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This is for the "Do It Yourself Relaxers"-Pros and Cons

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janeemat

janeemat

Well-Known Member
Lets talk about the pros and cons for do it yourself relaxing. For 2009, I'm seriously considering jumping on the band wagon. I just changed stylist mainly because of the $125 price. This price shot up since I started stretching. I guess he's trying to compensate the lost. The new stylist was not much better, $95. So, I'm saying heck, I can do this myself. That way I want have to put up with the little things that erk me such as that darn rat tail comb tearing through my hair. So, ladies, please share your experience of doing it yourself such over/underprocessing areas. Any mishaps or regrets.
 
FIRST LET ME SAY I HAVE ONLY SELF RELAXED TWO TIMES

cons-it might take you longer, to get the job done. The first time I did mine I tried to relax my whole head at once and it was very underprocessed, ddint look like a relaxer even touched my head. The second time I got a better result because I relaxer half my head and did the other half later (check out London Diva's fotki) and because I was only relaxing half my head at one time, I was able to take my time applying the relaxer and smoothing and it came out decent. Plus I separated my hair prior to applying the relaxer, which gave me more time. Yes it can be tedious because I did have to try different techniques in order to get the desired result.

Pros-YOU are in charge of your hair. YOU can decide how long you want to relaxer to stay on, how many times you want to neutralize, and how far you overlap. You dont have to hear anyone getting on you for stretching too long. I think the pros outweigh the cons :)
 
Pro: Cheaper. I can condition longer. Process more or less if I want to texlax. I use far better products than my stylist. I don't burn.

Con: Takes me longer than having someone else doing it.
 
hey miss lady! i do not do my own relaxers because God knows what would happen. I did try once and realized that I didnt use enough so it didnt even take. BUT nonetheless, i do have my mother do them && she has been doing mine for YEARS. i would say that as long as u follow the directions, u cant go wrong. Just make sure u put enough in ur hair so that it takes. I have found that childrens (pcj $6) relaxers (no-lye) work well when my scalp wants to be all super sensitive. For the past couple of times I have use dr miracles (about $9), which is wonderful because that potion promotes blood flow to the scalp creating a healthier hair shaft and follice. (just like massaging). and i have also used luster's pink ($6-$7) with extra moisturizing or something, and that has worked miracles too. for my next relaxer, i am going to try the olive oil ($8) line to see how it compares to dr miracles.
the only con i can think of is u may have to do it urself which requires a lot of time & concentration. but when ur saving money a little time is nothing! :yep:
~~hope this helps~~
ps pic attached of my hair 1 day post relaxer
 

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Jhunt-smith said:
hey miss lady! i do not do my own relaxers because God knows what would happen. I did try once and realized that I didnt use enough so it didnt even take. BUT nonetheless, i do have my mother do them && she has been doing mine for YEARS. i would say that as long as u follow the directions, u cant go wrong. Just make sure u put enough in ur hair so that it takes. I have found that childrens (pcj $6) relaxers (no-lye) work well when my scalp wants to be all super sensitive. For the past couple of times I have use dr miracles (about $9), which is wonderful because that potion promotes blood flow to the scalp creating a healthier hair shaft and follice. (just like massaging). and i have also used luster's pink ($6-$7) with extra moisturizing or something, and that has worked miracles too. for my next relaxer, i am going to try the olive oil ($8) line to see how it compares to dr miracles.
the only con i can think of is u may have to do it urself which requires a lot of time & concentration. but when ur saving money a little time is nothing! :yep:
~~hope this helps~~
ps pic attached of my hair 1 day post relaxer
Click to expand...

your hair looks nice.

I agree with using enough relaxer when you do it. the first time I didnt use much relaxer and my hair didnt get straight.
 
I sure like the idea of being in charge of my own hair and not having to worry about how long I have stretched. I'm going to keep using the Affirm Sensative Relaxer. It's no lye, but it has done well for my hair. I am planning on getting my very good friend to help me. Oh and she is licensed but stop doing hair a couple of years ago.
 
