Philosophical Question: Why Risk a Relaxer?

[DeepBluSea]

To answer the OP: I don't think the general public view relaxers as a risk. They are an inherent part of our lives. It's just thought as another process in grooming. But as another poster stated, it is still a chemical and must be used with precaution.

To the cat fight in progress: I find it curious that we have other forums where members can discuss alternative medicine, going raw, exercising, detoxing, avoiding vaccines, natural childbirth etc but bring up hair and it cannot be discussed. And ITA it is beating a dead horse, but yall know black folks have underlying issues with their hair. In short, if you don't want to talk about it, do the hair flip or fluff your fro and avoid the topic.

 

[countrychickd]

So...I'm transitioning, and this is very good question OP. This is a question I was forced to ask myself. I have a very sensitive scalp, and every time I get a relaxer, I get terrible relaxer burns. Although I'm APL, I've never been able to control the breakage I experience, so I had to think to myself....why am I still relaxing if I know that in order for my hair to get straight, I must use this chemical that weakens it? I knew that for me relaxers just weren't beneficial at all. There was too much risk...for my scalp and for my hair. I too would be nervous every time I would get a relaxer...wondering whether this would be the one to get rid of all my hair. I guess I can relate to this question because I asked myself this just two months ago...and now I'm going natural. So I definitely see your genuine curiousity in asking this question. I think it's genuinely a good discussion.

 

[tailormade84]

its the same reason because drive on the highway or get in a plane.....yeah there are horror stories associated with driving and flying, but you do what you gotta do to get what you want.....as long as you are careful and cautious, MOST of the time, things will be ok.....JMO

 

[Carrie A]

To answer the OP: I don't think the general public view relaxers as a risk. They are an inherent part of our lives. It's just thought as another process in grooming. But as another poster stated, it is still a chemical and must be used with precaution.

To the cat fight in progress: I find it curious that we have other forums where members can discuss alternative medicine, going raw, exercising, detoxing, avoiding vaccines, natural childbirth etc but bring up hair and it cannot be discussed. And ITA it is beating a dead horse, but yall know black folks have underlying issues with their hair. In short, if you don't want to talk about it, do the hair flip or fluff your fro and avoid the topic.

I agree with this. I don't think the majority view relaxers as a risk any more than hair color or anti-persperant. The only people who might are those who have had really bad reactions (rashes) to it, suffered severe hair loss from it, or perhaps have another illness.

**There few published studies about risks of long term relaxer use (if risk actually exists), and if the studies exist they are not publicized by popular media in a way to reach the masses of women. In the case of smoking. It took decades for what was evident in medical research to become an ad campaign, and many more years for general public opinion to be changed.

For me although I studied medicine, was vegetarian for a hot minute, and have two raw vegan naturalist sisters, my primary, original motivation for stopping the relaxer was "socio-political". Only after my hair just was breaking off (years after my attempts at releasing relaxer), did I consider that the product itself may not be so good for me.

 

[MAMATO]

I think there are some risks associated with natural hair. My sister went natural 3 years ago, mainly because her hair was so coarse and thick (4zzzzz), her relaxers would not take anyways, so why waste the money. But in general her hair was doing fine . She transitioned with braids, cornrows and 2 years later (last year) she was totally natural, except all her edges (front and back) were gone: traction alopecia; and at the same time, her ends were all chewed up, knots obviously won the battle.

I too was suffering of some sort of alopecia after the birth of my son and I lost all my edges due to post partum shedding. We started our haircare journey at the same time with same length last year, shoulder length and found LHCF. She's still a lurker here. Well a year later, I completely recovered from my alopecia simply by using garlic pills and stimulating my edges with EOs. Unfortunately, she never recovered from her traction alopecia (although she used the same methods as me), and is still trying to fight against her knots with too frequent trimmings, so it is hard for her to retain length.

