Phyto and my hair...

[CandiceC]

do not mix. I wish I had a positive review of the relaxer, but it just didn't work out for me.

Last night I read the instructions about three times, got all the materials together and got ready to jump on the Phytowagon. I fell off. My tightly coiled, 16 week post relaxer, 4 a/b hair just didn't respond much to the no-lye. I worked quickly and smoothed quite a bit. I accidentally left it on my hair for a couple minutes longer than necessary, but it still didn't take. My hair line "looked" smooth during the process, but I could tell the rest wasn't even really ready. I didn't want to leave it in any longer though.

When my coworker -who knew I was going to be trying a new relaxer- saw me earlier, she said "Oh, you didn't try it." It looks as though I haven't relaxed at all. If she saw my hair under the hats I've been wearing beforehand she would have noticed a difference, but the difference isn't great enough for me. It doesn't even look texturized except for a couple of spots toward the front.

I'm use to having Affirm regular applied to my hair. I plan to return to it. I plan to do a corrective with it soon and just not leave it on too long. Any suggestions on how long I should leave it in? Right now I can't treat my hair as though it's been relaxed because it'll just snap and tangle. I can't wait for my Affirm to arrive (thanks, DSD!).

I didn't get the silky feeling from the Milky Reconstructor either. If it's not braided up my hair is just hard to please.

So I'm one of the few that hasn't had a good experience. It's not Phyto itself I'm sure. It's the fact that it's no-lye. So far I don't regret trying it out though.

 

[sengschick]

Sorry it didn't work out. You used Index 2?

 

[CandiceC]

Sorry it didn't work out. You used Index 2?

Yes. I'm so surprised it didn't take. (whispering: My hair is so stubborn.)

 

[KAddy]

Sorry it didn't work out for you Candice.

I'm going to add your feedback to the PhytoRelaxer thread I made, OK?

 

[CandiceC]

Sorry it didn't work out for you Candice.

I'm going to add your feedback to the PhytoRelaxer thread I made, OK?

Sure. I don't mind.

What do you ladies think of correcting the underprocessing with Affirm? I'll probably do it regardless, but it'll be good to get some opinions.

 

[DMarie]

Hi Candice

The phyto didn't work out for me either. I was natural and self relaxed with affirm fiberguard lye. Then I attempted a corrective with the phyto do to all of the hype here and wasn't impressed with the results. My hair is not soft anymore. It seems like moisture doesn't get into my hairs cuticles like they use to. I had a hard time getting the phyto to mix well and after its application had to use all of the neutralizer to get the chemicals out of my hair. Then I noticed a copper colored strand o hair on my head. Sure I used a no lye over a lye relaxer and that could have been the problem. But phyto definately caused the dryness since it had been exceptionally soft before. If I were you I wouldn't do a corrective with the affirm. Just let it be. Grow it out and move on as best you can. It will just cause dryness. Also, the phyto made my hair tangle like you wouldn't believe!! I HAD to use a moisturizing conditioner just to be able to comb my hair. My hair was literally sticking together. The new growth that I relaxed with the phyto isn't even soft. I initially relaxed with affirm for 15 minutes and then the phyto 20-25 minutes as directed and some of my hair still isn't straight.

good luck.

dmarie

 

[CandiceC]

Also, the phyto made my hair tangle like you wouldn't believe!! I HAD to use a moisturizing conditioner just to be able to comb my hair. My hair was literally sticking together.

The tangling and "sticking together " is happening to me too. I didn't mention it because I thought I was just being too rough with my hair when I was shampooing it. I guess it was the Phyto. How did you handle the tangles?

And it's dry. I just rubbed my hair and the oil I used to moisturize it is showing on my hands, but my hair doesn't feel or look like it has oil in it. How did you handle the dryness?

I will say that the new growth is a little softer than it was before.

Did you go back to Affirm? How long did you wait?

 

[KAddy]

DMarie I am adding your info to the Phyto thread too, OK?

 

[UmSumayyah]

DMarie please do not overlap no-lye onto lye-processed hair. I lost all my hair that way.

