Any Naturals go Back 2 Relaxed Hair?

[Lucie]

I did.

I was natural from 2003-2005. I got my relaxer April of '05. I went back to relaxed because my hair was SO thick and I am not one of those women that can do tons of cute styles to their hair. I am ponytail, bun or loose hair sorta woman.

 

[Stationwagon]

I can't see myself going back to relaxed hair. My scalp was/is just too sensitive and got irritated too much.

 

[Country gal]

I with Adrienne. I can't see myself going back to relax hair. I am wearing my hair straight now and it is so much work. I miss my wash and go styles.

For the ladies that do perm after being natural, does it seem you have a better handle on your hair now? Most of the ladies I know that no longer are natural but relaxed seemed to really take care of their hair. I think it is helpful to understand your hair texture by being natural so you can really take care of it when you perm it again.

 

[czyfaith77]

I with Adrienne. I can't see myself going back to relax hair. I am wearing my hair straight now and it is so much work. I miss my wash and go styles.

For the ladies that do perm after being natural, does it seem you have a better handle on your hair now? Most of the ladies I know that no longer are natural but relaxed seemed to really take care of their hair. I think it is helpful to understand your hair texture by being natural so you can really take care of it when you perm it again.

Countrygal both of your hair styles are becoming. I really like natural hair (I think your wash and go's) on you, especially those pictures when you went away ( I think to Italy or somewhere). You are beautiful woman with beautiful hair and skin.

 

[sunshinebeautiful]

For the ladies that do perm after being natural, does it seem you have a better handle on your hair now? Most of the ladies I know that no longer are natural but relaxed seemed to really take care of their hair. I think it is helpful to understand your hair texture by being natural so you can really take care of it when you perm it again.

I would say that this is definitely the case for me. When I decided to go natural, I started learning more information on how to take care of my hair texture, and have carried some of those tips over to care for my relaxed hair. Learning how to properly detangle my hair (with my Denman, soaking wet with conditioner in the shower) has been priceless, both natural and relaxed. I also know how to handle my natural texture, which I think helps in stretching my relaxer longer.

 

[CurleeDST]

I was growing out my natural hair since 2002, relaxed it with Phyto Index I in July 2006 and then cut it all off in September 2006 and went back to natural.

When I start feeling like I am ready for a change I relax it and as soon as I do it I remember why I am natural - b/c I hate the feel and look of relaxed hair on me! I prefer my hair big and puffy. I just have to remind myself of that when I start getting bored with it.

 

[ebonylocs]

The thing I like most is taking showers and actually getting my hair wet on purpose.

Ummm. You can do that with your hair natural. As a matter of fact, that's one of the things that I liked about my natural hair (when it was short or medium length), that it loved water and I could just comb it in the shower and go. Many other ladies love that about natural hair too -that they can shower or swim without fear of messing up their do.

 

[ebonylocs]

I know folks get tired of hearing this, but it's really the most basic truth. I've been natural going on 16 years now and I don't see a relaxer in my future BUT if things ever changed, I'd go there.

I have a good buddy who's been relaxed, then natural, then relaxed, then natural, then loced, then twad, then relaxed, then loc extensioned, then relaxed and is back to natural again. Whew! What a ride!! But it's her ride and her hair and she has to follow whatever her heart's calling is at the time.

There are pros and cons to everything, that's why it's so important to make a heart decision.
~p1

Yeah. That's what I think too. Do what you think is best. I've done it all - except for locing.

I decided to relax again because as my natural hair got longer and longer, my zillion thin strands tangled more and more. Detangling / styling became half- day-long chores. Of course, if I wasn't trying to maintain length, it wouldn't be a problem, because I'd just drag the comb through my hair and rip out the knots and tangles. But I had to go slowly and manually undo tangles - which just became impossible as my hair got bigger and bigger.

I am likely to go natural again in the future. I like change.

 

[Dymondz7]

Wanting to know if any Natural heads have gone back to relaxed hair and why? I am contemplating it because it may be easier for me.I'm trying to think of the pros and cons to this.

I'm getting braids later this morning...I'm not a big fan of braids but if it wasn't for the braids you could rest assured I would be getting a relaxer. Currently my hair is shoulder length when stretched but shrinks quite a bit. I'm hoping that once it gets longer and the shrinkage appears less, it'll be easier to style and handle. I'm planning to keep braids until summer with the goal of retaining at least four new inches. With the right products I have no problems with tangles or combing my hair - styling is more of an issue for me.

