What's the WORST that could happen...

[JDandBeyond]

if I self relax and there is some overlap and/or overprocessing?

I mean I KNOW the absolute worst would be my hair failing right out and being bald, but realistically, if i prep right with basing and covering already relaxed hair with oil, and I apply the relaxer and there is some overlap or it is kept in 5 minutes longer than suggested, I will be alright, right?

I want to self-relax this weekend. I feel like that will be the final step in me taking true control of my hair care regime. I have done the research, I have all the products, but I keep reading about people underprocessing because they are afraid to over process and the fear of overlap. Don't get me wrong, I get it and understand it in a global sense (too much chemicals for too long=bad, double relaxing with overlap= bad), but I can't help but think about how my "stylist" does it. She doesn't take painstaking efforts to note where my demarcation line is. And usually when I go to her it is not always so clear.. (i.e. I have straightened the roots a few a week or few days before and the NG is not clearly obvious).She is usually on the phone or doing 80 things at once while doing my hair. She NEVER uses a timer, and goes by the "how does it feel" method. I have timed it myself out of curiousity, and there has been a good 15 minute difference in some of my touch-ups, with no ill results.

So I guess my real question is, if I follow all the guidelines and suggestions, but there is still some overlap, or I leave it in longer than suggested, do I need to fear that my hair will begin falling out in clumps?

BTW, I use PCJ children's course perm and have for YEARS and love it and plan to use it this weekend.

Am I just being overly optimistic? If so, slap some sense into me ladies! I have never had a touch up disaster, and would rather not start now due to overconfidence! Maybe some touch up horror stories would scare me into taking this more seriously...erplexed

 

[Charz]

Overlap=Bad. I know that it is extreme but there is a possibility, a slight one depending on current health of your hair and the harshness of the relaxer that your hair will be permanently damaged and maybe break off.

 

[imaccami]

JDandBeyond,
I think you should use common sense and go with your gut. It's not so black and white that any overlap at all automatically results in breakage. I think you made a lot of good points in your post and that if you use caution you'll be fine. I self relax and I don't worry about overlap that much, my main concerns are keeping it off my scalp and finishing before the time is up. Then I rinse, neutralize, riiiiiiinse, neutralize, and riiiiiiiiiinse.

ETA: I'm relaxing this weekend too.

 

[JDandBeyond]

JDandBeyond,
I think you should use common sense and go with your gut. It's not so black and white that any overlap at all automatically results in breakage. I think you made a lot of good points in your post and that if you use caution you'll be fine. I self relax and I don't worry about overlap that much, my main concerns are keeping it off my scalp and finishing before the time is up. Then I rinse, neutralize, riiiiiiinse, neutralize, and riiiiiiiiiinse.

ETA: I'm relaxing this weekend too.

Thanks. It just seems like everyone is so concerned about these things, and I understand why, but I just wanted to put out the feelers and determine if I was the only one who felt this way.

How long have you been self-relaxing?

 

[JDandBeyond]

bumping.....

 

[Evolving78]

underprocessing and moving too slow. i think this would happen more the overlapping.

 

[kandake]

I think the cumulative effect of over overlapping is the real problem.

 

[Everything Zen]

I say go for it if you feel comfortable. I know you want to have the absolute control over your hair but if you're having misgivings, why not find a new hairdresser? Depending on where you're located I'm sure someone on the board can direct you to a good hairstylist. I know how you feel about having control but that is the one thing that I will never do on my own. I have had a "stylist" overlap my hair to the point of much shedding and breakage and even still it just depends on the person and the condition of their hair. It sounds like you have taken all the right steps to protect yourself so if you think you can do it, I think you'll be fine. Good luck!

 

[prospurr4]

It sounds like you are well-prepared to self-relax, which greatly decreases the chance of anything bad happening to your hair. If I were you, I would just go for it.

I am a self-relaxer and haven't been to a stylist in MANY years...I love being independent.

 

[imaccami]

Thanks. It just seems like everyone is so concerned about these things, and I understand why, but I just wanted to put out the feelers and determine if I was the only one who felt this way.

How long have you been self-relaxing?

I've been self relaxing for 10 years, ever since I got out of high school. 2 years ago I made the switch to lye and before that I used Optimum.

Is that Just for Me that you plan to use? I'm pretty sure that's no lye, so you'll have directions. In terms of the time, you don't need to panic if you go a little over the max time, but you don't want to push it either. 5 mins over the maximum time and you should get in the shower and start rinsing no matter how much you have left to go. It's better to be underprocessed than to have breakage.

The biggest challenge for me is finishing in 22 minutes. And because I use lye, I never go over that amount of time. When I used no lye, I used to go over the recommended time quite a bit and I only had breakage once, but I definitely don't recommend doing that.

Like anything else practice makes perfect, and with time you'll get better and better at self relaxing. Like the other ladies have said, you sound very prepared and educated on the subject. Just trust yourself and do what you think is right. And remember it's not rocket science! All you're doing is applying a cream to your hair and then rinsing it out; you can definitely handle that.

PS. I find it almost impossible not to get relaxer on a spot or two of my scalp, if that happens to you, be sure to rinse that part of your scalp even more than you do the other areas.

What I do is I rinse all the cream out, rinsing in the opposite direction that I applied it. So the first area that I applied relaxer is the first area that rinse. I part my hair with my hands and make sure that the water hits not just my hair, but my scalp also.

Then I neutralize and rinse again. Any areas that were tingling or that I know I got relaxer on I rinse for a long time. And when I say long time I mean a loooooong time. And then I neutralize again. By this time, there shouldn't be any tingling. Rinse the neutralizer out and you're good to go.

My goals are to be sure that all of my scalp is well rinsed and that the areas that got relaxer on them are doubly well rinsed, and to neutralize my hair.

Sorry that this was so long, I never thought that it would be so difficult to explain rinsing! lol! HTH. If you want any advice, definitely send me a PM and I promise I'll try not to ramble on too much!

 

[locabouthair]

I think there will always a be a little overlap. But to overlap a lot and to do it conitnuously is bad for the health of your hair.

Make sure you protect your ends with conditioner and grease.

And use a neutralizing shampoo with a color indicator.

 

[newflowers]

The worst that can happen is you starting your hair journey again - but that is unlikely to happen if you're careful and well prepared - which you are.

Base your scalp, hairline, and ears. Cover the relaxed parts with a thick conditioner and thick oil - castor oil works great for this.

I also recommend using a neutralizing shampoo with the color indicator - very helpful.

Also, after the first (or two or three) shampoo, do an avc rinse - makes a huge positive difference in lowering the pH.

This is a good time to try Porosity Control or some other acidifying conditioner.

Deep condition - put on the condition, put on the bag, and marinate like a cheap steak. (i crack myself up!)