 

[AJamericanDiva]

I guess the Lawd does work in mysterious ways... I went to Ricky's in my 'hood to get the relaxer and as fate would have it, there was no Index 2 only 1. The last time I went, which I believe was last week, there was at least 2-3 boxes. I was ready to come home and type... "Which one of you heffas bought up the last of the PHYTO???" I wanted to do my daughter's hair, then would do my own once the braids are out. Oh well! Thank you Lord for working in your mysterious way. I betta stick with the Affirm. Thanks for the feedback. I knew there was one negative feedback on a thread that I read... DMarie, maybe that was you.

 

[aqualung]

DMarie,

What hair type are you?
Is this a pattern for type 4s who try Phytorelaxer?
What might be causing the stickiness? That's unheard of!

I've noticed that lots of type 3s respond well to no-lye, while type 4s do better with lye. Several stylists I know insist on lye for tighter curl patterns.

 

[UmSumayyah]

Lye does jack for my hair. It's use no-lye or nothing at all for me. (I'm 4). I'm sure DSD, Kaddy, and at least a few other phyto-heads are 4s as well.

 

[dontspeakdefeat]

Lye does jack for my hair. It's use no-lye or nothing at all for me. (I'm 4). I'm sure DSD, Kaddy, and at least a few other phyto-heads are 4s as well.

I am a 4. My hair takes well to pretty much any relaxer. It always has. I would switch from lye to no lye every relaxer. My hair didn't care. That was a long time ago but it still seems to be the case.

 

[CandiceC]

DMarie please do not overlap no-lye onto lye-processed hair. I lost all my hair that way.

How did you lose your hair? Was it breaking or did you just decide to cut it because of...?

 

[dontspeakdefeat]

DMarie please do not overlap no-lye onto lye-processed hair. I lost all my hair that way.

I guess my hair is different that way too because I used the phyto to do a corrective. I overlapped at least 3 inches into my previously lye relaxed hair. I haven't had any breakage problems at all.

 

[Kitkat]

Sure. I don't mind.

What do you ladies think of correcting the underprocessing with Affirm? I'll probably do it regardless, but it'll be good to get some opinions.

That's a good idea. I've found that Affirm is a good relaxer to correct underprocessing. I thought about trying the Phyto when I abandon the braids for good - I'm braiding up on Saturday - but Affirm works so well for me, and I didn't want to push my luck. Sorry the Phyto didn't work for you, but I hope you get good results with Affirm. But aren't you correcting a bit too soon? One week between relaxers, even if Phyto is no lye, doesn't sound like much time to me. Good luck.

 

[UmSumayyah]

I switched from no-lye, which had been doing my hair just fine, to lye. I did this due to reading alot of stuff on the board about how evil no-lye was. Well I tried several different brands of lye relaxers and was continually underprocessed. I went to a stylist at the JCP and she decided to use no-lye, I agreed. She then overlapped me all the way to the ends (I didn't realize until shortly before the shampoo). I had long pretty hair for about 2 weeks and then it was breakage city: 1 inch strands, 3 inch strands. I chopped off 3 inches. More 1-3 inch strands. I chopped again. Still lots of breakage. I chopped up to my ears. I still have some breakage but not near what it was and not long strands. Mind you, before seeing that stylist I went 9 months with no breakage, just trimming individual splits here and there as I saw them.
I would have been bra-strap by now, a bit past. But que sera sera.

 

[CandiceC]

That's a good idea. I've found that Affirm is a good relaxer to correct underprocessing. I thought about trying the Phyto when I abandon the braids for good - I'm braiding up on Saturday - but Affirm works so well for me, and I didn't want to push my luck. Sorry the Phyto didn't work for you, but I hope you get good results with Affirm. But aren't you correcting a bit too soon? One week between relaxers, even if Phyto is no lye, doesn't sound like much time to me. Good luck.

