ARE RELAXERS GOOD FOR YOU?

[Aggie]

Original Post(er)

Thank you.

 

[Tee]

What a mean-spirited, arrogant thread. Please ladies do not say/think now this is what naturals do, this is how they think. Please remember this is a thread started by the OP and the OP alone.

Thanks so much for clearing that up hopeful. I think it really needed to be said.

 

[HappyHairDreams]

I don't think relaxers are good for your hair but I also don't think they have to be bad for your hair either. (I used to think it was hair rape, until i learned better). The health of your hair depends on how you take care of it, you can have unhealthy natural hair the same way you can have unhealthy relaxed hair.

 

[beautifulisaunderstatment]

Of course they are!

Seriously everyone does something that isnt good for them. Whether it be relax thier hair or smoke or eat candy or start threads that end up being mentally taxing.

Let's just let people be free to make choices, especially if it doesnt hurt anyone else. (BUT blow smoke in my face Ima have to slap someone... that will hurt me and in turn Ima hurt whoever blew the smoke)

 

[SleekandBouncy]

Not good, if they were I wouldn't need to counteract the moisture loss with moisturizing conditions and then counteract the structural damage with protein conditioners. I would consider them a tolerable evil. I'm willing to tolerate the damage they do because of the style versatility it provides.

 

[Christa438]

I guess I don't care if it's healthy for my hair as long as it doesn't hurt meaning I know what Im doing. I think relaxed hair is beautiful the same as natural hair. As far as if it's healthy for my body...I don't care again because I have heard of people dying from lung cancer from smoking but I Personally have not heard of anyone dying from scalp cancer from relaxer chemicals...Chemicals are in my cleaning products. I don't know how healthy I'd be without Lysol in my life. Chemicals are in my clothes detergent. Chemicals are in my fingernail polish remover. Chemicals are everywhere and in almost everything so I don't think it matters much. One definition of healthy is: in GOOD condition. So Can you have HEALTHY relaxed hair? The answer is yes and for me that's all that matters. My personal POV is that what's good for one may not be good for another though... Hair is hair, although the textures may differ. We all have to comb from the ends up. We all have to condition it. We all have to clean it with ACV, shampoo or baking soda. We all have to moisturize it. We all have to detangle at one point or another. In the end, We still have to do the same basic things to take care of our hair.

 

[Aussie]

being natural was fun... but i didnt like my hair. plus it started gettin knots at the ends when i did everythin from wash to moisture. so i went back to permie and now my growth is great. only thing i am really workin on now is thickness and after that... bra strap

 

[Cherry Blossom]

This question is right on time for me, because I am growing out a TWA right now and my impatience is growing along with it. Every time I stretch my hair I see how long it is and I am so tempted to relax. While I love my naturakl hair, It would be a lot less time consuming if it was relaxed. And, the style I'm feeling right now is very Charlotte from Sex and the city so I would love nothing nore than to have a nice weave ponytail and sleek bangs. I can't say for sure that I will never relax again, because it will probably always be tempting.

I'm not natural for political or social reasons, it is purely for health reasons. Yes, we all engage in some things that are not healthy and no matter what you do, you can't ensure that you will stay healthy. I would LOVE to get a relaxer, but when I think about all the black women I know with hormonal issues and reproductive issues like fibroids and the little Black girls who are entering puberty at 8 It really scares me. Alot of these issues are linked to personal care products like relaxers, certain conditioners and shampoos, and various other hair products.

So while I don't pass any judgement whatsoever on anyone who is relaxed ( I've been back and forth several times), right now I am going to try to stay relaxer free. And it's sooooooo hard sometimes. Just thinking about it now is making me weak...

 

[ImFree27]

I agree. It's definitely money in black hair care. Even if we all went natural, it would still be a $4 billion dollar business because then they would just make more products geared towards natural hair care just like they are beginning to do now. They would jack up the prices, and guess what, we would buy them. It's a no win situation when it comes to our hair.

I defiantely agree

 

[senimoni]

All I have to say is the OP bet not nevah, not nevah relax cause you know this thread will get bumped.

 

[SleepyJean]

All I have to say is the OP bet not nevah, not nevah relax cause you know this thread will get bumped.

I just had to put a laughing smiley here. That would be funny!

