Self-Relaxers, what do you think of this "strategy?"

[Supergirl]

from my former stylist who is such a sweet woman When I told her that I was doing my own relaxers and that I do it in sections, she recommended that I, instead, use a mild relaxer and that would give me time to do my entire head. When she was my stylist, she used a mild relaxer and she was able to get my hair pretty straight and I am a 4a, medium thickness.

I am thinking of giving this a try next go-round. I like relaxing in sections, because then I don't have to rush to do my entire head but relaxing in sections has drawbacks too. Like, I usually "miss" a few areas where my sections border each other. Also, I may end up getting some hair in the second section wet (even with a cap pinned over it) when I'm rinsing the first section.

If I can still get my hair decently straight with a mild relaxer and have time to work through the entire head, that would serve me well I think.

 

[complexsimplicity]

I might try this bc I really don't like relaxing in sections but I have to in order not to overprocess. I use a regular strength relaxer. Relaxing my whole head at once with a mild relaxer will be such a relief.​

 

[taz007]

I'll try this with my next relaxer. Instead of using Phyto II, I will use Phyto I.

Thanks Supergirl!

 

[soulie]

It works! I relaxed with Mild/Color Treated MBB and I had adequate time to apply and smooth to straighten.

 

[wannabelong]

This is the very reason why I use a mild relaxer.

 

[complexsimplicity]

It works! I relaxed with Mild/Color Treated MBB and I had adequate time to apply and smooth to straighten.

Do you relax bone straight or do you texlax?​

 

[Leesh]

That sounds like a Great Idea! Never thought of this, It definately sounds logical!

 

[Cheekychica]

Do you relax bone straight or do you texlax?​

I'd like to know as well. I would never have considered using a mild before. I like my hair to be straight.

 

[sqzbly1908]

This is the very reason why I use a mild relaxer.

What she said! I relax bone-straight...that texlaxin' is not for me..

 

[soulie]

Do you relax bone straight or do you texlax?​

I'm bone straight.

 

[simplyhair]

Well, what about sensitive scalps? I always let my stylist give Mizani Sensitive Scalp Relaxer. Do sensitive scalp relaxers come in mild? Or, are Mild Relaxers actually Lye Relaxers?

 

[sqzbly1908]

Well, what about sensitive scalps? I always let my stylist give Mizani Sensitive Scalp Relaxer. Do sensitive scalp relaxers come in mild? Or, are Mild Relaxers actually Lye Relaxers?

Yes they come in mild...it may state for fine and/or color treated if it doesn't specifically indicate mild

 

[Ms Kain]

from my former stylist who is such a sweet woman When I told her that I was doing my own relaxers and that I do it in sections, she recommended that I, instead, use a mild relaxer and that would give me time to do my entire head. When she was my stylist, she used a mild relaxer and she was able to get my hair pretty straight and I am a 4a, medium thickness.

I am thinking of giving this a try next go-round. I like relaxing in sections, because then I don't have to rush to do my entire head but relaxing in sections has drawbacks too. Like, I usually "miss" a few areas where my sections border each other. Also, I may end up getting some hair in the second section wet (even with a cap pinned over it) when I'm rinsing the first section.

If I can still get my hair decently straight with a mild relaxer and have time to work through the entire head, that would serve me well I think.

My hairstylist (she's been doing hair for 21 years) at the dominican salon told me about this years ago but she said that it's only good for those women who 1) aren't prone to panicking because they have to leave their relaxer on for a longer time and 2) are good at recognizing when their hair is fully relaxed.

The reason for the first is because she said that some people are programmed to leave it on for X amount of time. With mild, you have to leave it on longer. If you don't, you underprocess. Some people don't get that you have to leave mild on longer than regular and that leaves them with a head full of unprocessed hair. erplexed

The reason why she says that you have to be good at recognizing when your hair is straight is because when you use mild, you can't depend on the time on the directions because that's for a different grade of hair. If your hair texture is 4a-c, then you have to leave it on longer. So now you have to depend on your knowledge of what a broken curl pattern looks like and not on the time. If you don't know what this looks like, you may over or underprocess your hair. So according to her, the only people who know what straight looks like, should use mild.

I also asked her what the difference was between using a mild and using a regular with oil mixed in it. After all, we've all read about how you can mix oil into a regular or extra strength relaxer to cut down on how fast the chemicals work on our hair, right?

She said it was pretty much the same. The only difference is that they put the oil in for us. Since I'd probably have problems trying to figure out exactly how much oil to put in the regular to slow it down, I think this method (using mild) is probably the best way to go!

 

[outspokenwallflower]

This is a great idea! I have that exact problem when I relax in sections.

I wanna try this method with Mizani Butter Blends...do you think that using that will make a difference because it's supposed to be a 'gentler' relaxer?

 

[soulie]

This is a great idea! I have that exact problem when I relax in sections.

I wanna try this method with Mizani Butter Blends...do you think that using that will make a difference because it's supposed to be a 'gentler' relaxer?

I did it with Butter Blends and it worked great.

 

[Desarae]

I buy a big tub of Mizani Mild relaxer and I use it on everyone's hair that I do, including mine. It does give you more time and more room for error. Even my cousins with coarse thick hair gets straight with body with this method.

 

[Supergirl]

This is a great idea! I have that exact problem when I relax in sections.