Jhunt-smith said:
hey miss lady! i do not do my own relaxers because God knows what would happen. I did try once and realized that I didnt use enough so it didnt even take. BUT nonetheless, i do have my mother do them && she has been doing mine for YEARS. i would say that as long as u follow the directions, u cant go wrong. Just make sure u put enough in ur hair so that it takes. I have found that childrens (pcj $6) relaxers (no-lye) work well when my scalp wants to be all super sensitive. For the past couple of times I have use dr miracles (about $9), which is wonderful because that potion promotes blood flow to the scalp creating a healthier hair shaft and follice. (just like massaging). and i have also used luster's pink ($6-$7) with extra moisturizing or something, and that has worked miracles too. for my next relaxer, i am going to try the olive oil ($8) line to see how it compares to dr miracles.
the only con i can think of is u may have to do it urself which requires a lot of time & concentration. but when ur saving money a little time is nothing! :yep:
~~hope this helps~~
ps pic attached of my hair 1 day post relaxer
Click to expand...

How long do you stretch between relaxers. Your mom is doing a good job.
 
I admit I can't afford to see the stylist for my relaxer. Even if I bring my own products...they still charge a grip. So I have been doing my own relaxers. Using the techniques I have found here. But whenever possible I have my girlfriends do it for me. I would recommend having a friend, that puts in their own relaxer, or at least knows how do it for you. And I'm sure all you will have to pay is $15 to take her to lunch. LOL
 
I learned how to do my own relxer when i was like 15. But i hated how long it took so i would go to the salon. But after having bad experiences...I'm back to doing them myself and they come out way better than they have at the salon!!

Pros: I'm in charge of my hair. Don't have to pay an outrageous price. Don't have to keep an eye out for scissors....my hair is shown more love.

Cons: I dunno....I don't think i have any.
 
I have been doing my own for years for all the crazy salon related reasons that were mentioned and more. It is not as hard as you think, expecially if you use the same half half method I do. Check out my fotki journal for a step by step guide and practice with consitioner first!
 
I've been self-relaxing since about March of this year.

Pros: I don't overlap like the stylist did, I don't overprocess like the stylist did, I can make sure the relaxer is thorougly washed out from my hair, It's cheaper, I can make sure I follow up with a good restructor and good conditioning products, and I'm saving money.

Cons: It takes longer because I do it in two halves. I literally relax the front/top half and wash that out. Then I relax the back half. Also, I underprocessed a couple of times where I didn't use enough product or ran out of product before I completed my whole head. I'm happy being a self relaxer though. For me, the pros outweigh the cons.
 
I have been doing it myself for years.

Cons - I sometimes underprocess my hair.

Pros - hairstylists always overprocess my hair. They look at the beady-bead-ness and fail to see the babyfine-ness. My hair never makes it past the nape with hairstylists.

Net effect - I keep more length doing it myself. Even with the mistakes I have made, and there have been MANY recently, my hair is in better condition when I do my own perms.
 
janeemat:: previously, i would relax about every 6 to 8 weeks when new growth would pop up because i do not like nappy edges. but now, after a relaxer about a month ago, i air dried, and flat ironed the next day. and everynight i put a little olive oil over all my hair and wrap it in a silk/satin scarf. this allows my new growth to lay down so that i can stretch much longer between relaxers. my last one was around the middle of october and new growth is definitely popping up, but i will probably wait until the middle-end of january for my next one. so for this stretch it will be about 3 months.
 
Esq.2B said:
I've been self-relaxing since about March of this year.

Pros: I don't overlap like the stylist did, I don't overprocess like the stylist did, I can make sure the relaxer is thorougly washed out from my hair, It's cheaper, I can make sure I follow up with a good restructor and good conditioning products, and I'm saving money.

