Has anyone successfully switched from lye to no lye?

[missbritt1986]

Can you give me your thoughts?

I feel like lye just isn't processing my hair enough. I don't mind texlaxed hair, but it's getting to the point where it looks like I haven't had a relaxer at all. It's getting tough handling 2 textures. I've tried different brands with the same results. Early in my journey I used to use no lye boxed relaxers & my hair did fine. I switched because hair salons usually use lye & I wanted (what I thought) was the best for my hair. I've never had scalp issues using no lye, but lye starts to burn pretty quickly & it's annoying. They say no lye is harsh on the hair & lye is harsh on the scalp. I had just started my hair journey when I used no lye, and I had a lot of issues just learning to care for my hair, but I remember struggling with finding the perfect deep conditioner & I'm trying to remember if my hair was really dry.. Now 2 years later I have my regimen down, so I contribute that to the health of my hair not switching to lye. Still scared of dry brittle hair if I switch to no lye though.

Any info is appreciated.

 

[browneyedgrl]

Yes. I was using lye for several years and have now switched to no lye. I was worried about suffering negative side effects at first but so far i've had 3 no lye touch ups without any negative reaction (I relax every 2-3 mos). No dryness or breaking, just normal shed strands.

Part of why I switched was because I wanted to go straighter. Lye leaves me in a texlaxed state no matter what the strenght. My stylist did a corrective and I was very pleased with the results. Also no lye doesn't irritate my scalp which is a positive.

 

[bahamababe242]

browneyedgrl so your stylist did a corrective with the no-lye over your lye relaxed hair?

 

[browneyedgrl]

bahamababe, she did. I was skeptical at first but she reassured me it would be ok and so far so good everything turned out fine.

 

[missbritt1986]

bahamababe, she did. I was skeptical at first but she reassured me it would be ok and so far so good everything turned out fine.

You've really reassured me. I was concerned about what would happen if there was overlap. May I ask what relaxer you're using?

 

[Missdelicious1]

I did. The lye would start to burn so quickly that I would always end up washing it out sooner than I wanted, so my hair did not process correctly. I only started using lye because I heard it was better/healthier for your hair. Personally, I had thicker, healthier hair when I used no-lye so I switched back. My hair has been thriving since the switch, so I'm happy I did. I used the Just for Me Texture Softener in case you want to know.

 

[bahamababe242]

browneyedgrl which of no-lye relaxer did you use? I think I'm going to give no-lye a try!

 

[SelfStyled]

I switched with no problems at all. Lye left my hair texlaxed- and me subsequently reaching for a flat iron more than I would like. The difference in my no lye roots and my lye ends is major. The no lye hair feels so much better! I wish I had switched a long time ago. I use CON Argan oil no lye (reg), and I love it. I don't get the whole no lye "dryness" thing either, cause my lye ends stay parched.

My one caveat......The first touch up I did with no lye, the last 5 min I ran the no lye relaxer down my ends- no bueno. They have not broken off or anything, but it just made my lye ends rough, dry and puffy. IMO, if you make the switch- stick to newgrowth only, and you should be fine.

 

[Evolving78]

this is a good thread! i hope for more responses.

 

[browneyedgrl]

You've really reassured me. I was concerned about what would happen if there was overlap. May I ask what relaxer you're using?

browneyedgrl which of no-lye relaxer did you use? I think I'm going to give no-lye a try!

I use Linange shea butter cream relaxer.
http://www.beautyofnewyork.com/shopping/2F9E270109KD1014.htm

 

[browneyedgrl]

another things is that the notion of no lye being harsh on the hair has been untrue at least in my case. Dryness isn't a problem. It's been months now and I have no noticeable damage to my lenght. In fact detangling is better because I have less tangles.

When choosing whether no lye or lye is right for you I would choose based on what your styling goals are. If you want a texturized/texlaxed look I say stick to lye. On the other hand if you want straighter hair that you don't have to use tons of heat on to straighten go with no lye.

 

[candy626]

Interesting thread. I used no lye back in the day and my hair was still quite curly. Same as it is with lye. I feel like lye leaves with me softer smoother hair. The effects of no lye from what I remember take a couple years to add up but there seems to be a lot of information on this board about how to prevent dryness.