Your Cheeziness
New Member
Great thread! I'm currently attempting to stretch to 13 weeks and will need all of the tips I can get!
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How to Stretch 101- Class in session
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Skent
New Member
Lots of great tips here. I stretched my relaxer 12 weeks and I'm getting one today. The new growth stayed relatively soft and manageable with the exception of the last two weeks. I combed my hair the other day after sitting under the hooded dryer and it was breakage city in my bathroom sink. But now I know to just comb on wash days when the NG starts getting too thick. Thanks again.
Loves Harmony
Well-Known Member
great info since im trying to do an 12 week stretch or longer...... depend on my hair
The Princess
Well-Known Member
I just finish a 12 week and 5 day stretch. What has helped me stretch:
Frequent Cowashing
Weekly DC
Daily Moisturizing paying attention to the ends(just supersoaked the ends)
Bunning
Patience
This is my first time stretching to 12 weeks, before I only go to 8 weeks.
Frequent Cowashing
Weekly DC
Daily Moisturizing paying attention to the ends(just supersoaked the ends)
Bunning
Patience
This is my first time stretching to 12 weeks, before I only go to 8 weeks.
Last edited:
Tiffanyantt
New Member
Prepooing overnight with Olive Oil has helped me tremendously while doing long stretches. Another thing slathering on conditioner like its no tomorrow and let it soak in throughout the hair for a few minutes then detangle with a wide tooth shower comb under running water....guarantee you you'll be able to stretch indefinitely this way...that is if you want to ;-)) Most importantly being extremely patient!!!
Soliel185
New Member
Rule Numero UNO: Don't expect your new roots to wanna act like relaxed hair. They don't know they're supposed to be flat and they're not tryin to be.
For a lot of people Stretching leads to breakage b/c they difference in textures makes for a weak point in the hair shaft, and it needs special care to thrive.
Moisture is VERY important, but so is protein. You don't want it to be too moist, and you don't want it to dry up and break off (too much protein). My solution is to use something that has a little of both.
Daily Upkeep:
Choose a low-manipulation low-maintenance style that is wavy root friendly. If you want your edges to be sleek, that's fine, but don't worry about those kinks in the middle - nobody can see those anyway.
I moisturize in 3 steps - 1.spritz/spray 2.cream 3.oil
I never EVER try to manipulate completely dry hair. They hair has to be supple so that it can bend easily w/o breaking at the weak point. This is where the spritz comes in. The base of my spritz is a mix of Aloe Vera Juice/Gelly (dietary grade), Vegetable Glycerine, and a bit of filtered water. If you want to get fancy you can add some things - SAA, Rosemary EO, Peppermint Oil EO - whatever you want so long as it's water soluble/thin enough to mist. If you want it to smell nice add a few drops of your fave EO - I like Grapefruit or Lavender.
Aloe Vera is a Protein. I refer to it as a "Soft Protein" because it doesn't dry out my hair the way a typical "hard protein" would. It leaves my hair shiny, soft, and strong. I put SAA in this same category - it strengthens, but also helps the hair hold moisture.
After I spritz I will part into large sections with my hands. If I feel any resistance I try to isolate the tangle with my fingers and add more spritz directly on it. When I get to the scalp, I spritz directly onto the demarcation line. You don't want your hair soaked - just damp. If you need a lighter touch, spritz into the palm of your hand, rub your palms together, and glide your fingers over the hair where it needs it. Now I use a creamy leave in and concentrate on my ends. I cover the whole strand, but I don't want to get a ton on my scalp so the application is lightest at the root, and heaviest at the ends. Once I'm satisfied with that I seal with oil. For my roots/scalp and length of the hair I use a light oil like Coconut, Olive or Jojoba. You can use one, or mix em all. Last I rub Castor Oil over my ends, edges, and crown/top (for frizzies).
This is when I might finger comb a little more. Depending on how it feels I might lightly detangle with my shower comb, starting in thin sections, and combing gently from ends to roots. For sleek edges I use the scarf method, and I almost always were a folded scarf or headband. I think that if you can create a nice frame around your face, the rest can be as wild as it wants to be and people will love it.
I know it was long-winded, but I hope I explained this well. I think that DC's like other mentioned are also VERY important. I like to let mine sit for HOURS (like, literally...overnight
) And I agree that you should save your most aggressive detangling for in the shower/under the water and resign yourself to the fact that your hair will never be completely tangle free. Porosity Control and ACV rinses are very useful. But all the deep treatments in the world cant completely undo a week of abandonment if you don't have your daily routine together.
