Relaxed Hair Thread

pre_medicalrulz

It Always Been About Hair!
When I was using redkin heat glide and I flat ironed my hair was stiff and stuck together. Never again will I use this. I don't know if it has protein in It

I hair does this with aphogee, silk elements, CHI keratin mist, and Organix keratin oil. It sometimes does this Kerastase if I don't use enough moisture DC and never does this with CHI Keratin Silk infusion.

Ok you know what... I'm going to clarify tmr night and airdry without any leave in products and see if there's a difference..
 

Saludable84

Better Late Than Ugly
Ok you know what... I'm going to clarify tmr night and airdry without any leave in products and see if there's a difference..

You use nexxus no? I wouldn't think you need to add more with those products unless you use a protectant. When I used nexxus, I really needed nothing else except for heat protectant. My hair was always good with therappe and humectress.
 

divachyk

Instagram: adaybyjay
My hair gets stooooopid at 8 weeks post. My breakage this stretch has been non-existent thus far which is a big deal for my hair. It normally breaks, always. Not this time....well, not until I hit 8 weeks. I'm unsure what happens at the 8 week mark every single stretch that causes issues.
 

pre_medicalrulz

It Always Been About Hair!
You use nexxus no? I wouldn't think you need to add more with those products unless you use a protectant. When I used nexxus, I really needed nothing else except for heat protectant. My hair was always good with therappe and humectress.

I haven't used Nexxus since I hit WL except for the shampoo. Been trying out new products. Maybe that's the pblm as well. But I will eventually figure it out. I just have to start somewhere & start the process of elimination.
 

flyygirlll2

Lioness mane
pre_medicalrulz flyygirlll2, my wet hair use to tangle, matte, web & stick together something serious. The ~4" inch chop helped it tremendously! I'm not dealing with that any longer...knock on wood. Air drying isn't good for my hair, it dreads together which is a little different from the sticking that I'm talking about when wet. Using indirect heat each week has helped the mini dreads issue. Saludable84, I can get about 5 to 7 days of curls when pineappling, pin curling or bantu knotting the hair each night. I get sick of curls quick so by day 4 or 5, I'm no longer trying to preserve them. I will put my hair in a bun and call it a night.

I trimmed last week actually. I did have some splits but I've been using more protein lately and also using the Phytokeratin Repair serum for ends to keep splits at bay. I even bought new scissors and a scissor sharpener.. I can be obsessive about my ends sometimes.
 

Saludable84

Better Late Than Ugly
I trimmed last week actually. I did have some splits but I've been using more protein lately and also using the Phytokeratin Repair serum for ends to keep splits at bay. I even bought new scissors and a scissor sharpener.. I can be obsessive about my ends sometimes.

Protein can help and hurt you so be careful. I notice my ends give me more issues when I use too much protein, even when I balance it with moisture.
 

Saludable84

Better Late Than Ugly
I haven't used Nexxus since I hit WL except for the shampoo. Been trying out new products. Maybe that's the pblm as well. But I will eventually figure it out. I just have to start somewhere & start the process of elimination.

I will be honest; as much as I love my small business vendors my hair has not been the same since I stopped using Nexxus. My hair was bone straight and had volume, bounce and life for days when I used Nexxus. I might go back to the poo after I give birth because I really do love it and paul mitchell shampoo. I will pay for poo! I used the shampoo, conditioner and the humectress luxe spray and I had no issues with any damage at all. Thats what I call a hair care line.
 

flyygirlll2

Lioness mane
Protein can help and hurt you so be careful. I notice my ends give me more issues when I use too much protein, even when I balance it with moisture.

Finding a balance has been hard. I experienced some breakage at my crown for the first time ever due to stretching for 7 months. I've trimmed a lot this year but the only reason it doesn't bother me to cut is because my hair has been gaining back what I trimmed quickly it seems. I keep feeling like I need protein but I want to focus on moisture cause my has is naturally dry and coarse.
 

mschristine

Well-Known Member
I'm back! I finally figured out how to reply from my phone...anyway, I'm four weeks post after flirting with transitioning for a few months. Ive had a lot of thinning and breakage so i got a major cut amd now I'm ready to get back to twice a week deep conditioning sessions, monthly hard protien treatmemts and trimming away at these thin ends
 

NGraceO

Well-Known Member
23 weeks post and counting. Surprisingly, yesterday's post braid removal wash day wasn't hell.

