Just got a relaxer last night . . .

[Glib Gurl]

I got a relaxer for only the second time since I've been on LHCF and I tell you, know that I'm more knowledgeable I was constantly asking questions and second-guessing the stylist. For example, after she washed out the relaxer, she put me under the dryer with conditioner. When I balked she said, "This is what we always do - ain't nothin' changed." The whole 10 minutes I was under there I was freaking out imagining all of the relaxer residue getting cooked into my hair and then causing it to fall out. Afterwards she shampoo'd me twice with neutralizer, then set me under the dryer again for a wrap.

As she was combing out the wrap she was like, "Ooh, look at these ends - you need a trim!" When I protested she showed me a piece of hair and said, "Do you see these ends?!?!" And I have to admit that the bits she cut did look raggedy on the end. So, that 1/2 inch of new growth has been cancelled out by a trim. *grumble*

Anyways, she gave me a cute style but I can still smell "perm" so I'm going to wash with ORS Creamy Aloe Shampoo and follow up with an ORS replenishing pak.

I will post a pic of my 'do shortly . . . .

 

[MissMeWithThatIsh]

It sounds like you were on the mark asking questions and she was still on her A game.

Several heads on the board have admitted to conditioning before neutralizing and continuing with the relaxing process.

 

[tenjoy]

Oh hell.........just NO!

She works for you . I dont understand all this clipping crap. I never get trims. My end may be uneven, but some parts of my head grows faster, it eventually catches up. Why would she clip wet ends, smooth them with a rollerset and then clip any seen damage. Just because the are not laying stick straight when wet does not mean the are damage, uneven maybe but not always damaged. If it aint split dont clip!

Now about the nuetralizing part and you smellig "perm" in your hair. I would correct that. Find another stylist or learn to do your own hair.

 

[AtlantaJJ]

Oh hell.........just NO!

She works for you . I dont understand all this clipping crap. I never get trims. My end may be uneven, but some parts of my head grows faster, it eventually catches up. Why would she clip wet ends, smooth them with a rollerset and then clip any seen damage. Just because the are not laying stick straight when wet does not mean the are damage, uneven maybe but not always damaged. If it aint split dont clip!

Now about the nuetralizing part and you smellig "perm" in your hair. I would correct that. Find another stylist or learn to do your own hair.

ITA - I don't think she should have put you under the dryer with the conditioner on right after the relaxer. I can't stand stylist that take short cuts now that I know what I know. I had a stylist skip a step on me last time and I am definately thinking of doing my own relaxer next time...I have about 10 weeks to decide.

Stylist are often about getting you in and out of there in and out of their chair. Now that we know what we know... How can we tollerate it? I am thinking of interviewing stylists next time asking them first are they into hair care or hair flare...I'm intrested in the first one.

Good for you for questioning what she was doing and don't be afraid to look around for someone who would better suit you hair care needs.

 

[tenjoy]

It sounds like you were on the mark asking questions and she was still on her A game.

Several heads on the board have admitted to conditioning before neutralizing and continuing with the relaxing process.

I've seen this too. But I dont understand, when the purpose of neutralizing is to stop the chemical process. Please explain. Why wold you coat the relaxer in conditioner and then neutralize?

 

[tenjoy]

Stylist are often about getting you in and out of there in and out of their chair. Now that we know what we know... How can we tollerate it? I am thinking of interviewing stylists next time asking them first are they into hair care or hair flare...I'm intrested in the first one.

YES! I will use this Question to start a new thread.

 

[gymfreak336]

[/B]

I've seen this too. But I dont understand, when the purpose of neutralizing is to stop the chemical process. Please explain. Why wold you coat the relaxer in conditioner and then neutralize?

Conditioner by its very nature is acidic and will start the neutralizing process. Since your hair cuticles are wide open after rinsing about relaxer so that is the perfect time to restore some of the protein and moisture that is lost in the relaxer process. Once the pH of the relaxer starts being taken down it isn't effective in straightening the hair anymore. Rinsing with water starts bringing the pH down so by the time you have rinsed it all out and applied conditioner, the pH is getting lower and lower. The neutralizing shampoo helps complete the process and the shampoo will also remove the residue from the neutralizing process which is something conditioner can't do as well. In any neutralizing reaction, your products are water and a salt so the shampoo helps remove all of that. If you look at many relaxer systems, many have a conditioning step before the neutralizing shampoo step.

 

[tenjoy]

Conditioner by its very nature is acidic and will start the neutralizing process. Since your hair cuticles are wide open after rinsing about relaxer so that is the perfect time to restore some of the protein and moisture that is lost in the relaxer process. Once the pH of the relaxer starts being taken down it isn't effective in straightening the hair anymore. Rinsing with water starts bringing the pH down so by the time you have rinsed it all out and applied conditioner, the pH is getting lower and lower. The neutralizing shampoo helps complete the process and the shampoo will also remove the residue from the neutralizing process which is something conditioner can't do as well. In any neutralizing reaction, your products are water and a salt so the shampoo helps remove all of that. If you look at many relaxer systems, many have a conditioning step before the neutralizing shampoo step.

UMMMM.....so your cuticles are not open after you neutralize? do they close up?

