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Getting a relaxer at new place, what are some MUSTS
- Thread starter abcd09
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I like Audrey's Relaxer Etiquette guide:
http://blackhairscience.com/relaxer_etiquette.html
The Checklist: What should you be looking for?
1.) Does your stylist do a thorough assessment of your hair for breakage, shedding, and other scalp conditions before applying the relaxer? Never relax breaking or otherwise compromised hair! Always let a stylist know about any medical conditions you may have that might affect relaxer turnout.
2.) Does your stylist ask you for a hair history including past chemical treatments, or inquire about your hair habits during the week prior to your impending relaxer application?
A good stylist will ask you pertinent questions about past hair treatments that may possibly have an effect on the one you are planning to do. Always let your stylist know the last time you washed your hair, whether or not you are color treated, and the date of your last relaxer application.
3.) Does your stylist show you the relaxer they will be using (from the actual relaxer container) prior to application?
Always know what chemicals and which strengths are being used on your hair! That way, if you switch stylists later or have to relocate, your hair maintenance plan does not become interrupted. Also, if you experience a negative reaction to that particular relaxer brand, you can avoid the mistake of using it again in the future.
4.) Does your stylist base your scalp or protect your previously relaxed ends with some type of protective petroleum barrier?
Always base and protect your scalp prior to a relaxer. Extra care should be given to sensitive areas such as the hairline, nape, tops of ears, edges, and the length of the hair to prevent chemical damage.
5.) Does your stylist consistently only relax your new growth, and when smoothing, do they maintain the relaxer only on the new growth (not inches up from it)?
Relaxing previously relaxed hair is extremely damaging. Relaxers destroy bonds in the hair, and the more exposure your hair has to these chemicals application after application, the more unnecessary bond breakage you will experience. Continuous exposure to relaxer chemicals over time can degrade the cuticle and result in dry, weak, breakage-prone, over processed hair.
6.) Does your stylist relax your hair for the length of time required for your hair type?
You should NEVER feel the relaxer tingling, burning, or otherwise working on your scalp during a relaxer application. Contrary to popular belief, tingling does NOT mean that the relaxer is WORKING. It means that your base and protective layers have been breached by the relaxer, and your hair and scalp are now vulnerable to damage. If you feel tingling, you've waited too long to rinse.
7.) Does your stylist give your neutralizer time to actually halt the chemical reactions taking place within the hair strand by allowing it to sit undisturbed for several minutes?
Neutralizing shampoos work excellently to stop the relaxer process; however, they must be given time to work! Rinsing neutralizer from the hair before it has a chance to penetrate the hair shaft and halt the chemical reactions in the hair can result in weak, dry, over processed hair. Make sure your stylist allows the neutralizer to sit on your hair for at least 3-5 minutes before she begins to rinse.
8.) Does your stylist explain post-relaxer upkeep to you?
You should not be a slave to his/her chair! A good stylist educates his/her clients on the basics of healthy hair care such as protein and moisturizing conditioning treatments. Healthy hair care happens at home BETWEEN visits to the stylist. It begins with you. A good stylist will help you maintain a healthy head of hair and is not afraid to share his/her knowledge with you. Why? Because they know that you will be back again!
9.) Does your stylist encourage you to limit your use of chemicals by stretching your relaxer applications to no sooner than every 8-10 weeks for a healthier head of hair and scalp?
Relaxer applications should be done no sooner than every 8-10 weeks for best results. Relaxing the hair too often weakens the hair and makes it susceptible to breakage and damage. Give your hair and scalp a chance to rest and recuperate after your relaxer applications.
10.) Does your stylist respect your hair, your time, and your other needs and concerns?
This is by far one of the most important questions you should ask. If you and your stylist do not communicate well, that can spell relaxer disaster. Always share your hair concerns with your stylist. If you do not like a particular relaxer brand, ask him to try something new. If you would like to process your hair for shorter periods of time, let her know. If you are done with relaxers all together and are considering a transition from relaxed to natural hair, your stylist should support you.
If you have answered "no" to any of these questions, you should reconsider your stylist. Mistakes like those outlined above may devastate your hair health and progress over time. Since hair is non-living, any damage you cause to it is cumulative and irreparable. Remind yourself of these questions the next time you prepare for your chemical relaxer service. Are you being given the royal treatment? Do not sit idly, and allow someone else to sabotage your hair success, especially if you are paying them to do so! Happy Hair Days!
http://blackhairscience.com/relaxer_etiquette.html
The Checklist: What should you be looking for?
