Expert Opinions on Hair Problem Needed!

[CreoleInDC]

Ladies...does this sound right to you guys?

Girlfriend: i learned why my hair broke off...
Girlfriend: i had a sensitive scalp relaxer on my hair
Girlfriend: when i went to this stylist
creoleindc2001: ?
Girlfriend: and then i went to my reg stylist for the next relaxer
Girlfriend: and got a regular relaxer
creoleindc2001: and?
Girlfriend: and turns out the chemicals are so different
Girlfriend: that u can't do that
Girlfriend: its like getting a jheri curl
creoleindc2001: that makes no sense
Girlfriend: and then going for a relaxer
creoleindc2001: sorry but i ain't buying that
creoleindc2001: cause you're only relaxing new growth
Girlfriend: my current stylist is going to school to become a hair doctor
creoleindc2001: you're not overlapping
Girlfriend: my hair was breaking
Girlfriend: at the roots
Girlfriend: i have little short pieces
Girlfriend: at the root
creoleindc2001: if it overlapped...then yes i can see it
Girlfriend: and everything else
creoleindc2001: i guess
creoleindc2001: imma hafta look into that
Girlfriend: yea..she's trying to do this 8 year course thing
creoleindc2001: because it makes no sense to me
Girlfriend: to become a hair doctor
Girlfriend: made none to me at all
Girlfriend: but thats when my hair started breaking off
Girlfriend: at my crown
Girlfriend: little short pieces
creoleindc2001: i could see if you were mixing different formulas during application
Girlfriend: and patches inside
creoleindc2001: but....6 weeks apart?
creoleindc2001: imma hafta ask some people on the hair board about that
Girlfriend: if thats the case u should be able to put a relaxer over a jehri curl then
Girlfriend: 6 weeks apart or no, right?
creoleindc2001: a jehri curl is still chemical
Girlfriend: i dont know...i just know i did the math on when the breakage started
creoleindc2001: you shouldn't put ANYTHING on it
creoleindc2001: unless you cut if off and do new growth
Girlfriend: right
creoleindc2001: same as a relaxer
Girlfriend: right
creoleindc2001: there should be no overlapping
Girlfriend: right...i guess the thing to look into is how different
Girlfriend: the formulas are
Girlfriend: for sensitive scalp
Girlfriend: versus a regular relaxer
creoleindc2001: THAT SHOULDN'T MAKE A DIFFERENCE!
Girlfriend: it shouldn't
creoleindc2001: i'll get back to you on this one
Girlfriend: but it did for mine
Girlfriend: LOL
Girlfriend: i knew u would thats why i told u
creoleindc2001: i think someone is fuggin with ya
creoleindc2001: breakage is from being overprocessed and/or lack of moisture
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[so1913]

I'd say simply over processing and damage. I don't think it makes a difference what strength/brand was used previously as far as the new relaxer reacting with an old one from 6 weeks prior.

 

[qtgirl]

Definitely over processing, I have gone from lye to no-lye and switched brands a million times and didn't get breakage down to the root. That lady that did her hair is not going to make a good hair doctor.

 

[Legend]

Well.....Hmmm.....There are a couple of schools of thought on this one, but here is what I think:

The breakage is likely from over-processing, no question, if the stylists used the same type (“lye”) relaxer. If the hair is not rinsed properly and a neutralizing shampoo is not applied fairly immediately, the previously relaxed strands (with the different relaxer) will react and overprocess causing brittleness.

If she used a “lye” relaxer on hair that had a curl or one of those “no lye” relaxers, then this can possibly mean a recipe for disaster because it would dealing with two different chemical sets. Protein treatments and keeping the hair moisturized goes a long way in retaining the hair if this happens, but not breakage to the root if the hair is properly cared for.

Different brands of relaxers can have a very different chemistry, but the active ingredients are usually the similar (in different concentrations). There's a lot of stuff on the web and in hair-care training books, so I won't take the time to explain the differences here. But, this is why I stick with the same relaxer, I don’t chance it. A good stylist should always ask what relaxer was applied to your hair before applying something new so she/he can treat your hair accordingly. When I go to a differnt hair dresser for a relaxer and they don't ask me what's in my hair (during the consultation) I tip them for their time and leave.

But, as I said, there are many schools of thought on this with professionals. *shrugs* Right, wrong, or somewhere in between--excessive hair breakage is more often than not the sign of over-processing.

 

[uncutandgettinglonger]

It sounds to me like when she got her hair done with a diensitive relaxer, there was still some kink left, so there wasn't a clear demarcation line whenever she went back and got the regular relaxer. This would cause breakage.

 

[Sistaslick]

Definitely over processing, I have gone from lye to no-lye and switched brands a million times and didn't get breakage down to the root. That lady that did her hair is not going to make a good hair doctor.

ITA. I don't think it was an issue with her going from sensitive scalp to regular. There is rarely an issue with compatability of relaxers, in that scenario- even from brand to brand. To me, this sounds like an overlapping stylist trying to cover her tracks. This is where the 6 weeks between applications part scares me. The window for prevention of overlapping is virtually non-existant at the 6 week mark. A training "hair doctor" would know that. This stylist has basically admitted to overlapping this client (since the breakage is coming because the two chemicals are so different ).

My gut is telling me that her breakage issues were definitely a result of overprocessing and improper follow up practices before and after the relaxer. She should always address the hair with the proper levels of both protein and moisture before and after the relaxer. If she was having breakage prior to the application, she should have waited to address that issue with the correct treatment first and foremost. She should also investigate the neutralizing process as well. This step is where a majority of hair problems with relaxing come in. Improper neutralizing leads to even more overprocessing--even days after the relaxer is complete. And this is on top of the overlapping that is bound to happen at some point anyway. Did she go from sensitive scalp to regular because the sensitive scalp didn't get her hair straight enough? Was this second touching with regular supposed to be a corrective relaxer? This may be her problem as well.

But, some chemicals however do not work well together at all. If she did have a thio based perm or a jheri curl and put a relaxer of any strength on the top of that- she should brace herself for breakage. The change in hair chemistry between these two processes and relaxing are such that the hair cannot tolerate them on the same head. The point where they meet will experience breakage (not specifically the un treated new growth parts). Then you have to rinse it out, so the previously treated hair will get a double dosing.

Also, if she is color-treated- and did not protect her hair very well going into the service, breakage is pretty much immiment. This is why its best to protect the previously relaxed hair length as well as the scalp with some sort of base prior to chemical services. Many stylists do not do this as common practice, and this is why I self- relax.