Clarifying Before Relaxing

[Lady Esquire]

Hi ladies. I have been taking notes for my next relaxer. Do any of you clarify a week prior to touching-up?

 

[aurora3140]

I recently read in a thread that a relaxer will "take" better if your roots are free of build-up. I clarified with my last wash and I'm relaxing tomorrow. HTH

 

[Neroli]

Even tho others do it with great success, I don't clarify at all the wash before or the wash after relaxer becasue:

1. if clarify before, seems like the relaxer creme will penetrate into the hair even FASTER, which might cause greater damage to the hair stands. Indeed, I go out of my way to COAT my hair the week before relaxing precisely because I want to slow down the process a bit and prevent damage while I'm smoothing. I know some folks clarify and do protein treatment and all, and I guess you could still coat hair after clarifying . . .

2. if clarify after, seems like hair will revert back what with the powerful cleansers and chelating ingredients in clarifying 'poos. Prolly won't happen, but I don't take no chances around relaxer time and give myself 2 weeks around touchup for all the fancy stuff. . .

 

[janeemat]

Hi ladies. I have been taking notes for my next relaxer. Do any of you clarify a week prior to touching-up?

Yep! Clarify and then do my aphoghee treatment one week before relaxing.

 

[Artemis]

Yes, I clarify 3-5 days prior to my touch-up. I do this to help get a straighter result.

 

[foxy kc]

I clarify every week regardless.....

 

[Princess Pie]

I clarify before relaxing with good results. My hair responds to any treatment better after being clarified.

 

[Energee]

Great thread. I'm going to try this before my next relaxer. Do you then cut down on product use also until you get your relaxer done?

 

[Chromia]

I clarify and use Emergencee 5-7 days before a touch-up.

 

[Lady Esquire]

Great thread. I'm going to try this before my next relaxer. Do you then cut down on product use also until you get your relaxer done?

That is what I am thinking. The last few relaxers, I was heavy-handed with my daily S-Curl and oils to seal. I have since learned that less is more, and I have switched to small amounts of Giovanni Direct, but looking back I think product build-up had a lot to do with my repeated underprocessing. So yeah, I am guessing that one should hold back on the product use before the relaxer...unless it is stuff used for protective coating.

 

[LiLi]

That is what I am thinking. The last few relaxers, I was heavy-handed with my daily S-Curl and oils to seal. I have since learned that less is more, and I have switched to small amounts of Giovanni Direct, but looking back I think product build-up had a lot to do with my repeated underprocessing. So yeah, I am guessing that one should hold back on the product use before the relaxer...unless it is stuff used for protective coating.

You are 100% correct about that. The more build-up of products you have, the longer it will take the relaxer to start "working".

 

[Lady Esquire]

thanks ladies! i am definitely going to clarify one week before i relax. and i cannot wait to post progress pics. i am kinda nervous. i hope all turns out right. :crossfingers: