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can you reach your goal without stretching?

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how long do you stretch?

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tri3nity

tri3nity

New Member
I have always received retouches every 8 weeks. My hair was healthy I just couldn't make it past sl to apl. Now I know about moisturizing and sealing! :) anyway my question is must we stretch for MONTHS to get good growth? I would like to make it to maybe 12 weeks. I know that my nerves couldn't take longer than that! :)
 
I think 12 weeks is fine. That's my plan anyway, every 12-14 weeks. :look: There are lots of ladies here who made it past APL that don't stretch for months on end. :yep: I think I remember a few who do it every 6-8 weeks too. :look:
 
A 12 week stretch is idea to me. The first time I stretch 12 wks, I had a new head of hair. It was so much thicker after that stretch. I have stretched up to 5 months and I can honestly say my hair did better with the shorter stretches 12-14 wks. I don't plan to ever stretch 5 months again unless I'm transitioning. Just stay up on your protein and moisture game.
 
I just finished a 14 week stretch and honestly, I didnt see that big of a difference :look:. I mean, I gained a little length, but my fine strands are still as fine as they were 14 weeks ago :perplexed. I will continue to see if I have success over time. I'm not stretching more than 14 weeks though as it was a disaster trying to deal with the 2 textures.
 
I got most of my growth in the beginning of my journey and I relaxed every 10-12 weeks...Was not a stretcher...I had no problems. I just got better at it over time and would look up and it would be 13 weeks and so on
 
I'm usually a 10 to 12 week stretcher. But for the past 2 touch-ups it's been 14 to now I'm 15 weeks post. I think I'm stretching past my usually time because it's very cold here, and I just don't feel like getting a touch-up. I usually go back to my 10 to 12 week stretches in the warmer months.
 
I'm 26 weeks post right now, but I don't think it's necessary to stretch for that long, as long as your keeping your ends protected, DC'ing, M&S etc...

My next stretch will most likely be much shorter, not because I can't do it, but because it's extremely time consuming.
 
Can I reach my goals without stretching? No, I would be able to. That would mean I would have to relax every 2-4 weeks?


I can do anywhere from 12-16 weeks. Right now I have been going for 13-14 weeks at a time. Some times I do 12 it all depends.
 
I previously stretched to 8 weeks and had BSL hair. However, after the birth of my second son and some postpartum shedding, I cut my hair to chin-length. I wasn't on a hair journey at the time; so, I kept stretching to 8 weeks. But, I noticed that the combination of stretching to 8 weeks and a scissor-happy stylist wasn't helping my hair grow as fast as I knew it could. So, I changed stylists and decided to stretch longer. At first, I stretched to 12 weeks to see if I could do it. It was a successful stretch. I moved it up to 15 weeks and I can comfortably say, it's the maximum amount of time I will stretch to add health to my hair.
 
I am super stretcher here and yes, you can reach your goals without stretching. But for me, I feel as if I get to my goals faster by stretching. I am currently 47 weeks post and my last stretch was like 28 weeks.
 
I got to MBL/WL relaxing once every 6 months. Now I relax every 4 months and don't find it hard, horrible hands can't stop touching my hair though. I really think conditioning and listening to your hair needs is so important. Tracyee is right, when I relaxed at 6 months I didn't schedule it, you really don't realize how quick time flys by. I'd look and 6 months pass, now I schedule. Stretching helps to make sure your not overlapping and gives your scalp a break.
 
I've been stretching for about 16 weeks or more. I want to move it down to the 9-10 range though because I don't really know how to curb breakage once my stretch gets deeper.
 
Although I am attempting a year long stretch, I believe that you can gain length without it.

As long as you base your scalp really well and cover the previously relaxed ends with with vaseline and/or neutralizing shampoo your hair should do well.

I usually relax every 7-8 weeks.
 
Last edited:
Highly Favored8 said:
Can I reach my goals without stretching? No, I would be able to. That would mean I would have to relax every 2-4 weeks?


I can do anywhere from 12-16 weeks. Right now I have been going for 13-14 weeks at a time. Some times I do 12 it all depends.
Click to expand...

:huh: I think I read this wrong :ohwell:



Anywho, I relax at 10-12 weeks. My hair has never been thin and I get enough growth in that duration to avoid overlapping. I see too many people stretch like it's going to multiply their growth rate the longer they stretch. Depending on hair type, technique, and patience, I've seen some people lose hair past a certain point in their stretch.
 
Optimus_Prime said:
:huh: I think I read this wrong :ohwell:



Anywho, I relax at 10-12 weeks. My hair has never been thin and I get enough growth in that duration to avoid overlapping. I see too many people stretch like it's going to multiply their growth rate the longer they stretch. Depending on hair type, technique, and patience, I've seen some people lose hair past a certain point in their stretch.
Click to expand...