Now as I am writing to you, I am on my way to MBL with thick edges, but she's between SL and APL, and has given up on her edges. Traction alopecia is no joke She can't sport puffs or afros because if she lets her hair out, it'd be a matted dry mess in a matter of minutes. She works in a corporate environment as a financial expert and wears her natural hair everyday, and her colleagues love the different patterns of cornrows she sports every week. Bottomline, she's a happy natural except for her edges.

She'll never go back to relaxers, I certainly agree with her knowing it would not take anyways. Surprinsingly enough when I ask her why she gave up on relaxers, she tells me "That stuff stinks". To me, it doesn't, but I guess to each their own and I totally respect her choice even though I am questioning her memory: that was not the main reason she went natural.

 

[MAMATO]

I think all head of hair is beautiful from the moment it is well maintained. Honestly if I personally meet a black woman on the street with jacked up hair, I wouldn't spend my day worrying over philosophical questions like 'WHY O WHY???". Lord, that's only hair!!! My concerns about people are mainly focused on their overall health. She may have a mess on her head, but she eats fish, peas, vegetable and rice and go to the gym regularly, which is fine. So why would I care about her jacked up hair, ... or it can be the total opposite she's a mess inside and out. Honestly in such cases if I were to advice her on something I'd start by the inside first, and let her deal with her hair, which might be a very trivial concern for her at this point of her life. Not all people are obsessed with hair like some of us are.

 

[Carrie A]

I just wanted to add a link to a Pubmed search I did using "hair relaxer". There are a few studies or cancer links, pre-term birth links, and dermatological conditions. These particular studies showed no increased risk of breast cancer or pre-term births with relaxer use. However, it's just one study for each question. I think more studies are needed to really answer the question.

Interestingly, there are increasing numbers of pediatric ingestion cases of the caustic chemical with resulting laryngeal injury. (Kids getting into and eating Mom's Motions)

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/sites/entrez

 

[Lovelylife]

Because I knew that I would be able to take care of my hair. Other people don't read about hair the way I do. I also learned from other people's mistakes and accomplishments. Plus it depends on how much you are risking, like if I was doing my hair bone straight, then I would be risking alot more than using a mild and putting, conditioner, oil, and silk amino acids in it, which I did.
I also was putting my life on hold with natural hair in many ways that I bet no one could understand.

 

[MAMATO]

FYI Yep, It is a sad world
---------------------------
Shampoos
Diethanolamine (DEA or TEA), Propylene Glycol,
Sodium Laureth Sulfate (SLS), Sodium Laureth Sulfate (SLES),
Benzyl/Benzene.
Conditioners
Diethanolamine (DEA or TEA), Propylene Glycol.
Toothpastes
Flouride, Sodium Flouride, Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS),
Sodium Laureth Sulfate (SLES).
Mouthwashes
Alcohol, Flavoring, Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS).
Deodorants
Aluminum, Butane, Propane, Propylene Glycol, Talc.
Shower Bars/Gels, Soaps
Diethanolamine (DEA or TEA),
Bentoic/Benzyl, Sodium Luryl Sulfate (SLS),
Sodium Laureth Sulfate (SLES).
Shaving Cremes/Gels
Diethanolamine (DEA or TEA), Propylene Glycol,
Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS), Sodium Laureth Sulfate (SLES).
Bubble Bath
Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS), Sodium Laureth Sulfate
(SLES), Bentoic/Benzyl, Diethanolamine (DEA or TEA).
Cosmetics & Fragrances
Dibutyl Phthalate (DBP)
Feminine Products & Color Cosmetics
Talc, Toulene.
Nail Polish
Toulene
Ingredients by Name ...