For a lot of people Stretching leads to breakage b/c they difference in textures makes for a weak point in the hair shaft, and it needs special care to thrive.
Moisture is VERY important, but so is protein. You don't want it to be too moist, and you don't want it to dry up and break off (too much protein). My solution is to use something that has a little of both.
Daily Upkeep:
Choose a low-manipulation low-maintenance style that is wavy root friendly. If you want your edges to be sleek, that's fine, but don't worry about those kinks in the middle - nobody can see those anyway.
I moisturize in 3 steps - 1.spritz/spray 2.cream 3.oil
I never EVER try to manipulate completely dry hair. They hair has to be supple so that it can bend easily w/o breaking at the weak point. This is where the spritz comes in. The base of my spritz is a mix of Aloe Vera Juice/Gelly (dietary grade), Vegetable Glycerine, and a bit of filtered water. If you want to get fancy you can add some things - SAA, Rosemary EO, Peppermint Oil EO - whatever you want so long as it's water soluble/thin enough to mist. If you want it to smell nice add a few drops of your fave EO - I like Grapefruit or Lavender.
Aloe Vera is a Protein. I refer to it as a "Soft Protein" because it doesn't dry out my hair the way a typical "hard protein" would. It leaves my hair shiny, soft, and strong. I put SAA in this same category - it strengthens, but also helps the hair hold moisture.
After I spritz I will part into large sections with my hands. If I feel any resistance I try to isolate the tangle with my fingers and add more spritz directly on it. When I get to the scalp, I spritz directly onto the demarcation line. You don't want your hair soaked - just damp. If you need a lighter touch, spritz into the palm of your hand, rub your palms together, and glide your fingers over the hair where it needs it. Now I use a creamy leave in and concentrate on my ends. I cover the whole strand, but I don't want to get a ton on my scalp so the application is lightest at the root, and heaviest at the ends. Once I'm satisfied with that I seal with oil. For my roots/scalp and length of the hair I use a light oil like Coconut, Olive or Jojoba. You can use one, or mix em all. Last I rub Castor Oil over my ends, edges, and crown/top (for frizzies).
This is when I might finger comb a little more. Depending on how it feels I might lightly detangle with my shower comb, starting in thin sections, and combing gently from ends to roots. For sleek edges I use the scarf method, and I almost always were a folded scarf or headband. I think that if you can create a nice frame around your face, the rest can be as wild as it wants to be and people will love it.
I know it was long-winded, but I hope I explained this well. I think that DC's like other mentioned are also VERY important. I like to let mine sit for HOURS (like, literally...overnight
) And I agree that you should save your most aggressive detangling for in the shower/under the water and resign yourself to the fact that your hair will never be completely tangle free. Porosity Control and ACV rinses are very useful. But all the deep treatments in the world cant completely undo a week of abandonment if you don't have your daily routine together.
gymfreak336
New Member
Rule Numero UNO: Don't expect your new roots to wanna act like relaxed hair. They don't know they're supposed to be flat and they're not tryin to be.
For a lot of people Stretching leads to breakage b/c they difference in textures makes for a weak point in the hair shaft, and it needs special care to thrive.
Moisture is VERY important, but so is protein. You don't want it to be too moist, and you don't want it to dry up and break off (too much protein). My solution is to use something that has a little of both.
Daily Upkeep:
Choose a low-manipulation low-maintenance style that is wavy root friendly. If you want your edges to be sleek, that's fine, but don't worry about those kinks in the middle - nobody can see those anyway.
I moisturize in 3 steps - 1.spritz/spray 2.cream 3.oil
I never EVER try to manipulate completely dry hair. They hair has to be supple so that it can bend easily w/o breaking at the weak point. This is where the spritz comes in. The base of my spritz is a mix of Aloe Vera Juice/Gelly (dietary grade), Vegetable Glycerine, and a bit of filtered water. If you want to get fancy you can add some things - SAA, Rosemary EO, Peppermint Oil EO - whatever you want so long as it's water soluble/thin enough to mist. If you want it to smell nice add a few drops of your fave EO - I like Grapefruit or Lavender.
