African Relaxer Disaster - Suggestions?

[leimoose2]

Ladies, I have been lurking around and decided that I need to be more active and get out here, unfortunatly it took desperation to make me step up and do it.

I need your collective expertise to get em through this...

Here's the deal...In August I moved from DC to Liberia, Africa for work. In DC I have an amazing stylist who had my hair at it healthiest point. She instructed me NOT to relax my hair in Africa, but to braid it when it needed relaxing and wait till I came home. Did I listen? Of course, not. I braided it and HATED it. I am an attorney, so my hair has to be sensible and I was miserable. I unbraided my hair and found what is concidered the "best" salon in Monrovia, Liberia (hint at "best":running water was an issue!). I purchased the "best" relaxer - Organic ROOT Stimulator Oiive Oil Relaxer Kit. And had their "best" styist apply it. You can imagine my horror, when after I specifically told him not to overlap it he lathered it on over 85% of my hair.

So, here I am almost 6 weeks later. I have never self relaxed, but am considering it. The best product I can get here is Organic ROOT Stimulator which I don't know ANYTHING about. I am also running low on all of the product I brought with me and plan on stocking up in Dec when I visit the US (I use Keracare glossifier dry and itchy, Cavier anti-age shampoo and conditioner, and Kerastas Age Recharge (green line) shampoo and conditioner for deep treatment). So, all in all I need help. Any advice out there? Do I take the plunge and try to self relax? Do I try the stylist again and give strict instruction? Any other suggestions?

Thanks ladies!

 

[Liberianmami26]

hey girl i lived in liberia and you should have listened to your stylist you can consider self laxing and have some girl help u out and tell her exactly what to do to get to the spots you cant reach or hold up a mirror for you and make sure u have water to rinse it out around you. as far as your products its always good to ask someone to bring you stuff if you know they are going to be coming thats how my mom used to get her contacts etc thru friends who were coming from the states to liberia but i hope you can be able to stretch longer and just wait to get your hair done in the states

 

[Neith]

Firstly, ORS is a good relaxer. It's not high end, but lots of ladies here love it and it's what I use. So don't be afraid of it

Since you are running out of product, I think that by using natural products - oils, banana, avocado, honey maybe even henna - that are more readily available it'd help you hold out longer.

I also think you should do a search on self relaxing. There are tons of threads about it.

You can also practice self relaxing when you apply your dc to help get yourself ready

Good luck, hope I helped some!

 

[naturalgurl]

Six weeks post, I'd leave it be. Let it breath after the last fiasco. Then after a couple of weeks then give it a go YOURSELF. Like a previous poster, I'd go more natural with the products. You have to think about what's available in abundance. Natural stuff won't hurt you, they'll probgably help much more than you expect. I'd look for extra virgin coconut oil, some aloe vera gel and go to town. Aloe vera gel is healing and has protein qualities. Coconut oil is moisturzing and the BOMB. If that's not the oil for you, try extra virgin olive oil. Also shea butter. I wish I were where you are, I bet their natural stuff is cheaper than it is here because you are at a rich source of all of these items. Good luck.

 

[Nuelle]

Hey leimoose2! I think another option would be to wait until you get home. Do you already own a flat iron? you could wash once a week and flat iron your hair and keep it wrapped at night. You could also try braid-outs or bantu-knots-out. Hope that helps! Good luck

 

[balancegoals2009]

Hi Leimoose

Sorry that happening to you , but if I was you I would stay natural until you returned back to the states. Or used more natural product like everyone else had stated , coconut oil is great for your hair and Aloe Vera, it work wonder on my 4 a and b hair . Do some corn rows going back , and take them down every two weeks or weekly . They braid cheap in that area. Or do micro or individual braids , you can make them look professional by doing buns , up do etc. Oil your scale daily with your favorite oil and moisturizer your hair. You will be shock how much your hair had grown. As for washing , wash weekly or as needed . I was in Africa , and the water was limited in some area and hard , I had tree braids that work for me. Maybe we can chat about your journey in Africa , I hope to go again in the future.

 

[Lanea87]

I wouldnt let them do it again, I know that much. DC like hell and wait til you get come for the next relaxer.

 

[TonicaG]

I hear what you're saying but I wouldn't take another chance on getting failed results... it's a 50/50 chance of the outcome. I would advise against it. I clearly understand your line of work dictates your appearance being up to par but please don't make a mistake you'll regret in the long run.

I'm a victim of overprocessing and paid for it dearly. I won't ever allow that to happen to my hair again.

Is it possible to get a cute whole or half wig until you are able to get back on U.S. soil?