Relaxing My Virgin Head

[Candiss]

Tomorrow, I am going to perform a strand test with ORS regular. If all goes well, I will be relaxing on Saturday or Sunday. I washed my hair yesterday, on Tuesday. I used my leave in and hair oils, etc. So I have a few questions:

1. Is it ok to relax when the hair has product in it? I ask because my hair needs the s-curl, detangling cream, hair oil etc. I just can't wash it and go 3 days without product waiting to do my relaxer.

2. I plan on buying three boxes of relaxer because I want to make sure I have enough. So should I mix each container seperately or can I empty all 3 containers in one big plastic bowl?

3. Since I'm doing the entire length of my head, should I try to relax it all at once or should I do the half and half method

4. What can I do to insure that I don't underprocess. I would think that the strand test would tell me exactly how long I should leave it in. But what should I be looking for when smoothing to know it is ready. I know I don't want bone straight.

5. I plan on relaxing, neutralizing, ors replenishing pack, protein tx with Aphogee reconstructor, deep moisturing condition with Suave Biobasics.
Is the Aphogee step overkill?

Anyway, I would appreciate any responses from the women who self relax and have figured out the techniques for avoiding underprocessing.

Thanks

 

[navsegda]

Tomorrow, I am going to perform a strand test with ORS regular. If all goes well, I will be relaxing on Saturday or Sunday. I washed my hair yesterday, on Tuesday. I used my leave in and hair oils, etc. So I have a few questions:

1. Is it ok to relax when the hair has product in it? I ask because my hair needs the s-curl, detangling cream, hair oil etc. I just can't wash it and go 3 days without product waiting to do my relaxer.

2. I plan on buying three boxes of relaxer because I want to make sure I have enough. So should I mix each container seperately or can I empty all 3 containers in one big plastic bowl?

3. Since I'm doing the entire length of my head, should I try to relax it all at once or should I do the half and half method

4. What can I do to insure that I don't underprocess. I would think that the strand test would tell me exactly how long I should leave it in. But what should I be looking for when smoothing to know it is ready. I know I don't want bone straight.

5. I plan on relaxing, neutralizing, ors replenishing pack, protein tx with Aphogee reconstructor, deep moisturing condition with Suave Biobasics.
Is the Aphogee step overkill?

Anyway, I would appreciate any responses from the women who self relax and have figured out the techniques for avoiding underprocessing.

Thanks

1. Yes, but you don't want a load of product in your hair.
2. I really don't think you need 3 boxes. One should be sufficient.
3. You could try the half and half method.
4. You can tell when the waves have begun to loosen up. You can see and feel.
5. I wouldn't recommend doing an Aphogee right after a relaxer (are you talking about the keratin & green tea restructurizer or the hardcore aphogee treatment, though?). I did my Aphogee three days after.

 

[navsegda]

Also, if you are really nervous about getting your entire head done in time without underprocessing, since you've never relaxed before, it wouldn't be such a bad idea to either practice with conditioner first (a few days prior to when you actually relax) or get someone who already has a relaxer that you know and trust to do the relaxer for you.

 

[CAPlush]

I would definitely do the half and half method and I would get another pair of hands somewhere in the room to help out for the areas you can't see in the back. And I think that you should err on the side of being underprocessed rather than overprocessed. Once you overprocess, that's it. If it is underprocessed it can be corrected.

 

[sunnybunny]

If I was you I would not put a relaxer in your head all you have to do is train your hair with the proper conditioners that is good for your hair. I don't have a relxer and my hair is bone straight when it's done once you get that relaxer you'll have to keep it up or your hair will shead and break its to much IMO................ Leave it natural and just blow dry it and curl it find a really good hair dresser

 

[~*~ShopAholic~*~]

I would mix only 2 of the containers, that should be enough. I also would put my hair in large platts the day b4, that way it stretches out the length a little making it easier to part through and apply. When doing a Virgin relaxer, the key to not comming out underprocessed is to start at the ends (all around), then the middle (all around) and last but not least the root area (all around), since heat helps it work quicker the further away from the scalp (body heat) the longer it takes to process. So when doing you strand test apply it in the manner but wait a few minutes btwn each area of the strand, as if you were really doing the entire head, giving the ends/middle sec. enough time to start relaxing so that it all comes out evenly straight. Hope this doesn't sound confusing.
Since the hair is virgin hair their really isn't a need to do half and half unless you are really slow, because you can just slap that stuff on really quickly without having to worry about overlapping since the hair is virgin hair.