 

[tocktick]

"Good and healthy", I can relate to what they are saying here and can agree. Personally, I think relaxers are the best thing that could have ever happen for black hair. Don't hang me, just hear me out. The problem arose because we were not given proper instructions on how to care for them in order to keep our hair healthy. I'm sure in the beginning, the companies that were making them probably didn't know what they were doing and was using us as guinnea pigs as well. It was designed to allow us ease in handling our hair. Now, fast forward 30 years and we're all alot smarter when it comes to our hair, including the companies producing the products. We now have flat irons, round brushes, blowdryers, etc. I can think back to when I was little girl and wash day came along. All we had was white rose and crown something to put on our hair. Natural hair in the dirty south with 100 degrees of smothering heat is no joke to have to get your hair pressed. Hang! that was child abuse right there! Burnt ears, foreheads and edges! With that said, I can't kick dirt on the relaxers. That just took me back.

from a sociological standpoint, i actually think relaxers are one of the worst things to happen to the black community.

however, i say "do you". like many posters have said, there are so many things that are bad for us that we continue to do, even us naturals. i skipped breakfast today, that was bad . being natural doesn't mean you necessarily are superior to relaxed heads. being relaxed doesn't mean you're not "enlightened" (assuming it implies being aware of the history of black hair and how that has affected how black hair is seen by many today).

i stopped relaxing because i was sick of the scalp burns, the damaged breaking hair, the scabs etc. i read up on the history of black hair and i didn't like it, nor the role relaxers were playing in my life. i wont push my ideas on others and i'd hope they didn't try to do the same to me (although some do anyway). we all have different ideas on hair and how to handle our own hair.

relaxers will never have a place in my life again because they were not healthy for my scalp, mindset or hair but there are others who have never had the same issues as myself.

 

[GOD]

Theres a theory that postulates that oxygen causes aging.

People should stop breathing air if they want to prevent aging.

 

[Lucky's Mom]

Co-signingerplexed

Co-signing too - Although they don't work for me..........And I don't think that they are good overall - We gotta Be careful. Don't want to step on toes or fan any flames.

 

[Tootuff]

I will quote the LHCFer when I find it...

she actually said relaxers were good for her hair...

give me a minute... or day... I'll get it.

Anyway, I think I made my point... or actually ya'll made it for me

((PUSHING MY AGENDA))

It's not good for you so why do it...

We shouldn't put it in or on our body if it's doesn't add anything

to our health. Have you read Dr. Oz's book? or Kevin Truedeau.

it's like SUGAR... sugar is bad for you but nobody wants

to stop using it because it's SOO GOOD right...

Sugar is more addictive than cocaine as demonstrated

by research... someone posted it in another thread...

same thing with relaxers... they are NOT GOOD FOR YOU.

I mean how long did it take for people to get that cigarettes were bad

that High Fructose was bad, that mineral oil was bad for hair

It's like you won't know it's bad for you until something really bad happens...

until you get smacked in the face with it...

until you read the research article about African- American hair stylists having

higher rates of cancer than any other race in that profession...

That's my point.

I'm not perfect though... just want you to see it... I'm not judging... I'm one applicator brush away from a touch up myself. Not really but you know what I mean. I'm not like anti-relaxer... well maybe a little... at the very least I think women should stretch at least 12 weeks. I'm not judging... I'm not Bishop SouthernTease... do what you want but if I at least made you think twice about it... I feel I've done my part. ((DUCES ))

Oh my

 

[bravenewgirl87]

I don't think relaxers are good for your hair but I also don't think they have to be bad for your hair either. (I used to think it was hair rape, until i learned better). The health of your hair depends on how you take care of it, you can have unhealthy natural hair the same way you can have unhealthy relaxed hair.

God, isn't that true. If i had a nickel for every woman who went natural with the intentions of looking like Jill Scott and Erykah Badu (not to mention every man who thought is natural-headed wife was going to look like Alicia Keys and Gelila Bekele) I would be so damn rich. Outside of this site and little children, most women I know who returned to natural hair after being relaxed for many years are in worse shape than when they were natural. They look like a rusted-dusted Big Chop 7 years post. Then they make the excuse that black women's hair isn't meant to be long and Erykah wears a wig while Jill Scott is mixed.erplexed

Knowledge is key to growth. The more you know, the more you grow. Honestly, sometimes I'm surprised as to how so many women on this site have natural hair so long because I don't find many sites promoting LONG natural hair as much as they promote their "natural hair is better" agenda. It's as if they don't believe their own hype.

