RELAXED 4B..........WHERE R U????

brittle_hair said:
Relaxed 4b checkin in - I relax every 8-9 weeks, would like to go longer but there always seems to be some event coming up and i'm not big on wigs. 9 weeks would mean I'm due a relaxer on NYE, but that would mean looking off-key on xmas day, so might relax on xmas eve instead. The relaxer after that is valentines day so can't stretch further past that due date either, plus I have a wedding to go to around then...

I actually look forward to getting a relaxer sooner rather than later cos i find with no-lye that the first 4 weeks after a relaxer is bliss! Then the last 5 weeks i find i get quite a bit of breakage or shedding and my ends get really dry. Does anyone else experience this?
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This was my experience with no-lye Affirm relaxers a few years ago - dry, brittle hair. I no longer use no-lye and do not have these issues.

If you continue to use a no-lye relaxer incorporate a chelating shampoo into your regimen at least once a month. ORS Cream Aloe is a good one.

No-lye relaxer deposits calcium build-up onto the hair strands. If the build-up is not removed from the strands moisture will not penetrate into your strands. As a result, the hair becomes hard, brittle, and dry no matter what you do or use.

Also, DC at least once a week and always use a good creamy moisturizing leave-in and seal with an oil.

HTH.
 
blessedandlucky said:
My ultimate goal is full mbl for my longest layers and bsl for the rest.

I hope this can become a support thread for relaxers.

What is your strategy for combatting shedding? It's driving me batty!
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I take garlic pill supplements....so far it's worked for me :)....although I will admit, I have been off of them for a while :look:.......I need to tighten my game up for the winter months!
 
PinkPebbles said:
No-lye relaxer deposits calcium build-up onto the hair strands. If the build-up is not removed from the strands moisture will not penetrate into your strands. As a result, the hair becomes hard, brittle, and dry no matter what you do or use.

Also, DC at least once a week and always use a good creamy moisturizing leave-in and seal with an oil.

HTH.
Click to expand...


what's the difference between chelating and clarifying? are they the same thing?
 
blessedandlucky said:
what's the difference between chelating and clarifying? are they the same thing?
Click to expand...

They are not the same.

Clarifying Shampoo removes build-up from hair products ( Conditioners, grease, hair spray, gel)

Chelating shampoo removes calcium and mineral deposits from relaxers and hard water.
 
PinkPebbles said:
This was my experience with no-lye Affirm relaxers a few years ago - dry, brittle hair. I no longer use no-lye and do not have these issues.

If you continue to use a no-lye relaxer incorporate a chelating shampoo into your regimen at least once a month. ORS Cream Aloe is a good one.

No-lye relaxer deposits calcium build-up onto the hair strands. If the build-up is not removed from the strands moisture will not penetrate into your strands. As a result, the hair becomes hard, brittle, and dry no matter what you do or use.

Also, DC at least once a week and always use a good creamy moisturizing leave-in and seal with an oil.

HTH.
Click to expand...

Thanks Pink Pebbles - I think this is exactly what I have been missing, will definitely give this a try!
 
4b checking in! I'm 1/3 relaxed, 2/3 texlaxed. I'm 1 week post. Made my goal and passed APL only to have SHS cut it to 1" above. :perplexed That's o.k., it's going to comeback longer and stronger than before! Just watch and see...

Goal for 2011: BSL (I'm a slow grower)
Challenges: Shedding and breakage. I can get it under control for awhile, then it just starts up again. The pattern I noticed is 5 days after washing it starts or at 9-10 weeks post (I usually stretch 12-13 weeks)

Also having trouble finding a daily moisturizer that will work more than a few weeks at time. Any suggestions? I thought about trying BeeMine or Qhemet.
 
blackberry815 said:
Wow what do u do during your stretch? Do you rollerset? Or do braids? How do you avoid breakage?
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Omg, no braids for me. They pull my edges out. :nono:
What I do is weekly (or bi-weekly), I shampoo and deep condition with a ceramide-containing conditioner. Then, I rollerset my hair and lightly flat iron my roots on low heat to stretch them out.

In between wash days, I leave my hair alone besides moisturizing and sealing the ends. I comb maybe once every two days, keep it in a bun, and use the scarf method to keep the front presentable.

So far, things seem to be okay, but I've never stretched this long before, so I'm not sure what the end result will be. Normally, I stop after 16-18 weeks. So I guess I'll see in a few days whether or not it was a real success. :ohwell:
 
Okay I had an appointment for a relaxer on Thursday, but you ladies have convinced me to stretch. So I'll be putting in a straw set and waiting until at least 8 weeks. It's progress lol.
 
hopkinstudent said:
4b checking in! I'm 1/3 relaxed, 2/3 texlaxed. I'm 1 week post. Made my goal and passed APL only to have SHS cut it to 1" above. :perplexed That's o.k., it's going to comeback longer and stronger than before! Just watch and see...

Goal for 2011: BSL (I'm a slow grower)
Challenges: Shedding and breakage. I can get it under control for awhile, then it just starts up again. The pattern I noticed is 5 days after washing it starts or at 9-10 weeks post (I usually stretch 12-13 weeks)

Also having trouble finding a daily moisturizer that will work more than a few weeks at time. Any suggestions? I thought about trying BeeMine or Qhemet.
Click to expand...