I wouldn't do an Aphoghee treatment after relaxing, but I would use a moisturing DC that does have some protein in it.

 

[PrincessDiva]

Tomorrow, I am going to perform a strand test with ORS regular. If all goes well, I will be relaxing on Saturday or Sunday. I washed my hair yesterday, on Tuesday. I used my leave in and hair oils, etc. So I have a few questions:

1. Is it ok to relax when the hair has product in it? I ask because my hair needs the s-curl, detangling cream, hair oil etc. I just can't wash it and go 3 days without product waiting to do my relaxer.

2. I plan on buying three boxes of relaxer because I want to make sure I have enough. So should I mix each container seperately or can I empty all 3 containers in one big plastic bowl?

3. Since I'm doing the entire length of my head, should I try to relax it all at once or should I do the half and half method

4. What can I do to insure that I don't underprocess. I would think that the strand test would tell me exactly how long I should leave it in. But what should I be looking for when smoothing to know it is ready. I know I don't want bone straight.

5. I plan on relaxing, neutralizing, ors replenishing pack, protein tx with Aphogee reconstructor, deep moisturing condition with Suave Biobasics.
Is the Aphogee step overkill?

Anyway, I would appreciate any responses from the women who self relax and have figured out the techniques for avoiding underprocessing.

Thanks

Please do not put protein in virgin hair unless u assess a definite need for it. Most virgin hair DOES NOT need a lot of protein. This was one of my major setbacks in the beginning of my hair journey( I found out the hard wayerplexed ). The protein on my virgin/relaxed hair broke it all off!!

 

[Candiss]

When doing a Virgin relaxer, the key to not comming out underprocessed is to start at the ends (all around), then the middle (all around) and last but not least the root area (all around), since heat helps it work quicker the further away from the scalp (body heat) the longer it takes to process. So when doing you strand test apply it in the manner but wait a few minutes btwn each area of the strand, as if you were really doing the entire head, giving the ends/middle sec. enough time to start relaxing so that it all comes out evenly straight. Hope this doesn't sound confusing.

I would have never thought of this. It makes a lot of sense to give the ends more time to process. Thanks for the information

 

[Candiss]

Please do not put protein in virgin hair unless u assess a definite need for it. Most virgin hair DOES NOT need a lot of protein. This was one of my major setbacks in the beginning of my hair journey( I found out the hard wayerplexed ). The protein on my virgin/relaxed hair broke it all off!!

Thanks for the warning. I thought that because my hair would be in a weakened state after the relaxing, it would NEED the protein. But I guess because it is weak, it would do more harm than good. I'm glad you told me this before I made a major mistake!

 

[Candiss]

1. Yes, but you don't want a load of product in your hair.
2. I really don't think you need 3 boxes. One should be sufficient.
3. You could try the half and half method.
4. You can tell when the waves have begun to loosen up. You can see and feel.
5. I wouldn't recommend doing an Aphogee right after a relaxer (are you talking about the keratin & green tea restructurizer or the hardcore aphogee treatment, though?). I did my Aphogee three days after.

Thanks for the tips. I was talking about using the the hardcore Aphogee but now I think that's a bad idea. Maybe, when I do the strand test, I will put some of the Aphogee on and see what happens.

 

[Candiss]

Also, if you are really nervous about getting your entire head done in time without underprocessing, since you've never relaxed before, it wouldn't be such a bad idea to either practice with conditioner first (a few days prior to when you actually relax) or get someone who already has a relaxer that you know and trust to do the relaxer for you.

I love the idea of practicing with conditioner. I learned about this from previous threads and I definitely think this will help me tremendously. thanks

 

[Candiss]

I would definitely do the half and half method and I would get another pair of hands somewhere in the room to help out for the areas you can't see in the back. And I think that you should err on the side of being underprocessed rather than overprocessed. Once you overprocess, that's it. If it is underprocessed it can be corrected.

I deinitely don't want to overprocess. That would definitely make me swear off relaxers forever! I think I am going to use two mirrors. One in front, one in back. I just do not trust anyone else in my head at this point. thanks for the tips

 

[Candiss]

So I have completed my strand test with ORS normal relaxer. I was going to leave it on for 15 minutes but my texture started to relax quickly and I left it on for 12 minutes. The before is on the left. This was my natural texture after wearing twists for two days. The after on the right is after the relaxer was left on for 12 minutes, neutralized, conditioned and airdryed.

This pic below shows a clip of my hair in the front (left) and a clip from the back (right). I processed for 12 minutes and conditioned and airdryed.

