Stretching - um not so much...

[digitalmuse66]

I JUST did a retouch the first friday in march and now im fighting with my hair where the roots are actually starting to get curls and the plan was to wait at least 7-8 weeks before retouching and im not too sure I will be able to. I can't comb through this - scared it will start breaking...

anyone else have difficulty or find it impossible to stretch between retouches?

 

[soulie]

Keep it moisturized; and go with low manipulation.... don't comb it hard, don't comb it dry. Use your fingers as much as possible.

 

[Barbie83]

I feel you.... I'm wondering what the benefit of stretching is. I'm trying to go 10 weeks and my hair looks a hot mess right now!

 

[MummysGirl]

Co-signing with her...
Low Manipulation styles, detangle/comb your new growth only when hair is wet and with a moisturising conditioner in. You can also detangle damp hair with a moisturising leave in applied.
I am 14.5 weeks post and combing doesn't lead to breakage as long as I follow the above.

Keep it moisturized; and go with low manipulation.... don't comb it hard, don't comb it dry. Use your fingers as much as possible.

 

[soulie]

I feel you.... I'm wondering what the benefit of stretching is. I'm trying to go 10 weeks and my hair looks a hot mess right now!

One primary benefit of stretching is having sufficient new growth to avoid overlapping at the next touchup. Stretching isn't for everyone; and long stretches are for even fewer. Some people only go about 10-12 weeks - if they have enough new growth at that time, they touchup.

 

[~NanCeBoTwin~]

Keep it moisturized; and go with low manipulation.... don't comb it hard, don't comb it dry. Use your fingers as much as possible.

Co-signing with her...
Low Manipulation styles, detangle/comb your new growth only when hair is wet and with a moisturising conditioner in. You can also detangle damp hair with a moisturising leave in applied.
I am 14.5 weeks post and combing doesn't lead to breakage as long as I follow the above.

I'm also half way through my 14th week of stretching and I ONLY comb my hair when its wet and slathered with conditioner. I use an app. bottle to apply 100% aloe vera juice to my NG and it keeps it soft and moist..

 

[digitalmuse66]

Thanks for the responses, Im pretty much about at that point right now. I can't really comb it unless its wet/moisturized and I keep it bunned(mini) or in a pony tail.


The most manipulation it gets is when i wash it/deep condition. I work out so i wind up having to wash it around three times a week(at least) deep condition at least 2x's a week - right now can't do much other than wash condition seal and bun it up or ponytail it up....

 

[lana]

You may also want to try straightening shampoos and conditioners. I know for myself I'm texlaxed (4a/b) and I love Redken Smooth down - the entire line or Nexxus Straight Shampoo and Conditioner. I'm currently using Nioxin Smoothing Complex. Anything that smoothes the hair and makes it easier to straighten, helps me to stretch.

I stretch mainly to avoid overlapping, but for me if I overlap the worst that could happen is I would end up Relaxing instead of Texlaxing. I gues you have to be a Texlaxer to get that joke.

 

[sharifeh]

ya my last stretch did NOT go well
it lasted like 10 weeks I got terrible knots in my hair (it was not braided)

My last relaxer after the stretch, march 11, was so bad that it did not "take" I think that's the right term, I am only 2 weeks post but my hair looks and feels like it is like 6 weeks post

(sigh)

 

[digitalmuse66]

You may also want to try straightening shampoos and conditioners. I know for myself I'm texlaxed (4a/b) and I love Redken Smooth down - the entire line or Nexxus Straight Shampoo and Conditioner. I'm currently using Nioxin Smoothing Complex. Anything that smoothes the hair and makes it easier to straighten, helps me to stretch.

I stretch mainly to avoid overlapping, but for me if I overlap the worst that could happen is I would end up Relaxing instead of Texlaxing. I gues you have to be a Texlaxer to get that joke.

naw I actually get it lol only because of hanging out on this site.

As far as products I doubt I switch at this point - just got into a routine with the stuff I use which is good just have to make adjustments for not being able to comb through it and watch for breakage if it gets too rough..
doubt if i make it to 10 weeks though ...

 

[HoneyDew]

So you are almost 4 weeks post?

That is just a bit too soon, imo. Can you try to stretch it another 2 or 3 weeks at least?

 

[1Aleeesha]

Co-signing with her...
Low Manipulation styles, detangle/comb your new growth only when hair is wet and with a moisturising conditioner in. You can also detangle damp hair with a moisturising leave in applied.
I am 14.5 weeks post and combing doesn't lead to breakage as long as I follow the above.

