Poll: For Long-Term hair Health/Length: How long do you stretch? Why?

[MizaniMami]

I know every last one of us has different reasons to why we stretch out our relaxer.

But my question to you is basicly what I asked about relaxing: How long do you stretch for Long-term hair health and length?? Do you think this is healthy? Why or why not?

 

[gradygirl]

I'm trying to stretch to 10 weeks this time instead of 8. I do it to prevent overprocessing and the use of a chemicals as much as possible. Also, my hair is so much thicker than when I used to relax every 4 weeks.

 

[NYRICAN1]

i do it for several reasons 1--my hair has gotten thicker since stretching and it has forced me to better care for my hair instead of just getting it relaxed every 4-5 weeks just because my stylist said I should or it would break . and 2 I love to see all the growth I achieve in those 12 weeks that I usually stretch. I went from neck length to 2 inches past shoulder like this and I have never had hair this long before. I am now going for apl wish me luck and it can be beneficial if hair is kept moisturized and there is little to no manipulation. Im on week 8 now 4 for weeks to go

 

[Crystalicequeen123]

At first I used to stretch every 12-14 weeks. While I did notice a marked improvement in the health and thickness of my hair when I did this, I think that in the long run it may have been counterproductive for me because I would loose a lot of hair due to breakage.

Now days, I will relax every 10-12 weeks. I'm using DE mild which is a very mild relaxer, so I THINK this should be okay. I'm not sure if it is best for "optimum" hair health or not, but I'll try it and see if there is a difference. If my hair seems noticeably thinner or unhealthy after relaxing 10 weeks instead of 12/13 weeks, then I will go back to the 12-14 week relaxing rule.

 

[SleekandBouncy]

I get a touch-up about every 8 to 10 weeks, I don't really stretch because for my hair I don't think it really has any grand benefits esp. not for all the extra works envolved.

 

[planodiva]

I never thought about stretching my relaxer past 6 weeks until I began to live on this site. So I tried it once and now I am on my 5th stretch. I'm laughing now because I would never again relax after 6 weeks and wonder where did I learn the lie that I had to.

I will always stretch my relaxers and I am working on stretching longer and longer with each try. But I noticed that my relaxer didn't "take" as well last time so my hair has been kinda curly this stretch and I like it better. Kinda like a compromise btw been relaxed and natural. I plan on stretching to 6 months. Because I really don't like the straight hair after the relaxer. And the growth is amazing after such a long period without a relaxer

 

[KhandiB]

Usually go 8, tryin for 12 this go round...

 

[atrinibeauty]

I Usually Relax Every 12 Weeks.I Think I'll Go For 16 This Go Round.Trying To Work My Way Up To 24.

 

[MissFallon]

I think Im the opposite of most. I generally only relax if there is an event happening where I need my hair straighter than the flat iron can get it. or if my sister is in town (she will chase u around the house with the relaxer in hand). I can go up to 9 months without relaxing and usually when I get a relaxer its because my "relaxer-happy" sister who comes every 6 months is in town (who thinks I'm trying to be white if I DONT get a relaxer ) Generally when I used to go to the Dominican Salon every 2 weeks I wouldn't relax until I was sick of them blowing the hell out of my hair and killing my scalp (generally after 5 months). Right now I am 11 weeks post and am planning on getting a relaxer prolly around August 30 because I am going to Texas and don't know if the Texas heat and my ng will agree with eachother. If I dont relax at that time I want to relax for my bday (September 28th). It will be 5 months at that point. (Oh and I haven't been to the dominican salon since Dec. 18, 05 so Im getting better at dealing with these damn waves).

 

[Jewell]

I stretch for hair health. I'm subjecting my hair to less relaxer applications by stretching my touch-ups. I go every 10-12 weeks in summer and every 12-14 in winter. My hair is healthier and thicker because of it.

 

[caribeandiva]

8 weeks. that's as far as i can go. my hair grows pretty fast and my relaxers always look like i didn't do it in the first place after 3 weeks.

 

[Candy_C]

Jewell your highlights are lovely! have u experienced any damage? i've been thinking about going blonde!

and i usually go 12 or 13 weeks. 16 is agony but worth it!

i've gone the shortest ever in my life this month..9 weeks! terrible, but i have 3 fat inches of growth and its madness

 

[FlyyGyrl]

Good post! I stretch to limit my exposure to chemicals. I've noticed that I retained less when I did not stretch. For my length and texture right now I only go 12 weeks. When I get more length I will go longer.

 

[MizaniMami]

Jewell your highlights are lovely! have u experienced any damage? i've been thinking about going blonde!

and i usually go 12 or 13 weeks. 16 is agony but worth it!

i've gone the shortest ever in my life this month..9 weeks! terrible, but i have 3 fat inches of growth and its madness

So you did end up relaxing???

 

[londa70]

I use to relax every 8 weeks. Since finding this board I stretch to 14-16 weeks now. Getting my hair braided at the eight week mark easily carries me over the hump. I keep the braids in 4-6 weeks then take them out and rest/protein treat/deep condition my hair for 2 weeks before relaxing again. My hair is thriving this way. I started out bald a year ago and it's growing great!