1.) Does your stylist do a thorough assessment of your hair for breakage, shedding, and other scalp conditions before applying the relaxer? Never relax breaking or otherwise compromised hair! Always let a stylist know about any medical conditions you may have that might affect relaxer turnout.
2.) Does your stylist ask you for a hair history including past chemical treatments, or inquire about your hair habits during the week prior to your impending relaxer application?
A good stylist will ask you pertinent questions about past hair treatments that may possibly have an effect on the one you are planning to do. Always let your stylist know the last time you washed your hair, whether or not you are color treated, and the date of your last relaxer application.
3.) Does your stylist show you the relaxer they will be using (from the actual relaxer container) prior to application?
Always know what chemicals and which strengths are being used on your hair! That way, if you switch stylists later or have to relocate, your hair maintenance plan does not become interrupted. Also, if you experience a negative reaction to that particular relaxer brand, you can avoid the mistake of using it again in the future.
4.) Does your stylist base your scalp or protect your previously relaxed ends with some type of protective petroleum barrier?
Always base and protect your scalp prior to a relaxer. Extra care should be given to sensitive areas such as the hairline, nape, tops of ears, edges, and the length of the hair to prevent chemical damage.
5.) Does your stylist consistently only relax your new growth, and when smoothing, do they maintain the relaxer only on the new growth (not inches up from it)?
Relaxing previously relaxed hair is extremely damaging. Relaxers destroy bonds in the hair, and the more exposure your hair has to these chemicals application after application, the more unnecessary bond breakage you will experience. Continuous exposure to relaxer chemicals over time can degrade the cuticle and result in dry, weak, breakage-prone, over processed hair.
6.) Does your stylist relax your hair for the length of time required for your hair type?
You should NEVER feel the relaxer tingling, burning, or otherwise working on your scalp during a relaxer application. Contrary to popular belief, tingling does NOT mean that the relaxer is WORKING. It means that your base and protective layers have been breached by the relaxer, and your hair and scalp are now vulnerable to damage. If you feel tingling, you've waited too long to rinse.
7.) Does your stylist give your neutralizer time to actually halt the chemical reactions taking place within the hair strand by allowing it to sit undisturbed for several minutes?
Neutralizing shampoos work excellently to stop the relaxer process; however, they must be given time to work! Rinsing neutralizer from the hair before it has a chance to penetrate the hair shaft and halt the chemical reactions in the hair can result in weak, dry, over processed hair. Make sure your stylist allows the neutralizer to sit on your hair for at least 3-5 minutes before she begins to rinse.
8.) Does your stylist explain post-relaxer upkeep to you?
You should not be a slave to his/her chair! A good stylist educates his/her clients on the basics of healthy hair care such as protein and moisturizing conditioning treatments. Healthy hair care happens at home BETWEEN visits to the stylist. It begins with you. A good stylist will help you maintain a healthy head of hair and is not afraid to share his/her knowledge with you. Why? Because they know that you will be back again!
9.) Does your stylist encourage you to limit your use of chemicals by stretching your relaxer applications to no sooner than every 8-10 weeks for a healthier head of hair and scalp?
Relaxer applications should be done no sooner than every 8-10 weeks for best results. Relaxing the hair too often weakens the hair and makes it susceptible to breakage and damage. Give your hair and scalp a chance to rest and recuperate after your relaxer applications.
10.) Does your stylist respect your hair, your time, and your other needs and concerns?
This is by far one of the most important questions you should ask. If you and your stylist do not communicate well, that can spell relaxer disaster. Always share your hair concerns with your stylist. If you do not like a particular relaxer brand, ask him to try something new. If you would like to process your hair for shorter periods of time, let her know. If you are done with relaxers all together and are considering a transition from relaxed to natural hair, your stylist should support you.
If you have answered "no" to any of these questions, you should reconsider your stylist. Mistakes like those outlined above may devastate your hair health and progress over time. Since hair is non-living, any damage you cause to it is cumulative and irreparable. Remind yourself of these questions the next time you prepare for your chemical relaxer service. Are you being given the royal treatment? Do not sit idly, and allow someone else to sabotage your hair success, especially if you are paying them to do so! Happy Hair Days!
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