And deep condition the mess out of it!

 

[digitalmuse66]

So you are almost 4 weeks post?

That is just a bit too soon, imo. Can you try to stretch it another 2 or 3 weeks at least?

That's what I am trying to do - as stated earlier in the thread, its already getting curly at the roots and is just about impossible to comb. My biggest concern now is breakage...or how long I can keep it like this without it starting to break off...

 

[ms_alanna]

Hi,

I am 3 months post and so far my stretch has been great. I have no complaints about it being hard to comb and since I keep it moisturized and conditioned I have not seen a overwhelming amount of breakage.

 

[Jadore_tay]

I am dealing with the same thing. I stretched for 3 months the last time and got a touch up done the 1st week in march. My hair is starting to break and airdrying does not work for ME no matter what I use. So I got a protein conditioner from sallys and I will dc with it followed by a moisturizing one then I will relax when I'm 6 weeks post.
I feel your pain I cant take it either

 

[digitalmuse66]

im guessing that part of being able to stretch will depend on the type hair you have i.e. coarse, fine, etc....

Mine is extremely coarse, curly wiry etc....which i would think makes it harder to stretch even with the moisturizers and conditioning....

 

[Jadore_tay]

im guessing that part of being able to stretch will depend on the type hair you have i.e. coarse, fine, etc....

Mine is extremely coarse, curly wiry etc....which i would think makes it harder to stretch even with the moisturizers and conditioning....

you can stretch with coarse, curly etc but maybe your hair is underprocessed. Thats what I am going thru.

 

[MoniintheMiddle]

I am on my second stretch (the last time I went 26 weeks). I am currently at 14 weeks and it has been relatively easy for me...but I do have a regimen. On wash day I apply ORS hair mayonnaise--generously. I leave that on for 10-15 minutes then rinse out. I shampoo and condition. I apply my DC'ner (ORS replenishing) and mix a little oil in it. I sit under the heat cap for 30-45 minutes. Rinse and blowdry...NOTE-i have learned that I CANNOT airdry when I get this far post relaxer.

 

[yuriko]

I just don't comb my hair. I comb it only once a week after a serious DC. I wear ponytail rollersets or flexirods at the beginning of the week, towards the end of the week I start co-washing and wearing buns and braid outs. Mind you, I only comb my hair on sundays.

It gets easier once you get the hang of it. I have 4a hair at the crown and 4b at the back and sides

 

[HoneyDew]

That's what I am trying to do - as stated earlier in the thread, its already getting curly at the roots and is just about impossible to comb. My biggest concern now is breakage...or how long I can keep it like this without it starting to break off...

I know how you feel, believe me. it has taken a lot of trial and error to find products and conditioners to get me over that hump.

Some of us just cannot stretch, or have yet to find a way like others have.

What products are you using, I did not see that in the thread. What conditioners and moisturizers and leave ins. What styles are you wearing?

 

[digitalmuse66]

I know how you feel, believe me. it has taken a lot of trial and error to find products and conditioners to get me over that hump.

Some of us just cannot stretch, or have yet to find a way like others have.

What products are you using, I did not see that in the thread. What conditioners and moisturizers and leave ins. What styles are you wearing?

Right now I am using custom blend Mizani conditioner (Kerafuse/Hydrafuse) which is working great for dc's
As to leave in - split between lacio lacio and APhogee Pro vitamin Leave In
Whether I blow dry or not - I usually follow up with ORS Carrot oil just lil bit.
Right now because of the way my new growth is coming in im mainly wearing a mini bun, a pony tail or a couple of french braids I haven't flatironed in a minute and actually plan not to at least not till after i retouch.

 

[MissNina]

Okay that is barely 4 weeks post. Honestly, your new growth shouldn't be THAT difficult to comb through just yet. I see you just joined the site, so maybe you're just a little scared prematurely? As long as you follow the steps other ladies have pointed out with moisturizing conditioners and careful handling, I'm 99% positive you will be fine and experience minimal breakage (imo, at least a very minimal amount cannot be avoided).

Ppl w/ various types of hair usually only start getting breakage after the 6-8 week mark. . .and usually that soon solely b/c of insufficient knowledge or improper handling. Your hair will be fine, trust me! The ladies gave you good advice. HTH and good luck