Naturals: will you EVER go back to a relaxer?

[empressri]

So did I!!! I washed my hair weekly, but I had the worse dandruff when I was relaxed. Now that I'm natural, I can go a few weeks without washing if I wanted to without any dandruff.

Oh wow me too! I'd forgotten about that part. It would NOT go away for the life of me.

 

[davisbr88]

Nooooo... natural for the rest of my life here.
When I get older, I'll gladly put my hip-length curls into a bun and call it a day. If my great grandma could do it with Alzheimer's and arthritis, I have no excuse to return to a relaxer just because I get older.

 

[LilMissRed]

I voted no.

the chemicals made my hair thin/break

 

[YoursTrulyRE]

I will never say never but at this point I wouldn't get a relaxer again. I may become a natural that presses but I doubt I would get another relaxer.

 

[mscocoface]

Team KEEP IT NATURAL!

 

[OsnapCnapp!]

I can honestly say I will not be relaxing again, I am just having too much fun now!


LMAO cocosweet gif: ....."after you have scun" Oh my gawd I saw that and almost choked on my chips!

 

[barbiesocialite]

I DON'T KNOW.

Depends on if I'm in a situation where I need straight hair and roots daily. Thinking about Michelle Obama's hair, I know she was natural for a long time and would get her hair pressed to straighten, however, based on pics of the past 1 1/2/-2 years, I'm almost certain she has a relaxed at this point because of her current ends (and weave & fall wearing ) and the fact her hair has to be straight 24/7. So that said, I simply don't know what the future holds so I don't know what if I will relax or not.

 

[OsnapCnapp!]

The fact that you're assuming people just relax their hair to "strive for a standard of beauty" makes you just as ignorant. Based on your siggy, 6 months ago you also had a relaxer in your hair so don't bash.

#thatisall.

You do have a point. That is apart of the reason why I had to promptly leave nappturality.......I couldn't stand the bashing of the women who relaxed their hair. I never could understand it and hardly anyone their was ever without a relaxer. But....I do like being here where natural and relaxed women can thrive in harmony......I HOPE!

 

[fletgee]

Oh, yes I will! ASAP!!!
I hate these freaking knots, double knots, triple knots, split ends, split middles and constant breakage.
I pre-poo, use organic shampoo/ conditioner, detangler, leave-ins, baggy, co-wash, use oils, butters. Steam, heat cap..ya name it I've done it.
I never had this many hair problems when I had a perm in my hair.
So..I will putting a relaxer in soon.

 

[kandiekj100]

I'm not even gonna lie. Every now and then I think about it. I love my natural hair, but I love seeing my length too. And living in very humid Florida just doesn't really allow me very much opportunity to flat-iron my hair and wear it straight (without being heat-trained).

After finding this board, the issues that I had with my relaxers, I know how to handle that now.

The biggest reasons for me not relaxing at this point is thinking about the scalp burns I would get, my love of my afro puffs, and I set a goal that I am trying to reach. The previous two times I was natural I cut my hair after a year and my hair was just shoulder length. I want to see how long my hair can get being a natural. Length came to me a little more easily as a relaxed head, and honestly as a natural, I cannot seem to get over the APL hump (and I've been natural for 3 years this go round). I think I may be too rough with hair and trying to do too many things, but I love playing in my natural hair and seeing what it can do and what it can't.

Once I reach I my goal, who knows. Honestly I could see myself relaxing (maybe texlaxing), enjoying the length for a while and chopping it off and starting over. Or maybe even getting locs. That is something I have not done yet and am interested in as well.

 

[Prudent1]

I'll never say never but I honestly don't see the point in fooling w/ the chemicals, dry scalp, and time loss at a salon. I should be 100% natural by the end of summer and I am very excited about it!

 

[sxynanaplay]

I will never relax again. It has ruined my hair! It made my hair fall out but now that i grew all of the chemical out of my hair it is growing much better and it is stronger. I have my hair weaved up at the moment while its growing but i will never let that creamy crack touch my head again!

 

[thetall1]

Nope. don't see it happening...Like most said If I get bored with it when I'm older, I'll just loc it up, press n' curl, flat-iron, hell even heat train it before I even think about letting a relaxer touch this scalp...plus I had nasty, horrible dandruff and scalp burns when I was relaxed...the mere thought of it makes my stomach turn...

 

[chinadoll]

I'll never relax again, I love my natural hair, although the regimen is different from when I was relaxed, the benefits outweigh that. My hair looks and feel thick in a ponytail as oppose to when I was relaxed- thin and lifeless. I can go straight anytime I want, don't have to worry about the rain messing up my hair when it's curly and my bank account is not complaining. Lol Theres alot more pros than cons, so no relaxer for me.

