Natural journey ends Relaxed journey begins! I need lots of help please

[otegwu]

Hi guys, so Ive been Natural now for 1 yr 9 months, I would say that I'm just reaching APL, Ive loved the journey but it has been a roller coaster

Ive been battling since January if I should or shouldn't to relax, and I've come to the decision that I really want to switch it up so, Im excited to start this new journey.

I know my needs are going to change i.e. more protein, ceramide's etc etc and I would like to know your best advice for the relaxing process

so this is what Im doing

Before relaxer: I'm upping my protein and am doing a treatment a week before
I plan on keeping my hair well moisurised and oiled untill relaxer day and basing daily,


I plan on self relaxing using ORS no Lye

so should I...

On relaxer day: do half and half sections, or whole head?

Rinse: with neutralizing shampoo provided
then chelate? or the other way round? or is there no need to chelate?

would you advise a protien treatment or any treatment at this point, as I know some do (please suggest some products)

Then deep condition with moisture

I have porous hair so I wonder whether it would be good for me to use porosity control, but I'm not sure at which point during this process it would be best to do this?

please chime in all you relaxed ladies, i feel like a novice and your help would be much appreciated x

 

[kami11213]

Have you tried flat ironing to achieve a straighter look and to switch it up? maybe rollersetting?

I think your plan sounds good, I would definitely do a protein treatment a week out, don't disturb your scalp at all, or as little as possible during that wk... I always use the half/half method when self relaxing b/c it gives me the time I need to work the relaxer in my hair b/c I'm super slow and I feel rushed when I do my entire head at one time...

My neutralizer acts as a chelating shampoo as well but you definitely neutralize multiple times after rinsing the relaxer out... I actually do my protein treatment after rinsing the relaxer out before I neutralize b/c my cuticles are open so I want to add the protein back in my hair that I lost during the relaxer process. My hair always feels nice and strong when all is said and done

If you hair is porous then you may want to add 2 tbl spns of porosity control to you DC mix and sit under the dryer, I do this every time I relax...HTH

 

[kami11213]

Here's a great article sistaslick wrote pertaining to self-relaxing

http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/320975/guide_to_safely_applying_chemical_relaxers.html?cat=69

 

[exoticmommie]

Kami gave you great info.

just adding my two cents.

so should I...

On relaxer day: do half and half sections, or whole head? I would definitely do sections, especially since you are have a lot of hair to do.

Rinse: with neutralizing shampoo provided
then chelate? or the other way round? or is there no need to chelate? Most neutralizers are also chelators.

would you advise a protien treatment or any treatment at this point, as I know some do (please suggest some products) I put in fantasia IC 1 minute protein treatment, after rinsing very well right before shampooing. Aphogee 2min is good as well.

Then deep condition with moisture. I use ORS relpenshing. It works great.

I have porous hair so I wonder whether it would be good for me to use porosity control, but I'm not sure at which point during this process it would be best to do this? I agree with Kami ^^^^

please chime in all you relaxed ladies, i feel like a novice and your help would be much appreciated x

 

[Minty]

Honestly, I suggest you not self-relax. It can be overwhelming to do a virgin relaxer.

 

[tash85]

I'm usually very open minded and although I have no right to tell people what to do with their hair my suggestion is...

Step away from the relaxer

I've just this second watched your latest youtube video, and I'm sure in a previous video you said you were going to make an appointment to get your hair pressed? I suggest you do that first and see how you like you hair straight and make a permanent decision afterwards

also, come to the London meet up! We might be able to help you make up your mind!

http://www.longhaircareforum.com/showthread.php?t=458720

 

[preciouslove0x]

I'm usually very open minded and although I have no right to tell people what to do with their hair my suggestion is...

Step away from the relaxer

I've just this second watched your latest youtube video, and I'm sure in a previous video you said you were going to make an appointment to get your hair pressed? I suggest you do that first and see how you like you hair straight and make a permanent decision afterwards

also, come to the London meet up! We might be able to help you make up your mind!

http://www.longhaircareforum.com/showthread.php?t=458720

what she said.

 

[Minty]

You know its funny, no one says "step away from the two strand twists or the Afro puff"

 

[Salsarisma]

I would suggest not doing a self virgin relaxer! It can be overwhelming, and remember if done incorrectly, you could lose all or a lot of your hair. Touch ups are much easier to maintain at home.

 

[Minty]

Well, the more likely senario is that the hair will be underprocessed, not that she will loose her hair.



Just test out a few salons first, even sit in and just watch them handle some clients. That goes a long way as to whether they'd treat you right.

