Stretching ????

[sheedahp]

My last stretch was 7 months, I am trying to go for nine or ten. Right now, I am at 20 weeks- five months. I simply love the results I get from stretching.

What kind of styles do you do when stretching?
Do get blow outs?
Do you flat iron?
How do you keep your ng moisturized and detangled?

Im trying for 2 mons, will be my first time and if I can manage I will go longer. HELP!!!!erplexed

 

[brittdadutchess]

I'm stretching for 16 weeks and actually I'm more at 17 weeks now so I will be relaxing soon. I definitely gotta get these ends clipped but hopefully I'll have some length retained.

Looks like I've gained an inch or so from my roots.

Oh, and my longest stretch which was actually because I planned on transitioning was 6months and two days, I may give it another shot next time.

 

[panamoni]

I just want to add one more area of encouragement. If you're having trouble styling -- for example, I was having the hardest time getting my puffy roots to lay down, even when trying methods that others had suggested, because of the way I prefer to wear my parts -- I would say keep trying.

It takes practice and finding the right products for you. When you do, you can have FLAT roots all over your head at 16 weeks post, and look really good. Monday and yesterday, my roots were super puffy. Today, with Salerm 21 and JBCO (which just arrived in the mail yesterday), my hair is slicked and laying down. And I tied the scarf just right when I was air drying.

Monday, I used the Giovanni Direct Leave in and coconut oil, and my roots were puffy all day -- and I didn't quite tie the scarf just right.

So, if you're willing to have a little patience, you can make it work.

ETA: I think the DC i used had a lot to do with how my hair came out too. Monday, I used AO HSR and this morning, I used Alter Ego Impac Garlic, which makes my hair feel great.

 

[wannabelong]

I usually stretch for 12 weeks. I tried to stretch for 24 weeks but only made it to 19 weeks. I think I will make my normal stretch to 14-16 weeks.

 

[LatterGlory]

Pre LHCF days every 4-6 months presently about 9months post relaxer heading to a year.

After learning to deal with all my textures and having a variety of styling options, I think I will do once a year from now on.

The key is finding the right products for your hair and learning/loving to deal with your natural texture.

I texlax.

 

[Ballerina_Bun]

I usually stretch 6 months at a time. I have gone a year a few times, with the thought of <<“transitioning”>>.

I am so used to stretching for at least 6 months, that I do not give it any thought anymore. It’s not really hard. Once you find the tools and products that work best for you, while stretching, 4,5,6,7, … months will be easy.

 

[LushLox]

For my next stretch I'm really going to think about styling, as I'm a bit challenged in this respect. I coped really well up to 4 months post, but these last four weeks have been difficult. I don't use any heat except my hood dryer so there's no blowing out roots or flat ironing. I don't like headbands as they really can hurt the hairline (well certainly prolonged use can, as I've already learned) but for a few days these last two weeks, I had to give in and wear them.

Hopefully soon enoough I'll have a bit more hair to experiment with!

 

[Miss Monae]

I am stretching for 6 months (first time) and I am weeks away from reaching my goad. There has been good days and very bad days. For me, the key is to keep hair (especially roots) moisturized and tangle free. They will matte up really quick if I get lazy with it.

 

[Solitude]

Pre-LHCF I was a 6-8 weeks relaxer. I'm currently on a 6-month or longer stretch. I alternate protective styling with straight hair (blow-out or flat iron) about every other week. DC weekly, CSI to detangle. The only annoying part is bangs, but I've decided to grow them out, so I stopped wearing them.

I'm actually itching to relax my hair. I miss wearing my hair straight effortlessly. But, I'm going to try to stick with the plan.

 

[joib]

I stretch for 12 weeks with no problems. My last stretch was 28 weeks and I plan to stretch 24 weeks this time.

 

[IDareT'sHair]

Week 12 of what I think will be a 16 Week Stretch. Ultimate Game Plan is no more than 3 times a Year.

First Stretch was a Nightmare (10 weeks), only because I wasn't "use" to to Managing my NG and think of ways to keep it Healthy & Strong and Looking Half-Way Decent. And Not a Hotmess.

Now, I've adjusted pretty well.

Will attempt to go for 20 Next Time.

Education and NG Managability is Definitely Key! That and a Real Good Moisturizer.

 

[beans4reezy]

What kind of styles do you do when stretching?
Do get blow outs?
Do you flat iron?
How do you keep your ng moisturized and detangled?

Im trying for 2 mons, will be my first time and if I can manage I will go longer. HELP!!!!erplexed

What kind of styles do you do when stretching?
For about four months into my stretch, I strictly bun. After that, things really start getting crazy, so I get my hair braided and I keep it braided. At this stage of the game, to prevent breakage, I must put it in a style where I do not manipulate my hair- period.

Do get blow outs?
I am staying away from direct heat, so I haven't had a blow out in over a year. I do not use blow outs to help me during a stretch. My thinking is that I am stretching for length retention and thickness, I don't want heat to counteract my efforts.

