Anyone relax/texlax 4 or less times a year?

[yodie]

My stylist uses SUPER no-lye to texlax my hair and he always puts it on my edges and nape after i caution him about those areas. He says it straightens it quicker.

I can't really blame him because I could've always jumped outta the chair!

My hair usually always breaks from a relaxer or too much relaxing. Well, since he started texlaxing my hair in Jan. 07, it's gotten straighter and straighter, to where I now have a head of relaxed hair thats broken around my edges.

NO MORE STYLIST FOR ME. I QUIT and I'm making an effort to care for my hair. NO relaxer until May on ANY part of my hair.

which brings me to this... Does anyone relax/texlax their hair 4 or less times per year?

If so, how do you eliminate breakage?

I definitely do NOT want to go natural again, but I will if I have to. I'm just wondering if switching to a MILD relaxer and texlaxing no more than 4 times a year, (texlaxing my nape and edges once every six months) would be a great improvement or would I still get the breakage.

I welcome any suggestions.
Thanks for listening. I refuse to get down about this!
Started oil rinses (The Best Thing for my hair) and MN (Miconazole Nitrate)

 

[nikkivale]

I started relaxing my hair again at the end of August. And before that I would only and still only relax every six months. For three months I wear my hair out and 3 months in braids.
I usually wear a bun once my new growth gets wild. I spray a mix of aloe vera/glycerin and water on my hair and slick it down with Shealoe butter and be on my way. I think low manipulation is the key because my hair is very fragile when stretching so long.

 

[lollyoo]

I do this usually- I stretch for 3-5 months mostly but going for 7 months this time around.
The key thing for me is to do protein tx weekly (my hair prefers this as a pre-poo), it stregthens the area btw the relaxed ends and natural roots.
I also find detangling my hair in shower works better, and I avoid combing daily may be every other day or 2 days.
I also have to deep condition twice a week to keep newgrowth soft.
moisturise my hair daily or twice a day it depends.
I usually tie my hair down with scalf while damp and the airdry- i do this from 8-10weeks onwards when my rollerset dont look good anymore.
I also wear wigs sometimes to give my hair a break, i may try braids or twist soon but am a bit scared as i always get breakage during loosening because of build up and tangles.
About the edges i will say just stop relaxing that area till it fills in and once it does relax that place last.
you may want to try switching to mild relaxer as well.
Try to do protein strong protein tx before relaxer service
I think thats it.
HTH

 

[NAKISH66]

I relax my hair twice a year. Twice I went the entire year only relaxing once (pregnant both times). Anyway my hair sounds a lot like yours! My edges and nape take a beating. Since joining the LHCF I learned that I have to make sure I tell the stylist before hand NOT to relax my edges or nape first. Right now From the bottom of my ear down is not relaxed at all. It broke so bad I shaved it off and started over with no relaxer. It touches my collar bone now when stretched. I don't plan on relaxing that part again until it's at least 12 inches. My edges were soooooooooo thin after this last relaxer so I'm babying them by keeping it moisturized and then sealing with castor oil. Relax those section last, or every other relaxer. As for the rest of my hair I have to deep condition at least once a week with protein, and I do a reconstructer every 2 weeks. My hair loves protein, and it stays pretty strong this way. I know some people can't handle a lot of protein, but my hair is the opposite, it loves it. I hope this helps!! HHG!!

Oh before I go, you might not need a SUPER relaxer. Maybe you should go down to a regular, and if that's still to strong then try the mild especially if you're only texlaxing. I'm 4 a/b and a mild is enough for me to relax straight.

 

[LovelyZ]

I texlax 3 times per year now. Mostly the usual anti-breakage rules apply, except that you have to be EXTRA patient and EXTRA careful when your hair has a ton of new growth because now you're dealing with the two different textures of hair. When detangling and roller-setting wet hair, I keep the hair as slick as possible to avoid breakage. I only use combs/brushes on wash day. Every other day of the week, I'm finger styling.

 

[glamazon386]

I used to when I was relaxed. I had gotten down to 2 times a year. I just wore a lot of low manipulation styles so I wouldn't have to worry about getting through the new growth every day. And I tried to keep my hair as moisturized as possible. I would suggest letting go of that super perm though. I read somewhere that nobody really needs a super perm. That might be what's causing you the breakage. Have you noticed that your hair has thinned out or is limp?

