Is it just me or is Stretching Addictive...

[RabiaElaine]

I'm serious ladies, now that I am almost 12 weeks post relaxer, I feel like I can go longer. When I did my first 9 week stretch, when I got to the end I was like, wow, that wasn't so bad. So then I challenged myself to do it again, and even longer. I'm supposed to relax next thursday or friday, but I feel I can go even longer than that. The only reason why I won't go longer is because I've joined the April stretch challenge, and I am going to try to get as close to my birthday (April 18) as possible.

It's almost like it's a personal challenge to myself. Like a battle between me and the new growth. Can I control the new growth, without much breakage or is the new growth going to control me and tell me when to relax it.

Does anyone else feel like this is an addiction (a good one though)?

 

[Phoenix]

I don't know if the stretching itself is addictive...but I am addicted to what it does for my hair. I don't know if my stylist had been overlapping the relaxer or what, but I've realized that the longer I go without a relaxer the better. I just relaxed/texturized my hair for the first time in over a year. From now on I think I'll relax two or three times a year at most.

 

[RabiaElaine]

I know what it does for my hair is addictive, but for me it's also realizing there is no need to rush a relaxer, so why not wait a little longer, and each time it goes a little longer and longer.

 

[HoneyDew]

I know what it does for my hair is addictive, but for me it's also realizing there is no need to rush a relaxer, so why not wait a little longer, and each time it goes a little longer and longer.

I agree. I think "How come no one ever told me this before!?". Everytime I could not control my hair I would run for a relaxer. There are so many other options.

 

[RabiaElaine]

I agree. I think "How come no one ever told me this before!?". Everytime I could not control my hair I would run for a relaxer. There are so many other options.

EXACTLY!!!!!

 

[aileendq]

Um, okay...a little encouragement for a hopeful stretcher...Tell me the following:

1) Do you work out, and if you do how do you handle the Evil Sweats?
2) How do you get the new growth flattened without it being TOO flat (I tend to look like a pin head if my roots are too flat.)
3) What method are you using to dry?


I need to get hooked!
TIA

 

[sylver2]

Yeh, I've been stretching without even meaning too cause its been so easy.
Since I did 6 months, now regular stretches are a piece of cake.

 

[MizAvalon]

I know what it does for my hair is addictive, but for me it's also realizing there is no need to rush a relaxer, so why not wait a little longer, and each time it goes a little longer and longer.

Girl, it's not just you! I started stretching a couple of years ago, when I relaxed at 11 weeks for the last time. Each time I kept going longer and longer and it kept getting easier and easier. Now I go 20 weeks minimum each time. Sometimes even a couple weeks longer. It sounds like a long time, but it really isn't. I cringe thinking about when I used to relax at 8 and 10 weeks. There is NO way I would do that now. It's so much healthier for my hair to stretch and the sweet surprise you get when you see all of that new growth straightened out is so worth the wait!

 

[RabiaElaine]

Um, okay...a little encouragement for a hopeful stretcher...Tell me the following:

1) Do you work out, and if you do how do you handle the Evil Sweats?
2) How do you get the new growth flattened without it being TOO flat (I tend to look like a pin head if my roots are too flat.)
3) What method are you using to dry?


I need to get hooked!
TIA

I cowash and airdry in a ponytail (that I put on in the shower) w/ a baggie for the ends. I wear a satin/silk scarf to flatten my roots. If I want to wear my hair out (which is rare for me now, that I'm on the bun challenge), I wash and deep condition, dry, then use my chi flat iron to straighten the roots (I wouldn't recommend doing that too much though).

My biggest tips are, try to avoid messing with the roots as much as possible. Cowash often and detangle with conditioner, standing under the shower. Were protective styles. Your scarf will be your best friend for helping your hair to look neat.

HTH

 

[RabiaElaine]

Girl, it's not just you! I started stretching a couple of years ago, when I relaxed at 11 weeks for the last time. Each time I kept going longer and longer and it kept getting easier and easier. Now I go 20 weeks minimum each time. Sometimes even a couple weeks longer. It sounds like a long time, but it really isn't. I cringe thinking about when I used to relax at 8 and 10 weeks. There is NO way I would do that now. It's so much healthier for my hair to stretch and the sweet surprise you get when you see all of that new growth straightened out is so worth the wait!

Me too, well I used to relax at 5-6 weeks. I used to remember feeling like I needed to relax at 2-3 weeks, I was actually proud, because it made me feel like my hair was growing so much . Now looking back I felt like I needed a relaxer because I didn't know my hair or how to handle 2 textures.

 

[Divine Inspiration]

YES...stretching is VERY addictive. I agree with Sylver. After you do one big one (6 mo.-1 yr.+), 12 weeks seems like nothing. Rabia, I agree that it's great not having to be pressed for a relaxer. Regardless of how long I stretch, it's comforting to know that should I not have time to go to the salon or just not feel like getting a realxer, it's OKAY, and it won't result in breakage! I agree with Phoenix too...I just got a relaxer after 6 months, and I LOOOOOVE how much better my hair reponded to it and how much my hair has thickened up.

1) Do you work out, and if you do how do you handle the Evil Sweats?
I work out every other day, and I handle the sweats by oiling my scalp reguarly to keep the scalp from drying my roots out. When I work out, I keep my hair tied up...not always the cutest thing ever, but my hair does SO much better than if I workout with a ponytail or something.

2) How do you get the new growth flattened without it being TOO flat (I tend to look like a pin head if my roots are too flat.)
Be tying it down. My hair is 4a so it just waves up when the coils are flattened. I like to use shea butter or mango butter on my NG and then tie it down. The results are soft and manageable new growth.

3) What method are you using to dry?
I airdried for the entire duration of my 6 month stretch. It causes breakage for some, but I never had a problem with it. If I was in a hurry to dry it for whatever reason, I'd sit under the dryer on "cool" setting for 20 minutes or so, but my hair did not see direct heat during my stretch, and I definitely think it's healthier and stronger as a result.

HTH

{DI}

 

[RabiaElaine]

divine,

I hope to get to a 6 month stretch one day. I know it's possible.

Did you airdry in a pony?

 

[soulfusion]

Here's my question: where are you all finding hair stylists who don't get major attitude at having to do a retouch on 3 and 4 inches of new growth? I stretched only 10 weeks last time and I got so sick of hearing that woman go on and on about how I waited too long, that I wanted to snatch the relaxer outta her hands and do it myself!

I had my hair detangled and I've gotten quite good at taking care of the two textures (thanks to all of you), so she had to admit that my hair was nice and healthy (although she said I need to cut 2 inches because my ends are thin. I happen to agree with that, but it doesn't really matter because I wear protective styles 99% of the time, and when I do get them cut SHE ain't doin it (SHS)!).

Anyway, I've been wondering: 1) what percentage of those who stretch self-relax, 2) what percentage have a stylist do their touchups, and 3) of those who go to a stylist, how do they respond to a lot of new growth?

Just curious.

 

[vikkisecret]

Yes lol it can be. I stretched for 12 weeks recently and going strong for another 12 weeker or more this time. I hope to get maxmizing amounts of growth!

 

[Enchantmt]

LOL...a couple of folx have stretched on over to natural...

 

[shoelover1972]

Like Sylver2 & DI said it's a walk in the park the longer you stretch. I normally stretch from 18 - 20wks and now when I get to the time when I used to get touch-ups @ 8-10wks seem like nothing.

I don't relax my own hair but I'm lucky that I have a stylist that understands I like to stretch my touch-ups. He asked me the last wk at what date I plan to wait until my next relaxer so that he can plan what treatments to use between now and my next touch-up.

 

[Divine Inspiration]

divine,

I hope to get to a 6 month stretch one day. I know it's possible.

Did you airdry in a pony?

Not usually. I usually airdry with a scarf on the top portion and the bottom hanging straight. Occasionally, I'll airdry in a bun, but I almost never airdry in a ponytail b/c it seems to create lots of tangles.

where are you all finding hair stylists who don't get major attitude at having to do a retouch on 3 and 4 inches of new growth?

Anyway, I've been wondering: 1) what percentage of those who stretch self-relax, 2) what percentage have a stylist do their touchups, and 3) of those who go to a stylist, how do they respond to a lot of new growth?

I'm STILL trying to find a "stylist" but I've resolved to at least TRY self-relaxing in '06, but I'm SO nervous about underprocessed hair. Anyway, when I run into a stylist who is trying to rip through my two different textures and gives me grief about it, I promptly get up out of her chair, take the cape & towel off, and say thanks, but no thanks. She will do the relaxer on all of my NG and be gentle with it or she will not see my money. It's really that simple. It's a challenge to find stylists who don't complain, but I don't think I should have to listen to anybody's complainin and moanin while I'm receiving services. You're a STYLIST, deal with it. That's like going to a doctor, and he's like, "Um, you need to come to see me every month instead of when you need medicine b/c I get tired of dealing with all this sickness." Uh...no.
The lady who did my relaxer last week was saying I needed to relax every 8 weeks and that I had too much new growth, and I explained that while I'm sure her intentions are good, she needed to keep any and all advice about relaxer intervals to herself because I am very in tune with my hair, and I KNOW there was no breakage b/c she even said so herself.
So I think you just have to explain how you operate before you allow them to start wreaking havoc on your hard-earned new growth.

 

[Victory1]

The 1st time I did 10 weeks plus my hair broke like crazy. I said never again but did try not to get a relaxer before 8 weeks. Now I'm 11 weeks post and don't plan on getting a relaxer until January 7th, which will put me 14 weeks post. Last time I tried, it was so hard and condition washes did not work for me. It's not as horrible as last time; I have normal shedding and no breakage. Here's how I'm doing it:
I shampooed and deep conditioned every Saturday until the 7th week. After the 7th week, I mixed my own conditioners and shampoo every 3 weeks
(Elucence, Kenra, ORS hair Mayonnaise, Sebastian, Cholesterol, Mane & Tail, just what ever conditioner I have lying around; then add a little Olive Oil and Castor Oil), mix a little of each in a bowl. Braid my hair into 6 ponytails and apply my concoction to the dry hair- especially the roots, put plastic cap and go to bed. The next day wash out in shower with hair still braided. Add leaven in with hair still braided. Let air-dry for about 30 minutes and then unbraid ponytail 1 by 1 and blow-dry. Last Saturday was the 1st time I shampooed my hair since week 7 (that's like 2 weeks with no shampoo and then shampoo on the 3rd week). I follow the same pattern, braided my hair then shampoo, then added my concoction and slept with it for the night. Manageable new growth and stretching is easy now with no breakage. Also condition wash finally works for me, so I'm excited!

 

[bajanplums1]

it is, i just came off of a 4.5 month stretch. I was so happy and I really see the growth and benefits. I'm ready to stretch until April.

But key for me was
* condition wash
* blow dry lightly
* flat iron
* dry rollerset

 

[Browndilocks]

I stretched myself straight into a head full of natural hair. A single summer strech turned into a year, turned 4 1/2 years! It got easier and easier and I just never went back to relaxing.

 

[MizAvalon]

Here's my question: where are you all finding hair stylists who don't get major attitude at having to do a retouch on 3 and 4 inches of new growth? I stretched only 10 weeks last time and I got so sick of hearing that woman go on and on about how I waited too long, that I wanted to snatch the relaxer outta her hands and do it myself!

Thankfully, I've been with my stylist for years. Long before I stretched long like this. She has never commented on having to fight the new growth, but one time she did say that I shouldn't stretch so long because it might lead to uneven perming. I didn't listen and still stretch and my hair is fine.


However, even if she did have a problem with all the inches of new growth I wouldn't care. My feeling is this, you're a PROFESSIONAL. DEAL WITH IT.

 

[HoneyDew]

Um, okay...a little encouragement for a hopeful stretcher...Tell me the following:

1) Do you work out, and if you do how do you handle the Evil Sweats?
2) How do you get the new growth flattened without it being TOO flat (I tend to look like a pin head if my roots are too flat.)
3) What method are you using to dry?


I need to get hooked!
TIA

1) Do you work out, and if you do how do you handle the Evil Sweats?
I only do cardio 2-3 days a week and I wash on the same days. I actually workout while I have the deep conditioner in my hair.

2) How do you get the new growth flattened without it being TOO flat (I tend to look like a pin head if my roots are too flat.)
That one is tricky for me. When I flat iron they can be too flat the 1st day, but that gets better over the next couple of days.

3) What method are you using to dry?
I blowdry, air dry and sit under the dryer. I prefer to blowdry, though. but I use protective serums to prevent damage.

I have no breakage - just the normal shedding. This is exciting for me. I have always had breakage problems.

 

[Jewell]

I don't have an issue with a stylist having an attitude relaxing the 11-14 weeks post new growth. If I don't feel like doing my own TU, my mom does it for me. She said she wondered why I waited so long in between TUs (I wait 11-14 weeks, she relaxes more often cuz she has shorter hair)...I said its healthier for my hair that I don't subject it to TUs so often. She said, "yeah I guess it is better to wait-better for the hair and scalp." Some times I peter out at 11 weeks, other times I ride out to about 14 weeks. It just depends on my mood and whether I am getting aggravated with my hair.