One day I will go natural, but I want the right amount of support. I'm not finding that too much lately. And heck! Being natural cannot be so great if everyone of my natural relatives texlaxed and we've had a surge of naturals switch it up to chemically-treating their hair.

Southerntease: I don't hate you or anything, but I'm going to have to go with Hopeful. Yo make valid points but their redundant and easily argued. It's best you leave this one alone. But, I understand where you're coming from. When I first transitioned, I was a bit cult-like with my the foolish-juice too.

Never thought I would say this, considering the motto of my site and all: But, it's just hair.look:

 

[bravenewgirl87]

Not good, if they were I wouldn't need to counteract the moisture loss with moisturizing conditions and then counteract the structural damage with protein conditioners. I would consider them a tolerable evil. I'm willing to tolerate the damage they do because of the style versatility it provides.

Best said

 

[Bigghair]

No......

 

[Aggie]

God, isn't that true. If i had a nickel for every woman who went natural with the intentions of looking like Jill Scott and Erykah Badu (not to mention every man who thought is natural-headed wife was going to look like Alicia Keys and Gelila Bekele) I would be so damn rich. Outside of this site and little children, most women I know who returned to natural hair after being relaxed for many years are in worse shape than when they were natural. They look like a rusted-dusted Big Chop 7 years post. Then they make the excuse that black women's hair isn't meant to be long and Erykah wears a wig while Jill Scott is mixed.erplexed

Knowledge is key to growth. The more you know, the more you grow. Honestly, sometimes I'm surprised as to how so many women on this site have natural hair so long because I don't find many sites promoting LONG natural hair as much as they promote their "natural hair is better" agenda. It's as if they don't believe their own hype.

One day I will go natural, but I want the right amount of support. I'm not finding that too much lately. And heck! Being natural cannot be so great if everyone of my natural relatives texlaxed and we've had a surge of naturals switch it up to chemically-treating their hair.

Southerntease: I don't hate you or anything, but I'm going to have to go with Hopeful. Yo make valid points but their redundant and easily argued. It's best you leave this one alone. But, I understand where you're coming from. When I first transitioned, I was a bit cult-like with my the foolish-juice too.

Never thought I would say this, considering the motto of my site and all: But, it's just hair.look:

The bolded - that's LMAO loud funny right there.

 

[Aggie]

Even natural dry hair needs lots and lots of moisture because the coils in the natural hair strand make it difficult for our scalps natural oils to travel up to the ends. Now my thought is this, seeing that I'd have to moisturize my dry natural hair then it's okay to do so to my relaxed hair as well.

If it's the same work to be done to either, then it's not a problem for me and to be quite honest if my hair was natural and did not require any type of extra work, then I wouldn't even bother to relax. But because they both require a lot of moisturizing effort, then I'm not losing anything, in fact, it's easier for me to comb and moisturize my 4a/b relaxed hair.

 

[Aggie]

All I have to say is the OP bet not nevah, not nevah relax cause you know this thread will get bumped.

Remember the OP was wearing her hair relaxed about a year or so ago so she ain't have all that much of a testimony. Now I can understand if she was never ever relaxed before or never used any type of chemicals in her hair to even have a voice to speak as loud as she does. Some of us tend to forget where we come from. For example as for me, I never thought I'd ever use ayurveda hair products (not being Indian an' all) but I'm big enough to admit that now that I have tried them - I really really love them - that's my testimony!

 

[Southernbella.]

Even natural dry hair needs lots and lots of moisture because the coils in the natural hair strand make it difficult for our scalps natural oils to travel up to the ends. Now my thought is this, seeing that I'd have to moisturize my dry natural hair then it's okay to do so to my relaxed hair as well.

If it's the same work to be done to either, then it's not a problem for me and to be quite honest if my hair was natural and did not require any type of extra work, then I wouldn't even bother to relax. But because they both require a lot of moisturizing effort, then I'm not losing anything, in fact, it's easier for me to comb and moisturize my 4a/b relaxed hair.

Natural hair doesn't require a whole lot of extra work unless you want to wear straight. I get your point, though. The bottom line is, our hair requires work whether it's relaxed or natural, it's just a different type of work in most cases.

