Making the switch ya'll....Lye relaxer on dyed ends???

[blackpearl81]

Okay ladies, I DESPERATELY need your help on this one. First, I would like to say thank you to all of you on LHCF...I learned so much since joining. So, now let's get to business. I felt courageous over the summer and possibly possessed when I decided to dye the top panel of my hair honey blond. I sustained so much breakage its ridiculous, especially when I was retaining length and had a head full of healthy hair before that dye job . So anyway, after reading so many convincing threads I've decided to switch from no-lye to lye and I'm not sure how to safety make the transition. I've read about people saying to just relax the new growth and others recommending applying the lye relaxer over previous relaxed no-lye ends to remove build-up. I am so confused!!! Especially since they've been dyed, do you think it would be safe to apply the relaxer to the ends anyway? PLEASE HELP....I really wanna start this year off on the right track

ALSO: This might be a dumb question, but I've self relaxed for years and have never based. How exactly should I base before a relaxer? Do I apply oil directly to the scalp? Wouldn't that reduce the effectiveness of the relaxer if it gets on my new growth?

Thanks in advance for all of your help!!!

 

[blackpearl81]

bumping...

 

[gorgeous86]

Welcome to the forum. I am by no means an expert but I will try to help, and hopefully others will chime in with their experiences.

1. To base my hair prior to the relaxer, I make thin parts and apply a thick base (something with the consistency of Vaseline) to the scalp only. Since the base is thick it really shouldn't get on your new growth, and if it does it should't be enough to make the relaxer ineffective.

2.When I switched to lye, I went over my no lye textlaxed hair. (To answer the question about dye, I color my hair with henna/indigo) It really made a difference as far as dryness is concerned, and my textlaxed hair is straighter (not as straight as the new growth that was relaxed, but a noticeable difference). I don't know if that is a good option for you since you previously used a permanent dye. I think that it also has a lot to do with the condition of your hair. If it is already breaking then relaxing it will probably make it worse. HTH

 

[blackpearl81]

Thanks Gorgeous!

I was thinking about basing w/Vaseline to keep it simple and you make a lot of sense explaining that it should leak onto the NG due to the thickness.

And I agreee w/you. I think I'll avoid applying relaxer to my already fragile ends and maybe going for a black henna post-relaxer. I afraid of more damage

Which lye relaxer do you use? I'm torn between Silk Elements (a LHCF fav) and Mizani butter blend...

 

[gorgeous86]

I use Silk Elements Lye (regular strength). I've been using londondiva's relaxing method, so I am never underprocessed with this relaxer. I've never tried butter blends, but i've heard a lot of good things about it. Also, you can go over your no lye ends another time. It doesn't have to be this touch up. Once your no lye ends are in better condition, you could go over them then (for a very short time of course) if you still feel the need to.

ETA: Make sure you use BAQhenna+indigo (sold seperately). If someone tries to give you black henna, RUN!!!!

 

[TexturedTresses]

I wouldn't put the relaxer over your already relaxed ends. I really think that is a disaster waiting to happen. Especially since your ends are already fragile. HTH

 

[NYAmicas]

Yeah, I just switched to a lye relaxer on the 5th and I like it. I based my entire scalp with Vaseline and covered my already relaxed hair with conditioner and some more vaseline. I dont think you should go over the dyed hair with the lye at all. I'm just getting over a hair color scare myself and wouldnt dream of doing that.
Everyone seems to love Silk Elements.

 

[blackpearl81]

Thanks everybody!! I feel so much better now. I'm still undecided between silk elements and mizani, but w/this messed up economy I might have to go with the more affordable one


gorgeous86:

Thank you so much! Do you have a link for londiva's method? Also, where can I get the BAQhenna+indigo? I've noticed that a lot of LHCF members rave about the hendigo?? (is that what we're calling it ). Also, what's your take on the bigen oriental black henna?

Sandyrabbit:

Thanks! I agree, I'm not going to fuss around with my ends for a while. Too much damage so far.

NYAmicas:

Curious..what happened with your color scare?? how did you correct it?

 

[blackpearl81]

bumping...

 

[gorgeous86]

I get my henna and indigo from hennasooq (If you have an indian store nearby, I suggest going to them for Jamila Henna. It's less han $2.00 for 100g.)

I've never heard of the Bigen Oriental Black Henna.