Relaxer Stretch

How far are you stretching your relaxers?

  • 7 weeks and under

    Votes: 51 4.5%
  • 8-9 weeks

    Votes: 212 18.9%
  • 10-11 weeks

    Votes: 174 15.5%
  • 12-14 weeks

    Votes: 350 31.2%
  • 15-17 weeks

    Votes: 104 9.3%
  • 18 weeks and over

    Votes: 231 20.6%

  • Total voters
    1,122
I just started relaxing/texturizing again. So far I'm at 8 or 9 weeks post and I have like no new growth. Maybe a wave (yeah like just one, lol) in the nappiest part of my head, but I'm not sure if thats new growth or if I'm just tripping because its nowhere else on my head.

You all that relax anywhere less than 10 weeks post must have really fast growing hair (or maybe my hair just grows really slow?).

Well anyway, to answer the question, I will probably relax/texturize again somewhere between 4-6 months. I don't have a set amount of time.
 
The most I've done is 12 weeks and it was so hard last time because I was on bedrest so I had no choice. I'm six weeks this week, I deliver my twins next week so by the time I recover and all it will be about twelve weeks. I think I'll be able to make the twelve weeks with flying colors this time. Last week I started using kerastase shampoo and conditioners again and my newgrowths are so smooth and the relaxed hair is so moisturized. If it keeps my hair that soft through the twelve weeks maybe I'll go sixteen weeks. We'll see.
 
I am 6 weeks yesterday! But I plan on getting my relaxer at 9 weeks due to the fact that my BF's graduation is coming up! I was going to strecth to 12, but if I feel up to it I might still do it but I doubt it! I already have hella newgrowth thanx to more frequent co washes!
 
Last edited:
Stretched to 13 weeks as of Sunday 17th April. I caved in and texturized today (21st april) because I just got a little tired of the new growth, I could've stretched some more, I guess.:cool: Next time I'll probably stretch to 15 weeks as long as there is no shedding.:)

Previously, I was only stretching until week 8/9. So there's progress.:)
 
I'm at 11 weeks and will stretch until next Saturday, which will make 12 weeks. This is the first time I've ever gone this long w/o a relaxer. Con washes once a week, followed by Nexxus Emergencee and a deep condition have helped. I also use CD Healthy Hair Butter, my own oil mixture NTM Silk Touch Leave-in and ORS Shea Butter softening lotion during the week. For detangling after washing, I use the much talked about Patene Light Conditioning detangler.

I wear my hair in a bun now and tie w/a silk scarf each morning after applying my hair products. It makes the crinkles lay down and become smooth waves.
 
Last edited:
BAILEYSCREAM said:
Stretched to 13 weeks as of Sunday 17th April. I caved in and texturized today (21st april) because I just got a little tired of the new growth, I could've stretched some more, I guess.:cool: Next time I'll probably stretch to 15 weeks as long as there is no shedding.:)

Previously, I was only stretching until week 8/9. So there's progress.:)
I long for a 13 week stretch! I'm debating because my high school reunion is in June & it's interrupting my 5 month stretch! :mad: I could wear a bun & phony pony or braids but i want to look the bomb! Either way my hair decision is soooo unmade!
perplexed.gif
 
It just hit me that it's been more than 13 weeks since I last relaxed my hair and I didn't even realize it until I saw this thread. If my hair keeps cooperating like this, then, I just might go ahead and transition.

What has helped me this go round is CO washing. I have learned that my hair isn't all that crazy about shampoo, or maybe I've just been using the wrong ones.
 
When I first texturized my hair I stretched my texturizer to 12 weeks (3 months) but this time I am aiming for 24 weeks (6 months). I think I can handle it at least I hope so.:look:
 
Ashee said:
I long for a 13 week stretch! I'm debating because my high school reunion is in June & it's interrupting my 5 month stretch! :mad: I could wear a bun & phony pony or braids but i want to look the bomb! Either way my hair decision is soooo unmade!:perplexed

Hey Ashee,

Why don't you go and get a Dominican blow out just for that day and then continue to stretch?

I mostly wore my hair in wet ponytail/baggie with Soft and Beautiful Hair Moisturizing complex conditioner left on my roots (this really helped me stretch the last 3 weeks, or flat ironed (once or twice), blow dried a few times, Sylver2 scarf method a few times. And sometimes I just wore a scarf tied at the back to look like a bun or you can put your hair in ponytail and then baggie the ends and then tie your scarf around your head and just wrap the ends of the scarf around your covered baggie (I did that a few times). I didn't really roller set but it's a good idea to try that if you can manage it (it's a lot healthier than frying with the blow dryer:D).

I've got to say the daily washing really helped a great deal for growth and also for manageability.:grin:

A bun or phony pony sounds good, hmmmm.....as for the braids, now that I'm re-texturized, I'll wait about 2 weeks for some new growth then get some braids (strictly cornrows only - non of that mix & match thing I did last year that broke off my hair:nono: )
 
Last edited:
BAILEYSCREAM said:
Hey Ashee,

Why don't you go and get a Dominican blow out just for that day and then continue to stretch?

I mostly wore my hair in wet ponytail/baggie with Soft and Beautiful Hair Moisturizing complex conditioner left on my roots (this really helped me stretch the last 3 weeks, or flat ironed (once or twice), blow dried a few times, Sylver2 scarf method a few times. And sometimes I just wore a scarf tied at the back to look like a bun or you can put your hair in ponytail and then baggie the ends and then tie your scarf around your head and just wrap the ends of the scarf around your covered baggie (I did that a few times). I didn't really roller set but it's a good idea to try that if you can manage it (it's a lot healthier than frying with the blow dryer:D).