 

[Nicole1976]

I have a relaxer. I don't think relaxers are "good" for your hair. They can for some, make the hair more manageable. However, I think if they are applied properly and your hair is well taken care of, you're hair can thrive with them.

The key is to apply them properly and don't abuse them. Don't apply them all the way to the ends and don't relax every 4 weeks and expect your hair to flourish.

I dont think I could have said it better myself

 

[cupcakes]

I wouldn't say healthy but neither is that slice of cheesecake I ate for lunch. I haven't had any problems and my hair's health hasn't been affected so no worries here.

ditto

 

[Nicole1976]

Remember the OP was wearing her hair relaxed about a year or so ago so she ain't have all that much of a testimony. Now I can understand if she was never ever relaxed before or never used any type of chemicals in her hair to even have a voice to speak as loud as she does. Some of us tend to forget where we come from. For example as for me, I never thought I'd ever use ayurveda hair products (not being Indian an' all) but I'm big enough to admit that now that I have tried them - I really really love them - that's my testimony!

Off Topic:
Your hair looks great

 

[Aggie]

Off Topic:
Your hair looks great

Also Off Topic
Thanks Nicole, so does yours. It looks healthy and thick. I will be getting a tiny trim again in July this year to get an even more blunt look before my trip to Canada for my niece's wedding. Can't wait.

 

[SparklingFlame]

Natural hair doesn't require a whole lot of extra work unless you want to wear straight. I get your point, though. The bottom line is, our hair requires work whether it's relaxed or natural, it's just a different type of work in most cases.

That is the gospel troof!!!

BTW I am in luv with your hair girl!!!

 

[Aggie]

Natural hair doesn't require a whole lot of extra work unless you want to wear straight. I get your point, though. The bottom line is, our hair requires work whether it's relaxed or natural, it's just a different type of work in most cases.

Your hair seem to be a 3c texture, nothing like my 4 a/b texture and I do not agree that it does not require a whole lot of moisturizing as I did wear my hair natural for a while and it was downright difficult for me to keep moisturized and soft and that is why I feel so strongly about this. When i was natural, I lost a lot of hair in the comb. Now had my hair been a 3c texture, I don't think that I would be bothering to relax it, at least not as often as I do now.

I thank God for the man/woman who invented the relaxer, whether good or bad, it's been extremely intrumental in making my combing efforts a whole lot easier....I hated detangling my natural hair but I utterly enjoy caring for my relaxed hair.

And yes, we do have this one thought in common and that is that both textures requires work, whether it's a little work or a lot of it, it's still work.

 

[Traycee]

Your hair seem to be a 3c texture, nothing like my 4 a/b texture and I do not agree that it does not require a whole lot of moisturizing as I did wear my hair natural for a while and it was downright difficult for me to keep moisturized and soft and that is why I feel so strongly about this. When i was natural, I lost a lot of hair in the comb. Now had my hair been a 3c texture, I don't think that I would be bothering to relax it, at least not as often as I do now.

I thank God for the man/woman who invented the relaxer, whether good or bad, it's been extremely intrumental in making my combing efforts a whole lot easier....I hated detangling my natural hair but I utterly enjoy caring for my relaxed hair.

And yes, we do have this one thought in common and that is that both textures requires work, whether it's a little work or a lot of it, it's still work.

My niece is 4b/c like my Sister and I....We are relaxed but we are not going to relax her hair any time soon...She is almost 14.....The tighter your coils..... the harder it is for your hair to hold moisture...Scientific fact....It is very challenging to keep her hair moisturized and soft....Way more work than my relaxed 4b hair......My Sister just said yesterday if she didn't have me taking care of her hair she would have to relax it........My Sister other daughter is 12 and she has 3b hair and it is so much easier to keep hair moisturized and soft.....To style...and it has way more versatility ........

 

[Aggie]

My niece is 4b/c like my Sister and I....We are relaxed but we are not going to relax her hair any time soon...She is almost 14.....The tighter your coils..... the harder it is for your hair to hold moisture...Scientific fact....It is very challenging to keep her hair moisturized and soft....Way more work than my relaxed 4b hair......My Sister just said yesterday if she didn't have me taking care of her hair she would have to relax it........My Sister other daughter is 12 and she has 3b hair and it is so much easier to keep hair moisturized and soft.....To style...and it has way more versatility ........

Amen to that Traycee. I knew I was not alone.