OH MY GOD, I RELAXED MY NATURAL HAIR!!!

[sweetcocoa]

[ QUOTE ]
Sweetcocoa, do you regret texturizing your hair? The problem is my hair type shrinks up tremedously, If I had your hair type I would never consider relaxing my hair. I would like to wear my hair to its full length,thickness plus manageability but there really Isn't a natural permanent alternative, no matter what I do, If I straighten with pressing comb/blowdryer/relaxer/texturizer, It will cause some damage to the curl bonds.

[/ QUOTE ]
Yes and no....
I have less shrinkage...but my hair feels dryer...plus some of the natural shine I had seems to be gone. I am also still getting frizz...which is one of the reasons I relaxed. I'm going back and forth as to wether to do the touchup when the time comes.

 

[sassygirl125]

[ QUOTE ]
some peoples hair can handle it and some peoples cant so you should do a strand test to see if you like it first.

[/ QUOTE ]

I agree with this statement. I never took strand tests seriously... I am currently saving the hair from my combouts (hardly any these days!

) to do strand tests on them. I want to see if I can texturize with guanidine carbonate (Dark & Lovely Beautiful Beginnings for Fine hair)--supposedly the most gentle relaxer sold in stores. It has a pH of 9 or 10. Most relaxers are in the 11-13 range. Drano has a pH of 14!

 

[MuseofTroy]

IF you happy with your hair, please leave it alone. Not everyone has a sucessful perm story. Besides once you get a perm there is no going back unless you cut all the permed hair off. There is so much maintance involved and you have to be extra careful with your hair. It also depends on your lifestyle. Just think about it and do some research before getting a perm.

 

[Crystal]

I ran all up in this thread like, No she didn't... but anyhoo my opinion is to go for it. You've been natural your whole life and IMO life is about change and covering all bases so you don't miss out on something good. It's just hair. If you don't like it, grow it back out naturally. I don't get caught up in the natural/relaxed debates because in the end we're talking about dead microorganisms....

So I say relax don't look back and just do it. And post pics if you decide to go that route, I bet it would be gorgeous. I think you're informed enough about hair to care for it properly. But I would do a strand test first, to make sure your hair can handle it...

 

[Nanyanika]

Brownie Thanks for the information, I have an clearer idea of what a texturizer does and how it works.

Nita4, the use of a texturizer doesn't sound as drastic, as a opposed to a relaxer, plus I like the fact that I can still wear natural styles. Have you ever worn your texturised hair in twists or braids? I could probably live with having my hair texturised, however i'm not in a rush to make a final decision, I'm concerntrating on acheiving my waistlength/ above Tailbone length goal.

 

[Nanyanika]

Sassygirl, I agree with you, a strand test is important to judge whether my hair could handle a perm

Crystal, wow!!! you sound so positive, that my hair would look probably nice relaxed for a change, thanks

Sweetcocoa, thanks responding, you mentioned that since having a texturizer your hair feels dryer and has less natural shine, do you still think that you made the right choice? Do you miss your natural hair texture, If you could go back to your natural, torrmorrow would you want to?

 

[Laela]

If I had YOUR head of hair, I'd never relax it...

 

[garr6982]

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
I relaxed my hair 2 1/2 weeks just do your research. The thing that I think will help me with my relaxed hair is that I still treat as though it was natural and my hair stays moist and there is no breakage. You can still wear braids with your relaxed hair. Just make sure you use a mild relaxer if you don't want your hair really straight.
I know its very tempting to relax because you see all these long thick healthy relaxed heads.

[/ QUOTE ]

I agree. I was natural for a long time---but now, I'm texturized, and it was the best thing that I could've done for my hair. My hair is 100% healthier than it was before, and almost 50% longer, so no, I don't regret a thing. And I also like being texturized. And I only have to see the hairdresser every 12-20 weeks (2-3 times a year)for a touch up. I would just say, do your homework. You hair is so beautiful now, and you're such a detail oriented person that I'm sure your hair would look nice and continue to thrive either way. Good luck Den, and don't let anyone scare you. You know what's best.

