I don't want to stretch anymore

[Amarech]

I retained a lot of growth and length, but I also had a lot of breakage.
I stretched twice (Christmas Stretch Challenge and from Dec05-April 06)
Both times my hair was longer but I had a lot of shedding and breakage during that time.

I also have a small area in the back of my head that broke off to about 3 inches. I'm never ok with hair that short. You really see it because the hair on my crown is thick enough to cover it up but I know its there.
I'v always had problems with this area. It had broken off before in 2003 because I went too long without a relaxer. The hair back there seems to be the weakest and most vulnerable to stretching. Once I kept it relaxed, it grew back and caught up with the rest of my hair (which I had to keep cut) by 2004.

So I have decided, unless any of you can help me out, not to stretch any more. Is there any one else feelin me?

 

[tryingto]

The 1st time I stretched, I had damage also, however the second time around I did more protective styles, also kept my hair mositurized, made a huge diffrence, I had little to know breakage, and regained my hairline,back (lost from doing touch-ups every 6 weeks), after 6 weeks post, I started to keep my hair cornrowed, or a french roll, sometimes, a half wig, every night, I made sure to mositurize with NTM, followed by olive oil, or Africas best to seal it in,I also found that the braidouts, did not work for me, I guess it is trial and error, any time my relaxed hair has a chance to get tangled, their was a risk of breakage, I have learned sooo much from this board, the tips are awesome, however every thing is not for everybody, HTH

 

[kinascott]

I understand about the breakage. I have the same issue with the major breakage in the back. What's up with that. I go to the Doobie spot weekly/bi-weekly and get deep conditioners (dominican style). The only heat I use is the under the dryer with the rollers. I oil my scalp well, I just can't figure out what is going on. I have not washed my own hair at home in years, I think I'm going to start a new hair regimen but I don't think I can stretch to long with out breakage. right now I am at about 6 weeks and God knows its nappy at the roots and in desperate need of a touch-up. Right now I have a Fro-bie.

 

[gorgeoushair]

I can understand you not wanting to stretch anymore. I'm starting to feel that way also. I have a big breakage spot in the middle of my head and it always breaks right there but I don't know why. I'm thinking overprocessing. I'm going to try all I can to get that spot growing and healthy. Maybe you could try to stretch to 8-10 weeks....the 4 month stretch may have been too much for your hair to handle.

 

[crlsweetie912]

(Raises hand!)
But I don't have breakage. But, my hair now is so soft and "Moisturized" it won't hold a style at all. By the end of the day, my edges that I slept in all night with my scarf so tight I look like Jackie Chan, are all poofy! Plus, I seem to be getting sprouts of new growth there which are small little hairs that refuse to lay down. I wanted all of this growth, but now ARRRRRRRRRRGGGGGGGGGGH!
(sorry for the long post!)

 

[Mom23]

I agree with the statement that everything is not for everybody. I was trying to stretch to 12 weeks, but relaxed at 8. I am just going to increase it by a week each time. Sometimes I get overzealous and wind up feeling disappointed if I didn't accomplish my goal, but I should have probably started with a smaller goal. So I touched up yesterday and I am happy with the way my hair is coming along. If I reach 9 weeks and feel like I can make 10, then I will, but I definitely want to start small and go from there.

Happy Hair Growing Ladies.

 

[wadadligyal]

Well my first stretch was 12 weeks thought I couldn't do it but I did. Now I'm aiming for 20 and I'm in my 12th week right now. I co wash about 3 times a week deep condition once a week and do all protective styling with no heat, also I keep it moisturized. My hair is doing great so far but I'm watching it if it starts breaking then I'll relax if not 20 weeks here I come.

 

[hopeful]

Maybe you can stretch most of your hair and just touch up that sensitive spot on the regular. Maybe something like relax sensitive area every 7 weeks and then the entire head every 14 weeks. My hair was the same way when I was relaxed. Most of my hair could stretch for weeks with no problem but the nape area would break off if I went just one week past touch up time.

 

[Amarech]

Didn't mean to BUMP when its soo old but I'm just now getting back to the computer!

Maybe you can stretch most of your hair and just touch up that sensitive spot on the regular. Maybe something like relax sensitive area every 7 weeks and then the entire head every 14 weeks.

This sounds like a plan but I think what will probably work best for me is a no heat stretch. my hair has always thrived on no heat stretching so I think that will be my next challenge. The breakage spot on my head seems to be the weakest hair on my entire head. And the breakage happens right on the line of demarcation. Nothin I can do about that.

But I can rock some slammin flat twists, cornrows, twist outs and braid outs!

 

[Neroli]

I think everyone have a different "stretching point" and IMO, its best to go slow and get comfortable with handling the two textures over time. I am 4B and I USE TO touch up every 5 to 6 weeks. I started stretching by going up to 7 weeks for my first stretch, then 8 weeks, then 9, etc. until I now can go up to 12 to 14 weeks without any problems and my hair looks great with minimal breakage and headache. I KNOW that I cannot stretch beyond 14 weeks with out braiding my hair -- this is my threshold and I learned it the hard way -- if I'm gonna go more than 14 weeks, I braid it up or I get a touchup.

I TRIED going beyond 14 weeks, but my it was just too much me and I figure relaxing 4 times a year (every 12 weeks) is pretty darn good for someone who use to relaxed 8 to 10 times a year! It's all relative and I think if streching gets to a point where its doing more harm then good, then what's the point -- just relax it!

Just MHO!

 

[Isis]

I think everyone have a different "stretching point" and IMO, its best to go slow and get comfortable with handling the two textures over time. I am 4B and I USE TO touch up every 5 to 6 weeks. I started stretching by going up to 7 weeks for my first stretch, then 8 weeks, then 9, etc. until I now can go up to 12 to 14 weeks without any problems and my hair looks great with minimal breakage and headache. I KNOW that I cannot stretch beyond 14 weeks with out braiding my hair -- this is my threshold and I learned it the hard way -- if I'm gonna go more than 14 weeks, I braid it up or I get a touchup.

I TRIED going beyond 14 weeks, but my it was just too much me and I figure relaxing 4 times a year (every 12 weeks) is pretty darn good for someone who use to relaxed 8 to 10 times a year! It's all relative and I think if streching gets to a point where its doing more harm then good, then what's the point -- just relax it!

Just MHO!

Well said!

 

[gradygirl]

I used to relax every 4 weeks. For my 1st stretch I went 8 weeks and I could'nt wait to relax now I'm on my second stretch and 7 weeks post but for some reason I'm not feeling that urge to relax like I did on the first one so I'm shooting for 10 weeks which is my goal. I love seeing all the new growth but it is a challenge for me to find ways to deal with it but right now I'm enjoying it. It seems like each stretch I do I learn more ways on how to handle it so each time it gets a little easier.