My Stretching Buddies- How is it going?

[gymfreak336]

Hi stretching buddies!

I wanted to check in with you to see how everything was going. I actually am doing really well. I think my hair actual grew slower so I am not struggling as much right now. If it hasn't grown slower, my texture has changed. Maybe it was the MN cream....I am happy with my hair though, I have increased shedding but it was from not eating regularly the past couple of weeks from sickness and dental surgery so I am not too upset about it. I have just been concentrating on keeping my hair conditioned. I am due for a trim so I have increased my protein treatments and it has helped alot. I am itching to relax just out of bordem but I know I can keep pushing a little longer.

How is everything going for you??

 

[Diya]

Ummm, I wasn't one of the original stretch buddies ... but I AM stretching so I hope it's okay if I chime in...

I'm currently going into week 10 and I really feel like I can make it to 12 with no problems. I deep condition twice a week and I've been wearing flexirod sets for the past 2 weeks. Very simple and low-maintenance.

I feel you on the boredom, though.. I'm itching to relax just so I can go back to wearing my hair straight... but I know I don't need to

 

[Tamrin]

Im at 18 weeks and wednesday will be 19 weeks. still in twists and misting it. How are you pulling thru? I think im gonna try for December now.
For the shedding, bun in or braid it. Do a low manipulation regi. made a good moisture mix. it will help you. I have been using an MN mix. It been ok. You will make it thru.

 

[laCriolla]

I stretched from May. Today I got a touch up
Couldn't stretch anylonger. But I made it a long time!!

 

[sista_black]

Well, I'm new to the forum, but I have been stretching since April. I was doing conditioner washing daily until the weather changed. I have been wearing a full wig since April as well. Right now, I'm trying to figure what my routine will be for the winter. So for the past couple of weeks I have been just wearing a few cornrows in my hair and applying a diluted solution of MTG and various oil (vitamin E, grapeseed, and olive oil). I have also been using castor oil.

I have not had a trim nor have I applied heat of any kind since March. I'm not really knowledgeable regarding hair styling (hence the wig). The recent cornrows are the most stressful thing I have done to my hair since December, 2006.

Ladies, any advice??? erplexed

 

[Tamrin]

Welcome Sista Black. There is a lot to learn here. check out the search feature. You will find an answer to just about anything here. Enjoy

 

[Dayjoy]

Hey stretchers! I am 10 weeks on Thursday. I had some awful tangling today with my wash and also lost a quarter size ball of hair. I hadn't combed since 2 weeks ago, but still. I'm going to 12 or 13 weeks depending on when my stylist will be out of town. I'm about to start using MN so if I get significant growth I'll change my stretch time to 10 weeks from then on. My hair is to'e up from the flo' up and we are having our Meet and Greet this coming Saturday. Can't show up like this.


OT: Welcome sista_black. Check out the meetings forum. You may be interested in the Meet and Greet on Saturday at Grand Lux Cafe.

 

[shortt29]

Hello everyone......I am a newbie too but I am stretching and currently on week 9 trying to stretch 12 weeks. I did a pre poo with coconut milk yesterday and it melted my newgrowth!!!
I think I might be able to stretch even longer if I keep using it. Even the lady who washes my hair at the salon had to ask if I got a relaxer!!!
If I can keep it up, I will stretch until the end of November or even December.

 

[gymfreak336]

I am glad to see that everyone is coping pretty well. My goal was 12 weeks which would be Nov. 9th I believe. I know I can do that. I think I will start doing more pre-poos over the next few weeks to help get me through. I am able to eat more now so I know my shedding will decrease. I am also going to go to bed a little earlier to help with my stress levels. I am already planning out my relaxer steps though....... I think we can all go a little further than we had orginally planned to do.

 

[blackmaven]

I will be at 10 weeks post Monday just did Big Ole Aphoghee hardcore this weekend. I have stretched to 16 weeks once before what a rough patch for me. Flat ironed tresses Saturday came out looking nice. My little 12 yr male cousin asked me was that my real hair

kind of made my day. It is growing cowashing and deep conditioners paying off.