My natural hair is much healthier and thicker without a relaxer and honestly even with excellent hair care my relaxed hair always seems to break and thin out over time....and I like the idea of not having to relay on salons for my hair care. But in the end if your hair can handle relaxers and it's easier for you to care for, please do what works best for you....best wishes with whatever you decide.

 

[Sha76]

I with Adrienne. I can't see myself going back to relax hair. I am wearing my hair straight now and it is so much work. I miss my wash and go styles.

For the ladies that do perm after being natural, does it seem you have a better handle on your hair now? Most of the ladies I know that no longer are natural but relaxed seemed to really take care of their hair. I think it is helpful to understand your hair texture by being natural so you can really take care of it when you perm it again.

I have been relaxed, then natural 3 years, relaxed 1 year, natural 1 year, and now relaxed again.

I do find that if you natural and then go to relaxed you take care of your hair better. Not to mention, stretching relaxers is a breeze.

OP- good luck on your decision, Remember it is YOUR decision.

 

[CarefreeinChicago]

I'm thinking about going back to the relaxer. Why? Because I cannot keep any length. I have been natural for over 2 years now and I have maybe 6 or 7 inches on my head. It sheds and knots up alot. I plan to give the coconut milk/lime and henna a try before I go back. But even then, I don't plan to use heat.

this is the exact thing i am going through the tangles and knots are driving me crazy the only style i can do is twist outs and puffs and that just makes more tangles and nots i have been thinking about relaxing again but i dont want to but with all the tangles and knots i am not retaining any length and i am fed upwith my hair and i have not used heat in three months

 

[blazingthru]

I went natural for a hot minute and I found I had no idea what to do to my hair and I immediately put a perm right back in there. I had sores and an extremely dry scalp nothing I did helped me. I learned that my scalp just have no tolerance for chemicals. When I joined in October I decided to go natural again. Ihave never looked back after that decision. My friends were always saying get a color get a color. So I did, another chemical. My scalp did the same thing break out in sores and extreme dry patches that flaked up and it hurt all the time. it took a long time to heal actually I had to wait until I grew 1/4 inch for my scalp to stop hurting me. Okay so no more chemicals of any kind, ever again. I am stuck being natural I had to learn to adjust and love it and I do.

 

[caltron]

I'm never going to put a relaxer in my hair again, but styling for me is a huge challenge. I go through phases where I wear my natural hair out, and then I put in braids or weaves to cover it because I just don't know what to do with my own hair. What makes it worse is that I exercise regularly.

I hope that someday I find an easy way to style my hair.

 

[getmoore]

I've been relaxed in the past. (didn't know what I was doing) and then natural for a few years( I knew what I was doing thanks to LHCF!). Now I'm back relaxed again(I'm still learning but I think I'll be Ok)
My hair grew to bra-strap natural.But as it got longer It started to knot up and tangle to the point of breakage.The only thing I think I'll miss is my texture and thickness. I like wearing my hair straight most times anyway and I was starting to abuse the Maxiglide as a natural. I know as I get older after my goal of waist-legnth is reached I will probably BC and wear my hair in a short natural or I may even lock! I just wanted to see how long I could grow my relaxed hair since I couldn't master it in the past.

 

[Candiss]

I've been thinking about going back to relaxing all the time lately. But I'm fighting it. I am going to start flat ironing in February and see how that goes. I put so much into the care of my natural hair and the ends are still so dry and notty in the back. My hair is growing pretty fast but it's a constant battle to keep my end intact. Plus, I just miss straight hair. I see so many wonderful heads of long, relaxed hair and I know that's what I like a lot. But if I perm again, I will be doing strand tests first and not relax bone straight.

 

[Soul♥Flower]

I was natural for 2-3 years and I relaxed my hair about 3 years ago because I just wanted something different. I'm going natural again when my hair reaches mid-back.

 

[CynamonKis]

I did, briefly in 2004, but ran right back to the natural side & have been so ever since......

What made me do it? I was tired of dealing with my hair but I have since come to appreciate my curly-q's

 

[choqlat]

I was natural for over 3 years and loved it. I learned how to do my hair in so many ways and it was really healthy. My problem was not what to do with my hair, but how much time it took to maintain it. Natural hair is WORK. Period. Definately worth it, because the end result was beautiful - but for me, once it got to bra strap I wanted something different. I texlaxed about 6 months ago, and have not regretted my decision since. I was able to maintain most of my length, its still healthy, and for me its easier and much quicker to do my buns and updos with my hair texlaxed. If I decide in the future to go back natural, then so be it, but that's a decision only I can make. Do this. Sit down and write your pros and cons to relaxing your hair. If the pros outweigh the cons then I say do you. I did this myself and am happy with the decision I made.