 

[BlackMasterPiece]

You know its funny, no one says "step away from the two strand twists or the Afro puff"

How is that an equitable comparison? Afro puffs and two-strand twists involve no risk of hair loss, chemical burns or overprocessing if done improperly. Whereas relaxers involve all those risks and have to be done very carefully and methodically to be done properly so clearly one would be more wary of the risky process rather then a benign style.

NOT tryna HiJack OP or change the OP's mind about her change in journey but I just HAD to comment on that

 

[Raine054]

I'm relaxed but didn't do so until later in life. I do suggest you do some presses first..

I've mistaken some pressed styles for relaxers. I'm not saying this because I want to get into any silly argument about natural vs relaxed but relaxing is permanent. So it would be nice to test the waters...

If you do relax....Kudos!

You have the best people here to help you out on any path you take!

 

[LaFemmeNaturelle]

You know its funny, no one says "step away from the two strand twists or the Afro puff"

Not to be a party pooper but I don't get it. Why is this funny (or lack thereof) and how does it compare to saying step away from the relaxer? Relaxers are damaging, permanent, and takes more upkeep!

 

[imaccami]

^^^
I think it's more that the OP has decided to relax and now she's asking for advice about relaxing, but people still feel the need to try and talk her out of it.

I wonder how it would go over if I went into a thread where someone had decided to go natural and I tried to talk them out of it.

 

[Minty]

^^^^ She said it, and I'm not going to get into it.
If you are not here to address the request for relaxing advice, what then is the point.

 

[MyAngelEyez~C~U]

You know its funny, no one says "step away from the two strand twists or the Afro puff"

Those don't usually have the potential of making your hair break off or fall out. No scalp burns have been reported lately either...

However, OP should do whatever will make her happy. As a transitioner/natural hair lover, I'm biased.

 

[BlackMasterPiece]

She said it, and I'm not going to get into it.

If you are not here to address the request for relaxing advice, what then is the point.

Exactly, whats the point of bringing up Afro's and Twists in a thread thats clearly here to address relaxing?

Strikes me as a bit.....unnecessary.


___________________________________


As for the OP I wish you the best of luck in whatever you choose...I think Kami gave you some excellent advice and links when in doubt do a search!

 

[imaccami]

Exactly, whats the point of bringing up Afro's and Twists in a thread thats clearly here to address relaxing?

Strikes me as a bit unnecessary

I think she was addressing the comment where someone said, "step away from the relaxer." She responded with, "it's kinda funny how no one says step away from the afro puff." (paraphrasing) I think her intention was to point out the double standard.

 

[BlackMasterPiece]

/\ Hey imacami! I know exactly what she was referencing and as I said in my initial post....its not an equitable comparison.

Obviously people would be less inclined to discourage someone from doing something that involves ZERO risk as opposed to something that involves an array of risks and dangers if you happen to do something wrong.

That's like saying: "Its funny how no one discourages another poster from doing a flat twist but when they wanna get a bleach color....people discourage" Obviously people would discourage people from doing the ladder.....One circumstance involves a risky process that could result in breakage whereas the other does not.

OP sorry this thread has gone a little off track good luck with how you choose to go forward

 

[BklynHeart]

Like some of the ladies said, For a virgin relaxer, GO TO A PROFESSIONAL! I wouldn't dare risk doing something like that myself for the first time.

 

[imaccami]

/\ Hey imacami! I know exactly what she was referencing and as I said in my initial post....its not an equitable comparison.



Obviously people would be less inclined to discourage someone from doing something that involves ZERO risk as opposed to something that involves an array of risks and dangers if you happen to do something wrong.



That's like saying: "Its funny how no one discourages another poster from doing a flat twist but when they wanna get a bleach color....people discourage" Obviously people would discourage people from doing the ladder.....One circumstance involves a risky process that could result in breakage whereas the other does not.



OP sorry this thread has gone a little off track good luck with how you choose to go forward

I understand that viewpoint if she were asking if she should bleach her hair. But, if she asked what's the best way to go about bleaching and people came in and tried to change her mind it would seem pointless and argumentative. That's what happened here, the OP stated that she was planning to relax and wanted tips about it, and some people came in and tried to talk her out of it, it comes across as argumentative.

I'm as opposed to BKT as you and others are to relaxers, but I don't go into threads where people are discussing how to BKT and tell them not to BKT. I post my opinion about BKT in threads where people ask whether or not to BKT or whether they should texlax or BKT.

Anyway, I like 99% of your posts so I don't want to get into an argument with you.