Thanks for the encouraging words about Affirm. Take it from me- stick with it. I'm just so anxious for my hair to be straightened. I'm not liking this new growth helmet. I also want to see at least most of the length I've gained while in braids. I also didn't want to have to deal with my lye relaxed hair, my no lye relaxed "new growth" and any additional new growth- all at the same time. Too many different textures for me.

When I get the Affirm I'll probably do a test correction with it. Maybe all the way in the back on one side- a 1 inch by 1 inch' section. I'll wait a few days and see how it behaves. If it does well then I'll section that part off and do the rest of my head.

 

[Kitkat]

CandiceC, no problem. I should mention that I use Affirm mild, and it relaxes my hair quite nicely. I relaxed last night after almost 2 months of new growth. And I'm 4a.

I'd suggest waiting much longer than one week to correct your underprocessing, though. You don't want to cause any damage to your hair.

 

[Hair2day]

I love Affirm relaxer!! I have been using it for 3 years now. I have tried the FIberguard system (mild) & the regular Affirm (mild). My hair has a permanent color on it as well. I also have tried no lye relaxers before & everytime I went to the stylist she could tell by looking at my hair strands exactly where the lye and no lye was used. I never got great results with no lye relaxers so I was hesistant to even try Phyto. I was just about to purchase some after reading the thread DSD & Mskenisha did but, for now I think I will stick to Affirm. I have come to far to have a set back. Be sure to deep conditioner your hair with a moisture Rich conditioner & also moisturize daily with a creme moisturizer or spray/wet moisturizer if your hair to be braided. I hope everything works out for you Candace. Thank you for the thread.

 

[CandiceC]

CandiceC, no problem. I should mention that I use Affirm mild, and it relaxes my hair quite nicely. I relaxed last night after almost 2 months of new growth. And I'm 4a.

I'd suggest waiting much longer than one week to correct your underprocessing, though. You don't want to cause any damage to your hair.

Does time help my underprocessed hair get prepared for a correction? How can I prepare for it? A protein treatment perhaps? :scratchch

I've mapped out my plan. I'll wait until next Friday night to do the test correction section. I'll leave it on for a little while and then wait another week or more for the rest if that section still behaves after a wash or two. If the test section does well with a correction after one week I'll be more confident in correcting after two weeks.

 

[CandiceC]

I love Affirm relaxer!! I have been using it for 3 years now. I have tried the FIberguard system (mild) & the regular Affirm (mild). My hair has a permanent color on it as well. I also have tried no lye relaxers before & everytime I went to the stylist she could tell by looking at my hair strands exactly where the lye and no lye was used. I never got great results with no lye relaxers so I was hesistant to even try Phyto. I was just about to purchase some after reading the thread DSD & Mskenisha did but, for now I think I will stick to Affirm. I have come to far to have a set back. Be sure to deep conditioner your hair with a moisture Rich conditioner & also moisturize daily with a creme moisturizer or spray/wet moisturizer if your hair to be braided. I hope everything works out for you Candace. Thank you for the thread.

I'm glad my review helped further convince you to stay with Affirm. How did you make the switch? Did you have to do a correction with lye or did your stylist just start with the new growth?

I sure do plan to moisturize even more at this point. I've got to. Even if I've got to drench my hair in moisturizer and keep a shower cap on my head when I'm at home (the whole head baggie method).

 

[Nice]

I have used Phyto with no adverse affects. I must admit that I did not like the milky reconstructor. I made my hair stiff....I must say that I did not follow up with a moisturizing conditioner at the time . I love the Phytorelaxer..


I used affirm for years just okay

 

[Kitkat]

CandiceC, doing a good protein treatment will help prepare your hair for the corrective relaxer. You don't want to stress your hair out and subject it to too much processing too soon. That combination could lead to breakage. Even though the Phyto didn't straighten your hair as you hoped, remember it's still a relaxer. HTH.

 

[WhipEffectz1]

Geez, I was going to try Phyto when I finish stretching but now Candice has me re-thinking it. I mean, I want a touchup that will straigthen all of this new growth when its time. I think I will be seriously depressed if this happens to me.

Anyone on here ever relax 16 weeks or more using Phyto?