Sodium Laurel Sulfate (SLS)
It's cheap...It foams a lot...It thickens with salt.
Industrial Uses: Harsh Floor Cleaners, Engine Degreasers, Car Wash
Detergents, Laundry Detergents.
Personal Care Products:
Toothpaste, Shampoos, Body Gels, Bubble Baths, Facial Cleansers,
Baby Wipes, Baby Shampoos & Bubble Baths.
SLS can damage the immune system; causing separation of skin layers
and inflammation of skin.
-Journal of the American College of Toxicology; Vol. 2, No. 7, 1983
SLS penetrates into the skin and into the eyes, and is also held in the brain,
heart and liver. A single drop stays in the brain and body for a few days -
Doctor's worry: Is your baby safe?
-By David L. Kern, New health and longevity
SLS is a mutagen. It is capable of changing the information in genetic material
found in cells. SLS has been used in studies to induce mutagen in bacteria.
-Higuchi, Araya and Higuchi, school of medicine, Tohoku University: Sendai
980 Japan
SLS is a potent carcinogen when contaminated with a nitrosamines.
-FDA Report 1978
Propylene Glycol
Industrial Uses:
Anti-Freeze, Brake and Hydraulic Fluid, Paint, Floor Wax.
Personal Care Products:
Shampoos, Hair Conditioners, Hand and Body Lotions,
Skin and Beauty Creams, Deodorants.
Implicated in contact dermatitis, kidney damage and liver abnormalities;
can inhibit cell growth in human tests and can damage membranes causing
rashes, dry skin and surface damage.
-From Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS)
Propylene Glycol causes significant number of reactions and was a
primary irritant to the skin in low levels of concentrations.
-The American Academy of Dermatologists Inc, Jan 1991
May be harmful by inhalation, ingestion or skin absorption. May cause eye
irritation. Exposure can cause gastro-intestinal disturbances, nausea, headache
and vomiting, central nervous system depression.
-From Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS)
Fluoride
Flouride is linked to 10,000 cancer deaths yearly. Flouridation is also
responsible for 40 million cases of arthritis, dental deformity in 8 million
children and allergic reactions in 2 million people.
-Dr. Dean Burke and Dr. John Yiamouyiannis, National Cancer Institute,
USA, 1997
Research from St. Louis University, the Nippon (Japan) Dental College and
the University of Texas show that fluoride has the ability to induce tumors,
cause cancers and stimulate tumor growth rates.
-from Spotlight, May 1992
The NTP (National Toxicology Program) tests comfirmed what the Burke -
Yiamouyiannis tests showed - fluoride is carcinogenic. Flouride causes
bone cancer and increases the rate of oral cancer.
-from Spotlight, May 1992
Alcohol
Mouthwash Danger
Mouthwashes with an alcohol content of 25% of higher have been
implicated in mouth, tongue and throat cancer.
- Winn DM et al. Mouthwash in the etiology of oral cancer in Puerto Rico.
Cancer Causes Control 2001 Jun;12(5):419-29.
Alcohol acts as a solvent in the mouth making tissues more vulnerable to
carcinogens.
- Blot WJ et al. Oral Cancer and Mouthwash.
Journal of the National Cancer Institute. 70. 1983.
Men had a 60% higher risk and women a 90% higher risk of these cancers
compared to those not using the mouthwash.
- National Cancer Institute 4/22/91
Dibutyl Phthalate (DBP)
Phthalates were found in every fragrance tested and approximately 70% of all
cosmetics tested.
A study by the CDC, Centers for Disease Control, discovered that phthalates
were present in
every single person tested for the compound. Phthalates are believed to cause
major reproductive
damage to women and especially to the male fetus of pregnant women. Kidney
and liver damage
can also be the result of exposure to phthalates.
Talc
Talc is a very fine substance, so fine it can be used as a "dry" lubricant.Talc is a
