Has anyone ever thought about stretching their relaxer until you meet hair goal?

[Mars_Reiko]

I've been really thinking about this lately. I want my hair to grow to it's full potential and I want my strands to be fuller as well as longer. I've become very good at stretching my relaxers, so I might be able to pull this off. Has anyone stopped relaxing until you've reached your hair goal?

 

[LocksOfLuV]

As weird as this sounds, the longer my negrowth gets the easier it is to handle. I think once I get about 1 inch of solid newgrowth I am good to go as long as I get patient-and that's my problem, plus aesthetically I not that cute with 2 inches of newgrowth and relaxed ends PLUS I protective style (no heat).


But I have thought about this. I think this is an excellent idea too. But just not for me, I will be keeping my eye out on this thread though.

 

[vivadiva85]

As weird as this sounds, the longer my negrowth gets the easier it is to handle. I think once I get about 1 inch of solid newgrowth I am good to go as long as I get patient-and that's my problem, plus aesthetically I not that cute with 2 inches of newgrowth and relaxed ends PLUS I protective style (no heat).


But I have thought about this. I think this is an excellent idea too. But just not for me, I will be keeping my eye out on this thread though.

Yea I thought about it but I got that same problem (bolded part) that I am fighting now.

 

[LocksOfLuV]

Yea I thought about it but I got that same problem (bolded part) that I am fighting now.

Girl, you in the ATL too!! No sir! It couldn't be me. Too much fineness going on there.

 

[The Girl]

It sounds good in theory and as long as I don't think about my new growth never bothers me. As soon as I think about it, I get hair obsessed. I wish I could do it but if i say it, probably won't happen for me

 

[ubavka123]

Bumping...I've been thinking about doing this as well, but have similar concerns as the other posters.

 

[cocoberry10]

I'm in agreement with what everyone else has said. It's ironic b/c that's what I'm doing now. Although I'm pretty sure I'm at BSL, I want to get to an inch below BSL before I relax again. It will definitely be time for a trim by then. My new growth is handling well, and I'm keeping my hair in twists or off my face. It's really soft and I'm just going to ride the storm

 

[seraphinelle]

I probably could. If I continue to be texlaxed.

But we'll see.

I'm just going to keep stretching for as long as I possibly can. Technically I already have 2 inches worth of 'new growth' which is probably at least 4 months (bad relaxer job)

So I may be able to go for 4 months.

 

[LaNecia]

Chiming in to echo the already spoken sentiments. I'm not sure I could pull this one off without complete protective styling (braids of some sort, weaves). Unfortunately my DH loves my hair down or at least to be able to see it sometimes so a completely up style for a long time isn't an option (gotta keep the Mr. Happy).

It would be great though, I'd have to stretch for about 3-4 more months to meet my goal at the rate my hair is moving along right now.

 

[Nanyanika]

I would love to do this, however I'm already battling with shedding and thinning hair at 10 weeks post.

 

[KiniKakes]

I'm not sure I could pull this one off without complete protective styling (braids of some sort, weaves). Unfortunately my DH loves my hair down or at least to be able to see it sometimes so a completely up style for a long time isn't an option (gotta keep the Mr. Happy)

Yeah, thats kinda my situation too. If i were to stretch until i reached WL, i'd need to wear braids or at the very least a protective style (ie, bun) every single day. And i dont think that would make my Sig. O very happy. He is used to seeing me in a bun most days, but he really enjoys it when i wear my hair down on a Friday or Saturday, and cant keep his eyes and hands off of it. I think he would be traumatized if i suddenly started wearing my hair in buns/braids EXCLUSIVELY over the next year, until i was WL.

But good luck to those who decide to embark on this challenge! Thats awesome, and i have NO doubts that your new length will be long, strong, thick, and VERY healthy!!!!

 

[LiLi]

This is what I have been doing for 3 years (the first 2 1/2 unintentionally ). I am going to relax the crown area soon but the rest has been in braids for 3 years (c&g method minus the hair extensions). It has been working well for me. I decided to do it to see what my terminal length is. I think I have reached it but I won't be able to tell until I flat iron a section to see if it has gotten any longer.

I doubt I would be able to do this if I weren't semi-following the c&g method though. Too much 4a new growth to handle.

If you ladies do decide to stretch until you get to your goal, make sure to handle your hair like silk, otherwise, you will get too much breakage at the demarcation line.

 

[seraphinelle]

I might try this, my shoulder length goal is for may 2007. And my next relaxer was scheduled for april.

So hopefully I can make it before then.

*crossing fingers*

 

[ubavka123]

I decided to do it to see what my terminal length is.

This is exactly what I have been thinking about lately. Unfortunately, I am too chicken to take a chance and not cut my hair for a long time...Let us know what the results of your experiment are when you find out.