I use Bee Mine religiously. If you are not protein sensitive I would suggest the Luscious Cream Moisturizer. Its creamy, thick but doesn't weigh the hair down. If you are protein sensitive, I'd suggest the Deja's Hair Milk. I've been using that as my daily moisturizer for the past 6 weeks or so and I love it just as much as the luscious cream. When stretching and wearing my hair straight (rollerwrapped) I use the Hair & Scalp Moisturizer because its oil based. For braidouts I use the Curly Butter. I've never tried the Qhemet....but I'm sure other ladies can chime in on that.
 
4zzzzz here. I did the BC 2 years ago, wore weaves. A few weeks ago, I took the weave out and decided no more weaves, my hair has grown but it looked thin. I texlaxed on Dec 4, my 4zzzz's were giving me and the comb fits, I am trying for a 12 week stretch, prior to going natural I relaxed at the first sign of a wave (not really a wave, but....teeheee)... Picture in my siggy is after the texlax and a trim.
 
Wow.... Thread is still thriving and doing good.......... Us relaxed heads have to stick together..lol.. I am so proud to see you ladies are doing good by your hair and not jumping on the latest fad.. Be sure to keep your hair moisturized and do not stretch your relaxer for long periods of time if your hair is not used to it.. If you need to protective style to keep your hair on your head, then by all means do what work for you.

Just keep it simple and also be aware of the products that you use..
 
4B relaxed checking in! 6 months into this HJ. Stretched 15/16 weeks but think I'll do 12 going forward.
 
Relaxed 4b checking in!! I'm about 4.5 months post and not sure when I'll relax. I'm tryna step up my moisture game to help in this crazy winter weather so this thread has def given me some suggestions.
 
i will be 10 weeks post on saturday, but plan to relax on friday. 10 week stretching is definitely my max. i have been toying with the idea of transitioning for the last year, but i've decided now isn't the time for me. i'm going to focus on continuing to have healthy relaxed hair.

let's get it, ladies:)
 
1st post in awhile. 4b relaxed. Currently 13weeks post. Debating if I should relax @16weeks. I think long stretches are no good so may relax sooner to see if that theory is correct. Usually i get super tangles (parts are texlaxed) but i co-washed saturday w/ AO White Camelia & the washed & dc'd with AOWC last nite - no tangles at all - amazed! Pony tail rollerset (much less hair loss vs. reg rollerset) then flat iron on 230 (usually @ 320). seems like I can stretch a bit longer with this routine.
 
blessedandlucky said:
i will be 10 weeks post on saturday, but plan to relax on friday. 10 week stretching is definitely my max. i have been toying with the idea of transitioning for the last year, but i've decided now isn't the time for me. i'm going to focus on continuing to have healthy relaxed hair.

let's get it, ladies:)
Click to expand...

I'm 10 weeks post at the end of this week too - I have never stretched this long, but had some breakage in the crown that I wanted to try and grow out before relaxing. I have been considering going natural, because my relaxed hair is prone to breakage, but not too keen on starting from scratch - hate spending hours getting my hair braided and taking down braids, plus not too keen on wigs or large cornrows...

Will give my relaxed hair until June to get to APL otherwise I'll end up going natural if this breakage continues.

ETA: I tried nexus Aloe rid as a chelator but it didn't sud up or seem to get rid of any of the build up so had to use my regular shampoo (ic fantasia 100% tea shampoo. I'm waiting for another brand of chelating shampoo to be delivered, can't wait till that gets here.
 
Last edited:
hopkinstudent said:
4b checking in! I'm 1/3 relaxed, 2/3 texlaxed. I'm 1 week post. Made my goal and passed APL only to have SHS cut it to 1" above. :perplexed That's o.k., it's going to comeback longer and stronger than before! Just watch and see...

Goal for 2011: BSL (I'm a slow grower)
Challenges: Shedding and breakage. I can get it under control for awhile, then it just starts up again. The pattern I noticed is 5 days after washing it starts or at 9-10 weeks post (I usually stretch 12-13 weeks)

Also having trouble finding a daily moisturizer that will work more than a few weeks at time. Any suggestions? I thought about trying BeeMine or Qhemet.
Click to expand...

maybe try relaxing at 11 weeks post. sometimes stretching just doesn't agree with certain hair
 
Checking in. My hair revolted against me last year so I'm going to cut it tonight and begin a personal sulfur/stretch challenge.
 
lana said:
I'm here but I'm texlaxed. I'm definitely a 4B and my middle just hit BSL. But I'm claiming APL until it all reaches below BSL!
Click to expand...

Same here. My "tail" hits BSL stretched, but I'm calling myself full APL until more hair falls to BSL by itself
 
apl here, doing a 26 weeks stretch which should not be difficult. have had to be strict on my bunning which for two weeks has been a success after my recent touchup. intend to bun, braid and wig for the next six months.
 
Another 4b checking in, I have 4a/b but mostly b. I am about 10 weeks post right now and I think this weekend going to relax but haven't decided I might can hang another two weeks.
 
Me too! 4b between shoulder and APL. I will be 4 weeks post on 1/6. Prior to last relaxer I stretched for 16 weeks. Hoping to stretch this go around for 6 months. I protective style with cornrows under wigs to help me retain more length while growing my hair out and that also helps me greatly in stretching.


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