 

[Billygirl61]

I voted I will not relax my hair again. It has been about six and half years since my last relaxer. As long as I have breath in my body I will not relax

 

[mango387]

Most of the people commenting have 3a/3b/3c/4a hair with maybe a little 4b sprinkled in for good measure. If you discovered that your hair was 4b/4c with no waves or curls at all, would you feel the same way? I think there was a thread a long time ago that asked a similar question. Truth be told, a lot of the people who are staying natural are the people who have some waves or curls. I have really only seen three or four people IRL or online who have true 4b or 4c hair remain natural.

BTW, I have majority 4b hair, and I did go natural during college. My hair was pretty and moisturized, BUT it was a lot for anyone, me included, to manage. I could NEVER do an Afro puff or bun, because my edges would never be smooth or wavy. My sides would be cottony and the shrinkage was like whoa! I am planning on going natural again BTW, but I want to be ready to style it constantly. (My hair was so kinky that if I wore two strand twists for just one week, my hair would start to lock without beeswax, twisting, loc gel, etc.)

 

[femmedusiecle]

Most of the people commenting have 3a/3b/3c/4a hair with maybe a little 4b sprinkled in for good measure. If you discovered that your hair was 4b/4c with no waves or curls at all, would you feel the same way? I think there was a thread a long time ago that asked a similar question. Truth be told, a lot of the people who are staying natural are the people who have some waves or curls. I have really only seen three or four people IRL or online who have true 4b or 4c hair remain natural.

BTW, I have majority 4b hair, and I did go natural during college. My hair was pretty and moisturized, BUT it was a lot for anyone, me included, to manage. I could NEVER do an Afro puff or bun, because my edges would never be smooth or wavy. My sides would be cottony and the shrinkage was like whoa! I am planning on going natural again BTW, but I want to be ready to style it constantly. (My hair was so kinky that if I wore two strand twists for just one week, my hair would start to lock without beeswax, twisting, loc gel, etc.)

hooty hoooooo and thank u for this post.
i totally agree with you

 

[Honey Bee]

........

 

[CurlsBazillion]

NEVER again! I still have a bald spot from a relaxer so to hell wit a relaxer. plus i too feel like I'm frontin wit straight hair flat ironed or weave lol but thats just me. I LOVE MY CURLS may they live long and prosper..

 

[RegaLady]

Most of the people commenting have 3a/3b/3c/4a hair with maybe a little 4b sprinkled in for good measure. If you discovered that your hair was 4b/4c with no waves or curls at all, would you feel the same way? I think there was a thread a long time ago that asked a similar question. Truth be told, a lot of the people who are staying natural are the people who have some waves or curls. I have really only seen three or four people IRL or online who have true 4b or 4c hair remain natural.

BTW, I have majority 4b hair, and I did go natural during college. My hair was pretty and moisturized, BUT it was a lot for anyone, me included, to manage. I could NEVER do an Afro puff or bun, because my edges would never be smooth or wavy. My sides would be cottony and the shrinkage was like whoa! I am planning on going natural again BTW, but I want to be ready to style it constantly. (My hair was so kinky that if I wore two strand twists for just one week, my hair would start to lock without beeswax, twisting, loc gel, etc.)

Interesting! I know plenty of 4a, 4b, and 4a/b people who stayed natural IRL too. Thats all the people I pretty much have been surrounded by. I would love to say that I will stay natural, but I truely love short relaxed cuts, to really predict the future of my hair. If I look great in long hair, then yes I will never put a relaxer in my hair. The 4s that have always been natural, from what I've seen, have learned what is best for their hair. Some twist and go, others are heat trained, some wear weaves others wear their hair in wash and gos and fros, some in locks. But I don't know if I agree that once one goes natural and their isn't 'wavy' they don't stay natural.

 

[Tanji]

Never. I only have one regret about going natural...THAT I DIDN'T DO IT SOONER. I love my hair.

 

[EllePixie]

Most of the people commenting have 3a/3b/3c/4a hair with maybe a little 4b sprinkled in for good measure. If you discovered that your hair was 4b/4c with no waves or curls at all, would you feel the same way? I think there was a thread a long time ago that asked a similar question. Truth be told, a lot of the people who are staying natural are the people who have some waves or curls. I have really only seen three or four people IRL or online who have true 4b or 4c hair remain natural.

BTW, I have majority 4b hair, and I did go natural during college. My hair was pretty and moisturized, BUT it was a lot for anyone, me included, to manage. I could NEVER do an Afro puff or bun, because my edges would never be smooth or wavy. My sides would be cottony and the shrinkage was like whoa! I am planning on going natural again BTW, but I want to be ready to style it constantly. (My hair was so kinky that if I wore two strand twists for just one week, my hair would start to lock without beeswax, twisting, loc gel, etc.)

I see your point about styling, because I already know I am extremely lazy and I'm not the one to spend 4 hours styling or detangling my hair. Still though, why get a relaxer? Why not just press? I feel like there are too many other options to run back to relaxers. I would rather have kinky hair than flaky hair and a burnt scalp. Shrug.

