Relaxed hair = damaged hair?

[snsmith02]

I am new to this site, and I was wondering...where are all the resources online that show the benefits of relaxing hair? Are there any benefits, besides the manageability? Alot of what i've read has said only negative things about how relaxers dry out and break off your hair.

I am new to all this, and i've been relaxing my hair for as long as I can remember. My hair is pretty average, about shoulder length but I haven't been able to grow it any longer than that.

I've tried to go without relaxing it, and i love the feeling of new growth, but trying to lay my hair down in a ponytail is a hard thing to do. Also, at the roots it gets matted no matter what I do if it's not relaxed. Also, I do use a blow dryer...but I don't like to. It sheds my hair like crazy. I came on this site last week and saw something about co-washing and pre-poo. I experimented with that and I liked it. But airdrying my hair made it look worse than it did when I started so I just broke down and blow dryed it.

I'm not sure I want to go natural because as wonderful as it is, it's not for everyone and i'm not ready for that challenge...yet. But my goal is to one day have beautiful, MANAGEABLE, non-chemically processed hair.

I know I sound like someone who doesn't know ANYTHING about taking care of their hair, and that's because I really don't. I love this site, i'm taking it all in but i'm still lost. I'm sure i'll get it in time. Wish me luck!

 

[yellow08]

First welcome to LHCF!!! I've been learning a lot about my hair since I've joined. I am not sure what your question is, but I know there are a lot of women on this board that have healthy relaxed hair...

 

[Country gal]

This is a board of relaxed hair = some beautiful, long and healthy hair on LHCF. This a great board full of testimonies from naturals and relaxed heads. I use to have relaxed hair but love being natural. You will relaxed heads like Sylver2 who have beautiful and long relaxed hair. I can vouch that it is real. Welcome to the board and spend some time searching through old threads.

 

[loulou82]

:welcome3:

I started out relaxed when I came to the board but I transitioned for 15 months and cut off the rest of my relaxed hair. Relaxers when mis-used and abused can cause a host of problems just like any other chemical treatment (perm, color). But as you search the board will will find hundreds of examples of ladies growing and retaining long hair with relaxers and many doing the same as naturals. Whatever you do with your hair you'll find the info you need to keep it healthy. Being natural isn't an automatic card to health and long lengths, you still need to maintain it.

As far as air drying, how are you doing it? Do you let your hair loose or do you stretch it in some way? Have you tried rollersetting, braiding it, twisting it, putting it in a ponytail, or bunning it? All of these options stretch out the hair as it dries and prevents matting and tangling.

 

[snsmith02]

:welcome3:

I started out relaxed when I came to the board but I transitioned for 15 months and cut off the rest of my relaxed hair. Relaxers when mis-used and abused can cause a host of problems just like any other chemical treatment (perm, color). But as you search the board will will find hundreds of examples of ladies growing and retaining long hair with relaxers and many doing the same as naturals. Whatever you do with your hair you'll find the info you need to keep it healthy. Being natural isn't an automatic card to health and long lengths, you still need to maintain it.

As far as air drying, how are you doing it? Do you let your hair lose or do you stretch it in some way? Have you tried rollersetting, braiding it, twisting it, putting it in a ponytail, or bunning it? All of these options stretch out the hair as it dries and prevents matting and tangling.

When I air dry, I usually put a leave in conditioner and just let it loose. I've never tried rollersetting at home, so maybe i'll do that next time. I've put it in a ponytail before but I brushed it, and i'm not sure if you're supposed to do that while the hair is still wet. Ah! Takes forever to dry that way too. I think maybe I just need patience!

 

[snsmith02]

First welcome to LHCF!!! I've been learning a lot about my hair since I've joined. I am not sure what your question is, but I know there are a lot of women on this board that have healthy relaxed hair...

You ladies are a big help. I guess my question sorta turned into a mini-rant!

 

[snsmith02]

This is a board of relaxed hair = some beautiful, long and healthy hair on LHCF. This a great board full of testimonies from naturals and relaxed heads. I use to have relaxed hair but love being natural. You will relaxed heads like Sylver2 who have beautiful and long relaxed hair. I can vouch that it is real. Welcome to the board and spend some time searching through old threads.

I am looking at some examples now!!! I'm so glad I found this site. There's hope!!!!!

 

[Whimsy]

Welcome!!!
Cosigning those who said you can have healthy + relaxed hair!

 

[naturalgurl]

Girl, I think many can testify that they knew nothing before coming here. I knew absolutely NOTHING! I would flat iron hair sprayed hair over and over. SHEESH! I know relaxers weren't good for me but I'm amazed and proud of the healthy relaxed heads we have here. I've never seen anyone with healthy relaxed hair like these ladies. You're in the right place. Stalk fotki's and try out things for yourself. Every head is different so don't take what one person raves about as gospel for your hair. Oh yeah, and WELCOME!

 

[FunJoy!]

NO....This is NOT TRUE..Yes relaxed hair is indeed more prone to damage but it can be healthy I MEAN VERY HEALTHY will proper care...some beautiful relaxed heads are:
Sylver
Traycee ETC

 

[loulou82]

You can do some nice wet buns/chignons while your hair dries. You can use a light oil and your hands or a soft bristle boar brush to sweep your hair into the bun. But I know some ladies don't like their hair wet so why don't you go under a dryer or soft bonnet dryer attachment on low heat for 15-20 minutes to help speed up the process while your hair is in big twists or your bun. I know Kinikakes' hair took a day to dry from her buns but her hair also grew to mid back. Tiffers also does the wet buns and her hair is swinging at BSB (beyond shoulder blade).