chemical similar to asbestos, a known cancer causing substance. Talc is found in
many "baby and body" powders, feminine powders and many cosmetics. It's also
used as a lubricant on condoms! While it makes your skin "feel" slippery smooth,
talc does so much more.How does talc keep babies and your private parts so
"fresh"? Presumably by clogging the pores that secrete those necessary fluids.
Also, those fine little particles manage to get into the system. And being similar to
asbestos is not comforting, especially when used on babies and genital
areas.Talc's harmful effect on human tissues has been known for quite some
time. Long ago, its dry lubricating properties were used as a glove-donning
powder (easy to slide on) for surgical gloves. As early as the 1930's, talc was
linked to post-operative granulomatous peritonitis and fibrous adhesions.
-from Candace Sue Kasper, MD and Dr. P. J. Chandler
Talc ... (on condoms) ... may result in fallopian tube fibrosis with resultant
infertility.
Question raised by Doctors Kasper and Chandler in Journal of the American
Medical
Association. (JAMA) 3/15/95-from Nutrition Health Review, Summer 1995
n73p8(1)
"A possible tie between talcum powder and ovarian cancer, long suspected
because of talc's chemical similarity to asbestos, was strongly supported last
week when a study found a higher risk of the cancer among women who used
feminine deodorant sprays. The study, published in the American Journal of
Epidemiology, found that women who used talcum powder in the genital area
had an increased ovarian cancer risk of 60% and women who used feminine
deodorant sprays had a 90% increased risk."
In 1994, the FDA conducted a scientific workshop on the issue and did not
find enough of a casual link to justify even a consumer warning.
-from The University of California, Berkeley Wellness Letter, April 1993
v9n7p1(2)
Aluminum
Found in Deodorants - Aluminum is a metal, the third most common element in
the environment and a toxin in the body. You'll find it in processed foods,
antiperspirants, antacids, paper products, beverage cans, foil and cookware.
World Health Organization conducts studies on chemical pollution and the
elderly... "There is a suspected link between Alzheimer's disease and the toxicity
of aluminum... autopsies have found high concentrations of the metal in the brain
of people who had suffered from the disease."
-from Public Health Reports, Nov-Dec 1993 v108n6p798(2)
Studies linking aluminum to Alzheimer's disease... "The evidence is strong
enough that the prudent person will eliminate all food and cosmetic sources of
aluminum and will use aluminum cooking utensils only if they are coated,"
suggests Gary Price Todd, MD, author of Nutrition, Health and Disease.
-from Natural Health, May-June 1993 v23n3p54(2)
Dr. Daniel Perl, Director of Neuropathology at Mount Sinai Medical Center in
New York, suggests "...avoid aerosol antiperspirants. Aluminum in aerosol may
be more readily absorbed into the brain through nasal passages."
-from The University of California, Berkeley Wellness Letter, April 1993
v9n7p1(2)
"Aluminum-containing antiperspirants are designed to be absorbed, and studies
show that regular use of these products can raise the risk of Alzheimer's by as
much as three-fold. (also)...municipal water supplies treated with alum (aluminum
sulfate)
...at least 7 studies show that people drinking water high in alum are
more likely to develop Alzheimer's"
-from Natural Health, May-June 1993 v23n3p54(2)
Alzheimer's disease is now the 4th leading cause of death among the elderly,
behind heart disease, cancer and stroke. A half century ago it was virtually
unheard of! Something's going on! Our bodies are rebelling against this chemical
invasion. Will you take action! Either way, you're betting your life

