Please Bump Self-Relaxing Instructions

[Angelicus]

May someone bump a few self-relaxing threads? I am having difficulty with the search engine. You may provide the links in this thread, PM me with them, or just bump them. Thank you.

I don't want to give the hairdressers my money anymore. They never wash my hair enough with neutralizing shampoo, they nerve rinse out all the relaxer... I am always coming home with an itchy, burny head. Every single time that I go to the salon for a relaxer, I have to go home to wash my hair with neutralizing shampoo, deep condition, color, and sit under the dryer all over again . Then I rant on LHCF about how bad they treat me... but I always go back. But never again, because if anyone is going to jack up my hair anymore, it will be me.

I loved how one stylist told me that I couldn't bring my own products to her shop, because "When you become a cosmetologist, then you can put your own stuff in your hair." Or when she told me that she was going to charge me extra because I had too much new growth.

I remember one bad mouthed my hair as she was doing it, and left me to go to the bank. I was left burning in the bowl with some Fiberguard crap on my head.

I'd never speak up to them, and now I won't have to anymore because my $40 dollars is staying in my pocket

Now hurry with those threads because this 5 months post-relaxer hair is not playing!

--Ankers

 

[delp]

this is Southern's girl self relaxing tips: found it by doing a search: under
relaxing instructions.


SouthernGirl's Self-Relax Tips
I have compiled my Self-Relaxing Steps for those that may need a little help to started relaxing your own hair. I have done my own for 11 years (a stylist did it when my hair was virgin, and I did my own every time thereafter)!

***Note***
I am not a licensed cosmetologist, nor am I officially qualified to give instructions on how best to relax one's hair. The instructions listed below are the steps I've been using for years on my own hair, and they work for me!
************************************************** *******

What You'll Need (feel free to substitute the relaxer for your personal favorite):
-Vitale Lye Relaxer (Regular)
-Vitale Postive Conditioner
-Vitale Neutralizing Conditioner
-Relaxer Applicator
-Vaseline
-Timer/Clock
-Your Favorite Shampoo/Conditioner
-Leave-in Conditioner
-(4)Hair clips

*Before starting, make sure your scalp hasn't been irritated (sores, scratching, washing, etc).

1) Apply Vaseline along entire hairline (front & back)
2) Section hair into 4 parts (2 front, 2 back)
3) Secure 3 sections with clips
4) Start either in the front or the back, depending on where you see the most new growth
5) If starting in back, make a part a couple of inches above nape area if this area is thinning or if hair is really fine like mine. You can also start at the top of the section near the center of your head if you have more new growth in that area
6) Take a comb and make a part with about a 1/2" or less of hair
7) With applicator brush (or fingers if wearing gloves), apply relaxer to new growth, avoiding scalp and relaxed hair, as not to overlap
8) Make another part and do the same thing.
9) Complete these steps until the entire section is done, then take down the other section in back and repeat steps #6-8. Remember, don't apply relaxer to nape unless your hair is really coarse here. This area will have had the relaxer on for the longest time so be careful!!
10) Once the two back sections are complete, do the same thing for the front two sections, saving the hairline for last (unless your hair is very coarse here). Leaving the relaxer on in this area for too long can lead to thinning edges and breakage so be careful!!! I like to start at the center of the head for all 4 sections because that's where my coarsest new growth appears
11) Once you have completed the last 2 sections, go back and add relaxer to the nape area, then the rest of the hairline in front
12) It is not necessary to smooth the hair if you don't want to, unless you have areas that are really coarse. You'll want to avoid overlapping as much as possible and smoothing can lead to this
13) The application of the relaxer should be very quick. Do this like you're in a race because you don't want to over or under-process. Just be sure to be cautious even though you're moving fast
14) Since the area you started will be ready to rinse out first due to longer processing time, you might want to secure the other two sections with clips for now
15) I do my rinse-outs either w/the kitchen sink, or standing over the tub only because my shower water pressure is too low, and it's easier to focus on certain sections of my hair. You'll want to have MAXIMUM water pressure to rinse out the relaxer because not rinsing well leads to breakage over time!!!
16) Rinse out the relaxer in the back very well. Make sure it is comepletley out. This is tough, but try not to let the water touch the two sections that are pinned up
17) Once the back is rinsed out, if you need to wait a couple more minutes before rinsing out the front, do so. Both sections need the entire 15 or 20 minute MAX processing time
18) Rinse the last two sections in the order in which the relaxer was applied
19) Once the hair is thoroghly rinsed, saturate hair w/Vital Positive Conditioner, cover w/plastic cap, and wait 5 minutes
20) After 5 minutes, remove the cap, and notice how silky your hair is You may decide to detangle a bit here, but it's optional. Don't worry, if you're using the tub or sink, you won't have issues detangling later. Your hair will be left silky smooth after using this stuff.
21) Rinse all of conditioner out of hair
22) Next Shampoo w/Vitale Neutralizing shampoo, rinse, and repeat to make sure all of the relaxer is out. I generally walk around during the second shampoo just to be double sure it's all gone!
23) Next, use your favorite shampoo and conditioner as you normally would for the final washing.
24) You may also want to use a deep conditioner since you just performed a chemical service. I use LeKair Cholesterol conditioner w/a plastic cap but no heat for 45 minutes, then rinse.
25) After shampooing/conditioning, blot with towel (I never twist a towel around my head) for a few seconds
26) Now you're ready to comb out!!
27) Apply a leave-in conditioner
28) Gently comb out w/a wide-toothed comb. Remember- ALWAYS treat your hair like silk when you're combing, especially when wet and tangled. I part my hair down the middle, section off again, then comb each of the four section (like when applying the relaxer).
29) If you can, just let it air-dry. This is the best time to air-dry because your hair is straight. It's also the best time to trim/dust.
30) Now you're ready for those cute pin curls, or just pull back into a loose bun!!!