 

[DreamLife]

I wrote something on that first thread...I don't know if I'm a stretch buddy... but I've been stretching for going on 9 weeks. I blew out my roots on Sat. Yep..... And I'm only going for 10 weeks this time because it is the only time that I can go home and get a relaxer. I usually go anywhere from 12- 16 weeks.

 

[charmtreese]

I'll be 10 weeks post Thursday. Everything is going well. I washed Saturday with no problem at all! I was sooo happy! I plan on stretching until I cant take it anymore or the Second Thursday in December, whichever comes first.

 

[dillard]

I stretched from May. Today I got a touch up
Couldn't stretch anylonger. But I made it a long time!!

wow, 5 months. Excellent!!

I am glad to see that everyone is coping pretty well. My goal was 12 weeks which would be Nov. 9th I believe. I know I can do that. I think I will start doing more pre-poos over the next few weeks to help get me through. I am able to eat more now so I know my shedding will decrease. I am also going to go to bed a little earlier to help with my stress levels. I am already planning out my relaxer steps though....... I think we can all go a little further than we had orginally planned to do.

well, gym, the biggest struggle for me right now is using the flat iron too much. i use it once a week erplexed i'm only at 9 weeks, and even though i planned to stretch until december, i will probably relax in november before thanksgiving. we'll see. but except for my roots, i love how thick my hair looks and feels, no shedding/breakage. i wash/dc 2x a week making sure one of those are a protein treatment and that helps.

 

[MzShay]

I wasn't one of the original stretch buddies but I'm jumping in here...I'm 12 weeks post and its getting hard to resist that relaxer...My newgrowth is getting CRAZY but I'm trying to hang in there, it may be a little easier if I could do a few styles but I'm limited to ponytails and using heat(which I've used 3 times in 12 weeks, which is a huge success for this former flat-iron addict). I'm actually sitting here with some flexi-rods in my hair, hoping it comes out decent enough for school.

 

[Glib Gurl]

Hey

I'm not a stretch buddy but I am 11 weeks post and getting a relaxer on Friday . . . one thing I realized is that in order to stretch longer, I think the key is washing/co-washing . . . I washed yesterday and my edges were laying flat

 

[wheezy807]

Well i really wanted to stretch to 24weeks for the first time but i belled out at 13weeks last friday 10/5. I usually stretch til 12weeks but you know. I think that more than anything i was very eager to see how far i am from BSL. So i'm happy with my decision i'll try again next year.

 

[Serenity_Peace]

I'm at 15 weeks tomorrow and moving along. It's quite a challenge. Now I'm just doing condition washes once or twice a week, using Mane N' Tail moisturizing conditioner. I also use the MNT detangler. I'm not using any Aveda products during the stretch because they are not as moisturizing. As for my daily style, I am switching from high to low buns, then doing French rolls, keeping the hair off my neck. I've noticed that I need to really be mindful of my ends. The shedding and breakage hasn't been too bad, but I do notice short hairs from time to time but not too many. I keep my ends moisturized, sealing with castor oil. I am also upping my pre-poos and hot oil treatments. My NG is doing well but it is a challenge. I still have until December 20. I hope that I can do this.

 

[InnerSoul]

I will be a 6 month stretcher in January.. so far so good. I don't think I could have done it without my trusted Nexxus products or my essential oils. Not to mention my Vatika coconut oil and Dabur Amla oil. I will texlax in January. The hardest thing for me is adjusting to the shrinkage.. but that's part of it.

ETA: I wasn't one of the original stretch buddies either

 

[Serenity_Peace]

I will be a 6 month stretcher in January.. so far so good. I don't think I could have done it without my trusted Nexxus products or my essential oils. Not to mention my Vatika coconut oil and Dabur Amla oil. I will texlax in January. The hardest thing for me is adjusting to the shrinkage.. but that's part of it.

That shrinkage is no joke. I sometimes get so discouraged because it looks like my length has regressed to my shoulders. I have to keep reminding myself that it's the shrinkage. The strands also look thinner due to the shrinkage and because the NG and roots are so darn thick. I guess the key to this challenge is keeping the ends moisturized and protected and taking care of that NG.

