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Anyone stretch their relaxer 2-3 months?...

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Amina

Amina

New Member
Does anyone here put a relaxer every 2-3 months? If so how do you style your hair with out breaking it?
 
Amina said:
Does anyone here put a relaxer every 2-3 months? If so how do you style your hair with out breaking it?
Click to expand...




I do! :wave:

To style my hair w/o breaking it, I make sure I'm extra careful with the new growth and make sure the demarcation line (place where the new growth and relaxed hair meets) is moist. Co washes and deep conditions also help combat dryness which can lead to breakage.

The simplest way to style while stretching is the infamous bun, but since I don't like buns, I do them rarely. I usely straighten my hair using my ponytail airdry method (making several ponytails all over the head) and style (rollerset or ponytail) or I straighten with a blow dryer and wrap.

The main thing really is moisture and little manipulation. :yep:

 
ChosenbyGod said:


I do! :wave:

To style my hair w/o breaking it, I make sure I'm extra careful with the new growth and make sure the demarcation line (place where the new growth and relaxed hair meets) is moist. Co washes and deep conditions also help combat dryness which can lead to breakage.

The simplest way to style while stretching is the infamous bun, but since I don't like buns, I do them rarely. I usely straighten my hair using my ponytail airdry method (making several ponytails all over the head) and style (rollerset or ponytail) or I straighten with a blow dryer and wrap.

The main thing really is moisture and little manipulation. :yep:
Click to expand...

ITA!! Little manipulation and moisture moisture moisture

Here's:How I stretch my relaxers

CbG- I'm real interested in this ponytail drying method. You told me once, but can you tell me how you smooth the roots and what products you use?

Also, what about the crown area. My middle is always the thickest. Do you think I should part my hair down the middle and start ponytailing. Do you dry completely? Do you ever sit under the hair dryer?

Thanks!

~op~
 
I do it every 3 months...sometimes a little earlier...

but what i have been doing was wearing sew in weaves...it protected my hair, and allowed me to retain my length...

I surged 2x a day , oiled my scalp 2x a day, and also co-washed every 3 days...

This time I think i am going to take a break from sew-ins and wear my lace fronts...I am waiting on three more to get here... or i might even get some kinky twist or the other kind ...i forgot the name...

Right now I am on a baggie challenge to help keep my ends healthy...and I am also doing the daily wash challenge...im going to co-wash every other day...to stimulate my scalp for more growth...
 
Last time I stretched 4 months, but that was with kinky twists in my hair for three of those months. This time I'm plan on going 8 weeks at least. I'm a former monthly relaxing girl, but no more. When things get ugly, I keep it moisturized and in a bun.
 
I have 4b hair and I stretch 3 months (I use to touchup every 6 weeks!). My "caution" time period is from 9 to 12 weeks when new growth is awesome. I've learned to prevent/minimize breakage by NOT HANDLING too often -- only when I wash once a week. I allow extra time in order to detangle and rollerset without rushing. It takes twice as long to "do" my hair during the 9 - 12 week period but it's worth every minute!

I rollerset and wear my hair mostly out/down right up until week 12 with the occasionally bun. I don't try to wear my hair bone straight or sleek nor do I try to "hide" or straighten my roots, I just aim for soft and smooth and my hair tends to look a few inches shorter during this time (but boy boy when i touchup!). Also, I don't mind the "height" from the new growth (I like big hair!) Stretching has really worked for me.

I think folks who like the super straight, sleek, every hair lying down look have problems stretching because of the manipulation and various products required to "control" the new growth.
 
My last stretch was two months and one day :p
I'm now aiming for 4 months....

I have found a new love for phony ponies!! I even bought a half wig w/ clips & it's awesome! I am eyeing a full wig with a very low cut.. Just to see how it will look.

Ponytails are a lifesaver for me! :grin:
 
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onepraying said:
ITA!! Little manipulation and moisture moisture moisture

Here's:How I stretch my relaxers

CbG- I'm real interested in this ponytail drying method. You told me once, but can you tell me how you smooth the roots and what products you use?

Also, what about the crown area. My middle is always the thickest. Do you think I should part my hair down the middle and start ponytailing. Do you dry completely? Do you ever sit under the hair dryer?

Thanks!

~op~
Click to expand...



After I rinse out my conditioner, I part my hair into as many ponytails as I have bands for, about 10-12. I find that the more ponytails I have the straighter I can get my hair, esp. at the crown.

For each section, I apply moisturizer and oil to the new growth and length. (if the section dries before I get to it, I spritz it w/water), and use a soft brush to smooth my new growth only. I don't drag the brush through my hair. I just use it to smooth down the curlies. I then use my wide tooth to get out any tangles. Then I grab a band and put in on tightly around the section to make a ponytail. Not too tightly, although the tighter it is, the straighter my roots get.

If I want my hair to dry quickly (which I always do) I sit under the dryer for about 15-20 minutes. I make sure it's dry completely before I undo the ponytails. The more ponytails, the drier my hair gets. When I used to do the ponytail method using 1 ponytail, my roots weren't really straight and manageable until maybe a few days later. And then it would be time to wash all over again!

