Philosophical Question: Why Risk a Relaxer?

[Christelyn]

Well, most of you know that I like to throw out these kinds of questions on occasion. After reading of the horror story threads about burning, under processing, over processing, breakage, loosing edges, all-over hair loss and the use of Drain-o, I have to finally ask--why even risk using it?

Now, I used to have a relaxer for years when I was a teenager and into early adulthood. I got burned regularly, my hair was alway limp (I have fine hair) and my hair never passed shoulder length, if that. I finally decided that I didn't want to be dependent on chemicals for the rest of my life so I gave it up without a BC (you can imagine my breakage).

It seems that with other modes of hair styling in which there is a temporary alteration--color rinses, pressing, flat ironing, twisting, etc.--things can be UNDONE. But with relaxers or even permanent color, if there is damage, forget it. There doesn't seem like much can be done. I know that many on this board have been able to successfully stretch their relaxers, thereby reducing some risk. But, it still only takes one wrong move, one rogue hairdresser, and it could be all over.

So...why do it? Is it like smoking? We know the risks, weigh the benefits, and cross our fingers?

 

[Lucky's Mom]

Well, most of you know that I like to throw out these kinds of questions on occasion. After reading of the horror story threads about burning, under processing, over processing, breakage, loosing edges, all-over hair loss and the use of Drain-o, I have to finally ask--why even risk using it?

Now, I used to have a relaxer for years when I was a teenager and into early adulthood. I got burned regularly, my hair was alway limp (I have fine hair) and my hair never passed shoulder length, if that. I finally decided that I didn't want to be dependent on chemicals for the rest of my life so I gave it up without a BC (you can imagine my breakage).

It seems that with other modes of hair styling in which there is a temporary alteration--color rinses, pressing, flat ironing, twisting, etc.--things can be UNDONE. But with relaxers or even permanent color, if there is damage, forget it. There doesn't seem like much can be done. I know that many on this board have been able to successfully stretch their relaxers, thereby reducing some risk. But, it still only takes one wrong move, one rogue hairdresser, and it could be all over.

So...why do it? Is it like smoking? We know the risks, weigh the benefits, and cross our fingers?

U-hem............****Cleaing throat************

Ok - first things first..... We know - and I am sure you know - - DrainO could never be used for a hair relaxer....
But then again, I would not use Lava soap to wash my hair...

Anyway...............
The bolded up above - described my relaxer experience - to a Tee....

There have been debates ad Nauseum ( Thanks Nonie ) abou this issue.
For me - and for many fine haired ladies.... Relaxers are just not the way to go. It killed my hair. I won't go near one again. EVER.

But - For OTHERS.................. It may work for them.
I ( just me, please don't jump me!!!!! )choose not to take the risks associated with chemical processes on my hair...Because it was detremental to my hair - and now I believe - it would be detremental to my health.

 

[keysha1983]

I have very thick hair and the only to manage the beast is to wipe it in shape with a relaxer. I was thinking about a texlax to help with loosening the kinks, but I'm afraid my hair will frizz and I will look like a clown.

 

[tiffers]

I relax because I've been doing so my whole life and I'm too impatient to transition

Fortunately I've never had a setback from relaxing, so I've never gotten to the point where I want to give them up

I like my hair straight. It's convenient and easy. I have 3 small children and a dh who is my 4th child I have enough to do without having to worry about spending hours on detangling.

 

[LaidBak]

There have been debates ad Nauseum

Say it again girl...ad nauseum

 

[tiffers]

Say it again girl...ad nauseum

....

 

[ShiShiPooPoo]

I relax because I want to and that is about as deep as it gets for me.

 

[Lucky's Mom]

I relax because I want to and that is about as deep as it gets for me.

You Go girl!!! Do yo' thang!!!!!!

I don't know if it has to get any deeper......

 

[vkb247]

It seems that with other modes of hair styling in which there is a temporary alteration--color rinses, pressing, flat ironing, twisting, etc.--things can be UNDONE. But with relaxers or even permanent color, if there is damage, forget it. There doesn't seem like much can be done. I know that many on this board have been able to successfully stretch their relaxers, thereby reducing some risk. But, it still only takes one wrong move, one rogue hairdresser, and it could be all over.