 

[MAMATO]

For me although I studied medicine, was vegetarian for a hot minute, and have two raw vegan naturalist sisters, my primary, original motivation for stopping the relaxer was "socio-political". Only after my hair just was breaking off (years after my attempts at releasing relaxer), did I consider that the product itself may not be so good for me.

I really admire and respect black women who admit to go natural for some socio-political reasons. To each their own and shout-outs to you Sweetie. But the fear factor some other black women use is just driving me crazy Risks are everywhere! When I think of it, my toothpaste is probably more dangerous than a relaxer because of all the SLS and other products it contains. I can swallow it accidentally and there are no barriers between the product and my body erplexed Nah, don't worry that won't keep from using toothpastes, no way

 

[Ms_Twana]

Wow. I made it to page 2 and couldn't read any further. Too many pages already.

Okay, I just recently relaxed again after almost 3 years. I went natural for some of the same reasons as everyone else: 1. I wanted to get to know my hair in its natural state, 2. I wanted my hair to be healthier so that I could retain more length. In all of my adult life, I don't remember my hair being longer than a little past my shoulders. I got a touch up every six weeks and my stylist would "trim" my hair after every relaxer. I washed, blow dried, and flat ironed my hair every week, on top of the relaxer. And I wondered why my hair didn't get longer. Then I found LHCF and went natural.

Well, 2 1/2 years later, with APL hair, being natural was no longer all that it was cracked up to be. My hair is EXTREMELY thick and coarse. Wash days became a nightmare. Here is my hair slathered in conditioner:

I stopped washing my hair as often because it was too much to deal with. So my hair began to get dry and break because I was no longer moisturizing and caring for it the way that I should have been, because it was just too much of a job for me to handle. So, I made the decision to texlax. I now know how to care for my relaxed tresses. I co-wash every two days and put my hair up in a bun. My ends have been protected everyday since I relaxed. And when I do straighten, it won't be with a blow dryer and flat iron; I'll be rollersetting. So, now that I'm educated on how to care for my hair, I believe my hair will be just as healthy and retain as much length as it was/did when I was natural.

That's my story!!

 

[michelle81]

If you (general) are tired of a certain topic/thread, why do you feel the need to post in it?

If the topic infuriates you, is irritating, pushes buttons, is not worthy of a response, has been beaten to death, makes you uncomfortable...it makes sense to me to not read/post in it.

I don't guess this question was posed to anyone in particular, but the general "you" with almost the same opinion.

But I'll try to answer.
1. I personally answered because the question was presented to relaxed heads, I'm one of those.

2. This thread is funny as the Saturday Morning Cartoons my kids are watching. I love it. A good debate about a topic I like to talk about (hair).

infuriating?, nope, funny
irritating?, nope, just still a good laugh
pushes buttons?, heck no, not over some hair
is not worthy of a response?, why not?
has been beaten to death?, yep, but obviously some still have questions
makes you uncomfortable?, thongs=uncomfortable, a never-ending convo about relaxed/natural hair=funny

 

[Seven7]

Perhaps you are correct. But conversely, one must ask, 'why does a question, that obviously has merit, but has been asked often, cause some women on the board to be ready to pounce?' I can't speak for other posters of this question, but mine was inspired by seeing these types of horror stories related to relaxers and (I also mentioned permanent color in my OP) day in and day out, so it left me wondering and motivated to ask the question.

Sometimes I think at times, people on here are spoiling for a fight and will try to find it if possible. I'm not a trouble-maker, and I resent the implication that I am simply because I posed a question that inspired a healthy debate. This is a discussion board. Sometimes when you discuss, you get a debate. It's just that simple.

Well this healthy debate has been debated over and over on this board to the same conclusion. Naturals don't relax because of the chemicals and the versatility they get. Relaxed heads relax because they want to, they like the convenience of it, and they don't see it as a risk. You could have answered your question without raising backs, but if all you wanted to do was raise backs then...

 

[Ms_Twana]

Wow. I guess all of this happened in between pages 2 and 13.

Ladies, it really is just hair and personal choices. Can we all just get along??

 

[Christelyn]

You know what? I'm really glad that the topic came back full circle despite some drama in the middle. I have REALLY enjoyed the educated and well-thought responses both ways. I'm not sure if many of you know this, but I'm a professional writer/reporter/publicist. I thrive on differences of opinion. It helps me to learn and grow. I honestly hope that I didn't offend, just inspire thought. I love it.

Cheers!

 

[Ms_Twana]

VS

"You a Jig-ga-boo...."