After my hair is dry, oh my goodness! It's great how straight my roots get. Anyways, I take down the ponytails adding moisture to the ends and then style however! Usually rollerset or bun. It's really manageable.

But yeah, parting down the middle and then ponytail it sounds good. I always part like I'm doing a rollerset and instead of rollers, I put ponytails. I should try it the way you said though, that sounds good. ;)

hth, let me know if you have questions :)

 
Neroli said:
I have 4b hair and I stretch 3 months (I use to touchup every 6 weeks!). My "caution" time period is from 9 to 12 weeks when new growth is awesome. I've learned to prevent/minimize breakage by NOT HANDLING too often -- only when I wash once a week. I allow extra time in order to detangle and rollerset without rushing. It takes twice as long to "do" my hair during the 9 - 12 week period but it's worth every minute!

I rollerset and wear my hair mostly out/down right up until week 12 with the occasionally bun. I don't try to wear my hair bone straight or sleek nor do I try to "hide" or straighten my roots, I just aim for soft and smooth and my hair tends to look a few inches shorter during this time (but boy boy when i touchup!). Also, I don't mind the "height" from the new growth (I like big hair!) Stretching has really worked for me.

I think folks who like the super straight, sleek, every hair lying down look have problems stretching because of the manipulation and various products required to "control" the new growth.
Click to expand...

Yeah, ITA :yep:
 
I just got a touchup this past friday. I stretched to 10 weeks (2.5 months). This time around I am aiming toward 12 weeks. I hope that I can make it. ;)

Anywhoo while stretching I just really tried to keep my hair moisturized, applied oil to damp hair after CO washes, and used load of leave-in conditioner. As I get further into my stercthing the new growth gets tougher to handle and so I end up doing CO washes like every 2-3 days.

I tend to wear my hair in ponytails with ends tucked under and every now and again I'll wear my hair straight w/o the use of heat. I would like to look into wearing buns more often and trying the baggy method,bantu knots, or twists as protective styles. I'm kind of busy right now for all that since I'm in school. HTH :D
 
My last relaxer, I went 12 weeks. That was the 1st time EVER! I did it with the help of Sta-Sof-Fro. Once i got to around week 8, I started spraying it on my new growth and ends every morning and night. I also kept my hair in a bun. I moisturized my hair twice daily. And for the first time, my new growth was soft and not hard and brittle. By the time I got to 12 weeks, I probably could've gone another few weeks, but I was soo anxious to get my hair done. My hair actually felt healthier while I stretched it and I hardly had any breakage or shedding. Usually my hair sheds like crazy when I need a perm. Not anymore!
 
i stretch mines too, and to make it last I try not to comb the roots after my initial styling. I will only comb the ends out and I usually don't get any breakage doing it this way.
 
My current goal is to do a relaxer every 3 months because it's easier for my stylist to work through my new growth. Even though she did work out that 19+ weeks of new growth (my longest stretch ever)...girly was struggling. LOL

Keeping a clean healthy scalp, your hair moisturized and low maintenance hair styles are key.

This past winter I did buns and ponytails...all my own hair. But, warmer weather brings out my wonderful braidout hair. The texture of my new growth goes very well with the curly look of my braidouts, making it a wonderful relaxer-stretch style. I use colorful scarves as headbands to dress it up.
 
*Dee* said:
i stretch mines too, and to make it last I try not to comb the roots after my initial styling. I will only comb the ends out and I usually don't get any breakage doing it this way.
Click to expand...

DITTO. The key for me is leave that new growth strictly alone!
 
Hey there, I stretch my relaxer for about 3 months. Last year I went for 8 months, then decided to relax in december just before christmas. Then I went 3 months (relaxed recently), and I plan to maintain my 3 month rule for the rest of this year. I have very little hair loss. I keep my hair in braids mostly and condition, condition, condition. When it is not in braids I do a conditioner wash like every day for a week straight, then I keep it in a wrap style for about a week. then go back to my cw's and wear wet styles. My hair is really growing and I just love stretching my relaxer.
 
I only texturize my hair 2 times a year. During the first 3 months handling my hair is relatively easy, I do my co-washes, braid/twistouts and bantu knots. Around months 4-5 I still do the same as above but I do aphogee treatments every 4 weeks, I must deep treat my hair every week and I co wash more often. During months 6 and beyond, I do co-washes every other day (to combat tangling), I NEVER EVER try to comb thru my new growth and I make sure that my ends are oiled. I also use more natural butters such as mango, avocado, and shea during this phase to combat dryness and breakage. I also use pomades and products like Elasta's mango butter to really smooth down my edges.






www.fotki.com/nubian7
password:hair
 
Next week I will be 12 weeks post, but I am going for 26 weeks. I CO wash daily, and put Vatika Oil on my hair while its still damp. I re-oil after my hair has air-dried. I just wear it in a single braid, or pin it up. My new growth is very soft, because I make an attempt to spray leave-in on the new growth and to put oil on the new growth while its wet. I tried using S-Curl, but I've found that Vatika Oil applied after undiluted Infusium 23 is very simple yet more effective. Plus, I don't like crunchy hair!
 
