Phyto Relaxer Index I: My heart is broken!

[LJewel]

Hmmmm. Are you trying to relax your hair "bone straight" with Phyto? Because if it didn't get it straight the first time, it's not going to get "magically" straight at the next retouch or two (unless your stylist leaves it on for a longer period of time, and smoothes the relaxer over the underprocessed parts). Maybe I'm misunderstanding what your stylist said, but it left me with a look on my face.

Yep she was going to smooth it over the underprocessed....well actually I am going to do it this time cause it cost me $85 for her to do it. But she said the Phyto usually does not take the first time you do it. My hair was nice and straight after my roller set the first time and then within a few days it started to puff up. So I plan to leave it on a little longer and go over the underprocessed hair. I find that if I leave my hair underprocessed it will eventually break off. I am going to use Porosity Plus and then deep condition when I do it this time. What do you think??? It has been 8 weeks since the first perm. Am I headed for disaster??

 

[LJewel]

I'm too.

The first thing I thought was her stylist is trying to get over. 3 retouches in a row? Cha Ching

Yep she was going to smooth it over the underprocessed....well actually I am going to do it this time cause it cost me $85 for her to do it. But she said the Phyto usually does not take the first time you do it. My hair was nice and straight after my roller set the first time and then within a few days it started to puff up. So I plan to leave it on a little longer and go over the underprocessed hair. I find that if I leave my hair underprocessed it will eventually break off. I am going to use Porosity Plus and then deep condition when I do it this time. What do you think??? It has been 8 weeks since the first perm. Am I headed for disaster??

 

[Mahalialee4]

Would clarifying help? bonjour

 

[newflowers]

Yep she was going to smooth it over the underprocessed....well actually I am going to do it this time cause it cost me $85 for her to do it. But she said the Phyto usually does not take the first time you do it. My hair was nice and straight after my roller set the first time and then within a few days it started to puff up. So I plan to leave it on a little longer and go over the underprocessed hair. I find that if I leave my hair underprocessed it will eventually break off. I am going to use Porosity Plus and then deep condition when I do it this time. What do you think??? It has been 8 weeks since the first perm. Am I headed for disaster??

I've been using Phyto Index I to relax my type 4a/b hair for years and it took like magic the first time and evey time. I use Index I because I am a little slow - that's why I tried it the first time - and it's why I keep using it.

Now I will admit that I have never gone to a stylist who uses Phyto or taken my Phyto to a stylist to have the relaxer done for me, but doing it at home has always been a success because I can take the time to smooth it well before rinsing etc.

I am not so sure about that bolded part... erplexed

 

[Serenity_Peace]

Ooooh buddy, Infusium is MOST DEFINITELY a protein-based leave in. It's basically a bottle of liquefied amino acids (the building blocks of proteins). I suspect that's where the problem occurred, too. Anytime you use something called a "reconstructor" (which is almost always protein-based), you should follow it up with a moisturizing, protein-free conditioner. I would suggest that you clarify your hair with a good clarifying shampoo, follow up with a moisturizing shampoo, and DC with a moisturizing conditioner.

So now ladies, I am accepting applications for a product for rollersets that doesn't contain harsh proteins. No more wasting good money. I have a good moisturizing shampoo and conditioner. I now need something for my rollersets. Any ideas?

Thanks again, PreciousJewel76 and everyone! Ya'll are lovely!

 

[newflowers]

A spray bottle with water and some Phyto 7 applied to the hair. Worked wonders for me.

 

[Serenity_Peace]

No prob! I didn't mean to scare you off of I23, though. A lot of people like it (my hair doesn't, because of the cones). You can still use it, you just have to balance it out with moisture.

What are you going to DC with, by the way?

That's a good question. I think I'll use a dominican deep conditioner. The Wheat Germ sounds good, but not Silicon Mix. I love SM but I want to cut down on the proteins a bit. The Wheat Germ does well. Did you have a suggestion in mind, however?

I also have Motions CPR. I've heard a lot about that product. I may use that one instead. Haven't decided just yet.

 

[Serenity_Peace]

Yep she was going to smooth it over the underprocessed....well actually I am going to do it this time cause it cost me $85 for her to do it. But she said the Phyto usually does not take the first time you do it. My hair was nice and straight after my roller set the first time and then within a few days it started to puff up. So I plan to leave it on a little longer and go over the underprocessed hair. I find that if I leave my hair underprocessed it will eventually break off. I am going to use Porosity Plus and then deep condition when I do it this time. What do you think??? It has been 8 weeks since the first perm. Am I headed for disaster??

How long did you go between the first time and the corrector? Or, have you not done the corrector yet? If you have (or still contemplating), what relaxer will you use?

 

[Serenity_Peace]

A spray bottle with water and some Phyto 7 applied to the hair. Worked wonders for me.

I think Polly gave me a sample. I could try that...

 

[newflowers]

Give it a try. Just keep your hair wet while you set which means you may need a spray bottle while you're rolling. I love Phyto 7 - it's a very good mositurizing leave-in that does not have an icky, sticky feeling on your hair - just smooth and soft.

But of course, I am biased towards Phyto products.

 

[Serenity_Peace]

Will do! Thanks, NewFlowers!!!

I'll keep ya'll posted...

 

[Rainy]

I started using Phyto I and I loved it. Hair had body, but was straight. My stylist was unable to properly relax my hair using I, so she suggested II. I agreed. EVEN though I didn't want bone straight hair. I've just decided to stop using II and go back to I. I did my own relaxer. Obviously, my hair is straight because there is nearly a year of II in my hair, but I can't wait until it's slightly wavy from I. It wasn't underprocessed, but it does require you to properly smoooth the hair to achieve the relaxed look. She couldn't manage to work that part. I really should have stopped her earlier.

I did do corrective relaxer with Phyto and it was fine.

Good Luck.

 

[LJewel]

I've been using Phyto Index I to relax my type 4a/b hair for years and it took like magic the first time and evey time. I use Index I because I am a little slow - that's why I tried it the first time - and it's why I keep using it.

Now I will admit that I have never gone to a stylist who uses Phyto or taken my Phyto to a stylist to have the relaxer done for me, but doing it at home has always been a success because I can take the time to smooth it well before rinsing etc.

I am not so sure about that bolded part... erplexed

Yes that was my first time hearing that the first application will not take. Maybe she was making excuses for how my hair might turn out . I am also slow with doing my hair - that is why I wanted to use Phyto cause I always had a problem with time when I applied the lye relaxers. I am glad to hear you had success. I too am a 4A/B. I am going to stick with the Phyto I and do it myself. Thanks!

 

[sareca]

I underprocessed big time when using Phyto II. You really have to apply ALOT and probably leave on longer than they recommend. I had waited 18 weeks so I was really disappointed in it. I ended up going another 15 weeks or so before relaxing again so take heart.

ITA. I accidently straightened my hair w/ Phyto II. I usually go for texturized but all the places where I applied it "generously" it straightened much more.

 

[LJewel]

How long did you go between the first time and the corrector? Or, have you not done the corrector yet? If you have (or still contemplating), what relaxer will you use?

I have not done the corrector yet. It has been 6 weeks since the first perm using Phyto I. I plan to wait atleast two more weeks and then do a corrective using Phyto I again - but this time I will do it myself and I will make sure it is in GREAT condition before I perm it. From all the information from all you wonderful ladies on this site I am convinced that Phyto is definately for me. I am trying to get away from all harsh chems that contributed to my thinning hair. I will continue to use Phyto and I will only color my stubborn gray with henna.

Before the Phyto perm I had always used a mild lye relaxer (Motions). I have always had trouble with the time limit on the lye perms - I am a bit slow - so that is why I wanted to go to a milder no lye perm. I waited 12 weeks before I used the Phyto I for the first time.

 

[sprungonhairboards]

FYI, also be careful of the reconstructor that comes with Phyto. Alot of ladies, myself included, have had bad experiences with it, dryness, matting, excessive tangling, making the hair hard. I still use it when I touch up but I cut it in half with a moisturizing conditioner.

