Ladies: To Relax, To Continue Transitioning, Or To Sts?!?!?

[miss_a]

LADIES of LHCF, I need your help...

This board has helped me grow amazing hair--I am forever thankful to this board. About a year ago, I started noticing more breakage with relaxers (and how weak my relaxed hair was) and decided to transition. I have not had a relaxer in about 10 months--I have been keeping my hair simple--cornrows and a wig. BUT I am tired of this protective style. Also, I work out super heavy (and sweat quite a bit) 5-6 times per week.

My ideal hair style is to wear my hair blown out and with big curls about 5 days out of the month and in a bun or pulled back ponytail for the rest of the month. This is where I need your help! I'm starting to hit a snag in my transition, my relaxed hair is becoming weaker. I am leaving the country for about one month and plan to put braids in my hair. BUT before I leave, I have to get my hair done for a big event. Ladies, if you were in my situation, would your Relax, Use the Design Essentials STS treatment, or Continue to Transition? My biggest fear is that once natural because I work out and sweat with such frequency that my hair will matt and knot up...

Ladies of LHCF, any advice would be super appreciated.

With love,

~A.

 

[greenandchic]

In your situation I would transition for sure. If the relaxer is breaking off your hair, I would transition or even big chop.

 

[bklynbornNbred]

No one event is worth the long term health of your hair. If you're not ready to play with updos that are doable with braids (look up pictures of locs for additional options) then get a weave or invest in a good wig for the event.

I'm 15.5 months post right now so I get that you may not be ready to big chop yet especially if you're going out of the country for a month. When you get back you'll have time to play with your hair and start to get used to styles that will work for your active lifestyle.

 

[Guinan]

I voted for transition. If you dont like your hair after BC then you can always go back to relaxers or BKT.

I workout and sweat like the dickens and I dont get matts or knots. I try not to go pass 3days to a week w/o washing my hair; depending on my workout week. Here lately since the weather has been nice, I've been washing my hair more frequesntly.

 

[miss_a]

I'm thinking that I will continue to transition........................................

But ladies..................!

My stylist says that the matting and knotting that I experience when working out is less likely when natural versus relaxed or transitioning hair.

 

[Coilystep]

LADIES of LHCF, I need your help...

This board has helped me grow amazing hair--I am forever thankful to this board. About a year ago, I started noticing more breakage with relaxers (and how weak my relaxed hair was) and decided to transition. I have not had a relaxer in about 10 months--I have been keeping my hair simple--cornrows and a wig. BUT I am tired of this protective style. Also, I work out super heavy (and sweat quite a bit) 5-6 times per week.

My ideal hair style is to wear my hair blown out and with big curls about 5 days out of the month and in a bun or pulled back ponytail for the rest of the month. This is where I need your help! I'm starting to hit a snag in my transition, my relaxed hair is becoming weaker. I am leaving the country for about one month and plan to put braids in my hair. BUT before I leave, I have to get my hair done for a big event. Ladies, if you were in my situation, would your Relax, Use the Design Essentials STS treatment, or Continue to Transition? My biggest fear is that once natural because I work out and sweat with such frequency that my hair will matt and knot up...

Ladies of LHCF, any advice would be super appreciated.

With love,

~A.

I would cut it. BC'ing cured all my transitioning woes.

 

[Coilystep]

I'm thinking that I will continue to transition........................................

But ladies..................!

My stylist says that the matting and knotting that I experience when working out is less likely when natural versus relaxed or transitioning hair.

I have zero matting and knots. My natural hair doesn't tangle. I cowash or wet my hair daily. I workout several times a week. This past January and March I took swimming lessons twice a week with no issues. I transitioned for 17 months. At that point I disliked my hair and felt it was a chore. BC'ing was the best decision for me.

 

[miss_a]

I have zero matting and knots. My natural hair doesn't tangle. I cowash or wet my hair daily. I workout several times a week. This past January and March I took swimming lessons twice a week with no issues. I transitioned for 17 months. At that point I disliked my hair and felt it was a chore. BC'ing was the best decision for me.

I really appreciate this.....thank you, @stephanie75miller

 

[Evolving78]

I would not big chop. You don't sound ready to make that move yet. And you may need a protein treatment and a trim. I would continue to transition. Go to the salon and get a TMS treatment. Then do your braids.

 

[Evolving78]

Oh and my hair texture is 4a and fine. I got knots often as an natural, and my hair tangles easily relaxed or natural.

 

[Shelew]

How are you wearing your hair when you work out? I put mine in a high ponytail with a scarf around the edges. If it is just an event you will go to how about just a blow out for the event and continue transitioning as you have been. And then get your braids for your trip. I did DE STS early in my transition twice. It helped but I found that a blow out pretty much accomplished the same thing I was looking for. My hair just does better straight than me trying to wear it more textured. Too much manipulation and disappointments lol

 

[Theresamonet]

Continue your transition. I would definitely not relax. Can you braid up your hair and wear a wig for this event?

 

[Hibiscus30]

I would suggest the Design Essentials STS. This treatment is really nice and it will strengthen your strands through heat and braids. I get the silkening spray at the salon and I love it. You may want the elongation mousse though.

Also with this treatment you are able to still be versatile with styling options.

 

[miss_a]

@shortdub78 , what is a a TMS treatment?

@Shelew , I've been wearing cornrows under my wig--so in cornrows--but I am so tired of my cornrows and wig, combo! I am glad to hear that STS worked for you--this makes me feel a tad bit better. Thank you.

@Theresamonet , the transition is continuing! And I've been braided up and under a wig for so long that I am ready to make a change for this special event

@Hibiscus30 , I'm scheduled for STS on Thursday (crosses fingers). I think I will post my results on this board!

 

[tiffers]

I'm scheduled for STS on Thursday (crosses fingers). I think I will post my results on this board!

Whatchu mean you THINK? Girl, you better be back here with at least 5 pictures as soon as that stylist is done.

 

[miss_a]

Oh!!! @tiffers , I was just KIDDing like Jason...........unless I'm gonna do it!

 

[Evolving78]

I anti reversion system, texture smoothing. Or a keratin treatment.