I totally agree. I am 3 weeks post and I have new growth already. I have a good amount of new growth at 10 to 12 weeks as well. I think in the summer I will only stretch 10 weeks.
 
Traycee said:
I got most of my growth in the beginning of my journey and I relaxed every 10-12 weeks...Was not a stretcher...I had no problems. I just got better at it over time and would look up and it would be 13 weeks and so on
Click to expand...

Hi Traycee,

I viewed your dust/trim Youtube and thanks so much for the demonstration. Your Youtube Videos are so informative and you're a lovely instructor. Thanks again for your support.

India
 
Well befor LHCF I made it to apl with our streching (i was pregnant and the vits helped). Then I went natural and went back relaxed again and now as a seasonal relaxer (1st day of spring, summer, fall, winter) my length and thickness is like never before. So my answer was 13+ weeks.
 
Yes you can reach your goal w/o stretching... My sister and mom do not stretch & their hair grow just fine.. The minimum I relax my hair is 12 weeks.. It is all about retaining length to see the results..
 
I get my hair relaxed every 8 weeks and I've had no problems...no porosity issues (when my stylist handles my hair) no damage.

The only thing that affects my hair retention is that dag gone "TRIM" every 8 weeks. That will kill your progress very quickly!
 
I think one should stretch depending on how much new growth you get. If you're a slow grower you should stretch your relaxers. If I were to get an inch a month, I'd probably relax every 6-8 weeks bc I think 1.5"-2" is a significant amount to relax. But I'm a slow grower so I go 10-12 weeks.

​
 
To me stretching isn't just about your new growth it's about managability of your new growth without getting frustrated or causing damage. I easily can go to 4 months of new growth and get up to 3 inches of growth and no relax it. I don't consider 4 months really a stretch, I consider every week after my normal routine the stretch, so if it is five months that would be a 4 week stretch and so forth.

I don't feel it is essential to grow hair to stretch or that it will give you galloping growth, I do think it lessens the damage that can be inflicted due to frequent relaxing, such as overlapping and thinning. I also feel I can manage both textures without ill effects.

I already have thin hair, Natural and Relaxed. Natural 2 times as an adult at 3/4 years intervals per. unfortunately I am cursed with non-thick hair.
 
I think it really depends on your hair and your regimen and your goal. For me stretching has helped me with my goal of healthy hair. However I know for some stretching too long can cause excessive shedding/breakage.

Anyway, I used to relax every 6-8 weeks...now I go 12-14 weeks.
 
RocStar said:
I think it really depends on your hair and your regimen and your goal. For me stretching has helped me with my goal of healthy hair. However I know for some stretching too long can cause excessive shedding/breakage.

Anyway, I used to relax every 6-8 weeks...now I go 12-14 weeks.
Click to expand...

Your hair is nice and full (hi-lites are nice too :) ), I totally look at all you ladies with full hair and really love it. My sister has full hair and doesn't appreciate it. I totally :lick::lick::lick::lick: at it!
 
JJamiah said:
Your hair is nice and full (hi-lites are nice too :) ), I totally look at all you ladies with full hair and really love it. My sister has full hair and doesn't appreciate it. I totally :lick::lick::lick::lick: at it!
Click to expand...

Awww...thanks. However your hair is amazing!!!!:yep::yep:
 
Stretching helps me to thicken up my hair (which I need) and I like the thought of not being overly dependant on the relaxers thus giving the scalp and hair a rest.
 
I'm sure ppl have done it and will continue to do it... as long as you do what you do in a healthy manner, your hair will thrive...
 
For the most part, I have always been a stretcher, usually 12-14 weeks and I think that is the key to my hair getting thicker over time. It doesnt usually benefit to stretch any longer for me, I just end up with more hair lost. I think goals can still be met, a person would just have to take really really good care of the previously relaxed hair every time
 
No, I don't think you have to do those super long stretches to get good growth and reach your goal. However, I do think you should stretch as long as you are comfortable to lessen the number of times you relax each year and give your scalp/hair a rest.

As previously stated, not everyone gets the same amount of newgrowth. Some people take over a month before they see any new growth. I see my first hint of newgrowth right around 1 week post, so by 12 weeks I've had enough! :yep:

I used to relax every month before I joined LHCF. Now I'm able to easily stretch 12 weeks with no breakage, so I will only relax 4 times a year. I noticed that my hair is thicker after a fresh relaxer now instead of thin and lifeless like before.
 
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