I'm not in a rush to touch up...I'll go until it becomes unbearable.

OAN, I have no clue what to do with my hair.

I have his new gorgeous wig calling my name, but to wear it in this NYC heat might be insanity. So maybe I'll be back to braids.
 

topnotch1010

Real Housewife of Houston
I know many of you self relax with no problems, but I recently read about @Aireen's horror story of a relaxing session with her stylist. I just wanted to post a few tips, as I do have a cosmetology license and have been a self-relaxer for years. This forum is all about sharing information, so I'm sharing what I know.

Relaxer tips:

1. If on a long stretch, make sure to have detangled 24-48 hours before relaxing, so that the relaxing process can be quick.

2. If you are new to self-relaxing or have color on your hair, be sure to use a mild/color safe relaxer. For the newbies, mild processes slower and gives you time to feel your way through the relaxing session without the fear of damage. I ALWAYS use mild on my hair, regardless if I have color or not, because I like to be extra cautious and want to keep a little volume to my hair.

3. Coat the previously relaxed hair with a heavy oil or conditioner to prevent overlapping.

4. Part the hair into 4 sections, horizontally and vertically. Tie the top two sections and one of the bottom sections up with an elastic or hair clip to keep it out of your way.

5. Hair can be relaxed using comb, chemical brush, or fingers. I prefer fingers because I can better control where the relaxer is going and I can feel my hair better. Try not to get relaxer on your scalp, previously colored, or previously relaxed hair.

6. Starting at the back loose section, start from the top and work your way down, parting in ½” sections. Be sure to get the outside parameters as well. Continue on to the second back section.

7. For the top 2, start from the middle and work your way towards the front. DO NOT RELAX ALL THE WAY TO THE FRONT HAIRLINE! Leave about a 1” section in the front to come back to. The front hairline is fragile and will break easily, so you want to leave that section for last.

8. Relax the fourth section from middle to the front hairline then come back to the first top section and relax the last 1” to complete the entire relaxer session.
9. Smooth.

10. I like to shampoo mine out immediately to avoid any over-processing. Some people like to wait for more processing, but again, I like a little volume.

11. When shampooing, use a pattern method to get all of the relaxer out. I shampoo and massage from right to left, snaking my way down my head from top to bottom, to be sure I get every single inch of relaxer out.

12. Shampoo using neutralizer 3 times. The first time do a mild massage, the second is progressively stronger pressure, using my fingertips, and the third I scratch my scalp in the above pattern to make sure that all of the relaxer is out.

13. DC and style as normal.

ETA: DO NOT USE A RECONSTRUCTOR AFTER A RELAXING SESSION. Using it will cause it to revert to the previous curl pattern and lose your relaxing results. Wait 3 days after a relaxer to use a reconstructor. In 3 day's time, your hair will harden and will permanently be in it's new relaxed state.

Keep in mind that this is just MY method and it has served me well. The biggest issue I see with relaxer breakage is relaxing to the ends, using too strong of a relaxer, or relaxing over previously colored hair using a regular strength relaxer.

Best of luck! :heart2:
 