Aloe Vera is a Protein. I refer to it as a "Soft Protein" because it doesn't dry out my hair the way a typical "hard protein" would. It leaves my hair shiny, soft, and strong. I put SAA in this same category - it strengthens, but also helps the hair hold moisture.
After I spritz I will part into large sections with my hands. If I feel any resistance I try to isolate the tangle with my fingers and add more spritz directly on it. When I get to the scalp, I spritz directly onto the demarcation line. You don't want your hair soaked - just damp. If you need a lighter touch, spritz into the palm of your hand, rub your palms together, and glide your fingers over the hair where it needs it. Now I use a creamy leave in and concentrate on my ends. I cover the whole strand, but I don't want to get a ton on my scalp so the application is lightest at the root, and heaviest at the ends. Once I'm satisfied with that I seal with oil. For my roots/scalp and length of the hair I use a light oil like Coconut, Olive or Jojoba. You can use one, or mix em all. Last I rub Castor Oil over my ends, edges, and crown/top (for frizzies).
This is when I might finger comb a little more. Depending on how it feels I might lightly detangle with my shower comb, starting in thin sections, and combing gently from ends to roots. For sleek edges I use the scarf method, and I almost always were a folded scarf or headband. I think that if you can create a nice frame around your face, the rest can be as wild as it wants to be and people will love it.
I know it was long-winded, but I hope I explained this well. I think that DC's like other mentioned are also VERY important. I like to let mine sit for HOURS (like, literally...overnight
Great Tips Soliel. Thanks for putting all of this together.
IDareT'sHair
PJ Rehabilitation Center
EXCELLENT THREAD ! A Must Read ! Especially for Newer Members with Relaxing Questions/Issues/"Situations"
The Ladies that Participated in this Thread Put alot of Knowledge, Thought, Time and Care Addressing How to Successfully Stretch.
My First Stretch was about 13 1/2 Weeks, Followed this last time by 10 Weeks (only because of underprocessing). This next time, I will stretch at least 10 but no more than 13-15 weeks. My Goal is to Relax no more than 3-4 Times A Year.
1) Low to No Manipulation only on Wash Day (Finger Combing and Separating Knots & Tangles Carefully & Patiently)
2) Washing with a Good Protein or Moisturizing Conditioner* depending on what my hair needs at the time.
3) Alternating Moisturizing and Protein Conditioning Treatments
4) Always Deep Conditioning Treatments with Heat
5) Adding Porosity Control or Other Acidic Conditioners as the Final Rinse(Nexxus Ensure)
6)Creamy Leave In Focusing on New Growth and Line of Demarcation
7) Creamy Daily Leave In Treatments
8) Wearing a Low Mani Style
The Ladies that Participated in this Thread Put alot of Knowledge, Thought, Time and Care Addressing How to Successfully Stretch.
My First Stretch was about 13 1/2 Weeks, Followed this last time by 10 Weeks (only because of underprocessing). This next time, I will stretch at least 10 but no more than 13-15 weeks. My Goal is to Relax no more than 3-4 Times A Year.
1) Low to No Manipulation only on Wash Day (Finger Combing and Separating Knots & Tangles Carefully & Patiently)
2) Washing with a Good Protein or Moisturizing Conditioner* depending on what my hair needs at the time.
3) Alternating Moisturizing and Protein Conditioning Treatments
4) Always Deep Conditioning Treatments with Heat
5) Adding Porosity Control or Other Acidic Conditioners as the Final Rinse(Nexxus Ensure)
6)Creamy Leave In Focusing on New Growth and Line of Demarcation
7) Creamy Daily Leave In Treatments
8) Wearing a Low Mani Style
LaidBak
New Member
I never would have guessed that Aloe vera was a protein--never in a million years! Good to know because it it in my favorite moisturizer.
I am on a mini-stretch right now, just holding out to see how long I can stand it. What has kept my hair soft is making a concerted effort to apply my DC to the NG. I part my hair as if I am relaxing and get the conditioner down in there, along with EVOO. Also, I notice that I get softer NG when I leave my DC in for an hour vice 30 mins.
I am on a mini-stretch right now, just holding out to see how long I can stand it. What has kept my hair soft is making a concerted effort to apply my DC to the NG. I part my hair as if I am relaxing and get the conditioner down in there, along with EVOO. Also, I notice that I get softer NG when I leave my DC in for an hour vice 30 mins.