Cons: It takes longer because I do it in two halves. I literally relax the front/top half and wash that out. Then I relax the back half. Also, I underprocessed a couple of times where I didn't use enough product or ran out of product before I completed my whole head. I'm happy being a self relaxer though. For me, the pros outweigh the cons.
Click to expand...


Thats how I tried to do mine as well. hald and half but I got the other half wet. maybe if I has a removable shower head I'd be able to get it right.
 
locabouthair said:
Thats how I tried to do mine as well. hald and half but I got the other half wet. maybe if I has a removable shower head I'd be able to get it right.
Click to expand...

Girl, just put the back half in a ponytail and wrap a plastic bag around it using a ponytail holder or a rubber band. Then wash the front out in the sink, not the shower. This helps you get a better control of where the water goes.

Then once your finished relaxing and rinsing the relaxer out of the front, if any of the exposed hair gets wet, remove the bag from the back of your hair and sit under the dryer for a few minutes or just take a blow dryer and hold it directly over the wet spot for 3 minutes until it's dry.
 
lonei said:
I have been doing my own for years for all the crazy salon related reasons that were mentioned and more. It is not as hard as you think, expecially if you use the same half half method I do. Check out my fotki journal for a step by step guide and practice with consitioner first!
Click to expand...

Lonie, your hair is absolutely gorgeous! I'm always in your album. I'm definitely going to check out your journal again.
 
Thanks so much ladies for your input. My friend has agreed to help me and even get the relaxer for me with her license. I'm excited already about relaxing at home and will not need a relaxer for 3 months. :grin: I'm going to step up my game over the next few months and really get back into taking care of my hair. Any more tips ladies???
 
janeemat said:
Mz Brown, do you live in SC? Who's doing your hair. What are you having done for $70? What kind of relaxer?
Click to expand...

I just moved from a smallish town in SC. My stylist charged me $45 for a relaxer.

For $125 i could get her to give me microbraids down my back.

Heck, i paid $85 when i got kinky twists.

I don't understand what warrants a relaxer for nearly $100. That's robbery.
 
MizzBrown said:
I just moved from a smallish town in SC. My stylist charged me $45 for a relaxer.

For $125 i could get her to give me microbraids down my back.

Heck, i paid $85 when i got kinky twists.

I don't understand what warrants a relaxer for nearly $100. That's robbery.
Click to expand...
HUmph. They charge $90 just to do cornrows going strait back. With YOUR OWN HAIR THAT GROWS FROM YOUR SCALP!!!!! :nono:
 
I have a question. I've been self relaxing for years now. Not saying I'm that fantastic because I've been practing unhealthy hair practices (ie, applying to my entire head every time). When I relax in January it will be my first time ever only applying relaxer to the new growth only. Anyways I noticed in Lonei's method that she parts and applies horitzontally. I apply vertically (4 sections, part vertically, then apply). Does that make a difference? I remember in one of Sistaslick's articles it said to not apply against the grain (maybe not in those exact words). Is that what she meant? You should apply the relaxer horitzontally? TIA.
 
Pros- I can use my own products which tend to be of better quality than what most stylist want to use on my head. I am able to protect my hair better than they do and I have unlimited conditioning time afterwards.

Cons- It does take me more time. Also, sometimes you have to find your stride. I kept underprocessing myself so I took a break from doing and went back to the salon for a couple more relaxers while I practiced my technique.
 
~StillALady~ said:
You sure you dont live in Charleston?

They charge Manhattan prices down here!
Click to expand...

Nope. In Orangeburg. As I stated I would bring my own color. I think he charged $25 for that with me bringing it. I would get a relaxer and rolllerset. $125 without further explanation. What are you paying in Charleston?
 
MizzBrown said:
I just moved from a smallish town in SC. My stylist charged me $45 for a relaxer.

For $125 i could get her to give me microbraids down my back.

Heck, i paid $85 when i got kinky twists.

I don't understand what warrants a relaxer for nearly $100. That's robbery.
Click to expand...


My sentiments exactly. Is that your hair in a flip. It's beautiful.
 
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