So...why do it? Is it like smoking? We know the risks, weigh the benefits, and cross our fingers?

I have actually never had any damage from relaxers or from permanent dyes. The worst damage I ever had was from getting my hair pressed so whether ir not what your doing is permanent or temporary isn't necessarily the biggest factor when it comes to hair.

I haven't let a hairdresser put chemicals in my hair for years, I do it all myself. As far as one wrong move, well I am not sure what that move could be but te only thing I fear is straightening my hair and that is why my touch up reggie includes mucho conditioner and underprocessed underprocessing.

I really don't want to go there but whenever people ask questions like this I wonder whether or not they drink alcohol, eat meat, etc. There are so many things in the world that are bad for you, you really have to pick your poison/s.

 

[Junebug D]

Because it's permanent, I would guess. You can have straight hair 24/7/365 without worrying about flat irons, reversion, etc.

But if you're asking why would someone want straight hair 24/7/365, then that's another thread which I will NOT be entering, lol...

 

[MummysGirl]

To some people it's not a 'risk' because they haven't gotten any damage. Relaxed hair can and does look beautiful when taken care of and styled well.

I know my relaxed hair can look really beautiful especially when I do a rollerset or a braid out or a rollerset and wrap and although I had setbacks once in a while - thinning (already weak) hairline or burns - the end result was always worth it to me.

Thing is... the reasons above are part of why I am transitioning to natural hair, also because I want and love my natural hair

 

[blackmaven]

It was one of my dreams to relax my hair when I grew up,my mother refused chemicals in my so called good hair. I dreaded straighten comb on special occasions near my edges. I like my hair not reverting due to humidty etc,,,,

 

[BostonMaria]

I relaxed my hair from 1982 till 2006. I didn't know of any alternatives, didn't know I could "get rid of" my relaxed hair, and I honestly never ever thought about the side effects from relaxers. I mean, the government would never allow a company to make something for my hair that would make me sick, would they? LMAO That was my thinking.

But in all seriousness, transitioning isn't easy and it takes time, committment, and MANY bad hair days till you finally get to the BC. Took me years to even committ to transitioning! You have to do more than must get rid of the relaxer, you have to transition your mind and also ignore the ignorant comments that will head your way once you decide to go back to kinky hair.

Now you have all these different chemicals that can straighten the hair, but is it any better? Or is it the less of two evils? I don't know. All I know is that if I were still using a relaxer I'd stick with it because a Keratin treatment is expensive and not everyone can afford it. I thank God for my Chi flatiron! Best thing ever invented.

 

[BeautifulFlower]

For those that have thin or fine hair, relaxer may be more foe than friend. But relaxers dont create those issues for everyone. Alot of people get relaxers without doing their research. As a result, the experience horrid setbacks.

 

[tiffers]

I mean, the government would never allow a company to make something for my hair that would make me sick, would they? LMAO That was my thinking.

 

[BostonMaria]

Girl I relaxed my hair throughout all my three pregnancies! No wonder my grandbaby is always giving me a dirty look.

 

[Junebug D]

It's probably not true for us on this board, but out there you have to keep in mind that a lot of people just don't know any differently. They don't connect the dots between their chewed-up hair and relaxing every 2-3 weeks. A lot of people think their hair is that way just because they have "bad hair"-- and may actually believe the relaxer is beneficial to their hair. Many people out there still confuse straight with "good" and petroleum-based shine with health. And "taking care" of it with going to the shop every 2 weeks.

 

[foxieroxienyc]

I've been natural, had beautiful locs, wore weaves (as a natural), and all that stuff. It was fun, love my natural curls... However I prefer to wear my hair straight, and now a goal is straight and long. Just my preference, relaxing it helps in this because I'm incredibly active (I LIVE AT THE GYM... I'm a trainer, I work out all the time, teach classes) and my hair REVERTS with just a single drop of condensation in the air, so if it's sweat coming from my head... FORGET ABOUT IT... And I do sweat like a pig...