 

[Minty]

do braids not involve the risk of severe breakage, and at times irreversible hair loss? And yet you have encouraged this form of protective styling.

However you want to word it, I am not for sensationalism, or extremes in things which are truly up to the discretion of the individual and have absolutely no impact on others.

I do not care if you do not see the irony or the relevance of my comment, many will see exactly why I said what I said, and the mere fact that you BMP have continued on with this where there is no need to, only confirms the statement I originally made.

If you'd like to continue this conversation, I'm sure it would be more appropriate to continue it in a separate thread. You can even use my statement as the thread title.

 

[BlackMasterPiece]

I understand that viewpoint if she were asking if she should bleach her hair. But, if she asked what's the best way to go about bleaching and people came in and tried to change her mind it would seem pointless and argumentative. That's what happened here, the OP stated that she was planning to relax and wanted tips about it, and some people came in and tried to talk her out of it, it comes across as argumentative.

Well that was one poster and I think if folks had left it at that this thread would have remained mostly on topic...it was when Afro's and twists were introduced from outta left field that it derailed this thread and turned it into a completely different discussion unfortunately.

I'm as opposed to BKT as you and others are to relaxers, but I don't go into threads where people are discussing how to BKT and tell them not to BKT. I post my opinion about BKT in threads where people ask whether or not to BKT or whether they should texlax or BKT.

Anyway, I like 99% of your posts so I don't want to get into an argument with you.

Cool! Its all good sweety

 

[Adaoba2012]

Can't we all just get along?
OP whatever you choose to do just make sure you go about it as safely as possible. Do all the research you need and only when you are ready..go ahead and take the next step

 

[ebaby]

I went without a perm from 07 to jan 2010. I went to the salon and she did a great job. I have been stretching and will relax again at the end of this month or the first of may.

 

[a_shoe_6307]

I was just wondering when someone was actually going to give OP the advice she asked for. This is the one thing I dislike about this site. People come in and try to tell others what is right or wrong for their hair or try and change their minds instead of answering their questions. If I know I can't be helpful then I move on to another thread. In a nutshell if you know nothing about relaxers or are opposed to them then this may not be the appropriate thread for you to post in.

That being said I am new to relaxing myself, but I talked to DLewis and she had some great advice for me. We have similar hair types so I knew talking to her would be helpful. I would look for someone who RELAXES and has similar hair to yours and see what she does because what works for some may not work for others.

Here's my reggie for relaxing:

I do my whole head, but I work with my tightest texture first and the looser texture last. This way the hair comes out a little more even in the end.

Add a little EVOO to the relaxer
Put a layer of Giovanni Direct Leave in on the already processed hair (I usually do this the night before).
Apply relax (6-8 minutes)
Leave on for another 5 minutes
Rinse out relaxer
Neutralize with Neutralizing shampoo
Apply French Perm Stabilizer

Then I DC with a light protien (ORS Hair Mayo or Nexxus Karephix) for 15 minutes & rinse and then I DC for 30 minutes with a moisturizing conditioner mixed with EVOO.

 

[Mandy4610]

Two years of being natural and I have forgotten everything about relaxing...jeez and to think I was relaxed for most of my adult life

Anyhoo, OP, do you girl! Everyone will have an opinion! I think you have thought long and hard about this...I know because I follow you on YT.
You know what you are doing and you are seeking advise and thats a good thing. You are not making a rushed decision.

End of story!!!!

Looking forward to seeing a new you.

 

[supermodelsonya]

You know its funny, no one says "step away from the two strand twists or the Afro puff"

I totally understood what you meant.

 

[ParagonTresses]

Two years of being natural and I have forgotten everything about relaxing...jeez and to think I was relaxed for most of my adult life

Anyhoo, OP, do you girl! Everyone will have an opinion! I think you have thought long and hard about this...I know because I follow you on YT.
You know what you are doing and you are seeking advise and thats a good thing. You are not making a rushed decision.

End of story!!!!

Looking forward to seeing a new you.

I totally agree. OP, you have done your research and continue to seek advice and suggestions (I'm sorry I have none, as I am natural). I wish you a happy and healthy hair journey no matter path you take! Keep us posted!

 

[Salsarisma]

Well, the more likely senario is that the hair will be underprocessed, not that she will loose her hair.



Just test out a few salons first, even sit in and just watch them handle some clients. That goes a long way as to whether they'd treat you right.

This may be true, but that is a temporary problem. You CAN lose your hair during a relaxer! My bare nape is proof of that!

But I still rock a relaxed head Just make sure you know what you're doing or go to someone who does.