 

[shynessqueen]

I relax my hair twice a year. Twice I went the entire year only relaxing once (pregnant both times). Anyway my hair sounds a lot like yours! My edges and nape take a beating. Since joining the LHCF I learned that I have to make sure I tell the stylist before hand NOT to relax my edges or nape first. Right now From the bottom of my ear down is not relaxed at all. It broke so bad I shaved it off and started over with no relaxer. It touches my collar bone now when stretched. I don't plan on relaxing that part again until it's at least 12 inches. My edges were soooooooooo thin after this last relaxer so I'm babying them by keeping it moisturized and then sealing with castor oil. Relax those section last, or every other relaxer. As for the rest of my hair I have to deep condition at least once a week with protein, and I do a reconstructer every 2 weeks. My hair loves protein, and it stays pretty strong this way. I know some people can't handle a lot of protein, but my hair is the opposite, it loves it. I hope this helps!! HHG!!

Oh before I go, you might not need a SUPER relaxer. Maybe you should go down to a regular, and if that's still to strong then try the mild especially if you're only texlaxing. I'm 4 a/b and a mild is enough for me to relax straight.

I also only tex 2x a year. I tex my nape and hairline last and I don't get to much breakage because my tex hair is not to much different from my natural hair.

 

[tryingto]

I texlax, 3 times a year, trying to only do 2, their is little differance in the two textures, I wear updos most of the time, and fingercomb for styling purposes,DC once per week, I find shea butter and castor oil helps my newgrowth a lot, I use ORS no lye, I find it works for me,

 

[seeminglysweet]

I relax not more than 4 times a year, I stretch at least 12 weeks between. For 2007 I will have relaxed exactly 4 times, February, June, October and I will relax again before Christmas.

I switched from regular strength to sensitive in the summer and it's much better for my scalp.

 

[blueabyss333]

I only texlaxed 4x in 2007. Really, the 4th was a corrective. I texlaxed in January, May, September, October. For me, it's important to keep the decramation line moisturized.

 

[yodie]

yes, its thinned some.

I used to when I was relaxed. I had gotten down to 2 times a year. I just wore a lot of low manipulation styles so I wouldn't have to worry about getting through the new growth every day. And I tried to keep my hair as moisturized as possible. I would suggest letting go of that super perm though. I read somewhere that nobody really needs a super perm. That might be what's causing you the breakage. Have you noticed that your hair has thinned out or is limp?

 

[MizAvalon]

I texlax 3 times per year now. Mostly the usual anti-breakage rules apply, except that you have to be EXTRA patient and EXTRA careful when your hair has a ton of new growth because now you're dealing with the two different textures of hair. When detangling and roller-setting wet hair, I keep the hair as slick as possible to avoid breakage. I only use combs/brushes on wash day. Every other day of the week, I'm finger styling.

I agree with this post.

I relax 2 times a year.

 

[yodie]

Thanks for your response ladies. I've decided to texlax with a mild relaxer and no more than 3 times a year. my edges and nape will be relaxer free ALL of 2008.

I'd like to see if there is any improvement.

 

[lana]

Try putting vitamin E on your edges and nape for now. It will help with thickening them up and growth. There is also Nioxin Follicle booster and that worked to grow my edges thicker a few years ago.

I texlax 4 times a year with a LYE relaxer. I have 4a/b hair and I texlax myself at home. Usually I have 1.5 to 2.5 inches of new growth that I touch up. I only leave my Mizani Mild Lye relaxer in for 5-7 minutes.

This is working out great for me. I went from SL to three inches below CL and I'm inching towards APL. (updated: Now I'm BSL!!!!)

I think it would be okay to texlax your edges and nape once or twice per year.

 

[freshlikemoi]

I have had three relaxers so far and I plan to have my fourth one around christmas or new years..I am psyched!!! Hopefully next year I can bring it down to three

 

[yodie]

I may be tempted to texlax my edges in May. We'll see. I really wish I knew how to do my own hair.

 

[audacity.]

I have ALWAYS (even prior to LHCF) relaxed my hair no more than 4 times per year. Usually only 2 or 3. I've only relaxed once this year.

MOISTURE is critical, IMO, to heed breakage. Listen to your hair. Moisture is important, but note when you need a protein boost as well.

Also, try not to comb as frequently. This has helped me, too.

HTH!

 

[kbfluff]

I relaxed my hair 5 times this year. This is my first year actually trying to grow my hair out and pay attention to the care and upkeep of it every single day.

Next year i plan to relax only once, which is in December. How am I going to do that?
Well I wouldn't be able to do it if i was wearing my hair out flat ironed all of the time.
I plan to keep cornrows in my hair 99.8% of the time in 2008.
I have fine strands of hair. I think my hair grows pretty fast when I just leave it alone.
I am glad that I have grown to like my cornrows and also feel sexy with them, although I luv big hair.
So only ONE relaxer next year.
Once I gain my first goal of BSL I think I will relax only 2x's per year from then on.

 

[Misseyl]

I do my own touchup in February, June and October, that's 3x per year. To deal w/new growth, I wear my hair is curly styles and only comb on wash days using Scurl to help w/the detangling. I wash under the shower and tie and wash my hair in sections..

