Is Lye the Problem?

[MissMeWithThatIsh]

.... After texlaxing with SE Lye Regular without "protective coating".... it seems my hair is resisiting the chemical. My hair is very close to it's natural state... still frizzy and shrinking to at least 50% of where it is when wet.

... When I last used no-lye, I felt that it made my hair very loose and was hard to control. I didn't know much about hair care then but my length was okay (where it is now). I used Vitale and it would straighten my hair a lot initially, and eventually restore loose, lovely curls that had great shine.

For my touchup... should I try lye again? (Vitale)... or should I just go with a no-lye? I believe either or may be a good choice, as long as I continue my good hair care practices. I'm not going to do this anytime soon, as I'm braiding my hair up until further notice.

All input appreciated.

 

[gymfreak336]

Is the issue with your no lye relaxed hair or the hair relaxed with lye?

 

[MissMeWithThatIsh]

Currently, it's relaxed with lye SE regular.
I've been "correcting" this for about a month... and I don't want to risk any damage but the relaxer is acting like a smoothing treatment more than anything.

The only other lye I used--- in 2005--- is Vitale.

I'm wondering if this particular brand of lye is no good for me... or if I should stop using lye period. The lye also stripped off the black hair dye I put in 2 months ago and now my hair is a reddish golden brown

 

[Lucie]

I am sorry, I don't have any suggestions for you. I read Shamboosie's book a few years ago and he said that the LYE relaxers are best. I hope you find your answer soon

 

[MissMeWithThatIsh]

Thanks. Vitale was great for me, I guess it's the brand and blend of lye. Relaxers are so trial and error. I'm at least grateful there's still a great amount of shrinkage as opposed to too straight.

 

[AtlantaJJ]

SE relaxer tends to under process and revert from what I remember.

 

[Desarae]

No Lye tends to get the hair straighter than Lye, IMO.

 

[MissMeWithThatIsh]

AtlantaJJ, I think that's exactly what the problem is for me. The underprocessing eliminates some frizzies, and creates others.

 

[Angelicus]

Hey sweetie. I have hair like yours, it just doesn't get straight with a relaxer. In my personal experience, no-lye relaxers messed up my hair in the long run.

I was leaving the relaxer on for a long period of time, trying to get my hair as straight as possible, but my hair ended up over-processed. It looked like the relaxer did not "take," wavy and curly. Within weeks, it broke off.

But there are many people here who swear by No-lye. Just be careful and give your hair a break. Would you try roller setting your hair for a better result?

 

[MissMeWithThatIsh]

I've been washing my hair and leaving deep conditioners in. That's really my only regimen. I'm going to get rid of the SE Regular. I have a 1/2 a jar left.... maybe to someone who wants/needs it. I badided my hair back under a wig and I'm just going to focus on helth. I hate rollersets. If I straighten, it will be aidry and flatiron... but I never learned how to straighten my hair and have it look nice.

No lye doesnt do it for me last I remember... so I'll be working to grow my hair some more and do more research.

 

[1QTPie]

When I was relaxed, lye relaxers did absolutely nothing for my hair and I tried several brands (waaaaaayyyyy back.)