 

[texasqt]

I'm glad I read this. I have thick 4a/b hair and got it super straight by a stylist using Phyto II. I want to do my own hair but I'm slow with my application. Maybe Phyto I would be my best bet for self-application if I already know its possible I may go over on time. What is the difference between Phyto I and Phyto II? And what do you ladies suggest? Should I try I or II?

 

[alexstin]

You think we should wait longer to correct?

That's just what worked for me. I do think you should wait as long as you can.

 

[Serenity_Peace]

FYI, also be careful of the reconstructor that comes with Phyto. Alot of ladies, myself included, have had bad experiences with it, dryness, matting, excessive tangling, making the hair hard. I still use it when I touch up but I cut it in half with a moisturizing conditioner.

I am absolutely convinced that this is my problem. The hair itself is starting get some shine because I'm using my own alma/brahmi/castor oil mix. The oil mix is great for my hair and my ends love it. However, my scalp is hard as a rock and BONE DRY!!! When I did the reconstructor, I failed to do a moisturizing conditioner. I plan to that this coming weekend after my henna treatment.

 

[Serenity_Peace]

I'm glad I read this. I have thick 4a/b hair and got it super straight by a stylist using Phyto II. I want to do my own hair but I'm slow with my application. Maybe Phyto I would be my best bet for self-application if I already know its possible I may go over on time. What is the difference between Phyto I and Phyto II? And what do you ladies suggest? Should I try I or II?

Phyto Index I is for fine, delicate hair
Phyto Index II is for course, thick hair

I'm wondering if I should try Index II. My hair has always been fine, but perhaps I needed to go for Index II because my hair has thickened up a bit. Plus, I was 4 months post relaxer so maybe my hair was screaming for a stronger relaxer?

 

[MonaRae]

I believe their definition of fine hair is mis-leading. Other ethic groups use their relaxer so fine is base on hair texture other than ours.

MonaRae

 

[Serenity_Peace]

I believe their definition of fine hair is mis-leading. Other ethic groups use their relaxer so fine is base on hair texture other than ours.

MonaRae

I'll keep that in mind. Didn't cross my mind before...

 

[Misseyl]

I agree with the comment about Phyto's reconstructor but what I realized was that if I leave the reconstructor in for the 10 minutes as recommened, my hair doesn't get hard. It got hard the first time because I left it on for over 10 minutes...

 

[SvelteVelvet]

I believe their definition of fine hair is mis-leading. Other ethic groups use their relaxer so fine is base on hair texture other than ours.

MonaRae

Good point, I believe it was made for more ethnic groups besides just afro-texture hair. So people are more so making a mistake correlating it to a mild afro texture/or regular strength relaxer than it just not working properly. Which is probably why there is no photo representation on the package. II was probably more specifically made to target afro textures. Knowing that, I am leaning more towards trying it in about a month, apply it myself and see how it does. I'm gonna read every phyto thread ever made before I do it too and cross my fingers.

 

[vevster]

This is a great thread. I was considering trying Phyto 1 and I think I will just stay successful with II. I cut 4 inches off in November because of my jive fmr. stylist. I'll stick with what works for me.

 

[Rainy]

I must say that I prefer Index 1, but I have thin hair. I prefer to have curl in the hair when it dries naturally. Index 2 flattened my hair and made it lifeless, which lead to breakage.

It just shows that our hair can be very different.

 

[ChocalateDiva]

Hi-
I've been using Index 1 for the past couple of relaxers also. I have very fine hair and I like the fact that I don't have to feel rushed when applying it or worry about it ever over-processing my hair. I have recently decided that it is leaving my hair a little bit more underprocessed than I would like so I'll be switching back to Index II for my next relaxer. My hair gets very straight when I roller set or use it heat but my roots poof much more than the rest of my hair at the first hint of moisture.

As far as the corrective relaxer goes, I would advise you to wait until it's time for your next relaxer and just correct it then. This is what I will be doing. As long as you keep your hair set, straight or protected, you should not experience any breakage. Good luck!

ITA