 

[Leslie_C]

I have only texlaxed 3 times this year and plan to only texlax 3 to 4 times next year. Since Ive started using henna and indian oils/powders my hair seems so much stronger that I dont think Ill have any breakage issues anymore. The good thing is the textures arent dramatically different since Im not bone straight. I just condition frequently and only comb on wash days (finger comb the rest of the time or go over the outer layer with a baby soft boar bristle brush). I also think rollersetting is going to be my friend bc I notice my hair behaves so much better when its smoothed out.

I might not relax again until my wedding in early March. Im almost 7 weeks post now so that would be 20-21 weeks! We will see how it goes...

 

[yodie]

How do you tie and wash in sections?

I do my own touchup in February, June and October, that's 3x per year. To deal w/new growth, I wear my hair is curly styles and only comb on wash days using Scurl to help w/the detangling. I wash under the shower and tie and wash my hair in sections..

 

[yodie]

Congrats on your wedding. I'm trying to get my method down before I jump the broom.

I too love the indian oils. my hair works much better with them. I use amla and jasmine. love the smell of jasmine. I add olive, castor and MN to my scalp mixture.

I have only texlaxed 3 times this year and plan to only texlax 3 to 4 times next year. Since Ive started using henna and indian oils/powders my hair seems so much stronger that I dont think Ill have any breakage issues anymore. The good thing is the textures arent dramatically different since Im not bone straight. I just condition frequently and only comb on wash days (finger comb the rest of the time or go over the outer layer with a baby soft boar bristle brush). I also think rollersetting is going to be my friend bc I notice my hair behaves so much better when its smoothed out.

I might not relax again until my wedding in early March. Im almost 7 weeks post now so that would be 20-21 weeks! We will see how it goes...

 

[yodie]

thank you ladies. this thread has really helped me. I'm encoraged and now know how to switch up my routine.

Do all of you do your own relaxers? I really want to learn how to do my own, but not sure if I'm ready.

 

[Crysdon]

I have a texturizer and I get touchups every 12 weeks, so yes I go 4 times a year.

P.S. - When did we start calling a texturizer a "texlax"? Doesn't make sense...either you're relaxed or texturized.

 

[lana]

Hmm, I don't know, I'm texlaxed because I use a relaxer and conditioner to tex(relax) my hair. It doesn't matter what we call it ladies, I just have to stretch my next one out until my wedding in January. I'm counting down, seven weeks to go! Who-hoo!

 

[MonaLisa]

I relaxed my hair 5 times this year. This is my first year actually trying to grow my hair out and pay attention to the care and upkeep of it every single day.

Next year i plan to relax only once, which is in December. How am I going to do that?
Well I wouldn't be able to do it if i was wearing my hair out flat ironed all of the time.
I plan to keep cornrows in my hair 99.8% of the time in 2008.
I have fine strands of hair. I think my hair grows pretty fast when I just leave it alone.
I am glad that I have grown to like my cornrows and also feel sexy with them, although I luv big hair.
So only ONE relaxer next year.
Once I gain my first goal of BSL I think I will relax only 2x's per year from then on.

*I'm looking at your hair....and it reminds me of my own.*
*I'll be cheering you on from the sideline
------------------------------------------------------

4 times per year (once for each season) seems to be working out with 12-14 weeks in between.

 

[Softresses]

I texlax 3 times per year. I don't get breakage because I make sure not to change the texture but a little. In the front there is more of a difference in the two textures and I make sure to keep it moisturized, and handle it very gently.

A lot of the ladies use Scurl, I used to use Sta-Sof-Fro, for when there was too much new growth, to keep from having breakage.



HTH

Softresses

 

[ebonylocs]

P.S. - When did we start calling a texturizer a "texlax"? Doesn't make sense...either you're relaxed or texturized.

I think people think of a texturiser as when you use a product that's called a *texturiser,* and the end product is kind of a straightish fro.

For a texlax, you use a *relaxer*, and add oil / conditioner or something else to it to make it milder and/or leave it on for less time than would get it completely straight.

 

[sunshinebeautiful]

I texlax, but it's more than 4x per year, more like every 2 months or so.

I only use mild strength relaxer.

Maybe you should try to go down from super. It's probably too strong.

 

[Creatividual]

I'm working on getting down to 4 retouches a year. Right now I currently relax every 2 months and would like to get up to every 3 months instead. After joining LHCF, I've learned more ways to care for my hair so that I can stretch my relaxers longer with minimal breakage.

I'm relaxing the end of this month and IN the new year, I'm going to kick off trying to relax every 3 months. I think my hair will benefit from it and be fuller; just all over healthier.