finally went from 4 weeks to 6 weeks for a relaxer

[keeshesfromindy]

I guess my hair is doing better now that I have been using better techniques for my hair. I still have breakage that needs to grow out, but it's doing better. I have LOTS of new growth, and my hair has reverted, but it is still doing better. I have thick 4a/4b hair it's chin length, with lots of layers.

Keeshes

 

[lonesomedove]

Keeshes, I also normally go every 4 weeks, last time I waited 12 weeks and it was a nightmare, so I'm shooting for 6 this time and then every time stretch it a little further (if my hair likes it) My hair is thin, but I'm hoping extending out past 4 will help it out some. Good Luck!

 

[keeshesfromindy]

Re: finally went from 4 weeks to 6 weeks for a rel

Good luck, mine isn't shedding as much as it used to when I waited. My new growth is coming in nicely.

 

[frankie]

Re: finally went from 4 weeks to 6 weeks for a rel

For years I got a relaxer every four weeks, which I thought was necessary because I kept a short haircut, so there was no way to camouflage the new growth. I started doing research about healthy hair this past summer and eventually found LHCF...the last relaxer I got was at 12.5 weeks! Girl if I can do it...ANYBODY can stretch out their relaxer. You just have to learn what works for your hair. By the way my hair is so thick and lovely now that I've been taking better care of it, you'll notice an improvement sooner than you think.

I love my hair.

 

[keeshesfromindy]

Re: finally went from 4 weeks to 6 weeks for a rel

That's great. I know the feeling of if *I* can do it, than anyone can do it!

I love my hair too!

 

[kjames001]

Re: finally went from 4 weeks to 6 weeks for a rel

congrats! as u continue to keep with a good regimine those 6 weeks can be stretched if u like. I use to go every 5 weeks. currently I am at 10 weeks and going for 14 weeks. It is not as bad as I imagined. I just have to wash my hair every 3 dys and keep it moisturized.

 

[lonesomedove]

Re: finally went from 4 weeks to 6 weeks for a rel

When I went to 12 weeks, my stylist said my hair was matted

What do you guys do to prevent this with your newgrowth, I do use only protective styles and no heat. Conditioner wash every 3 or 4 days. Along with a lot of shedding (which is normal for my hair when time for a relaxer) she said my hair was in horrible condition and matted and not to wait that long again. I felt really bad after leaving the salon and am looking for a new stylist that I can trust. In the meantime I thought it would be best if I take it slow when stretching it out and go from four to six weeks and then maybe to eight and see how that goes. What do you guys think? My hair is shoulder length but thin, which I can live with but I do want my hair to be as healthy as it can be

 

[DigitalRain]

Re: finally went from 4 weeks to 6 weeks for a rel

[ QUOTE ]
lonesomedove said:
When I went to 12 weeks, my stylist said my hair was matted

What do you guys do to prevent this with your newgrowth, I do use only protective styles and no heat. Conditioner wash every 3 or 4 days. Along with a lot of shedding (which is normal for my hair when time for a relaxer) she said my hair was in horrible condition and matted and not to wait that long again. I felt really bad after leaving the salon and am looking for a new stylist that I can trust. In the meantime I thought it would be best if I take it slow when stretching it out and go from four to six weeks and then maybe to eight and see how that goes. What do you guys think? My hair is shoulder length but thin, which I can live with but I do want my hair to be as healthy as it can be

[/ QUOTE ]

The stylist I saw said the same thing, I waited 9 weeks and she had a hard time applying the relaxer because the newgrowth was entangled. Although she was gentle, I lost hair because she had to battle her way through coils. She told me not to wait that long anymore. I am tempted to take her advice. I don't think it will benefit my 4b hair by delaying a retouch. I think I will go 7 weeks max next time.

 

[keeshesfromindy]

Re: finally went from 4 weeks to 6 weeks for a rel

I get my relaxer on saturday, so I will see what my stylist says. I just put some kemi oyl and surge motion #9 on my roots and it seems alright. I condition washed it on wednesday, just to keep my regimen up. It has thicken up quite a bit. I usually put vaseline on my scalp right before a relaxer. I am wondering if I should try something else besides the vaseline.

 

[aqualung]

Re: finally went from 4 weeks to 6 weeks for a rel

[ QUOTE ]
lonesomedove said:
When I went to 12 weeks, my stylist said my hair was matted

What do you guys do to prevent this with your newgrowth,

[/ QUOTE ]

The same thing happened to me! (See "megonw's Jan '04 touch up (pics)" thread for detailed sob story.)

My new growth grows in very tight coils that relax to ringlets if my stylist combs the relaxer through them for 17 minutes. Since he scolded me about the matted, tangled new growth last touchup, I'm combing it more thoroughly than I did before. The L'Anza Strait Line products help tremendously, and I deep condition with heat before combing once a week and putting my hair into a vaselined, braided bun. I've re-posted the process.