 

[CandiceC]

CandiceC, doing a good protein treatment will help prepare your hair for the corrective relaxer. You don't want to stress your hair out and subject it to too much processing too soon. That combination could lead to breakage. Even though the Phyto didn't straighten your hair as you hoped, remember it's still a relaxer. HTH.

Thanks! I sure will do a protein treatment.

 

[CandiceC]

Geez, I was going to try Phyto when I finish stretching but now Candice has me re-thinking it. I mean, I want a touchup that will straigthen all of this new growth when its time. I think I will be seriously depressed if this happens to me.

Anyone on here ever relax 16 weeks or more using Phyto?

The more I thought about it, the worse I started to feel, WhipEffectz1. I shouldn't have tried to switch. You can tell from my photo album my hair was doing well with the Affirm relaxer. I had to get greedy and try the Phyto.

Posting this thread and all of the feedback and advice makes me feel better though. Hopefully someone else will be helped by this thread. This problem is only temporary. I AM going to whip my hair back into shape.

 

[WhipEffectz1]

The more I thought about it, the worse I started to feel, WhipEffectz1. I shouldn't have tried to switch. You can tell from my photo album my hair was doing well with the Affirm relaxer. I had to get greedy and try the Phyto.

Posting this thread and all of the feedback and advice makes me feel better though. Hopefully someone else will be helped by this thread. This problem is only temporary. I AM going to whip my hair back into shape.

I know what you mean about the greedy part, I want to try everything. I'm gonna do a little more research on Phyto but I probably end up using another one until I stop stretching for so long. Good luck with your hair dear. I agree that its only a minor setback!

 

[hopeful]

CandiceC,
I'm so sorry to hear about what happened to you. I think a protein treatment sounds good but remember to go easy on that too--unless you already know your hair likes protein. I've seen so many threads where people overdid protein and ended up with brittle, breaking hair. Be patient and go easy, okay? Many people love affirm--I've got a feeling that it will correct just fine so long as you baby your hair for the next few months. Good luck.

I also think its great that you posted. You probably have saved a lot of people future heartache.

 

[DMarie]

Candice- I handled the tangles by carfully applying kenra moisturising conditioner to my hair, letting it sit for a while and then while under the shower combing it out. Initially to handle the dryness I would moisturize everyday with scurl, and apply an oil and wear a bun. But even the scurl doesn't work as well as it use to on my hair since I applied the phyto and I use jojoba oil but even that doesn't seem to get my hair soft like it use to be either. Before phyto I would feel my hair and would be amazed at how soft it was in comparison to my natural hairs texture after the scurl and jojoba but now it seems like I fly through moisturizing conditioners and nothing is working as well. But I am lucky that I have finally found a style to wear to grow out my hair. And I am lucky to say that with all of my stupid decisoins I did not loose any hair. My hair isn't breaking or shedding. I credit my hairs natural strength for this and it's overall good health prior to relaxing before adding the chemicals. I never knew my hair could be strong enough to withstand 15 minutes of lye and then another 25 of no lye. That could say something positive about phyto right there. I also find that protein is not my friend lately. So with that said, I would find a good moisturizing conditioner, leave in and oil, then find a style that allows you to comb your hair less. I've recently started roller setting my hair and letting it dry over night then in the am apply jojoba and then coconut oil. This gives me moisture and a nice shine. I do this every three days and don't comb my hair till I redo it. I kind of have to sleep pretty initially but it's worth it. As for my next relaxer, I don't plan to get another one till at least 12 weeks. And I don't know what chemical I'll use. I used the phyto at 15 weeks after my initial relaxer. I have decided to wait at least 12 weeks between chemicals. It's actually not hard for me to do. I wish I'd started doing this sooner. What kind of relaxer are you going to use? You said affirm but is it lye or no lye.

Umsumayyah- I am well aware of the fact that I shouldn't apply a no lye over a lye chemical. But thanks for your concern.

Kaddy- I don't have a problem with you adding my message to the phyto thread.

And

Ajamericandiva- good luck with your relaxer!! God does work in mysterious ways.

DMarie