I usually stretch by roller setting. The only difference is that I stop wrapping my hair after the roller set by week 8-9. From then, I just finger comb the roller set and go. Most of the times, I will wear it up in a curly, messy updo that protects the ends. I can go 12-13 weeks without too much breakage, but just for ease of styling (it almost takes a hour just to rollerset) I relax around week 10. When I go to the Dominicans and get the roots blown out, I can go forever. :) Too bad I really don't have the access to that anymore. After a blowout, I always want to transition because the hair is silky without the chemical.
 
11 weeks post checking in. :yep:


First I started off doing Sylver2's scarf technique (did that for about a week or two), then I flat ironed (once or twice - still need practice), then I washed and blowdried each week (didn't want my hair frazzled so thought I'd give it a break from heat). Then I finally settled on the wet bun everyday after a shampoo and condition (I used to do this last year) with addition of a baggie and I've played about with a few products until I got a combination I was happy with that kept my new growth hair elastic and saved my strands from falling and drying out. :yep:

Previously I would go for 8-9 weeks max, but I am confident I can stretch longer now without fear of losing my hair or getting demarcation line breakage.:D

I'm in the daily washing challenge for April, and washing daily is working out really well. I'm coming into day 6 of daily washing and conditioning. Ad-hoc steam treatments with the same products are helping to keep the strands moist.:)

Check it out: So...you're having problems with new growth?...Try this...
 
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I stretch between 2 - 3 months, never meet the 3 month period not cause I can't I just start to miss what a relaxer feels like. But anyways between them times I get dominican blow outs each week. Keeps my hair straight and good each time.

My album link is in my siggy, the password is dimples.
 
I recently stretched for 10 weeks.

Generally, it wasn't a very good experience. It was fine up until 8 weeks, where i co washed every 3 days and wore my hair in a ponytail/bun or flexi-set. After the 8th week i started to experience a lot of rapid breakage. I stopped using my flexi-rods and just did pigtails. The pigtails helped a little as it allowed me to grease my scalp in sections daily. I think the most important thing when stretching is moisture. I don't mean using products to moisturise, i mean internally, so its very important to drink a lot of water.
 
I just got off a stretch of 12 weeks. I relaxed on Monday. I will be stretching to 12-16 weeks from now on. (I used to relax every 5-8 weeks). I was very satisfied with how I was able to handle my hair. Progress pics in my fotki (hair styles album, and my hair album). I will post pics of my hair hanging down soon.
 
I made it 11 weeks, which is unheard of for me. I think I will stick with 8-10 though, week 11 was too crazy.
 
This is my first time stretching beyond 6wks. I"m 10 weeks now. I don't think i'll ever stretch this long again. maybe 8-9 weeks would be fine for me. I don't have major breakage, it's just i miss my hair looking freshly relaxed. I'll see ladies onthe street with fresh rollersets and i get a lil jealous. :ohwell: i can't wait to have my flowing relaxed hair back. right now i have my hair in a phonybun and it looks cute, i get alot of compliments because i use 2 hairbands to add color. I think i don't have breakage because i wash 2/wk to keep it moisturized and i always do a deep cond with a heavy or light protein and add a little hot6 oil, then i follow-up with a moisturizing 10min treatment. so my hair stays soft, plus i add oil to it when it's drying. this works well for me.
 
I'm on week 13 (as of yesterday) and I am managing quite well. I've been washing daily as per the daily washing challenge for April and I blowdried for the first time in a while a few days ago as it helps with calming the new growth:lol:

I put wild growth oil on the wet hair, spray it with infusium 23 diluted, a little ion heat potectant and then I blow dry.

I've been wearing it with a twisted and clipped up ponytail (sometimes a baggie, sometimes not).

The daily washing is helping the hair to stay moisturised and I have almost 3 inches of new growth. My hair is looking completely natural:lol: You wouldn't even know I have it texturized.
 
I am a 4a/b and this last relaxer I made it 12 weeks without a relaxer . I was able to wear my hair out every day curled under and looking fresh... without protective styles.

Weeks 1-8... I go to the beauty shop once a week for a wash, set and deep condition. At home I conditioner only wash, deep condition with heat and set a second time that week.

Week 9-12+ I go to the beauty shop every week for a protein treatment... deep condition with heat and get my hair flat ironed with a CHI iron. then my hairdresser sets it on wire mesh rollers then puts me under the dryer. the style lasts through the week and each relaxer I am finding my hair is getting trained to make it without a relaxer. I used to go every 4-6 weeks for a relaxer but am hoping to make it 4months without a relaxer.

I moisturize every day with vatika oil on the new growth and on my ends. Cocunut oil really works to keep my new growth soft and manageable.
 
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