Can 4ab and 2bc hair types use the same relaxers

[love2bme]

My neice has 2b/c hair about 3 inches past her shoulders. Her hair is permanently color treated with no signs of damage...also her last relaxer was a year ago. Im currently using affirm mild lye for my hair type(4ab color rinsed) so the question is can I go ahead with this relaxer for her hair type or this relaxer may be too harsh? This is the only relaxer i swear by....just dont want to damage her lovely locks.

One more thing, (if recommended to use this relaxer) should I pull relaxer down to ends or what...also what products are best for this hair type? Any suggestions are welcome and appreciated.

 

[Nyambura]

Hi Love2beMe

If your daughter is a Type 2 - which, according to Andre Walker, who created the scale, is like Jennifer Aniston's hair or Isabella Rosellin's - why do you want to relax her hair? It's already straight, with a bit of wave, like the white women's above. He strongly advises against chemical relaxers for all Types but Type 4. Instead, he recommends layers to bring out the movement and texture of wavy hair. However, he says long blunt cuts are best on very coarse Type 2 hair.

Even though Ananda Lewis is (at least last time I checked) listed as a Type 2 on this website, her hair looks quite similar to the Type 3b model, Cynthia Cabrera, on page 83 of his book. And even for Type 3s, he recommends wrapping or rollersetting to straighten hair as opposed to using chemical relaxers (but relaxers are so much faster for me).

Hope this helps.

 

[Jade21]

Love2beme,

I am a 2b and when I used to have my hair relaxed, I used the Revlon Realistic Professional, mild or regular. I never had any damage from it and it sounds like Affirm is milder than Revlon. The first time I had a relaxer, it was complete.

As far as the difference between most milds and regulars, doesn't that really have to do with the processing time? I mean a mild is basically good if you have a stylist who takes more time. The end results can be the same depending on the stylist. If you are going to be doing the application, I would recommend a mild.

Does your niece want to relax her hair or what?

~Jade~

 

[Jade21]

Nyambura,

There is a real difference between a 2a and 2b or 2c. Just is not the same and add TRUE THICKNESS and you have got a whole different ball of wax.

~Jade~

 

[Nyambura]

Hi Jade

It's good to see you posting again. I've missed your presence.

Yep, the photos and descriptions in Andre Walker's book do look distinct. That's why I included the information from his book about what styles/cuts he believes bring out the beauty of that particular Type: he lists 2C as coarse, tending to frizz (as does 2B, which is medium textured), so he suggests blunt cuts for long, coarse Type 2 hair. He describes 2A as fine and easily malleable to straight and curly styles. I didn't intend to imply in my post that all Type 2 categories were the same.

 

[Jade21]

Nyambura,

It is always a pleasure to "see" you here

I know that you didn't mean to imply that all the 2's are the same. I think there are actually a lot of people who believe that 2b and 2c folks have few problems with their hair and it's all a piece of cake...hehehe That's weird to me, too.

But, with wavy hair, I think thickness and waves to the inch are what may tip the balance in terms of how it's best to handle your hair.

I pray that you have been well and enjoying the summer. I **know** your hair is thriving. I've read so many of your posts!

Much Love,

Jade

 

[Nyambura]

Yeah, the grass is always greener, isn't it? I had classmates with Type 1 hair who used to say to me, when I was natural, "Oh, you're so lucky because you don't have to comb your hair." LOL. I think it's faulty to assume any hair Type is problem-free. I agree with you 100%.

I hope you've also been enjoying your summer! I want to take this opportunity to thank you personally for your posts on here and the original BHSGO (if that's the right combo of initials, lol) because it's your advice to me and others that really allowed my hair to start taking off!

I think you're great.

 

[Jen]

I remember being told by a stylist that the strength of a relaxer doesn't have much to do with hair type, but with hair *texture*. A fine 3c and fine 4b would both use a mild relaxer, but those with coarser textures may need something a bit stronger.

 

[Chichi]

[ QUOTE ]
Nyambura,

It is always a pleasure to "see" you here

I know that you didn't mean to imply that all the 2's are the same. I think there are actually a lot of people who believe that 2b and 2c folks have few problems with their hair and it's all a piece of cake...hehehe That's weird to me, too.

But, with wavy hair, I think thickness and waves to the inch are what may tip the balance in terms of how it's best to handle your hair.

I pray that you have been well and enjoying the summer. I **know** your hair is thriving. I've read so many of your posts!

Much Love,

Jade

[/ QUOTE ]

Thanks for this post Jade

. You took the words right out of my mouth! Trust me, as a 2C with thick hair, I need my relaxer.

Chichi

 

[love2bme]

Re: Can 4ab and 2bc hair types use the same relaxe

Thanks Nyambura and Jade21

To answer your question Jade21, my neice wants me to relax her hair. Her hair is medium texture, there is some frizziness due to the dye she put in herself. After carefully checking her hair, the roots appear soft and wavy compare to the rest of the hair. So definitely not putting in relaxer.

Her mom in New Jersey is clueless

on taking good care of her hair all these years (no offense her mom is caucasian and admits to not doing much with my neice hair especially now that she is a teen). I will do my best with her hair untils she leaves South Carolina (where I reside) for New Jersey. Thanks againjavascript

 

[Nyambura]

[ QUOTE ]

Thanks for this post Jade

. You took the words right out of my mouth! Trust me, as a 2C with thick hair, I need my relaxer.

Chichi

[/ QUOTE ]

Andre Walker, who created the scale many here use, advised against relaxers for Type 2s. I merely passed on the info that he recommended. Obviously you, and other Type 2s on this board who relax, have a different experience and find relaxing beneficial (as I do too). It is always up to each individual to choose what (s)he will do with her/his hair but it is always nice to know what options are available. I love LHCF but it's time for me to take a break. Peace.

 

[Allandra]

[ QUOTE ]
as a 2C with thick hair, I need my relaxer

[/ QUOTE ]
I'm glad someone can relate. I'm a 2C with very thick hair.