[/ QUOTE ]

Let me amen that on both accounts! I too was a natural head for 2 years and I decided to texturize because I felt like I was causing more damage with the pressing comb when I wanted it straight even though I did it as infrequently as 3 times a year! Also, never being able to keep a style in Georgia's humidity because of my shrinkage

was another factor! My hairdresser and I are both texturized and I got mine in April, 2003. She simply coated my entire head with relaxer, a mild Hawaiian Silky for 5 minutes, then rinsed and conditioned. Because my hair was about 10 inches, she had to be careful of over-processing some parts and under- processing other parts. Now with different textures it was next to impossible (and I have about an inch of straight hair by my earlobe to prove it ;-p)! Neverless, I love it; straight section and all!

My next txt will probably be at the end of the year. So technically I have the best of both worlds!

By the way Den1, I remember reading that Robin Wright only relaxes her hair to a 3c or 3b if I'm not mistaken. She is the one who really inspired me to texturize as well as start back wearing braids 2 months in!

Your hair is an inspiration for natural and relaxed heads alike and you will still be an inspiration regardless to what you do!

Peachyqueen

 

[Nanyanika]

Garr6982, I also remember Robin, stating that her hair isn't relaxed straight. I'm happy to be an inspiration you all, I agree that using the pressing comb often to keep natural hair straight, could lead to more harm than good, in this respects it would be advisable to relax/texturize

 

[garr6982]

Girlllll, but imagine my horror when I was losing hair and I did not press my hair but three times a year!

That was quite frustrating!

I once grew my hair quite long with a relaxer and without the use of heat. I enjoy the "wash and go" deal with my txt so I no more heat not even if only 3 times a year!

Hey, it worked !

 

[Nanyanika]

WHAT!!! you only pressed your hair 3 times per year, it caused so much damage, you begun losing hair, oh dear.

Its very fortunate the relaxer had taken well to your hair, what a brilliant success story

 

[Mufasa]

Hi Den

I am in the same boat. Should I do it, should I not do it ...

I remember having natural hair years ago and did the press and curl hustle. Basically, it *did* damage my hair after doing it often. I lived in a humid area so I was pressing it pretty much every other day - mistake. Also, years ago, my sibling had a TWA. It had grown just enough for her to press it - she did so and thought there was no harm. After a good wash, all of it reverted back to 4A curls except a little patch at the top. No matter what she did or how much she washed, it just stayed straight. So, she had curls everywhere except this patch on the top that was straight

It seemed that the diverse grades of hair on her head reacted differently to the press and curl.

BTW, might I ask who is Robin Wright?

 

[nita4]

Den1, it's not too drastic if you choose the right relaxer/texturizer & strength for your hair. I did my daughter's with a textures & tones/mild. I think it's mild, and for the alloted time 15 minutes it didn't straighten her hair out much, reminds me more of an old fashioned blow out.

I can't braid unless it individuals and I don't have the time for that. But I dig the twist and never thought of trying them, but that's a thought especially if it would help to extend my relaxer to 4 or 5 months. Thanks for the idea. I'll give that a try.

It's good that you are taking your time with your decision. Best to you.

 

[Nanyanika]

Mufasa, I suppose it is best to research as much info as possible. If you prefer wearing straight styles on an regular basis, It may be better to relax.
Deciding loosen the curl, but still maintain the versatality of natural styles, then texturize/light press.
If you do not want to compromise natural texture, it is best to remain natural. Robin Wright!!!

CORRECTION sorry, Robin Woods, known as the hair lady, is a licensed cosmetologist who devised a technique using exstensions to grow afro hair long, she grew her hair from neck length to waist-length in two years, I'm currently using her techniques to grow my hair. I think her hair is below the waist.
I wrote to Robin recently and mentioned that she is growing her hair longer, she even encouraged me to do the same. www.growafrohairlong

 

[JazzAngel]

You know Denise, I really dont think that you have exercised all your options with natural hair styles as yet. I have made suggestions in the past but I am not sure that you have given them a fair change.

You really shocked me when I came to the board today. Well in all honestly I would love to know that you can remain natural but as many of the wonderful sisters here have said repeatedly, it is just hair. Wooh! I can't belive that I just said that!

huhhhh!

I had a texturiser for a long time and my hair was sooo soft and just beautiful. I was able to do twist outs and have wide flowy curls. And, on very lazy days I simply wet add a leave in and go.