 

[ladybug71]

For the longest time, I would get a touch-up every 4 weeks. I have been stretching to about 6 to 8 weeks now because it not only saves me extra $$$, but I think my hair doesn't necessarily "need" to be touched up that often like I was doing. Since joining the boards, I have learned to better take care of it to keep it looking nicer when I am stretching.

 

[MizaniMami]

The longest that I have ever stretched is 12 weeks. But I want to stretch 16 weeks at a time. Leaving me to only relax only 3 times a year. I honestly think that I can do it! Especially with my new routine.

 

[msprettyeyes]

I use to try to stretch my relaxers longer than 8 weeks but this only makes my hair break and it hurts (I am very tenderheaded). I do a protein treatment one week before I relax and a week after. This has really helped my hair. But for you ladies who can stretch I give you credit because by 8 weeks my hair looks a hot mess!!

 

[Candy_C]

So you did end up relaxing???

nah tomorrow! i cant wait

 

[MizaniMami]

nah tomorrow! i cant wait

Awww,Good luck!!! All that growth you got. I wouldn't blame you.

 

[deborah11]

I use to relax my hair very six weeks before finding this board. Now I would never even consider relaxing more than every 4-5 months. My hair really doesn' t begin to feel like a real styling challenge until the latter part of month 5 to beginning of month six. My last stretch was 9 months. I prefer to stretch to limit myself from chemical relaxer and my hair is stronger and more healthy and retains more length when I limit frequent exposure to chemicals.

 

[Mom23]

I usually relax every 8-9 weeks. I am adding a week each time to help me achive my goals. It helps me to start small and work my way up, and it gives me the opportunity to try different things with my hair to see what will work and what will not. If I get to 9-10 weeks and can manage my hair without alot of shedding and breakage I will continue to stretch. I just go by how my hair is doing, but no earlier than 8 weeks. I don't want to undue all my hard work just to say I stretched 14 weeks. Rollersetting and braidouts have helped to thicken my hair too. NO HEAT!!

 

[babygurl969]

Right now I am stretching to 6 months. Mainly to limit the exposure of the chemicals to my hair and scalp. Plus, my hair is really thickening up as I am stretching the touch-ups. But, whew! this ng is something else! I have to make it through the summer in the heat and humidity of the south and I am not sure I am going to make it.

 

[MissYocairis]

I usually stretch 16-18 weeks but, this time, I was trying to make it to 20 or 22 weeks. However, I am currently in week 12, and my new growth is really dense and thick and I am concerned about how it will be at the 16 week mark. I am having problems doing minor buns and I don't like to do too much combing and brushing when it's wet.

I stretch 16-18 wks and would like to increase that time length because I believe it is healthier for my scalp and entire body to reduce the amounts of time I ingest (through the scalp) the harmful chemicals from a relaxer. Y'all do remember that black women are taking in that stuff into our blood streams right? Relaxing 4x's a year is a huge improvement over relaxing 8-10 x's a year. I want to cut that down even more if I can figure out how to look lovely with two drastically different textures going on simultaneously.

Also, it's best for my already processed hair. Easier to distinguish between new growth and previously relaxed hair so that I don't overlap as much. Keeps me from breaking down my hair bonds even more. STRETCHING IS THE TRUTH!

 

[Crystalicequeen123]

I use to relax my hair very six weeks before finding this board. Now I would never even consider relaxing more than every 4-5 months. My hair really doesn' t begin to feel like a real styling challenge until the latter part of month 5 to beginning of month six. My last stretch was 9 months. I prefer to stretch to limit myself from chemical relaxer and my hair is stronger and more healthy and retains more length when I limit frequent exposure to chemicals.

WOW!! 4-5 months! OMG...how on EARTH??? :notworthy

Fill me in on how you do this while keeping your hair from not breaking. I feel like if I were to go this long without a relaxer, my fine type 4a/b hair would HAVE to be flat-ironed or blow-dried every week at least!

 

[~Nigeria~]

I now relax every 8 to 12 weeks. After that my hair becomes unmanageable.

 

[Shashemane]

My hair is fine, and starts to break if I go beyond 10 weeks.

 

[LABETT]

I relax every three month which has improved my hair vs relaxing every 6 weeks which caused my hair to thin out.
Using the right products when stretching makes the difference that God for my holy grail BBD Stretch Creme and Keala Oil.

 

[Candy_C]

i think i'm going to relax every 9-10 weeks now. the stress on my scalp really hurts after 9 weeks now. 12 weeks would be silly of me because of the growth vits give. my scalp my need extra love, but i feel that flaxseed provides that.

i think if your hair grows at a good speed, and you have AT LEAST 2 inches 2 relax then you shouldn't have any qualms in doing so.

 

[amy1234]

I touch-up every 8-9 weeks. My hair is already too thick and I can't manage it if it were any thicker. It does my hair no harm to do it every 2 months.