I wanna try this method with Mizani Butter Blends...do you think that using that will make a difference because it's supposed to be a 'gentler' relaxer?

This is the brand of mild relaxer that my stylist was using when I was going to her.

 

[RubyWoo]

When I was relaxed(former self-relaxer), I used a mild relaxer for this reason; however, I still relaxed in sections. I considered doing my whole head but I really liked relaxing my hair in sections since it was easier for me. Just make sure you wash your hair first where the relaxer was first applied as this will ensure even processing throughout your entire head.

I used to use Mizani for fine/color treated hair. My hair at the time was not fine or color treated. I have medium strands. 15 min would get my hair bone straight. When I was purposely underprocessing, I added oil and left the relaxer on for 12-13 min. I think you'll be fine.

 

[destine2grow]

I plan on using this method the next time I relax. I am also going to try SE shea butter relaxer.

 

[Qualitee]

So if you use a mild relaxer how long should you keep it on?

 

[Supergirl]

So if you use a mild relaxer how long should you keep it on?

just my personal methodology: I never time my relaxers by a clock but rather I leave it on until my hair appears to be as straight as I'd like it to be.

 

[shunemite]

I've used mild now for 4 years. I still relax in sections with it. I use Mizani mild and I leave it on each section for 18 minutes like they say. Really about 20 - 25 sometimes, though, coz I base my scalp. I can tell my hair is done because I use my fingers to smoothen without gloves. The texture changes and my finger pads can feel it. I guess I could do the whole head together but I do a better job with sections coz I get to take my time and go over each section twice. I like that.

 

[shunemite]

from my former stylist who is such a sweet woman When I told her that I was doing my own relaxers and that I do it in sections, she recommended that I, instead, use a mild relaxer and that would give me time to do my entire head. When she was my stylist, she used a mild relaxer and she was able to get my hair pretty straight and I am a 4a, medium thickness.

I am thinking of giving this a try next go-round. I like relaxing in sections, because then I don't have to rush to do my entire head but relaxing in sections has drawbacks too. Like, I usually "miss" a few areas where my sections border each other. Also, I may end up getting some hair in the second section wet (even with a cap pinned over it) when I'm rinsing the first section.

If I can still get my hair decently straight with a mild relaxer and have time to work through the entire head, that would serve me well I think.

Mild only gives you 5 extra minutes. I use mild and I'm still too slow so I still do sections.

@ the bolded, I avoid this by putting relaxer on the bordering section that I haven't relaxed yet just before rinsing. I also rinse in the sink, so with my head bent over I always begin rinsing out the front right and the back and left don't get wet. The bordering parts, now have relaxer on them so even if they get wet, no biggy. The mild relaxer method might work for you, but if you're like me and still can't get done fast enough, that might work.

Here's my diagram of what I do for the borders. I had posted on another thread.

http://www.longhaircareforum.com/showpost.php?p=9125580&postcount=349

 

[WaistLengthDreams]

It works! I relaxed with Mild/Color Treated MBB and I had adequate time to apply and smooth to straighten.

This is the very reason why I use a mild relaxer.

What she said! I relax bone-straight...that texlaxin' is not for me..

So, for you bone straight ladies that use mild strength to give you more time, how much extra time does the mild strength give you for application time? Is it about 2-7 minutes more than directed like Shumemite suggested?

I've used mild now for 4 years. I still relax in sections with it. I use Mizani mild and I leave it on each section for 18 minutes like they say. Really about 20 - 25 sometimes, though, coz I base my scalp. I can tell my hair is done because I use my fingers to smoothen without gloves. The texture changes and my finger pads can feel it. I guess I could do the whole head together but I do a better job with sections coz I get to take my time and go over each section twice. I like that.

 

[p381]

I use a pretty mild relaxer - ORS Olive Oil Regular (well, mild for me) and Texlax my hair in sections all the time.
Although, i normally section my hair into 16 sections....... 8 sections at the front & 8 sections at the back (in loose plaits or twists).

I relax the 8 back sections first, rinse & shampoo - then relax the front sections. This means i don't need to rush it.

 

[chrstndiva]

I'll try this with my next relaxer. Instead of using Phyto II, I will use Phyto I.

Thanks Supergirl!

I use Phyto II as well and have been considering switching to Phyto I.

Could you report back on how Phyto I works for you?

 

[imaccami]

It sounds like a good plan. I don't usually run out of time, but I do feel rushed. It's hit or miss with me, sometimes I have 5 extra mins where I'm just standing around doing nothing and other times a section will barely have the relaxer on for 3 mins before I start rinsing. But usually I get myself going and slather that relaxer on during the 22 mins I have.

 

[yardgirl]

I'd try it but I have decided that I'm leaving relaxing to a professional. I threw away my ORS Lye and I will never self relax again.

 

[Supergirl]

I'd try it but I have decided that I'm leaving relaxing to a professional. I threw away my ORS Lye and I will never self relax again.

I said that a few years ago, but then my stylist could not handle business the way I wanted her to so I decided to try again and things have gone better this time around.

 

[wannabelong]

So, for you bone straight ladies that use mild strength to give you more time, how much extra time does the mild strength give you for application time? Is it about 2-7 minutes more than directed like Shumemite suggested?

I'm like Supergirl, I don't time it. I just apply and smooth until it's as straight as I like it to be.