1. I wash my hair in 2 loose braids (looking like an American Indian) with elastics on the end to keep them from unraveling. I scrub the scalp with my fingers, but I don't undo the braids. I just squeeze shampoo into and out of them like in the Crown 'n Glory demo video. (I have a shower with a hose attachment and salon-style trigger to help me direct the water during rinses. It also increases my wimpy water pressure. showersystem.com sells them for $20.)

*once a month, insert protein conditioner for 5 minutes and rinse here*

2. Right before leaving the shower, I load conditioner into my hair (slathering it onto the braids). Then I deep condition with a bonnet dryer for an hour. Deep conditioning is KEY.

4. (optional) Get back in the shower and rinse out the conditioner. Better to do the final rinse, else left over L'Anza strait line conditioner makes my hair sticky during combing.

5. When I finally undo the wet braids (in front of mirror, NOT in the shower), I spray on Pantene detangle light spray conditioner and comb the hair in 15 to 20 minutes.

The already relaxed hair couldn't tangle cuz it was braided the ENTIRE time, and the L'Anza strait line deep conditioner softens the new growth. I take my time combing ends -> new growth.

 

[keeshesfromindy]

Re: finally went from 4 weeks to 6 weeks for a rel

Does anyone have any problems with Affirm 5 in 1, is too much protein for your hair?

 

[Karonica]

Re: finally went from 4 weeks to 6 weeks for a rel

As for all the others, I definitely don't like to go past 8 weeks, but more power to everyone who can. I agree with those who said the relaxer is harder to apply when waiting for so long. Also, it increases the chance of leaving behind underprocessed hair since there is so much newgrowth.

Congrats Keeshes, your hair must grow really fast.

 

[Ayeshia]

Re: finally went from 4 weeks to 6 weeks for a rel

I used to stretch my relaxer 25 weeks before i went natural. I wore braids outs the entire year and only straightned when i got a relaxer. But I guess its easier to do so if your hair isnt prone to tangling.

 

[lonesomedove]

Re: finally went from 4 weeks to 6 weeks for a rel

Digital Rain--You must be doing something right because your hair is beautiful! How long have you been growing it, or has it always been long? Whatever you are doing is working!

 

[lonesomedove]

Re: finally went from 4 weeks to 6 weeks for a rel

Megonw thank you soo much for breaking that down! I'm going to try that this weekend! Your hair is gorgeous! I'm at 4 weeks post relaxer this week and trying for 6. Also can you tell me where I can get Lanza products? I might give it a try. Right now I'm using Nexxus. Thank you!

 

[keeshesfromindy]

Re: finally went from 4 weeks to 6 weeks for a rel

Thanks,
I guess it does kinda grow fast, I just hope I never have to cut it off again. I hope the breakage grows out also.
I have no problem with the layers either.

Keeshes

 

[keeshesfromindy]

Re: finally went from 4 weeks to 6 weeks for a rel

Well I got my relaxer today and my hair is doing great. My beautician said it is definitely growing and that I should keep up doing what I'm doing. Which is condition washes on wednesdays, and full on wash days on saturdays. I've been going to her every two weeks. There was not any breakage either. I just wish it would grow to the middle of my back by summertime. I know that's wishful thinking. I keep thinking that there has got to be something that will put me over the top in hair growing, but I guess I just have to be patience because it takes time.

 

[aqualung]

Re: finally went from 4 weeks to 6 weeks for a rel

[ QUOTE ]
lonesomedove said:
Also can you tell me where I can get Lanza products? I might give it a try.

[/ QUOTE ]

There's a Trade Secret in a mall near me, so I got the liter bottle of shampoo and conditioner for $23 total. Trade secret puts certain brands on sale each month, so call and see what the price is now.

Else you could use the salon locator feature on the L'Anza website to see what salons near you retail the Strait Line.

 

[chicamorena]

Re: finally went from 4 weeks to 6 weeks for a rel

I have 4a/b hair and the last wash before it's time for my relaxer, I blowdry my hair. This way there is no problem with tangles when I get a relaxer and I still can see where my newgrowth is.

 

[keeshesfromindy]

Re: finally went from 4 weeks to 6 weeks for a rel

Yeah the conditioner wash before my relaxer helped also. Also I mixed up a little oil concotion of surge oil, kemi oil and bonner brother's castor oil lotion and it worked really well on my hair. I think the main thing is keeping the new growth and ends oiled before you get a relaxer.

 

[lonesomedove]

Re: finally went from 4 weeks to 6 weeks for a rel

Keeshes that's great! I hope I can be so lucky this time. I'm also going to blow dry the wash before my relaxer and see if that's better.

 

[keeshesfromindy]

Re: finally went from 4 weeks to 6 weeks for a rel

Thanks! I just did it because it was right before work, and didn't want to sit underneath the dryer. I also changed up my diet and exercise more. This helps my hair.