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flyygirlll2

Lioness mane
I know many of you self relax with no problems, but I recently read about @Aireen's horror story of a relaxing session with her stylist. I just wanted to post a few tips, as I do have a cosmetology license and have been a self-relaxer for years. This forum is all about sharing information, so I'm sharing what I know. Relaxer tips: 1. If on a long stretch, make sure to have detangled 24-48 hours before relaxing, so that the relaxing process can be quick. 2. If you are new to self-relaxing or have color on your hair, be sure to use a mild/color safe relaxer. For the newbies, mild processes slower and gives you time to feel your way through the relaxing session without the fear of damage. I ALWAYS use mild on my hair, regardless if I have color or not, because I like to be extra cautious and want to keep a little volume to my hair. 3. Coat the previously relaxed hair with a heavy oil or conditioner to prevent overlapping. 4. Part the hair into 4 sections, horizontally and vertically. Tie the top two sections and one of the bottom sections up with an elastic or hair clip to keep it out of your way. 5. Hair can be relaxed using comb, chemical brush, or fingers. I prefer fingers because I can better control where the relaxer is going and I can feel my hair better. Try not to get relaxer on your scalp, previously colored, or previously relaxed hair. 6. Starting at the back loose section, start from the top and work your way down, parting in ½” sections. Be sure to get the outside parameters as well. Continue on to the second back section. 7. For the top 2, start from the middle and work your way towards the front. DO NOT RELAX ALL THE WAY TO THE FRONT HAIRLINE! Leave about a 1” section in the front to come back to. The front hairline is fragile and will break easily, so you want to leave that section for last. 8. Relax the fourth section from middle to the front hairline then come back to the first top section and relax the last 1” to complete the entire relaxer session. 9. Smooth. 10. I like to shampoo mine out immediately to avoid any over-processing. Some people like to wait for more processing, but again, I like a little volume. 11. When shampooing, use a pattern method to get all of the relaxer out. I shampoo and massage from right to left, snaking my way down my head from top to bottom, to be sure I get every single inch of relaxer out. 12. Shampoo using neutralizer 3 times. The first time do a mild massage, the second is progressively stronger pressure, using my fingertips, and the third I scratch my scalp in the above pattern to make sure that all of the relaxer is out. 13. DC and style as normal. ETA: DO NOT USE A RECONSTRUCTOR AFTER A RELAXING SESSION. Using it will cause it to revert to the previous curl pattern and lose your relaxing results. Wait 3 days after a relaxer to use a reconstructor. In 3 day's time, your hair will harden and will permanently be in it's new relaxed state. Keep in mind that this is just MY method and it has served me well. The biggest issue I see with relaxer breakage is relaxing to the ends, using too strong of a relaxer, or relaxing over previously colored hair using a regular strength relaxer. Best of luck! :heart2:


Thanks for the tips! I've used mild before but it does absolutely nothing to my hair, my hair is resistant and does not easily straighten. I use regular though even though I can use super just cause I don't mind some texture in my hair. I used the half and half method to self relax last touch up and I actually like it since it provided more time for me to apply.
 

greenandchic

Well-Known Member
topnotch1010 - Thanks for the heads up about not using a reconstructor! My hair is too resistant to use light, I need to use "regular". I'm actually thinking of switching to no-lye since my hair seems to laugh at lye.

Before I relaxed my virgin hair I did a test and it did nothing. Even with leaving it on longer than my test only has me texturized/laxed. Looking back I probably should have seen a pro for my virgin hair but I rather mess it up myself, lol!
 

flyygirlll2

Lioness mane
topnotch1010 - Thanks for the heads up about not using a reconstructor! My hair is too resistant to use light, I need to use "regular". I'm actually thinking of switching to no-lye since my hair seems to laugh at lye. Before I relaxed my virgin hair I did a test and it did nothing. Even with leaving it on longer than my test only has me texturized/laxed. Looking back I probably should have seen a pro for my virgin hair but I rather mess it up myself, lol!

I find that no lye doesn't straighten it completely either, feels like it has to be beaten into submission for that to happen which will just cause damage anyway. I've never realized the level of resistance my hair had until I self relaxed it myself.. Now I see why stylist use to leave it in extra long while telling me " oh your hair is not taking yet" smh.
 
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Saludable84

Better Late Than Ugly
23 weeks post and counting. Surprisingly, yesterday's post braid removal wash day wasn't hell. I'm not in a rush to touch up...I'll go until it becomes unbearable. OAN, I have no clue what to do with my hair. I have his new gorgeous wig calling my name, but to wear it in this NYC heat might be insanity. So maybe I'll be back to braids.

The heat is real up here. But in not complaining. We had the longest and coldest winter ever.
 

mochalocks

Well-Known Member
I'm dreading the New Orleans heat on my hair tomorrow, and up until next Monday. Good thing I washed it earlier. I refused to get it freshly relaxed only to let it look limp, and drop on my trip.
 

PureSilver

Well-Known Member
Ladies i feel your pain, living in a tropical climate is beyond hot. I would take winter cold over summer heat any day. I already have 4 degree sunburn scars from being in the sun for a few hours from Sunday till Tuesday. Its horrible here in JA.
 

PureSilver

Well-Known Member
Ladies i feel your pain, living in a tropical climate is beyond hot. I would take winter cold over summer heat any day. I already have 4th degree sunburn scars from being in the sun for a few hours from Sunday till Tuesday. Its horrible here in JA.
 
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