

 

[RubyWoo]

First of all, I think this is a great and very interesting thread!

Pixel Lady, is relaxing bone straight a sign of overprocessing? Also, do you think there is a difference between relaxing straight and bone straight? If so, how would you characterize the differences? The reason I asked is because in Shamboosie's book, he says that relaxers are meant to relax the curl pattern; not to make your hair bone straight. His reasonings were the same as yours as one's hair can't hold a curl. I've also read that you loose all elasticity when you relax bone straight. To what extent should the hair be relaxed IYO?

ETA: Another reason for my questions is because I think that you can still relax straight to the point where you hair still has life, body and elasticity. It would seem to me that bone straight with no life or body is overprocessing. Please correct me if I'm wrong.

 

[LocksOfLuV]

That one sentence basically sums it all up!
I can see where super, straight hair would have issues, but best believe "texlaxed/texturized/purposely underprocessed" comes with its own set of troubles. Just like double processing, some people can't even dream of permanently coloring and maintaining a relaxer at the same time while others can experiment all they want and not lose a hair.

We are all so different; it's difficult to make blanket statements without stepping on someone's toes. That's kinda like starting a thread saying "Why do you feel the need to color your hair? Because it's so damaging." Alot of people would feel judged. Honestly, I do think Pixel was coming from a place of concern and was just trying to help.

No matter what it is, you just have to know when something isn't for you and work from there.

I agree wholeheartedly. And at the same time, REALIZE that when doing things in the name of a "preference" you may not get the desired results you want. That's just the way it is. It's nothing wrong with wanting to be bleach blonde and relaxed. Just know it will be dang on hard for you to be AL one day.

The facts are the facts. Relaxing bonestraight can cause losts of harm. Now whether it works for you is on you, and why you do it is COMPLETELY up to you, but don't get irritated when someone breaks it down to you and tell you that it is damaging. Because no matter who you are (IMO) relaxing bonestraight damages your hair more than texlaxing.

 

[Southernbella.]

Yes.

Plenty of times, I miss it and I am even thinking about going back once I get the length. Who knows.

I am not trying to be mean or "discouraging" but sometimes I see people who relax bonestraight/less than 8 weeks and in their siggy they say they want to be AL (AssLength ) and all I can do is think. At some point you are gonna have to sacrafice for the length you want. I am not saying it is completely impossible, but it is extremely hard to be bonestraight and AL. Check out the features of the month. 90% of the relaxed ones left some texture to their hair to be where they are.

I can't see how people think that relaxing their hair to an inch of it's life every month for years will result in AL hair. Just not very feasible. Not trying to be mean, I am just telling the truth. Someone has to say it. There isn't enough baggies, protein treats, MTG, vitamins in the world to compensate for that level of protein lost on the strands.

It's just something to think about.

I agree with this. I think there are some, and I do mean a select few, who can maintain bone straight hair for a long time (Macheriamour being a shining example, with her gawgeous hair! ).

The women I see on the street every day? Are clearly over processed and looking for the bone straight look and don't have the tools to keep it looking nice and healthy. I see way too many scalps peeking through. But I don't think it's their fault entirely, because before coming here, I never knew that a flat iron could give you the look of a fresh relaxer. Most black women are just ignorant of the facts and our hair suffers because of it.

 

[crlsweetie912]

My hair is very very thick. Even when I relax bone straight, it's still thick, not lifeless and without body. It's more manageable when it's bone straight. Now before the boards, it wasn't healthy. But now, since I know how to properly moisturize and take care of my hair without heat, it's the healthiest that it's ever been.

 

[LocksOfLuV]

I agree with this. I think there are some, and I do mean a select few, who can maintain bone straight hair for a long time (Macheriamour being a shining example, with her gawgeous hair! ).

The women I see on the street every day? Are clearly over processed and looking for the bone straight look and don't have the tools to keep it looking nice and healthy. I see way too many scalps peeking through. But I don't think it's their fault entirely, because before coming here, I never knew that a flat iron could give you the look of a fresh relaxer. Most black women are just ignorant of the facts and our hair suffers because of it.

I agree with Sylver and Mac. Sylver stretches like gumby, moisturizes her ends, doesn't comb, and DC every wash. People often overlook that too. And Mach is very keen on her moisturizing too.

With the exception of these two ladies, I haven't seen anyone past WSL with bone straight hair. Not saying they aren't there. I just haven't saw them. There is a reason for that (IMO). Bone straight hair is not meant to be at AL and any of those long LONG lengths *IHMO*.

 

[Southernbella.]

I agree with Sylver and Mac. Sylver stretches like gumby, moisturizes her ends, doesn't comb, and DC every wash. People often overlook that too. And Mach is very keen on her moisturizing too.