 

[Bint Yusef]

[/b]

I've seen this too. But I dont understand, when the purpose of neutralizing is to stop the chemical process. Please explain. Why wold you coat the relaxer in conditioner and then neutralize?

Along with what gymfreak stated I believe some have even reported that the manufacturer's directions on some relaxers include or recommend to condition between the rinse and the neutralizing. A lot of ladies seem to do this successfully here, but Ive never heard of them doing it with heat.

 

[gymfreak336]

UMMMM.....so your cuticles are not open after you neutralize? do they close up?

Yep they close up because neutralizing brings your hair's pH down back to a more acidic state.

 

[gymfreak336]

Along with what gymfreak stated I believe some have even reported that the manufacturer's directions on some relaxers include or recommend to condition between the rinse and the neutralizing. A lot of ladies seem to do this successfully here, but Ive never heard of them doing it with heat.

Right, I think that was the mistake. I relaxed my sisters hair yesterday and I used aphogee 2 minute reconstructor before shampooing and her hair felt sooo much better.

 

[tenjoy]

so what would I do?

relax, shampoo, condition then neutralize? any types of shampoo?

 

[MissMeWithThatIsh]

so what would I do?

relax, shampoo, condition then neutralize? any types of shampoo?

I'm by no means any hair maven, but I definitely wouldn't use any shampoo while relaxing period, save for neutralizing. I would assume you choose to rinse and condition then neutralize, or neutralize and condition. Everyone chooses to do it differently.

 

[gymfreak336]

so what would I do?

relax, shampoo, condition then neutralize? any types of shampoo?

Relax
Rinse out
Apply protein rich conditioner like -aphogee 2 min reconstructor,nexxus keraphix, motions silk protein, motions neutralizing conditioner(green bottle) etc... for 5 minutes.
Rinse
Proceed to neutralizing shampoo

 

[glamazon386]

[/B]

I've seen this too. But I dont understand, when the purpose of neutralizing is to stop the chemical process. Please explain. Why wold you coat the relaxer in conditioner and then neutralize?

It's actually a step with the Affirm Relaxer. To do a conditioner before neutralizing. I'm not sure why. I think it's to strengthen the hair. Maybe to get the protein in before the cuticle closes? IDK... But as long as you are neutralizing within a reasonable amount of time I don't think it matters which one you do first as long as you do it and get all the relaxer out.

 

[Brownie518]

Conditioner by its very nature is acidic and will start the neutralizing process. Since your hair cuticles are wide open after rinsing about relaxer so that is the perfect time to restore some of the protein and moisture that is lost in the relaxer process. Once the pH of the relaxer starts being taken down it isn't effective in straightening the hair anymore. Rinsing with water starts bringing the pH down so by the time you have rinsed it all out and applied conditioner, the pH is getting lower and lower. The neutralizing shampoo helps complete the process and the shampoo will also remove the residue from the neutralizing process which is something conditioner can't do as well. In any neutralizing reaction, your products are water and a salt so the shampoo helps remove all of that. If you look at many relaxer systems, many have a conditioning step before the neutralizing shampoo step.

Go 'head, gym. Drop that science. You are absolutely right! I have been conditioning right after rinsing since I first used Motions. Those are the instructions for the relaxer. My hair is much better for it. I don't use Motions anymore but I do it with any relaxer I use. I usually use Aphogee 2minute or Ion Keratin Reconstructor (my fav).

 

[Glib Gurl]

Hey Ladies

Hmmm . . . I'm not quite ready to fire my stylist and find a new one or start self-relaxing. I just don't have the time or patience for either right now. But I'm glad I've gained enough knowledge here that I don't feel like I'm completely helpless, y'know?

Here is a picture of my hair after getting relaxed and styled. (If it doesn't show up, you can just check my fotki - address and pw in profile.)

 

[gymfreak336]

Hey Ladies

Hmmm . . . I'm not quite ready to fire my stylist and find a new one or start self-relaxing. I just don't have the time or patience for either right now. But I'm glad I've gained enough knowledge here that I don't feel like I'm completely helpless, y'know?

Here is a picture of my hair after getting relaxed and styled. (If it doesn't show up, you can just check my fotki - address and pw in profile.)

Your hair looks good Glib. I love the color

 

[Sistaslick]

Right, I think that was the mistake. I relaxed my sisters hair yesterday and I used aphogee 2 minute reconstructor before shampooing and her hair felt sooo much better.

Exactly. Everything you've said. The only mistake she made was using the heat during the middle protein step. That can seriously damage your hair, and there was no need for that.

I always include a mid protein step in my relaxer applications before the neutralizing shampoo and I always use the Aphogee 2 minute reconstructor.

 

[gymfreak336]

Exactly. Everything you've said. The only mistake she made was using the heat during the middle protein step. That can seriously damage your hair, and there was no need for that.

I always include a mid protein step in my relaxer applications before the neutralizing shampoo and I always use the Aphogee 2 minute reconstructor.

I got the stamp of approval from the Masta herself....I told you we read your articles. I printed all of them out just in case the technolony world ends and there was no more LHCF.

 

[sareca]

That's criminal! Heat? Uh-uh, that's just wrong. I wouldn't let her do that again.

 

[Sistaslick]

I got the stamp of approval from the Masta herself....I told you we read your articles. I printed all of them out just in case the technolony world ends and there was no more LHCF.

Girl you crazy!