 

[*KP*]

I'm stretching too although I wasn't one of the original buddies. At the end of the week, I will be 8 weeks post - this is when I normally relax.

I've opted out of having to deal with my hair day to day but getting a sew-in weave. After that I think I will give my hair a 2 week break where I will test out the Mizani Thermasmooth system to see how it deals with my new growth. If the results are good, I may just enjoy my hair for a few weeks longer. After that, when the weather gets too cold, I plan to get braids to see me through the winter. If I am able to stick with stretching until after the braids, that should be roughly a 20 week stretch.

 

[blackmaven]

I'm stretching too although I wasn't one of the original buddies. At the end of the week, I will be 8 weeks post - this is when I normally relax.

I've opted out of having to deal with my hair day to day but getting a sew-in weave. After that I think I will give my hair a 2 week break where I will test out the Mizani Thermasmooth system to see how it deals with my new growth. If the results are good, I may just enjoy my hair for a few weeks longer. After that, when the weather gets too cold, I plan to get braids to see me through the winter. If I am able to stick with stretching until after the braids, that should be roughly a 20 week stretch.

I was thinking about braids hmmmmm my problem last time had braids wash my hair so much new growth was trying to dread on me. I have steered away from braids because of obsessive washing.

 

[gymfreak336]

I wasn't one of the original stretch buddies but I'm jumping in here...I'm 12 weeks post and its getting hard to resist that relaxer...My newgrowth is getting CRAZY but I'm trying to hang in there, it may be a little easier if I could do a few styles but I'm limited to ponytails and using heat(which I've used 3 times in 12 weeks, which is a huge success for this former flat-iron addict). I'm actually sitting here with some flexi-rods in my hair, hoping it comes out decent enough for school.

Hey MzShay..How long are you trying to go. 12 weeks is a super accomplishment in my eyes since I barely squeeze past 8.

 

[gymfreak336]

I'm stretching too although I wasn't one of the original buddies. At the end of the week, I will be 8 weeks post - this is when I normally relax.

I've opted out of having to deal with my hair day to day but getting a sew-in weave. After that I think I will give my hair a 2 week break where I will test out the Mizani Thermasmooth system to see how it deals with my new growth. If the results are good, I may just enjoy my hair for a few weeks longer. After that, when the weather gets too cold, I plan to get braids to see me through the winter. If I am able to stick with stretching until after the braids, that should be roughly a 20 week stretch.

I need to get that stuff...I keep putting it off.

 

[TLC1020]

I'm not a stretching buddy, but this week I'm 8wks post and going 12

 

[Dayjoy]

Well, I have to admit that my stretch is over. I have 10 weeks and I can't go further. Last time was my first and I did 12 weeks easily. This time I just had some major tangling and shedding/breakage and it got me scared. I think I'll shoot for 10-12 weeks every time. If I start this MN and get great growth it may be even shorter.

 

[camosil]

I am at the end of six weeks and going. I had some breakage/shedding for about a weekk or two but that was because I was not using the right moisturizing conditioner for my hair and was trying some new products which was awful for my hair but that is all solved now. I am stretching to twelve weeks like my first time, this is my third. The second time I chickened out at 11 weeks. Since then I have discovered products which work extremely well for my hair so it should not be a problem.

 

[gymfreak336]

Okay, I washed and DCed last night and I have hella tangles. My newgrowth is getting a little hard to manage. I don't know how much longer I will wait now. I am going to try a co wash later this week and hopefully it will help stave off any other problems.

 

[luvmesumhair]

Gym, Have you tried pre-pooing with coconut milk?

 

[gymfreak336]

Gym, Have you tried pre-pooing with coconut milk?

I haven't done that yet. I have a can at home too. I will have to dust it off Thanks for the suggestion.

 

[Serenity_Peace]

I'm hanging in there. Sitting here airdrying after doing a nice CW. I worked out hard this afternoon, so I needed some moisture. On November 29, I'll be 5 months post so I'm just monitoring everything. Very little breakage and shedding. I'm really trying to wait until I get home to Atlanta in December so that I can get Balisi to relax and trim my ends. So far, so good.

I see that most of you are doing well. That's fantastic!