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can you reach your goal without stretching?
- Thread starter tri3nity
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Prudent1
Well-Known Member
I stretch for around 16 weeks. I have always stretched but not known the terminology until LHCF. I stretch like the others not b/c I think it helps me gorw faster but b/c I like to use the minimal amount of chemicals period and like giving my scalp and hair a break. Last year my goal was to only relax 4 times in the year. This year my goal is three times. I am texlaxed- BTW. Next year I probably will go natural. I feel as though I have learned enough to be able to keep my hair healthy but fashionable w/o the chemicals. JMHO
I am at about 14 weeks right now or by this Friday...I basically didn't intend to stretch this long, but I noticed that my deep conditioning was making the wash day a breeze, so I am just sticking with that. Then it occured to me "Dang girl you made it almost four months you might as well go for six". But I will not risk the health of my hair for six months just to say I did it.
Anyways I'm also changing over to Lye from No-Lye so that's a big deal for me. I want to make sure there is no overlapping. But No-Lye Mizani Butter blends has been too drying for my hair. Anyways I am going for relaxing once this year. If that works out for me great, if not, I will go ahead and texlax earlier.
But I made it to full APL and beyond...Now I'm about about 1 full inch from BSL by stretching. So yes, it worked for me and no, I don't believe I could have made it to this length without stretching, relaxers weaken my hair and make it difficult to control the breakage and damage from chemicals. Even though I only texlax and my scalp hates the relaxer even if I base and I always base! I just love the results when I'm texlaxed, so that's what I go for: health * length *thickness. Stretching gives me all three.
Anyways I'm also changing over to Lye from No-Lye so that's a big deal for me. I want to make sure there is no overlapping. But No-Lye Mizani Butter blends has been too drying for my hair. Anyways I am going for relaxing once this year. If that works out for me great, if not, I will go ahead and texlax earlier.
But I made it to full APL and beyond...Now I'm about about 1 full inch from BSL by stretching. So yes, it worked for me and no, I don't believe I could have made it to this length without stretching, relaxers weaken my hair and make it difficult to control the breakage and damage from chemicals. Even though I only texlax and my scalp hates the relaxer even if I base and I always base! I just love the results when I'm texlaxed, so that's what I go for: health * length *thickness. Stretching gives me all three.
Tickin4Gold
New Member
You can totally reach your goal without stretching. I have been relaxing/texlaxing every 8 weeks for the last few years and that does not stop my hair from growing or prevent me from retaining length. If you can make it past 8 weeks without any ill effects like heavy shedding etc. go ahead and stretch for as long as you personally can. Do what's best for your hair.
I cut 3" of hair in January and after 9 weeks, I just did my texlax touchup earlier this week.
Already my hair is on it's way to the length it was before I cut it.
PICS
I cut 3" of hair in January and after 9 weeks, I just did my texlax touchup earlier this week.
Already my hair is on it's way to the length it was before I cut it.
PICS
WorkInProgress88
Well-Known Member
i relax every 12-16 wks with no problems. My longest stretch was 23wks, but i didnt see the NEED to stretching that long, my opinion 
Aviah
Well-Known Member
When I was relaxed (even before LHCF) I used to relax roughly once every three months. Unfortunately I wasn't taking great care of it the way I did after LHCF, so it didn't do much for me in terms of growth. Post LHCF though, my hair was growing well, and I began stretching even longer (as long as six months before my last relaxer). Stretching for the most part is good, but retaining is better.
However no matter how I stretched my relaxed hair was thinnish- that was just me.
However no matter how I stretched my relaxed hair was thinnish- that was just me.
BellaLunie
New Member
Before LHCF I was relaxing at 6 weeks and my hair was okay but now I stretch to 12 weeks. I eventually want to be able to stretch 14-16 weeks. i'vve noticed thickness and length. I dc 2x weekly and stay braided/wigged up
Everyone is different and you have to do what works for you. I personally love long stretches, I used to relax every 4 weeks 
I know...and would wonder why my hair was so thin and breaking all the time... now i relax twice a year, when the ng gets too hard to handle I braid or weave and I'm loving how thick my hair has become! I think stretching itself is important, how long you stretch though that differs from person to person.
I know...and would wonder why my hair was so thin and breaking all the time... now i relax twice a year, when the ng gets too hard to handle I braid or weave and I'm loving how thick my hair has become! I think stretching itself is important, how long you stretch though that differs from person to person.LatterGlory
New Member
Yes I believe it can be done with low or no direct heat, but I do believe stretching helps.
What is called stretching on LHCF is normal for me ( 3-6 months ).
There is so much information here on how to maintain healthy strong hair!
What is called stretching on LHCF is normal for me ( 3-6 months ).
There is so much information here on how to maintain healthy strong hair!
KinkyGenius
Well-Known Member
I tend to relax every 12 weeks. With the assistance of crochet braids though I'm going to attempt 15 weeks.....we'll see *fingers crossed*
Honey Bee
Well-Known Member
When I first joined, I did a super-stretch, but I had so much shedding that I decided that route just wasn't for me. It may work for the ladies with thicker strands, but my hair was. not. having. it. I spent most of last fall/ winter decrying the state of my hair. Never again.
Now, I texlax when I feel like it. Never before 6 weeks, but no longer than 12. I start noticing new-growth two weeks after a touch-up, and I cover all previously relaxed/ texlaxed hair with a blend of neutralizer, castor oil, and Chi SI, so I tend to avoid overlap pretty well.
Moral of the story, everything is not for everybody.
Question: Can somebody point me in the direction of any fine-haired ladies who stretch, like, 14-16 weeks? Just curious.
Yes...I know I can reach my goal of HL without stretching.
I used to do retouches at 7 or 8 weeks post, which I don't consider a stretch. It wasn't until I was past APL, that I began stretching to 13 weeks or so. However, I have been texlaxing for over 4 years now, and I am sure that is a contributing factor in my length retention and thickness.
Right now, I am attempting a 5-month stretch, mostly because I just don't feel like messing with my hair, like I used to.
At only 2 weeks post, I am already beginning to doubt my success with this stretch, because (for some reason) my hair is growing faster, which is a good thing. My last touchup was at only 8 weeks post, which I hadn't done in a long time. If I decide to abort this stretch at 8 weeks, or 9 weeks, or even 7 weeks, I will, because I know I will still reach my goal.
I used to do retouches at 7 or 8 weeks post, which I don't consider a stretch. It wasn't until I was past APL, that I began stretching to 13 weeks or so. However, I have been texlaxing for over 4 years now, and I am sure that is a contributing factor in my length retention and thickness.
Right now, I am attempting a 5-month stretch, mostly because I just don't feel like messing with my hair, like I used to.
At only 2 weeks post, I am already beginning to doubt my success with this stretch, because (for some reason) my hair is growing faster, which is a good thing. My last touchup was at only 8 weeks post, which I hadn't done in a long time. If I decide to abort this stretch at 8 weeks, or 9 weeks, or even 7 weeks, I will, because I know I will still reach my goal. 