 

[Toy]

Welcome to the board !!!!

 

[mahogany_horizons]

FIRST OF ALL, WELCOME LADY Second of all, I do believe that relaxed hair can be healthy. My relaxed hair is pretty healthy I think. But I also think that it takes proper care, and knowledge of what that is is different for everyone's hair. However, as the ladies have stated, you have all the tools you need to make this happen for yourself if you use the resources of this board.

 

[vkb247]

I am new to this site, and I was wondering...where are all the resources online that show the benefits of relaxing hair? Are there any benefits, besides the manageability?
Relaxers were created to straighten hair/make it more manageable. I am pretty sure they don't have any other benefits, but some relaxers do add other ingredients that result in soft, shiny, well conditioned hair. But I don't think anyone would ever use it for those reasons alone. That would be crazy.

I am new to all this, and i've been relaxing my hair for as long as I can remember. My hair is pretty average, about shoulder length but I haven't been able to grow it any longer than that.
I had this same exact problem prior to LHCF and I believe it was because this is the critical point when your hair begins to rub against your shoulders/clothes/collars. This causes dry ends/split ends/breakage. Many ladies choose to bun or wear their hair up to get past this length.

HTH and WELCOME!

 

[Mai Tai]

Welcome to the board. I am relaxed, and me and airdrying do not get along. Neither does brushing while wet. I use a hooded dryer to dry my hair about 70%, and then blowdry the rest on a low heat setting. Using this indirect heat has had a positive impact on my hair because I don't get the shedding, or tangling when I have a lot of new growth.

 

[soulie]

Welcome from another relaxed head!!! Rollersets can be your friend....

 

[snsmith02]

NO....This is NOT TRUE..Yes relaxed hair is indeed more prone to damage but it can be healthy I MEAN VERY HEALTHY will proper care...some beautiful relaxed heads are:
Sylver
Traycee ETC

Both of those ladies have beautiful hair! I am inspired. I guess you can say right now i'm doing a stretch....but didn't even know what that terminology meant until recently. I haven't relaxed my hair since early November, but mostly because i'm not quite sure what I want to do with it. I'll see how it goes. Thank you ladies for all the love and welcome! I hope to see you around

 

[Gracie]

Proper hair care regardless if your hair is natural or relaxed will equal healthy hair. It is all in how you take care of it.

 

[Solitude]

Welcome to the board!!! Yes, relaxed hair can be healthy! People refer to relaxers as "damaging," because the chemicals used to straighten the hair actually bread down the bonds in the hair, thereby technically "damaging," the hair structure.

Whether you chose to transition to natural hair or remain relaxed, you'll find a wealth of information. A lot of women come here due to problems with relaxing, but for me, I found that direct heat was the source of my problems (flat-irons, curling irons, blow dryers). Stretching your relaxers can help a lot and so can finding a balance between protein usage and moisture.

 

[Neith]

All relaxed hair is "technically" damaged.

A relaxer goes inside the hair and breaks down and rearranges proteins in the hair.

HOWEVER, as you know... that doesn't mean that you still can't have healthy hair.

Everyone's hair has varying degrees of damage, whether it be from heat, chemicals or even just brushing and combing. In that sense, we all have damaged hair.

It's only when you have excessive dryness/breakage that you really have a problem.

Is it possible for you to have relaxed hair that rivals healthy natural hair in strength? Sure! Is all natural hair automatically strong and healthy? Heck no!

Any type of hair can be healthy

 

[BeautifulFlower]

Here is An EXAMPLE of some of our Relaxed Hair Idols


Traycee
Sylver2
Loveya4eva
silverLotus
SweetCashew
PacificPurinsesu
Tee
2Cute!

 

[snsmith02]

Here is An EXAMPLE of some of our Relaxed Hair Idols


Traycee
Sylver2
Loveya4eva
silverLotus
SweetCashew
PacificPurinsesu
Tee
2Cute!

Thank you! Your hair is gorgeous by the way!

 

[normacyri]

Welcome!
I have learned so mush since I stumbled on LHCF in April. My relaxed hair has been in the best shape of my life, I've realized that my hair hates heat but loves protein so i respond accordingly. Also i have learned to s-t-r-e-t-c-h my relaxers which has probably been most beneficial. As a matter of fact i'm due for a retouch this Saturday, I'm expecting gorgeous hair...lol

Sylver2 is a master of the stretch, definitely check her out.

 

[snsmith02]

Welcome to the board. I am relaxed, and me and airdrying do not get along. Neither does brushing while wet. I use a hooded dryer to dry my hair about 70%, and then blowdry the rest on a low heat setting. Using this indirect heat has had a positive impact on my hair because I don't get the shedding, or tangling when I have a lot of new growth.

I am making a list...I love your tips, definitely have to invest in a hooded dryer *check*, and buy a GOOD hair dryer with more adjustable settings. The low on the one I have now does nothing for me, and the high heat is TOO hot!!