RELAXED OR PRESSED???
- Thread starter qns1980
- Start date
Chiba_revolution
New Member
I'm no expert on this subject (I wish I was), I've just BC and turned natural.
I would say relaxing, you can try and protect your hair every time you press with products, and if done correctly heat can be your friend. But there is nothing to protect your hair when you want to relax as the purpose is to break down your hair to make it straight.
Another thing to consider is even when relaxed loads of people still like to press there hair once a week anyway.
I would say relaxing, you can try and protect your hair every time you press with products, and if done correctly heat can be your friend. But there is nothing to protect your hair when you want to relax as the purpose is to break down your hair to make it straight.
Another thing to consider is even when relaxed loads of people still like to press there hair once a week anyway.
Tinkerbell19
New Member
I would have to say relaxing because there is no real way to protect against the harsh chemicals.
Highly Favored8
Well-Known Member
Was natural/press and curl up until 6 years ago.
When I started relaxing I used to relax every 4-6 weeks BAD! For me.
That was very short lived and went back to natural/press and curl
Now about 2 -3 years ago I went back to relaxing and I relax every 12-18 weeks or 4x a year that is all and my hair is doing well with this. I just did a six month my hair did not like it, now that I seen why my hair did not like the 6 month I will attempt 2x a year in 2010.
I used to walk to school with a friend of mine every day and my friend would use a hot comb on the stove every single day =( I would tell her no, no, no I stopped walking with her b/c we would be late to school =(. Since she done this every day IMHO she was damaging her hair at that time.
When I had my press and curls done I would do them every 2 weeks.
When I started relaxing I used to relax every 4-6 weeks BAD! For me.
That was very short lived and went back to natural/press and curl
Now about 2 -3 years ago I went back to relaxing and I relax every 12-18 weeks or 4x a year that is all and my hair is doing well with this. I just did a six month my hair did not like it, now that I seen why my hair did not like the 6 month I will attempt 2x a year in 2010.
I used to walk to school with a friend of mine every day and my friend would use a hot comb on the stove every single day =( I would tell her no, no, no I stopped walking with her b/c we would be late to school =(. Since she done this every day IMHO she was damaging her hair at that time.
When I had my press and curls done I would do them every 2 weeks.
Rei
New Member
I think it depends...there are many women on this board who relax every few months and their hair is long and thick. Then on the other hand there are women who press their hair every 2 weeks like pinkskates and, well, nuff said. So I think either way you can have long and healthy hair, it just would depend on how you take care of your hair after getting the relaxer (and the relaxing technique), and how you take care of your hair after the press (also the pressing technique).
Sorry if the answer is a bit vague, but this is really dependent on the person's hair and technique!
Sorry if the answer is a bit vague, but this is really dependent on the person's hair and technique!
Purfectalibi
New Member
IMO one can be just as damaging as the other. Almost too much of anything can be harmful to your hair. For either action you have to have balance (actually for anything in your body or on your hair)
msa
New Member
I look at it this way: a relaxer permanently damages your hair straight & pressing temporarily (in theory) damages your hair straight.
I think they're both pretty damaging and have the potential to cause major problems. But, if you are skilled at one or the other and are able to keep your hair as healthy as possible, then just choose the one that fits best with your lifestyle. Personally, relaxing just seems like there's too much maintenance for me.
I think they're both pretty damaging and have the potential to cause major problems. But, if you are skilled at one or the other and are able to keep your hair as healthy as possible, then just choose the one that fits best with your lifestyle. Personally, relaxing just seems like there's too much maintenance for me.
It be great to have opinions from people who have done both recently. I used to press my hair when I was younger, I did it for about 2 or 3 years. It was just fine but I didn't like it because I still had to detangle my hair and fight againt knots on wash day. At the same time, altough my hair was doing fine, my texture changed from frequent pressings. I can't call that damage since my hair was still very "healthy", although I don't like to use this word when it comes to hair. Dead cells can't be healthy 
Well, relaxers gave more manageability, so wash days became easier. Although I'd been a very bad girl with my relaxed hair, I've never had any major problems, no damage, nothing to talk about...
If you are trying to decide which way to go, make sure to consider opinions of people who have been through both, and eventually try to skip those advices coming from people who are mainly concerned about some hidden ideological philosophy
It's only hair, enjoy it the way you want
Well, relaxers gave more manageability, so wash days became easier. Although I'd been a very bad girl with my relaxed hair, I've never had any major problems, no damage, nothing to talk about...If you are trying to decide which way to go, make sure to consider opinions of people who have been through both, and eventually try to skip those advices coming from people who are mainly concerned about some hidden ideological philosophy
It's only hair, enjoy it the way you wanthairmaster
New Member
If it good enough for OPRAH to press,every day and still have length, We need to find out what andre is using....
msa
New Member
When I was a pressed natural my pressed hair could stay straight for a month...and this was while I played sports in high school.
Obviously, when you wash your hair it's not straight anymore. The problem is, it's possible to incur permanent heat damage which ranges from your texture being looser to having completely straight pieces that won't revert.
Ms_Twana
New Member
I voted for both...but I think heat every 1-2 weeks would be worse than getting a chemical 3-4times a year and BARELY use heat. That's one reason I decided to relax again, rather than be a straight natural. 
I do believe you can have HEALTHY HAIR with BOTH though!!!
I do believe you can have HEALTHY HAIR with BOTH though!!!
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RedVelvet310
New Member
Oops 
I accidently clicked "pressing" because I thought it was *Which is the healthier choice* sorry! I think RELAXING is more damaging because it's a harsh chemical and it's permanent. Pressing on the other hand uses only heat and is not permanent. It's all about being responsible. I know people who press their hair regularly and have healthier hair than people who have never used heat. It's all about knowing your hair and having the right heat protectant and not abusing the heat
I accidently clicked "pressing" because I thought it was *Which is the healthier choice* sorry! I think RELAXING is more damaging because it's a harsh chemical and it's permanent. Pressing on the other hand uses only heat and is not permanent. It's all about being responsible. I know people who press their hair regularly and have healthier hair than people who have never used heat. It's all about knowing your hair and having the right heat protectant and not abusing the heat 