I will say that with all the information that you have gathered here at this site if you choose to expereiment with the texturiser you can decided to grow you hair back out if you don't like it. Your hair will grow back quickly because you know how and what to do to maintain it.

What I am really saying is go for it. Life is about experiencing all that you can.

Worst case scenerio: YOu won't like your hair with the texturiser and you will have to transition. NOW, is that still so bad???????? NOT!

Here is an idear of what your texturised hair could look like: Curve Salon

 

[Nanyanika]

JazzAngel, I bet you were really shocked!!

Thanks for those pictures of texturised hair, they look nice, knowing me I probably wouldn't have the courage to go through with the chemical service options. I might just buy a weave/wig to keep my natural hair off mind, I don;t want to do something I may regret later, I'm getting my facts correct first, the my head!!! right too.

 

[Nanyanika]

Nita4, the reason why I say the relaxer is a more drastic approach for me, is because I've been a natural all my life. My hair doesn't know anything else, I don't know if it will like me putting chemicals in

i'd have do a strand test. I couldn't put a chemicals in now anyway. My hair would break off even though it is strong, because I've been wearing braids a good while. It requires lots of deep conditioning, moisturising etc before It is safe to go ahead with any chemical or heat service.

 

[LondonDiva]

Den1

You can get a GHD iron from ebay, online from doing a GHD search or from a shop over here called Trade Secret. They have one in the Whitgift Centre in Croydon. You could also try white hair salons they may also stock it.

I don't know how many Trade Secret stores there are in London.

 

[Nanyanika]

Thanks, LD

 

[CQ_Diddly_Do]

Den1,

I don't know if anyone mentioned this yet or not (it's a lot of posts to go through) but you might also want to research the dangers of the chemical in relaxers. (No offense to the ladies that already relax).

Den, I don't know how health conscious you are but there have been many articles and posts (on Nappturality.com) regarding the dangers of relaxers (chemicals on/in your scalp).

Please be sure before you do anything rash and best of luck in whatever you decide.

 

[Mufasa]

[ QUOTE ]
Mufasa, I suppose it is best to research as much info as possible. If you prefer wearing straight styles on an regular basis, It may be better to relax.


[/ QUOTE ]
Hi Den, basically, I pretty much wear braids/weaves most of the time - too lazy to do anything else with it now

. It is all natural - kinda like yours I guess My Hair It still is like this but I guess has grown a little more because of the vitamins

(They most definitely have made my nails grow mucho faster!) I kinda wished I had tried something years ago though - by now, it would have all grown out (if anything had gone wrong). I chickened out twice! Anywho, since I am in the same boat, it would be great to know of your final decision

I would just be interested in how one would texturize/perm so much hair at one time

 

[pebbles]

Wow Mufasa, very nice hair!!

 

[garr6982]

Wow! That's how my hair looks (first pic) when I wash and wear! I would love to have that color too!

Thanks for the pic!

Den: Thanks for the response and the correct last name for Robin oops!

 

[Nanyanika]

Mufasa, thanks for posting the link to your pics, your hair is really beautiful and long

, I'll keep you informed of my final decision

 

[Nanyanika]

CQ_Diddly_Do
Yes, I have been informed of the various dangers of relaxers on the scalp. I also read somewhere on an hair care site, some relaxers have similar PH to that of drain cleaners.

 

[NubianAngel]

When I read this post, I said *NOOOOOOOOOOOO*!

Until now I never realized how much other peoples decisions about their hair actually affect/inspire me.

 

[godzooki]

Den, you had me salivating to see some pics girl! still, I would flat iron or press for a few occasions. If I had hair as thick, long and beautiful as your's the furthest I'd go would be a texturizer, if that!

 

[Nanyanika]

I'm not surprised, you naturals are definitely not making the decision process any easier for me

All those persuasive arguements to prevent me applying chemicals to my hair. Its nice to know someone cares about my hair, as much as I do. Thanks NubianAngel and Godzooki

 

[sassygirl125]

I guess I'm the last to notice, but Den1 and Goldspoon are in the growafrohairlong.com hair gallery! Congratulations you two!

 

[Mufasa]

Just sneaking in a "Hi" to Pebbles

Say Pebbles

thanks for the compliment