 

[Brees_hair]

I sure have, my hair is at my collar bone, shoulder length at the sides. I want to hit APL by june and I am 5 weeks post relaxer, with a bunch of new growth. So instead of the weekly trip to my new found dominican salon (as of Jan 2), Im detouring to the braiding salon to get some cute cornrow braids or twists. something that I can take out every few weeks or so and track my progress. Of course with daily moisture, and weekly scalp cleanses, I should be alright. I have been walking around with my hair in a Bun for the past 3 mos on and off (after I leave the salon I keep my hair out for that day and maybe the next, then up in a bun it goes)..and Im so over that especially with my new growth screaming for mercy. My BF knows the goal I am trying to accomplish, so he rides with me, Even on my WORST hair days and I have had plenty of them. So I am headed out today to get some braids, sitting here now with silicon mix/castor oil deep condition, to give that extra strength.

 

[Hidden_Angel]

Thats what I'm doing SORTA.. this is why I cut my whole relax hair off and just letting it grow our natrualy then after Ive gotten to my goal of midback stretched I'm slapin a perm on tha bad boy!

 

[MissFallon]

I am thinking about doing this instead of going natural. I figure if my goal is 2" above my waist and I have about 6 inches to go I will have shoulder length. I was thinking about rocking the almost WL hair for about 6 more months and then cutting the relaxed ends off when my natural hair reaches APL. If I don't want to be natural by the time I reach my goal I will will just relax all the new growth.

 

[vivadiva85]

Girl, you in the ATL too!! No sir! It couldn't be me. Too much fineness going on there.

Girl, thats why I been in the house. I'm getting a relaxer next weekend. then I get to hit the club!

 

[LiLi]

This is exactly what I have been thinking about lately. Unfortunately, I am too chicken to take a chance and not cut my hair for a long time...Let us know what the results of your experiment are when you find out.

You can still cut your hair. You can dust the ends every few months or so.

I will make sure to post when I finally make it.

 

[MamaBraidedIt]

Yes. I'm doing it now. I plan to wear cornrows disguised with half-wigs and wigs for the next four months. I'm already 11 weeks post. I want 4 inches in 4 months. [prays] and thicker, healthier hair :don't we all: Yup, I experienced the post-relaxer breakage, but I'm fighting it with my protein/moisture balance.

If I make it to June 4 without a relaxer I'll be 7 months post relaxer....pretty ambitious, I know. I'll try to hang in there...I think the cornrows will help me out though.

I'm at neck length now. I was at a weak [anorexic hair] shoulder length, but I did a little cut. I want thick, healthy shoulder length hair.

 

[determined_to_grow]

I think I'll try this when my hair gets longer than BSL and I cut it all one length. B/c at almost APL with a million different lengths and 2 inches of new growth I dont think that would work for me.

 

[Summer_Rain]

If your ultimate hair goal is length, how would u know that you've reached it unless you relax? (assuming you aren't natural) If BSL is my ultimate goal, and I'm sitting at barely SL now, that would be more like a transition to natural if I didn't relax until I reached the BSL, or am I misunderstanding?

 

[ashiah]

Hmmm, all of this is very intriguing. Right now I'm a million years post relaxer. I self-relaxed three weeks ago (unsucessfully) and so I decided to wait six more weeks until I relaxed again. Even though I'm on my 15th week, things aren't too bad. My ultimate goal is MBL by the end of the year, but I don't think I'll be able to stretch all year. Maybe I could just stretch until the summer. Has anyone done this sucessfully?

 

[Radianthealth]

If your ultimate hair goal is length, how would u know that you've reached it unless you relax? (assuming you aren't natural) If BSL is my ultimate goal, and I'm sitting at barely SL now, that would be more like a transition to natural if I didn't relax until I reached the BSL, or am I misunderstanding?

It sounds like the intent of this would be to minimize the use of chemicals to get the healthiest fastest growth until you reach your goal-if you can ensure that breakage/tangling won't occur.

 

[Blossssom]

You'll reach your goal a lot faster if you do...

I've been pulling 3-4 months' stretches, and my hair has definitely increased.

 

[leleepop]

I am transitioning and my hair is growing fast too.

 

[Mars_Reiko]

It sounds like the intent of this would be to minimize the use of chemicals to get the healthiest fastest growth until you reach your goal-if you can ensure that breakage/tangling won't occur.

This is exactly my idea. I'm just not sure if I'll be able to pull it off.

 

[STLCoverGirl]

My sister relaxes her hair once a year, and manages the two textures just fine. She gets it washed and set once a month and really doesn't mess with her hair herself.

 

[ms.gafeney]

you can do it mars!

 

[Leslie_C]

I intended to relax after a little over a year of being natural. I accidently texlaxed but I like the versatility so Im going to stick with it. Since my hair isnt bone straight, I dont think it will be too bad to stretch. Im one month down and with the help of msm my new growth isnt bad at all, so Im going to shoot for relaxing every 3 months--maybe even 4. I guess I figure if I could go over a year without relaxing (I slowly cut off my relaxed ends during my transition), surely I can fo 12-16 weeks. If my hair starts looking too crazy Ill just get it braided or wear a 1/2 wig /fall and flat iron the little section u leave out in the front. Id prefer the fall though since I could still get to my hair whenever I needed/wanted to treat/moisturize it.

My goal is armpit length AND being close to my goal weight by midsummer. We shall see! Ill at least be making a great effort so even if I dont reach it I should be very close!