As you can see the hair on the right is from the back of my head which is coarser in texture. So If I want it straighter like the front I will process for five more minutes. However, if I want the front with more texture like the back then I will subtract five minutes from the front instead. Anyway, I think I will be relaxing on Sunday or Monday. I will post pics of the results sometime next week.

 

[~*~ShopAholic~*~]

Looking good, you did a great job .

So I have completed my strand test with ORS normal relaxer. I was going to leave it on for 15 minutes but my texture started to relax quickly and I left it on for 12 minutes. The before is on the left. This was my natural texture after wearing twists for two days. The after on the right is after the relaxer was left on for 12 minutes, neutralized, conditioned and airdryed.

This pic below shows a clip of my hair in the front (left) and a clip from the back (right). I processed for 12 minutes and conditioned and airdryed.

As you can see the hair on the right is from the back of my head which is coarser in texture. So If I want it straighter like the front I will process for five more minutes. However, if I want the front with more texture like the back then I will subtract five minutes from the front instead. Anyway, I think I will be relaxing on Sunday or Monday. I will post pics of the results sometime next week.

 

[Candiss]

Looking good, you did a great job .

Well thank you for saying that, that makes me feel pretty darn confident about my abilities right about now

 

[LocksOfLuV]

You sure did do a great job!! And I was totally fascinated by the pics!!!
You got this so planned out, seems like you will do fine!

Did you decide how long you are going to process?

 

[Candiss]

You sure did do a great job!! And I was totally fascinated by the pics!!!
You got this so planned out, seems like you will do fine!

Did you decide how long you are going to process?

Thanks LocksOfLuV. You guys are making me feel real full of myself right now !! I hope I don't let myslef down when the day comes to do the entire head. I am so anal about this right now. I haven't decided how long i am going to prcess right now. I am going to use the next few days to do more research on this board and decide what I need exactly. I know that i want to wear my hair straight all the time but I have thin hair so I know that I will rollerset for curly/wavy look. So I don't need it bone straight, but I want the option of wearing it straight when I want to. I want to be able to get it straight with a roller set sitting under the dryer until dry and a light flat ironing when the roots start to come in. Decisions, Decisions. I will be sure to write everything i do down becaue I want to repeat it all here for you guys.

 

[locfreeme]

So you bought the relaxer already? Definitely buy at least two boxes. I relaxed my daughter's virgin hair (APL) and used every bit of box boxes. ORS doesn't put as much relaxer in their kits as some other relaxers. Depending on how much hair you have, you may want to go ahead and buy three, but just mix the first two and wait to see if you will need the third one. If you don't need it, you can always use the third box when it's time for a touch-up.

 

[Candiss]

thanks locfreeme. I was originally going to buy three and then mix it all together in a big bowl, but that's just wasteful. But what you suggest is a good idea. I'm going to buy tem today. Is there anything else you think I need beside what comes in the box. I already have a pack of the Aphogee reconstructor (I'm not going to use it but just in case), ors cholesterol, suave biobasics, mizani moisture/protein conditioner, silk elements megasilk heat protectant (I'm using this as a base for my entire hair), Optimum hair quencher (i'm basing my scalp with this) and I could go on and on ( I really need to give some stuff away!). I don't think I need to use all of the conditoners the first time but I just like knowing I have what I need just in case I have an emergency. Wish me luck!

 

[AmyInAtl]

I wouldnt waste time parting and applying.
I would slather big wads on, mash it in to the scalp, divide into 4 parts and start smoothing.
To part each row and apply will be time consuming thru virgin hair......that may make you have under and overprocessed hair, maybe the area I would slather on last is the delicate edges...

 

[ThursdayGirl]

I wouldnt waste time parting and applying.
I would slather big wads on, mash it in to the scalp, divide into 4 parts and start smoothing.
To part each row and apply will be time consuming thru virgin hair......that may make you have under and overprocessed hair, maybe the area I would slather on last is the delicate edges...

I am not sure that I would do this. I agree parting and applying is time consuming, but you also minimize your risk of scalp damage from getting the relaxer on your skin. Supposedly when you base your scalp its to protect the skin.... but I (and others) have still gotten burns despite basing. I think you should try to get as close as you can to the scalp without getting it on your scalp.

 

[Candiss]

I really like the idea of just throwing it own and going to town smoothing it for the 12 minutes. But I ahve sensitive skin and need to make protecting the scapl the most important thing. So even though it will take way more time, I'm going to part each section and apply it that way. I am going to divide my hiar into the front part and back part. I will relax, neutralize, condition the back, then go back and do the front or maybe vice-versa)