I grew up in a town where there were no black people. I had no ideas about perms or black hair. When I moved to the city, the first thing people told me was don't get a perm! So, I straightened it. But the more people did my hair, the more people said "You need a perm" because it was hard to deal with. Also, my hair was often frizzy. It seemed like the only way I could do anything with my hair was get a perm. So I did, but sparingly. I now get perms 3-4 times a year even though I know it is bad for my hair. On top of that, people complement me on my hair all the time. So I perm over and over again. I am either too lazy or a victim to society's standards

YOUR HAIR IS GORGEOUS!!!!

 

[Ms_Twana]

You know what? I'm really glad that the topic came back full circle despite some drama in the middle. I have REALLY enjoyed the educated and well-thought responses both ways. I'm not sure if many of you know this, but I'm a professional writer/reporter/publicist. I thrive on differences of opinion. It helps me to learn and grow. I honestly hope that I didn't offend, just inspire thought. I love it.

Cheers!

Glad we could help.

Yeah, I had to stop reading after the drama in the middle. Some people just get offended by and feel the need to defend everything. I thought most of the answers (that I read) were positive and answered the question without umm....being defensive, I guess.

 

[msMicaela]

I am curious as to whether the relaxer was the cause of your hair staying neck length. You are natural now, and in your avatar your hair appears to be neck length as well.

NOPE..im not fully natural yet! im transitioning, without the BC. There is about 3inches of permed hair on the most parts of my head! The hair that grows in is sooo thick and strong that the permed ends just keep breaking... I dont even have to do the BC cause it just breaks off on its own.

 

[MAMATO]

I tried to convince my sister to post a picture of her traction alopecia, she said yes first and then she chikened out Well here is what I find by googling. Obviously this can happen to both relaxed head (weaved) or natural. But since natural heads are more prone to cornrow and braid their hair on a regular basis, the risk is higher.

I am happy to contribute to your scope of knowledge OP. Really I don't know why people put so much emotion in the relaxed vs natural debate. Hair is dead cells. Do we have concerns about how we treat our nails. Honestly I like french manicures, but I would not sport them because the polisher wears off too quickly and I am not patient enough to do it over and over again. But if you, beautiful scientist LHCF ladies, find a way to permanently die the tip of my nail white with some freaking method, I'd try it anytime and do touch ups every 3 months or so. I would not care if some people consider it damaged nails, non natural nails WHATEVA... Don't even try to tell me I am not embracing my nails or some ridiculous things like that Please, nails are dead cells, so is hair, and when I'll be tired of my permanent french manicure, I'll eventually cut them off and grow them back.

There is nothing permanent about hair or nails on a lifetime scope since you always have the option to have them back to their natural states. Meanwhile, how ever you wear them ... ENJOY

 

[Patricia]

I was natural for 15 years cause I had to choose between color and relaxed hair. I choose to color. When My color failed me and I had to cut my hair anyway. I just jumped right back in the relaxed world and loving the change. I dare not color anymore. Well only the gray with bigen.

 

[Bachelorette]

I think it's great that black women have so many hair choices, including relaxing or being natural.

Lol, not to cause trouble but this response reminded me of Miss California

 

[Luscious Locks]

I feel like naturals may be on a high horse sometimes because they are chemical free. They may feel more "real" in some ways, or more honest. So they can come off as being very judgmental. I'm not saying all naturals are like this, but these are the tendencies I've noticed in the naturals on this site, not actually the ones around me in my life. (Basically everyone but me and my big sister).

It's cool that some choose to be chemical free. I wish I could be chemical free and still have smooth silky straight hair, but I can't. Everytime I ask the question out loud if I should transition or go natural, all of my natural friends and family members say "oh, heavens no. just stick with your relaxer." I feel that they say this because I really do look better with straight hair. It's just my thing. I've always had long straight hair.

