Somebody help me!! Did I do this wrong?

[ellebelle88]

Ok folks first of all let me say hello and how proud I am of every last one of you. I'm 18, so from time to time I will be posting about some of the silly things that I've done concerning my hair, as you are about to read now.

So I went to a new hairstylist today for the first time (I'm in college, so you know how that goes) and she asked me what kind of relaxer I use and I said, "no-lye" because I thought that was the right kind of relaxer. I mean, on the boards, that's all I hear about when it comes to relaxers.

Anyhoo, the relaxer hardly took to my hair because I found out that I ALWAYS use lye relaxers. Now my hair is ultra frizzy and I can even feel some kinks still left in my hair.

My questions are:
1. Did I just commit a major hair crime going from lye to no-lye?
2. And will I commit a major hair crime if I switch back to lye the next time I get a relaxer?
3. Is there a certain amount of time that I should wait before getting my lye relaxer?
4. What damage have I done to my hair?
5. How can I stop the dryness and frizziness?

My hair was so dry and frizzy, that when I came back, I started scouring the Internet for information concerning NO LYE relaxers. I read up on all the stuff about no-lye relaxers, and it seems like you have to prepare your hair for the "switch."

Please tell me when I switch back to lye relaxers I won't be bald! Thx.

 

[shunta]

Just apply the lye relaxer to your new-growth ONLY next time, and you should be fine. Hopefully some more ladies will chime in to help answer the rest of your questions.

 

[CarLiTa]

hey. i remember my switch from lye to no lye... NOT a good one... boy, so much dryness, PLUS my hair turned out underprocessed many times as well.

I made the switch back to lye. I don't think it would do anything bad to your hair at all. I mean, you're just applying it to the new growth. Good luck.

and oh! i'm 18 too

 

[caribeandiva]

you won't be bald. first things first. to combat the dryness, you must start on a moisturizing program asap. buy and use moisturizing shampoos and conditioners (i use the ones from Nexxus). 2nd wait at least 6 weeks until you try to correct the relaxers. i prefer lye relaxers to no-lye cause they have less buildup which can eventually lead to dryness thus breakage. just apply it to the new growth only and allways follow by a neutralizing shampoo, protein conditioner (like Nexxus Keraphix) then a moisturizing conditioner. good luck!

 

[ellebelle88]

Thank you guys so much. I think I'll be able to go to sleep now. But caribeandiva your information was very helpful. I do use moisurizing conditioners and shampoo. But I do want to go back in about 2 weeks and get a lye relaxer. Haha. That's how bad my hair is.

But I just got through reading this. Does anyone know if this is true?

Because of the explosion of the soft (Jheri) curl, chemical hair relaxers were less popular in the early 1980's. Recognizing the declining use of chemical relaxers, manufacturers developed the "no-lye relaxer" to boost relaxer product sales. This type of relaxer still exists today and has gained popularity because many people are convinced that "no-lye relaxers" are better for the hair because they do not contain lye. The simple truth is "no-lye relaxers" do contain lye. Instead of so-called "no-lye relaxers" containing sodium hydroxide, they contain calcium hydroxide or potassium hydroxide (which are milder forms of lye). "No-lye relaxers" do not process the hair as fast as relaxers that contain sodium hydroxide, and they are gentler to the scalp, but they leave the hair in a very damaged condition. They do not flatten the cuticle enough; therefore, they leave the hair shaft wide open (without any protection) just waiting for damage to occur. After using this type of relaxer, your hair will appear to be smooth and straight; however, after about two weeks your hair will look very dull and frizzy. The hair will look under processed and in need of another relaxer treatment. Many sisters will make the mistake of giving their hair another "no-lye relaxer" too soon trying to correct this problem, but they only end up damaging their hair even more.

Manufacturers constantly come up with marketing gimmicks to trick you. They will tell you that "no-lye relaxers" are mild to the hair and will allow you to give relaxer treatments that are gentle. Do not be fooled into thinking that relaxers which are labeled no-lye are better for your hair. I do not use or recommend any one using them under any circumstances. Thank God, we now have professional sodium hydroxide relaxers that are formulated to deeply condition the hair while it is being relaxed. Sodium hydroxide relaxers also make the hair more resistant to breakage because they contain conditioning agents that penetrate and remain within the hair shaft after the relaxer is rinsed out. Unlike "no-lye relaxers" sodium hydroxide containing relaxers seal the cuticles smooth, and will give the hair an incredible sheen. Now, let us talk about relaxer strengths because one size does not fit all when it comes to chemical hair relaxers.

Got this from: http://cheryltmoss.com/_wsn/page15.html

PS - Nice to meet you Carlita.

 

[destiny616]

Thank you guys so much. I think I'll be able to go to sleep now. But caribeandiva your information was very helpful. I do use moisurizing conditioners and shampoo. But I do want to go back in about 2 weeks and get a lye relaxer. Haha. That's how bad my hair is.

But I just got through reading this. Does anyone know if this is true?



Got this from: http://cheryltmoss.com/_wsn/page15.html

PS - Nice to meet you Carlita.

it depends on the person, this is not true for everyone, lye left my hair a dry, tangled, matted mess where as no lye leaves my hair soft, straight ad silky. i don't have dry hair and i have no problems with moisture. there are many healthy relaxed no lye heads on the board to prove that no lye is not bad for everyone.

 

[balisi]

I used to go back and forth between lye and no-lye and for me, there were no adverse effects. I think it may be an individual thing. The chemical explanation in the article is true. What is the source of the the article quoted?

 

[ellebelle88]

Balisi, It came from here: http://cheryltmoss.com/_wsn/page15.html

 

[balisi]

Balisi, It came from here: http://cheryltmoss.com/_wsn/page15.html

Thanks. I couldn't find it though.

 

[AtlantaJJ]

Thank you guys so much. I think I'll be able to go to sleep now. But caribeandiva your information was very helpful. I do use moisurizing conditioners and shampoo. But I do want to go back in about 2 weeks and get a lye relaxer. Haha. That's how bad my hair is.

But I just got through reading this. Does anyone know if this is true?



Got this from: http://cheryltmoss.com/_wsn/page15.html

PS - Nice to meet you Carlita.

Okay that's it..I'm going back to lye next relaxer, that's final...