 

[sky_blu]

I dont know about addictive but Ive been stretching for 12 weeks as of tommorrow unintentionally and dont think Ill go past 10 weeks again. I would have been had a relaxer before Thanksgiving but no time and when I have the time no money so now I have both this week and Im trying to get in Thursday or Friday and I cant wait I usually get it done every 8 to 10 weeks normally and my hair was better this time around around that time but Ill stick with that schedule unless something happens (braids, sew-in) something.

 

[esoterica]

well i've been stretching since january 4th and i dont think i'll go a year again. maybe six months. sometimes less is more.

 

[soulfusion]

I'm STILL trying to find a "stylist" but I've resolved to at least TRY self-relaxing in '06, but I'm SO nervous about underprocessed hair.

same here, but I'm getting so frustrated by the level of UNprofessionalism that I've run into regarding hair "professionals" that I'm determined to do it myself the next go round. I've actually done it myself in the past, just not in a few years, so I ought to be okay. PLUS, I can avoid the "longhair premium" that I normally have to pay.

Anyway, when I run into a stylist who is trying to rip through my two different textures and gives me grief about it, I promptly get up out of her chair, take the cape & towel off, and say thanks, but no thanks. She will do the relaxer on all of my NG and be gentle with it or she will not see my money. It's really that simple. It's a challenge to find stylists who don't complain, but I don't think I should have to listen to anybody's complainin and moanin while I'm receiving services.

It's terrible! I actually told the last lady that I went to that I REALLY don't feel like sitting in her chair listenening to her complain about what everybody around me considers to be a nice healthy, thick head of hair. She stopped ... sort of. She changed over to the passive-aggressive route and started muttering under her breath. When I'd ask her what she said, she'd say "nothing", then sigh. How simple.

So I think you just have to explain how you operate before you allow them to start wreaking havoc on your hard-earned new growth.

Yeah, that's what I did w/the lady above. She was all understanding until she got me in her chair and then she did a 180 on me. I guess I'll just keep trying because I like having a place to go when I don't feel like messing with it myself (especially rollersetting).

Thanks for the responses everybody

 

[mommatide]

I THINK THE LONGER YOUR HAIR IS, THE EASIER IT IS TO STRETCH. WHEN YOU HAVE LONGER HAIR (AT LEAST 4-5 INCHES BELOW SHOULDER), YOU CAN DO ANYTHING OR NOTHING AT ALL AND IT LOOKS SOMEWHAT CUTE. AND YOU HAVE WEIGHT AND MOVEMENT.

IF IT'S SHORT OR JUST SKIMMING THE SHOULDERS, IT LOOKS REAL TIRED AND HOMELY WHEN THAT SERIOUS N/G ROLLS IN THEN YOU HAVE TO START WEARING THOSE BORING (SOME ARE) PROTECTIVE HAIRSTYLES. BUT, IT'S SO GOOD FOR THE HAIR THAT I JUST DEAL WITH IT, AND JUST KEEP MY EYE'S AN THE PRIZE.

 

[Isis]

well i've been stretching since january 4th and i dont think i'll go a year again. maybe six months. sometimes less is more.

That's a long time!! What happened to make you want to do less than a year?

 

[Isis]

I don't know if it's addictive but I do know I like relaxing just four times each year and the results of doing that. Over 13 weeks and it gets to be a bit too much for me although I did it successfully once for 16 weeks using Sylver2's scarf method. I used to relax as often as it says on the box (every 6-8 weeks) which caused breakage, overlapping and dried out hair.

 

[blackbarbie]

I just finished a 16-week stretch and along the way, I kept saying the same thing ("I can't wait to get my TU so I can stretch again!!). This was the first time for me and I have to say that I am ready for this go round. I will go 16 weeks again and the next time I get a TU will be around my birthday on April 7th. (I have gone 10 weeks before, but prior to coming to the board, would have never thought of going more than that) After my TU in April, I will most likely stretch over the course of the whole summer, about 5 months.

When my stylist (my brother) was putting my perm in, he made the comment, "you may as well have gone natural". I seriously thought about it and think if it were the spring or summer time, I wouldn't have a problem going forward with it. (would be able to wear more wash and go's, twistouts, etc.) This was my first time doing CW and I have to say that I found the benefits very gratifying. I had a lot of shedding, (no breaking thank God) towards the end of the stretch, but protein treatments kept it at bay. I think getting to know my hair better and knowing what to expect will make this stretch a little easier for me.