Y'all ladies don't play when it comes to the hair /images/graemlins/laugh.gif! Thanks Mona for the testimonials! /images/graemlins/smile.gif
Okay Melodee, I'm not a great person to ask b/c I was natural before and this is the only relaxer I've used since making the switch. My previous experiences were in my early teens, so they are foggy. But I was so afraid to relax that I did lots of research and was happy w/what I learned and confident in the product.
First of all the pH was lower than average (I'm sticking by Index 1 being ~9.0, but even @ 11, that's better than 14!). Then I was reallly impressed by the fact that the base was natural (I'm an organic girl) and 'chemical free" (the inductor is a chemical of course), so I figured it had to be less harsh on the hair. I also wanted to avoid that no-lye curl lock, so the fact that this has a Guanidine Carbonate base was another plus and eliminated that worry (I've corrected a few times w/o incident). I also started using other Phyto products and found them to be of superior quality, so I trusted the relaxer.
Now, having used the relaxer I find that at no point does my hair feel weak. I recall from past relaxing that my hair felt really fragile after processing and for the next few weeks actually. It broke more when wet etc. For some reason after I rinse the relaxer my hair feels better, healthier even. It's buttery soft and still really strong, it's like I had a conditioning treatment instead of a relaxer. The other thing I really like is that my hair always feel hydrated and I have a lot of body in my hair. It never has that permed lifeless look or feel. My other big thing is burning, every perm I ever had made me burn quickly and not once have I had any such issue w/Phyto. That alone was major for me.
I use Index 1 b/c my strands are fine but I like the fact that my hair is voluminous, so I only texturize w/it. I've had it applied by a stylist twice and just touched-up/correct for the first time myself. I think if you like ultra straight relaxed hair this is not for you. But if you like hair that moves... this is it /images/graemlins/smile.gif . And that's not to be confused w/the fact that your hair isn't str8 or is underprocessed.