With the exception of these two ladies, I haven't seen anyone past WSL with bone straight hair. Not saying they aren't there. I just haven't saw them. There is a reason for that (IMO). Bone straight hair is not meant to be at AL and any of those long LONG lengths *IHMO*.

Yep, I forgot about Sylver2. Her hair is very healthy.

I know someone earlier mentioned that they were bone straight but still had a curl pattern. I thought bone straight meant you are left with none. I still have bone straight ends, and when wet, they don't curl up at all, ever.

 

[Sistaslick]

I don't think LHCF is a good representation of hair care in black America. I mean, here you'd find people who deep fry their hair in monkey doo faithfully each night with tailbone length hair. Then the average josephine stumbles upon it and says, well if X can do it then obviously I can too. That's the only danger we have to look out for when we promote certain things. Macherie, and many others, are always good about posting disclaimers about practices that they do that they feel might not be "healthily accessible" to the average josephine (or goes against the traditional LHCF school of thought) but happen to work amazingly for them.

On LHCF, some of us get away with alot things that aren't "healthily accessible" to the majority-- and that's because our regimens tend to be alot more solid in other important areas. We can often afford to take those liberties, where the average lady on the street might not have the resources or state of hair to pull it off as successfully.

 

[TaraDyan]

I used to be one of those women who thought that I HAD to relax my hair bone straight. At the time, it was my personal styling preference. But here’s the kicker: in order to achieve that look, I actually had the unmitigated gall to leave super strength relaxers for 25-35 minutes on my fine strands, and then wonder why my hair was all over the floor. I cringe now just thinking about that. I simply did not have the hair care knowledge back then that I have now, thanks in large part to you wonderful ladies on this board.

Sooooooo fast forward to this year: I am reacquainting myself with my natural hair texture … and I’m loving it all over again. My mentality just switched one day from “I need my hair to look uber sleek and polished” to “I need my hair to friggin’ stay on my head”.

I realize that some people can actually handle the bone straight look and still manage to have healthy hair without skipping a beat, but alas, I am not one of them.


Oh ... and this is a great thread. I love it when a topic elicits a myriad of thought-provoking viewpoints.

 

[Sistaslick]

I agree with Sylver and Mac. Sylver stretches like gumby, moisturizes her ends, doesn't comb, and DC every wash. People often overlook that too. And Mach is very keen on her moisturizing too.

With the exception of these two ladies, I haven't seen anyone past WSL with bone straight hair. Not saying they aren't there. I just haven't saw them. There is a reason for that (IMO). Bone straight hair is not meant to be at AL and any of those long LONG lengths *IHMO*.

But wait doesn't Sherrylove and Sweetcashew relax bone straight? :scratchch or maybe I'm thinking of someone else?

 

[RubyWoo]

But wait doesn't Sherrylove and Sweetcashew relax bone straight? :scratchch or maybe I'm thinking of someone else?

Sweetcashew's hair doesn't seem bonestraight imo. Her hair looks straight with some texture still visible in her hair.

 

[sylver2]

lol.. at some of the comments

I ReLax BONE Straight and have been doing so for years. I also use SUPER.
My hair is very thick. Sometimes I like my thick look, lots of times I don't. Yes I love the look of Bone straight but I don't wear it like that all the time. I now only get a touchup twice a year. Last time I got one was in March. Next time I'm getting one will be in September and thats it until next year. I wear braidouts the majority of time. I don't think my hair is lifeless, damaged etc etc whatever else the OP Said.
Different strokes for different folks. I know I work hard to maintain a healthy low maintenance regimen and hair is thriving.

 

[Dee-Licious]

Haven't read the thread, (I know, I know) but my answer to the original question:



Because I go hard or go home.

100% or nothing at all.

 

[Dee-Licious]

I feel you too Pixel, but hell, I won't lie to ya, relaxing bonestraight IS easier.

When I was bone-straight I never had problems with detangling/knots/matts etc. My hair combed like butta! Ahh the good ole days. I have no problem with relaxing bonestraight but I do think relaxing bonestraight and anything over 9 weeks is just TOO much. I mean, atleast compensate some.

But whatever people want to do with their heads is on them. Not everyone enjoys texlaxed hair or even can handle it. When I first went texlaxed I tried numerous times to go back, now I just deal with it. Some people just don't have the time/knowledge/or skills and I can't blame them. It's a whole new head of hair.

Yeh, it's MUCH easier... I read about all of this detangling from texlaxed heads and I think to myself well they might as well be natural if they have to go through those problems.

I have a relaxer for the ease of it, so why would I add in extra problems if I'm already using chemicals??

 

[longhairluva]

Can someone please tell me what is the difference between straight and bone straight? Or is there a difference?