 

[femmedusiecle]

I see your point about styling, because I already know I am extremely lazy and I'm not the one to spend 4 hours styling or detangling my hair. Still though, why get a relaxer? Why not just press? I feel like there are too many other options to run back to relaxers. I would rather have kinky hair than flaky hair and a burnt scalp. Shrug.

^^^in my case, pressing...well, flatironing...caused really bad heat damage. so it's like, damn! I can't switch to straight when i'd like without worrying about losing my beautiful texture and i don't have time to do the basic natural styles. for me, personally, the only reason why i'm toying with the idea of relaxing again is for my summer wedding. my hair already looks awful with the 897 different textures and flat ironing in the summer almost always results in poofy hair due to the humidity lol

 

[B_Phlyy]

When it comes to my hair, I usually "never say never", but I don't see myself being relaxed again. Even when I was relaxed, I knew I wouldn't be relaxing forever. Plus I'm currently dealing with alopecia so adding chemicals to the mix would just be a disaster.

 

[EllePixie]

^^^in my case, pressing...well, flatironing...caused really bad heat damage. so it's like, damn! I can't switch to straight when i'd like without worrying about losing my beautiful texture and i don't have time to do the basic natural styles. for me, personally, the only reason why i'm toying with the idea of relaxing again is for my summer wedding. my hair already looks awful with the 897 different textures and flat ironing in the summer almost always results in poofy hair due to the humidity lol

Well...when I had a relaxer I still had poofy hair due to the humidity. One of the reasons I went natural was because it was super humid in my area and I was flat ironing my hair like, three times a day and was scared my hair was going to start falling out. I had to bring a flat iron with me to work so I could go over it again when I got in the office b/c by the time I got off the stanky metro I'd look ridiculous.

 

[femmedusiecle]

Well...when I had a relaxer I still had poofy hair due to the humidity. One of the reasons I went natural was because it was super humid in my area and I was flat ironing my hair like, three times a day and was scared my hair was going to start falling out. I had to bring a flat iron with me to work so I could go over it again when I got in the office b/c by the time I got off the stanky metro I'd look ridiculous.

That is funny hahahahha! Pffff....decisions decisions. I mean, at the end of the day, we're going to do what we're going to do to suit our lifestyle and not the majority's lifestyle, ya know? i really wish i never had this stupid setback complicates things for me.
waht if I just flat iron my hair on my wedding day and for my honeymoon immediately following and share these kind words with my hair: "Now hair, you know what's going on today and what will be happening over these next 2 weeks. I need to look my BEST! *passes flat iron through with 400*heat* If I see ONE strand pop out of my head with a kink, I sweh to gahh...I'm gonna burn you so bad with sodium hydroxide!!!"

 

[RegaLady]

That is funny hahahahha! Pffff....decisions decisions. I mean, at the end of the day, we're going to do what we're going to do to suit our lifestyle and not the majority's lifestyle, ya know? i really wish i never had this stupid setback complicates things for me.
waht if I just flat iron my hair on my wedding day and for my honeymoon immediately following and share these kind words with my hair: "Now hair, you know what's going on today and what will be happening over these next 2 weeks. I need to look my BEST! *passes flat iron through with 400*heat* If I see ONE strand pop out of my head with a kink, I sweh to gahh...I'm gonna burn you so bad with sodium hydroxide!!!"

You don't want to get a cute weave? I know every woman dreams of wearing her hair on her wedding day, but many will not notice especially if the weave matches your own hair.

 

[femmedusiecle]

yea i'll be most likely putting in a weave and i guess just leaving enough out for blending and versatility. i'm planning on eprt. can't go wrong with that, relaxed or natural.
believe me, i reallllly don't want to do it. i'm glad i follow this thread because reading what you ladies have to say just brings me back to my senses. it's all about my wedding day and honeymoon, though lol! if they weren't coming up then pshh! i wouldn't be fretting over my heat damage.

 

[barbiesocialite]

You don't want to get a cute weave? I know every woman dreams of wearing her hair on her wedding day, but many will not notice especially if the weave matches your own hair.

they do? I believe you but it just caught me off guard lol

I never even thought about it until my most recent engagement then all I wanted was a flawless weave for the honeymoon. Then again, I was never a conventional woman or conventional potential bride, I never wanted a wedding or envisioned myself in a wedding dress

 

[EllePixie]

yea i'll be most likely putting in a weave and i guess just leaving enough out for blending and versatility. i'm planning on eprt. can't go wrong with that, relaxed or natural.
believe me, i reallllly don't want to do it. i'm glad i follow this thread because reading what you ladies have to say just brings me back to my senses. it's all about my wedding day and honeymoon, though lol! if they weren't coming up then pshh! i wouldn't be fretting over my heat damage.

Yea I was going to say to get a weave too, that way you won't have to worry about the elements as much.