I've got to say the daily washing really helped a great deal for growth and also for manageability.:grin:

A bun or phony pony sounds good, hmmmm.....as for the braids, now that I'm re-texturized, I'll wait about 2 weeks for some new growth then get some braids (strictly cornrows only - non of that mix & match thing I did last year that broke off my hair:nono: )
My reunion's in Miami, FL & I've only tested my Summer products in New York heaat & humidity. That's nothing compared to 90+ degrees & humidity! So I think I'll leave the Blow Outs for NYC & not the reunion... but that was a thought, a quick thought, but a thought none-the-less. :lol:
I'm now aiming towards the braids with versatility. I checked out my potential styles again & read a post by Nfynit_812.
Thanks Bailey! :grin:
 
I am currently only 5 weeks post.
I do not plan on relaxing anymore . . . I am transitioning. :)
Also the longest I have ever stretched was 32 weeks.
 
I never thought I could do this, but I'm at 15 weeks for the first time. (Not that I'm not having any breakage)
 
I messed up. I was trying to stretch to 8 weeks but I only made it to just under 7... That relaxer was callin me, just like Pookie!
 
This is my first time stretching. I am currently at 7 weeks post, I normally get a touch up at 8 weeks. I'm going to try for 12 weeks. 5 more weeks to go! I hope that I can make it. :)
 
I haven't had a touch up since January. I am getting my hair done today :weird:. I am going to a new beautician so I'm a little anxious :crazy: . I spent a couple of hours last night detangling my new growth (I have 1-3 inches worth of newgrowth). I hope all goes well.
 
PrincessAvaya said:
I haven't had a touch up since January. I am getting my hair done today :weird:. I am going to a new beautician so I'm a little anxious :crazy: . I spent a couple of hours last night detangling my new growth (I have 1-3 inches worth of newgrowth). I hope all goes well.

Ummh.. when you detangled your hair did you wash it??? Because you know at a minimum you not suppose to wash your hair at least 24 hours ahead of the relaxer because that leaves your pores open.
 
I'm trying to strecth/transitioin for 14 months enough to cut off the heavily processed sections and to texturize my healthier hair.
 
I have made up my mind to stretch my relaxers to 11 weeks. I love the way my hair feels and grows when I do this. When I stretch protective styles are my best friends. I just currently got a touch up and the growth and health was magnificent. After 6 weeks or so I would either do bantu knots or braid outs until it was time too re-touch. I would wash my hair twice a week and conditioner wash and deep condition once a week.
 
sky_blu said:
Ummh.. when you detangled your hair did you wash it??? Because you know at a minimum you not suppose to wash your hair at least 24 hours ahead of the relaxer because that leaves your pores open.

No, I just sprayed the new growth with Paul Mitchell Moisture Mist. Hopefully, my pores weren't effected too greatly by the water content. We shall see :burn:
 
I may be the only one, but I can't do the stretching thing. The longest I've gone was 3 months and my hair wanted to kill me. Anything after 6-8 weeks is SERIOUSLY pushing it. After 8 weeks it's like this:

Me: *tries to comb hair*
Hair: *Snap, crackle, POP! Break, break, shed shed, break some more, shed*
Me: *oils new growth in an attempt to get comb through*
Hair: Look bit*h, can't you see I'm nappy?! Relax this s*it!

Then I have to listen before my hair decides to REALLY rebel and break all the way off. I know it's time to relax when I see little hairs everywhere, on my bed, on my computer desk, on my shoulders...it's ridiculous. Not even protein can save me then.
 
Starian said:
I may be the only one, but I can't do the stretching thing. The longest I've gone was 3 months and my hair wanted to kill me. Anything after 6-8 weeks is SERIOUSLY pushing it. After 8 weeks it's like this:

Me: *tries to comb hair*
Hair: *Snap, crackle, POP! Break, break, shed shed, break some more, shed*
Me: *oils new growth in an attempt to get comb through*
Hair: Look bit*h, can't you see I'm nappy?! Relax this s*it!

Then I have to listen before my hair decides to REALLY rebel and break all the way off. I know it's time to relax when I see little hairs everywhere, on my bed, on my computer desk, on my shoulders...it's ridiculous. Not even protein can save me then.


:lachen: :lachen: :lachen: I feel your pain!
 
well im on week 10 now going on week 11 and time has really flown by it seems jus like yesterday when i got my relaxer,,,and boy do i have sum new growth,,i dont experience much shedding and i deep condition the areas where the two textures meet and then i keep it in my clip bun and detangle when i wash and im nursing my ends with carefreecurl, mango butter and good ole vaseline..also no heat use jus roller sets and my trusty scarf and i plan to stretch to at least 13 weeks this time i did 10 last time out of frustration ,,,im tempted to transition but well have to see,,my natural texture feels like silk so smooth and curly and wavy...umm i cant make up my mind well as i said before my natural texture will always be there waiting for me,,happy growing ladies
 
I stretch to about 20 weeks. I have my good days and bad days. When I use the right product for my CO washes I have no problem with breakage and could probably stretch past it. It's when I jump around trying new things that I run into trouble. I can't help but try the newest conditioners….I'm a conditioner junkie.
 
Starian, I feel your pain, LOL. :lol:
If it were not for co washing I could only make it to 9 weeks. Then my head would go on strike too.
Because of cowashes,I usually stretch for 12 weeks. This summer I plan on stretching to the end of August (fingers crossed). :eek:
 
Back
Top