On thing I do love is stretching my relaxers though. I play with my new growth all day long and pretend/fantasize that I'm natural. I could probably only be natural for about a month before I dove head first into a bucket of cream crack. LoL. I'm not an addict though. Not like that comparison to cigarettes. I stretch for 12 weeks at a time. I used to relax every 6-8 weeks. It was horrible.

 

[Luscious Locks]

Luscious Locks, you are right when you said to let this go. I'm letting it go right now.

This is like beating a dead horse. Useless.

This is the reason why you do a search before asking a question. This question has been asked several times and every time it ends like this.

To answer the OP, I relax because its my preference. I've never suffered from a bad relaxer. I've suffered from not taking care of my relaxed hair, but that was on my part. Risks occur with everything we do. Walking, driving, all kinds of things so relaxing is just yet another "risk" I don't mind taking. I like it and thats that.

ETA: To the OP, I don't think that you were being rude or anything, but this type of thread has been done many times and it always ends badly. When you include Drain-o and Relaxer in the same post, its bound to be taken wrong. Also, comparing it to smoking? That is kind of offensive. I'm not an addict looking for my next relaxer hit. Just saying.

I think it's great that black women have so many hair choices, including relaxing or being natural.

Perhaps you are correct. But conversely, one must ask, 'why does a question, that obviously has merit, but has been asked often, cause some women on the board to be ready to pounce?' I can't speak for other posters of this question, but mine was inspired by seeing these types of horror stories related to relaxers and (I also mentioned permanent color in my OP) day in and day out, so it left me wondering and motivated to ask the question.

Sometimes I think at times, people on here are spoiling for a fight and will try to find it if possible. I'm not a trouble-maker, and I resent the implication that I am simply because I posed a question that inspired a healthy debate. This is a discussion board. Sometimes when you discuss, you get a debate. It's just that simple.

Wow. I made it to page 2 and couldn't read any further. Too many pages already.

Okay, I just recently relaxed again after almost 3 years. I went natural for some of the same reasons as everyone else: 1. I wanted to get to know my hair in its natural state, 2. I wanted my hair to be healthier so that I could retain more length. In all of my adult life, I don't remember my hair being longer than a little past my shoulders. I got a touch up every six weeks and my stylist would "trim" my hair after every relaxer. I washed, blow dried, and flat ironed my hair every week, on top of the relaxer. And I wondered why my hair didn't get longer. Then I found LHCF and went natural.

Well, 2 1/2 years later, with APL hair, being natural was no longer all that it was cracked up to be. My hair is EXTREMELY thick and course. Wash days became a nightmare. Here is my hair slathered in conditioner:

I stopped washing my hair as often because it was too much to deal with. So my hair began to get dry and break because I was no longer moisturizing and caring for it the way that I should have been, because it was just too much of a job for me to handle. So, I made the decision to texlax. I now know how to care for my relaxed tresses. I co-wash every two days and put my hair up in a bun. My ends have been protected everyday since I relaxed. And when I do straighten, it won't be with a blow dryer and flat iron; I'll be rollersetting. So, now that I'm educated on how to care for my hair, I believe my hair will be just as healthy and retain as much length as it was/did when I was natural.

That's my story!!

Your hair is gorgeous texlaxed. Great length and thickness. My sister is thinking of relaxing and she's been natural for 2 years.

 

[SmartyPants]

FYI Yep, It is a sad world
---------------------------
Alzheimer's disease is now the 4th leading cause of death among the elderly, behind heart disease, cancer and stroke. A half century ago it was virtually unheard of! Something's going on! Our bodies are rebelling against this chemical invasion. Will you take action! Either way, you're betting your life

I didn't read through all of that so I will only respond to this last part.

Advances in medical technologies has increased the life-span of the population over the last fifty years. Because of that, it makes sense that diseases that are traditionally found in an older population are now being cited as a leading cause of death among an aging population. This is Demography 101. I really wish people who have no expertise in the areas of demography, epidemiology, and gerontology would stop trying to be armchair scientists.

