Fresh Out Da Box New

[adassa]

Thank goodness I found this website because the pictures proved that a lil black girl with 4b (with no "Indian" in her family) CAN grow a beautiful, healthy, and long hair!!!! Thank you ladies from the bottom of my heart!!! Here's my story:

I had been natural (including my real close "down to the scalp" cuts and afros) for about 10 years. I decided I wanted to relax my hair but since I live in a country side area of Japan, I waited until a month ago when I went on vacation to the Phillipines. The closest thing they had was something called rebonding. I was so very desperate so I did it. It came out pretty well but to be honest, I only had a relaxer for 2 years of my life before this so I am at a loss about what to do. Thanks to the thread about what newcomers should do, I have a lot of info to help me out.

One of my main concern is about what relaxer suggestions you lovely ladies have for my upcoming touch up (I have 4b hair). I can probably order relaxers on the internet or have my people send me some from home but with so many brands out there, I wouldn't know where to start!

Second on my list is what I should do about my hair and swimming. Yesterday I started panicing because my hair was just coming out like crazy so my friend said that I should leave some condtioner in my hair and leave it in (with a swimming cap of couse) while in the pool. Well ya'll, the cap kept slipping off! Needless to say, I had to wash out the conditioner and now I am at a loss as to what I should do. I am certainly not going to stop swimming so I actually contemplated cutting it all off again. Please help!

Thanks in advance!

 

[BobbieDoll]

Welcome to the board! I'm not an expert on relaxers but if I had to suggestion one it would be Vitale lye, it's very good IMHO but it could be hard to find in some places. Other good ones are Soft and Beautiful and Affirm. I'm not exactly sure about the swiming issue but hopefuly some of the other ladies will be able to help. Welcome again and Happy Hair Growing!

 

[nelli711]

Hey girl welcome I'm not the one to give suggestions for relaxers as I'm still looking for the perfect one myself. Do you know if you would prefer a lye or no-lye relaxer? I don't know what good lye relaxers are out there because I haven't used one yet but there has been alot of talk about the ORS Olive Oil Relaxer being pretty good which is a no-lye.

As far as swimming goes your friend was correct about the conditioner. You should apply conditioner to wet hair to lessen the cholorine from absorbing into your hair. After swimming you can rinse your hair in apple cider vinegar, then with club soda. The carbonation will lift excess salt and chlorine out if the water goes through your swimming cap or if you opt not to wear one. There are also shampoo's that are made for swimmers that remove chlorine as well.

I'm not sure if swimming caps come in different sizes or not. If they do, you may need to find a smaller one so that it won't come off your head. Having your hair coated with conditioner and using a swim cap is double protection for your tresses especially with you being relaxed. HTH

 

[Supergirl]

Yes, if you're going to swim, protect your hair. Saturate it with conditioner and also wear the cap. Then a thorough shampoo and use of a chelating/clarifying shampoo or Apple Cider Vinegar or baking soda as mentioned above is in order.

Otherwise, swimming with a relaxer is like double processing your hair. Swimming in a chlorinated pool is chemically similar to bleaching your relaxed hair which is BAAAAD!

I did this once with a fresh relaxer and I lost a whole bunch of hair, so much so that a bald spot was left in a section of my hair. I was 12 at the time and haven't dunked my head in a swimming pool since.

Welcome to the board.

 

[Shine-On]

You should wear two swim caps. I heard it suggested on a show some time ago. Your hair is a good length and looks healthy. For a daily style, you should try braidouts or twistouts. They are low maintenance and will fall good with your length.

 

[Mestiza]

 

[*Happily Me*]

Welcome

 

[*ElleB]

WELCOME!

 

[Tee]

Welcome. I love to swim also and I have always had a head full of hair. Apply a good conditoner to your hair prior to diving in the pool. And to be totally honest, some times I wear a cap but most times I dont. I just bun or ponytail and dive in.

I then wash with a good clarifying shampoo. Sometimes I use Proisty control. Then I deep condition and my hair is always just fine.

**OH, I am relaxed also.

I wish you well and welcome again. Hugs.

 

[adassa]

Thanks a bunch ladies for all your suggestions and warm welcomes to the site. I look forward to sharing and learning with all of ya'll.

 

[tenderheaded]

I'm so glad you found us Please keep us posted on what you try - whether it works or not. I'm relaxed 4a/4b, so if it works for you I may take up swimming again