I hope the steps above will help you do your own relaxers. Here are a few final important points to remember:

-Try to stretch out your relaxer as long as possible. 3 months or more is great if you can handle it without excessive breakage/shedding
-Avoid putting relaxer directly onto the scalp
-It's okay to use your fingers to apply relaxer, just be sure to wear tight-fitting gloves or you will stain your fingers and nails
-Make sure you have enough relaxer for the whole head! I use 1/2 a jar each time. Vitale comes pre-mixed so you can save the rest till next time!
-NEVER run relaxer through the entire length of your hair! I'll be honest, I have done this to correct an underprocessed area once, and it was fine b/c I left it on for 5 minutes, but this is an absolute no no!! Doing it right when you relax everytime will alleviate underprocessed parts.
-All these product are found at Sally and most Beauty Supply Stores
-Be sure to set your timer or have a clock nearby
-Once each section of the relaxer is applied, you may want to look at the back w/a hand mirror to make sure you didn't miss any spots. You'll be an expert in no time!
-Be sure to rinse all of the relaxer out before you put on the Positive Conditioner
-Finally, have fun! I'm convinced that NO ONE will give your hair as much TLC as you will so become an expert

Good luck, and feel free to write if you have questions. let me know how it goes!!

 

[Leslie_C]

Anky,
Im right there with ya. for one thing my hair has been underprocessed the past two times I got it professionally relaxed....and the last time they proceeded to roughly yank the blow dryer through my hair to dry it (hair was just flying!)...then fry it with the marcel irons with NO heat protectant. My hair smelled like it had been caught on fire when I left! thats when I decided I wasnt going back either. I feel u on the rough new growth, its been about 4 months or so for me! it looks like I have on a helmet....lol. Im gonna start self relaxing with affirm. I cant do any worse than whats been done to it so far. from now on Ill only be going for an occasional wash and set and even thats questionable.

And u are right, if anyone is gonna mess up our hair, we should be the ones to do it! As some ppl say, no one can care for your hair like u can. why are we paying ppl to mess it up???

I like SG's instructions and will be following them. good luck with yours!

 

[Carlie]

I don't want to give the hairdressers my money anymore. They never wash my hair enough with neutralizing shampoo, they nerve rinse out all the relaxer... I am always coming home with an itchy, burny head. Every single time that I go to the salon for a relaxer, I have to go home to wash my hair with neutralizing shampoo, deep condition, color, and sit under the dryer all over again . Then I rant on LHCF about how bad they treat me... but I always go back. But never again, because if anyone is going to jack up my hair anymore, it will be me.

I totally feel you on this one, Anky.

BTW, your hair is GORGEOUS!!!!

 

[ms_kenesha]

I have SG's, Um's, and LD's self-relaxing instructions in my journal.

 

[nurseN98]

Those are great instructions! When I used to relax my hair, I never had any type of breakage or anything. When I would rinse out the relaxer I rinsed exactly for 5 min. so that their was no doubt all of it was out. I'd do the neutralizing shampoo 3 times then a regular shampoo once. I stopped trusting my hairdresser after she "trimmed" 4 inches from my hair before putting up into a bun and I didn't know what she'd did until I took my bun down.