I've never had any major relaxer damage actually, and now that I do my own, I likely never will. It's just a choice.

 

[tiffers]

Girl I relaxed my hair throughout all my three pregnancies! No wonder my grandbaby is always giving me a dirty look.

Aw, she's beautiful!!!!!

 

[yuriko]

To be honest this is a very personal choice for you. I know people who will not get permanent hair color because of chemicals, people who only use homemade cosmetics etc.

I don't mind, I use perfumes, cosmetics, I get facial treatments (and I have no idea what's in it), except that my skin feels real raw afterwards, and when I get older I probably will be getting botox (a toxin!!!!). But if you have a strong distaste for chemicals, then don't do it.

For fine haired folks like yourself, it might really break your hair. If you do relax, use the mildest relaxer and leave it on only for a short time

 

[SimpleKomplexity]

It's all in how you treat your hair. I have never had a problem with my relaxed hair since I met LHCF. I think you can have healthy hair that is natural or relaxed. It's all in how you treat it. I personally love straight healthy hair, and with my relaxer this is what I have.

 

[Christelyn]

To be honest, I have no strong feeling either way about relaxer vs. natural. I won't do it, because of the reasons I stated at the beginning of the article. Just wondering out loud I guess.

 

[Eisani]

VS

 

[BostonMaria]

VS

Great movie! LOL

I cut out relaxers in my life and only put good things on my scalp. Now if I can only stop eating pizza, bacon, fried chicken, and candy I'll be 100% healthy!

 

[PinkSkates]

Why risk it? Because women (ALL RACE OF WOMEN) will risk life, tooth and limb to be considered beautiful. And straight hair is associated with beauty.

 

[Anew]

I do not have any relaxer horror stories to tell...

I've had both natural and relaxed hair, improper care will damage your hair no matter what. If my hair were to fall out today over a relaxer, guess what? It will grow back, lol...

 

[michelle81]

Well, most of you know that I like to throw out these kinds of questions on occasion. After reading of the horror story threads about burning, under processing, over processing, breakage, loosing edges, all-over hair loss and the use of Drain-o, I have to finally ask--why even risk using it?

Now, I used to have a relaxer for years when I was a teenager and into early adulthood. I got burned regularly, my hair was alway limp (I have fine hair) and my hair never passed shoulder length, if that. I finally decided that I didn't want to be dependent on chemicals for the rest of my life so I gave it up without a BC (you can imagine my breakage).

It seems that with other modes of hair styling in which there is a temporary alteration--color rinses, pressing, flat ironing, twisting, etc.--things can be UNDONE. But with relaxers or even permanent color, if there is damage, forget it. There doesn't seem like much can be done. I know that many on this board have been able to successfully stretch their relaxers, thereby reducing some risk. But, it still only takes one wrong move, one rogue hairdresser, and it could be all over.

So...why do it? Is it like smoking? We know the risks, weigh the benefits, and cross our fingers?

I don't think it's at all like smoking. I've personally never heard of cancer only or mostly contributed to relaxers. There are some risks, those you mentioned above, but I think they are very, very mild when compared to something like smoking/cancer.

 

[Anew]

Why risk it? Because women (ALL RACE OF WOMEN) will risk life, tooth and limb to be considered beautiful. And straight hair is associated with beauty.

I wouldn't go that far...

lol

 

[blazingthru]

Aw, she's beautiful!!!!!

what a cutie pie, Look at all that face for kisses, she would get tons from me. I still kiss my kids to this very day.

 

[michelle81]

OP, do you ever drink sodas? Now that's something I'm scared of. That stuff goes directly into your body with no protection (like the protection of a skull for your brain).

I could also name other maybe harmful stuff such as a cellphone, the microwave, alcohol, anything fruits/veggies that are nonorganic, cow's milk, HFCS, any hair products at all that aren't 100% natural, any meat at all, living in a large city with smog, vaccinations, full-fat cheesecake (man I love that stuff) and on and on and on.