 

[TaurusAngel]

I don't get why people are calling some posts a cat fight. The OP wanted a debate, and she got one. No one has gotten overly sensitive IMO. Just stating their opinions just like everyone else. Gosh.

 

[metro_qt]

Y'all are funny, half of you are just here to fight... not even answering the original question.

OP, i risk a relaxer because my hair unrelaxed, breaks combs.
seriously. It's dense, and takes forever to detangle.

Texturizing allows me to be able to comb my own hair....

I try an minimize my risks by getting a texturizer only once a year,
and doing a body detox, so that my liver and kidneys are able to process whatever toxins are in my body from all chemicals, relaxer or otherwise...

 

[MAMATO]

I didn't read through all of that so I will only respond to this last part.

Advances in medical technologies has increased the life-span of the population over the last fifty years. Because of that, it makes sense that diseases that are traditionally found in an older population are now being cited as a leading cause of death among an aging population. This is Demography 101. I really wish people who have no expertise in the areas of demography, epidemiology, and gerontology would stop trying to be armchair scientists.

Those were quotes from a scientific article Sweetie, not mine...You may not agree with what they say, but I am sure they did not skip Demography 101 class as you are assuming. That is, if you think that you are THE reference in the fields mentioned above and you don't agree with them, I am all fine. I am myself a scientist (engineer) and I know one common thing all scientists agree on is to disagree on most of the studies and researches of their colleagues. That is life, that's why there is no need to get emotional over such trivial things and just enjoy the nice weather we've been having lately, aren't we spoiled.

 

[ceebee3]

I still don't get why people are complaining about the OP posting her question, if you've seen or read it before why come in here and post or comment. Go read another thread. People post questions because they want answers if you don't want to answer that's fine, but stop complaining about someone posting questions. That's what we are all here for. Why can't people debate? We all have opinions, and it's not a cause to be nasty to someone.

 

[Shandell]

Perhaps you are correct. But conversely, one must ask, 'why does a question, that obviously has merit, but has been asked often, cause some women on the board to be ready to pounce?' I can't speak for other posters of this question, but mine was inspired by seeing these types of horror stories related to relaxers and (I also mentioned permanent color in my OP) day in and day out, so it left me wondering and motivated to ask the question.

Sometimes I think at times, people on here are spoiling for a fight and will try to find it if possible. I'm not a trouble-maker, and I resent the implication that I am simply because I posed a question that inspired a healthy debate. This is a discussion board. Sometimes when you discuss, you get a debate. It's just that simple.[/quote

Christelyn, women-- especially black women like to be simple and messy, which is why I don't have female friends...I like to be drama free. You asked a question and I will give you my answer.
I stopped relaxing because I never enjoyed getting them. I prefer my naps...really. Relaxers and my hair do not agree, my cousins, mom, and sisters get them faithfully and have nice length and hair with healthy appearance...I applaud them, but I like being different... I do me and let others do what they do. I actually have two hair inspirations on this board that use relaxers...Sylver2 and Happilyme both have beautiful healthy hair one is bone straight the other texlaxed...so to each their own.

I figure if you can tell people the dangers of relaxers and they say whatever that is them as for me I have made the decision to not relax and will not relax my girls hair...but that is me.

 

[Minty]

I "risk" the relaxer because I got tired of the knotting, detangling, two-strand twisting, co-washing just to be able to maneuver, and most of all.......having a serious gumby under my hijab because I'd only have energy to finish one side of my head before being forced to go outside for some reason. I don't do fake hair whatso ever so there's no hiding under cornroll additions, and when I went to get my hair braided - with my natural hair (some years ago), she dog-on braided my hair so tight that I lost 1/2 inch of my hairline. That took me a year to get my hair back and my sides are still struggling.
I've never had that kind of damage from a relaxer.

Having the Saturday Night Live "ConeHead" under your hijab is not sexy. LOL