Any naturals relaxed and regretted the decision?

[sonyx]

Not really. I'm more committed to my natural hair and I feel like natural is my default style but I have relaxed before.

Right now I love the feeling of my wild curly afro and I like wearing twist-outs. But, I do what I feel like doing and if I wanted to relax my natural I would just do it.

Anyway, maybe you're just having some dryness from waiting too long between washes?? If that's the case you won't want to relax until you fix that issue.

 

[Kinkyhairlady]

Thanks lady for the tips and advice. I'm still confused because some of you made good points in regards to regretting. I cant do fake hair anymore cause I think it irritates my skin. Ill bun for a while until I make a final decision. I do recall my hair being kind of on the thin side relaxed and I hated that but I haven't made a final decision.

 

[KaramelDiva1978]

I relaxed this past summer after 25 months of being natural and I still feel like it was the right decision for me. I have 4a/b hair and had fun the last two years with all kinds of styles. I took care of my hair by moisturizing and sealing and mostly twistouts. I had fun with puffs and a front braid and I really like my curl pattern.

However, for me I was ready for a more polished look and I wanted to wear my hair straight. I couldn't flat iron it for the life of me, so I had to style it presentably. When I didn't I would wear a puff and then the elastic bands started to break off my edges. I also felt that I could really give my hair the attention it needed being texlaxed. I am fully APL heading to BSL and I have my hair texlaxed every 10 weeks. I am so glad I did it! I've had an awesome stylist I used to go to when I was relaxed initially and then I was self-styled when natural, but its great being back in his chair and trusting hands.

You have to weigh the pros and cons and see which choose will give you the benefits you wants. I see other natural women and applaud them and feel no envy, I was tired of all the hours it took to shampoo/deep condition and twist......it was 4 hours of my life I'd rather being doing something else. I missed my updos, rollersets and wraps and a variety of protective styles. I love my texlaxed hair.

Do what's best for you.

 

[KaramelDiva1978]

Thanks lady for the tips and advice. I'm still confused because some of you made good points in regards to regretting. I cant do fake hair anymore cause I think it irritates my skin. Ill bun for a while until I make a final decision. I do recall my hair being kind of on the thin side relaxed and I hated that but I haven't made a final decision.

I've had thin relaxed hair before and that's why texlaxing was the option for me to keep my thickness and texture. It's kind of the best of both worlds.

 

[bklynbornNbred]

@Kinkyhairlady

May I offer another suggestion? How about you wait 4 months before making a decision. In the meantime invest in a good (more expensive) wig so that you can get the look that you want? I'm not a big wigneesta so you'll have to do some research but one set that's on my to do list next year is RPG show. Yes they are expensive but the cost is about the same as if you kept a regular salon appointment. The wigs at BSS stores are ok but the better ones once styled look just as good (if not better) than weaves and you can continue to take care of your hair underneath. Braid it up in a beehive and leave it alone (still moisturize etc). If you get human hair the wig shouldn't irritate you. Look through threads and you tube for the experts suggestions.

By the time spring comes your hair should be a little bit longer and perhaps by summer you'll have more time to start learning how to style your hair. If you still don't like it you can relax then. Worse case scenario, you still end up relaxing but it will be a little longer. However if you relax now and you decide you don't like it you'll have to start all over again. (I'm relaxed but I do use wigs when schedule gets crazy - I'm over buns). The after Christmas sales are about to happen so I wanted to make this suggestion now so you can get a good wig for less. Good luck whatever you decide.

 

[Kinkyhairlady]

I've had thin relaxed hair before and that's why texlaxing was the option for me to keep my thickness and texture. It's kind of the best of both worlds.

I might try this. What relaxer do you use and how long do you keep it in? Is the proper term texlax? I don't want to say this to the stylist and she doesn't know what I'm talking about.

KaramelDiva1978

 

[Kinkyhairlady]

@Kinkyhairlady

May I offer another suggestion? How about you wait 4 months before making a decision. In the meantime invest in a good (more expensive) wig so that you can get the look that you want? I'm not a big wigneesta so you'll have to do some research but one set that's on my to do list next year is RPG show. Yes they are expensive but the cost is about the same as if you kept a regular salon appointment. The wigs at BSS stores are ok but the better ones once styled look just as good (if not better) than weaves and you can continue to take care of your hair underneath. Braid it up in a beehive and leave it alone (still moisturize etc). If you get human hair the wig shouldn't irritate you. Look through threads and you tube for the experts suggestions.

By the time spring comes your hair should be a little bit longer and perhaps by summer you'll have more time to start learning how to style your hair. If you still don't like it you can relax then. Worse case scenario, you still end up relaxing but it will be a little longer. However if you relax now and you decide you don't like it you'll have to start all over again. (I'm relaxed but I do use wigs when schedule gets crazy - I'm over buns). The after Christmas sales are about to happen so I wanted to make this suggestion now so you can get a good wig for less. Good luck whatever you decide.

Yes I checked RPG show and the prices are so ridiculous. I'm scared all fake hair will irritate me but for the past few months ive been having issues whether its human or synthetic. I just want to deal with my own hair.

 

[AFashionSlave]

I regretted my last relaxer.

 

[winnettag]

Absolutely.
Tried to texlax in 2007 because my sister refused to braid my "nappy hair".
It was so limp and thin and dealing with the two textures was a nightmare.
I hated eventually having to cut the relaxed hair off...my little bit of progress (lengthwise) went out the window.
As much work as this natural journey has been, it's becoming more and more simplified and it grows even if I neglect it as long as the ends are protected. I just don't have the type of hair that can thrive with a relaxer, I don't like needing to get touch ups (and I was always too afraid to do them myself) and worrying about protein/moisture balance. As it is now, i'm only worried about moisture.
But, different strokes for different folks!

 

[KaramelDiva1978]

I might try this. What relaxer do you use and how long do you keep it in? Is the proper term texlax? I don't want to say this to the stylist and she doesn't know what I'm talking about.

@KaramelDiva1978

Texlaxing is the term I've heard mostly on this site and on Youtube. My stylist does relaxed and natural and he asked me if I still wanted to be able to do a twistout when I got my first relaxer. I told him no, but leave me some wavy texture. So with a Design Essentials Time Release Relaxer (I love, love, love this relaxer because overprocessing is not an issue) that may have a processing time of like 19 minutes, he will leave it on for 14 or 15 minutes and I have little waves of texture. Also, I put vaseline on my hair to keep the relaxer processing slower and also protect against overprocessing. But its the great effects of a LYE relaxer that make texlaxing possible. I do not self-relax nor do I recommend anyone do it on virgin hair.

I also stretch my relaxers which again help with overlapping. I do all I can to keep thick, chemically straightened hair. I love my relaxer, but I do not want thin, see-thru unhealthy hair, so I protect the process. My avi pic is my first texlax in June 2012.