Do you flat iron?
No flat iron either.

How do you keep your ng moisturized and detangled?
For the first few months, I use Hairveda whipped clouds on my NG, which really keeps them tamed. After that, my NG starts to get straight BUCKY and I have to pull out the big guns: Stasoftfro. I hate the smell, (it smells like Jerry curl juice) but it does melt my NG, like butter

I also co-wash a couple of times a week, which makes my NG soft. I try not to manipulate my hair too much while I am bunning, so I detangle during my cowashses and my weekend wash and DC.


You CAN do it! You will be suprised how about how long you can take it. You just need to develop a system that works for you.

 

[HeChangedMyName]

I tried stretching and I found no real benefit. My hair broke at the demarcation line and my newgrowth was . Then I stepped my game up and added more moisture to my ng next time i stretched, and overall. . .I really don't see the point. If you're gonna relax it, you'll damage it either now or later so I say, keep a fresh relaxer on hand and when you have an 1/2" - 1" start stiring that creamy crack up. That is what I do.

 

[ellehair]

i am on week 10 of a 12 -16 week stretch.. I keep my hair bunned under a half wig/wig for the entire time(in the hide your hair challenge until dec 15) I moisturize and seal 2x daily and I cowash at least 3 to 4 times during the week and DC with protein/moisture balance 2x during the week. This is my second stretch and its actually a bit easier this time around than the 1st which ended at 12 weeks.. It all come down to learning what your hair likes and learning to manage it correctly in my opinion.

 

[Highly Favored8]

I am stretching again I did it last time for 26 weeks. My stylist claimed my hair did not like it. LAME! So now I am going for 30 weeks. I only relaxed twice this year March and June.

I went from 6-12 weeks, now I am going for 26 weeks I am going for twice a year. The reason why my last stretch did not work b/c I did my protien treatment! I just did not moistuize after. My next relaxer is 1-1-10.

 

[Hot40]

I wanted to know what are the benefits?

 

[aquajoyice]

I'm currently at 17weeks and going for 6 months. This is my first stretch and after this i'll decide how long I want to continue to stretch each time.

 

[sheedahp]

I tried stretching and I found no real benefit. My hair broke at the demarcation line and my newgrowth was . Then I stepped my game up and added more moisture to my ng next time i stretched, and overall. . .I really don't see the point. If you're gonna relax it, you'll damage it either now or later so I say, keep a fresh relaxer on hand and when you have an 1/2" - 1" start stiring that creamy crack up. That is what I do.

Yes it can be addicting, Im having withdrawals just thinking of this stretch ahead:lovedrool:

 

[A_Christian]

I'm a long stretcher. I'll be 32 weeks post on Friday and it's been easy for me after finding a routine that works. I usually wear curly styles and buns but I wanted to do a length check and flat-ironed today. It looks like I finally reached bottom of bra-strap, but I'll have to wait until I get a touch-up to know for sure. I didn't want to get any heat damage so I didn't get the roots as straight as I could have since I haven't flat
ironed my hair myself in a couple of years, lol.

Anyways, I highly recommend Kera Care Humecto Creme Conditioner, Qhemet moisturizers (my favorite being the burdock root butter), and Elucence Shampoos (my favorite is the clarifying shampoo - the green one). I use these products to keep my hair and scalp in tip - top condition during the long stretches.

 

[beans4reezy]

I wanted to know what are the benefits?

Stretching helps me with length retention and thickness. If I wait six months then apply a relaxer (for my case, it's a texturizer now) I will see a lor more of a gain in length and thickness than an 8 week stretch would give me.

I think it depends on the head though. My hair loves it's stretches.

 

[HeChangedMyName]

Stretching helps me with length retention and thickness. If I wait six months then apply a relaxer (for my case, it's a texturizer now) I will see a lor more of a gain in length and thickness than an 8 week stretch would give me.

I think it depends on the head though. My hair loves it's stretches.

True. stretching is really not for everyone. My hair seems to grow faster and more noticeably if I stay on top of my relaxer. for me, it'll grow from the scalp no matter what I do. It's the ends that I lose because I don't baby them like I know I need to.

 

[JenBenCal]

My longest stretch was inadvertent. I did it last year after a haircut because I didn't want to let anyone touch my hair accept for my trusted stylist (I was away in college). It was 7 months and it was a MESS! I didn't know how to take care of it or what to do and FORGET about washing it! I don't think it saw water for months . However, this time I am purposely stretching and trying to get to 14 weeks. I'm hoping that I can do it while in school but, honestly, I'm worried! Ultimately, I'd love to stretch 5 months so that I can just come home and get my hair done by someone I trust .

 

[~NanCeBoTwin~]

Before I became an active member here I relaxed at 9-10 weeks, but I just completed a 33 week stretch and plan to relax every 6 months here after.

 

[MoniintheMiddle]

I'm 8 months into my stretch (on the one year stretch challenge). When this stretch ends I'm either going to transition or only get a relaxer once a year