Switching Relaxers

[melodee]

I was looking at Cathy Howse's website and she strongly advises against switching relaxers. But I have friends who are relaxer "hos", meaning they'll grab any ol' kit off the shelf and use it with no problem.

I am not a "ho", but I have switched before. Usually the switch was done to me, my stylist switched to a cheaper perm w/o my knowledge. Then another stylist gave me a no-lye Affirm w/o me realiziing it until she did it. My scalp didn't burn from it like usual, so I got Affirm no-lye a second time.

I am about to get a relaxer on Friday (was trying to braid only, but discovered far too much breakage after removing braids with 1 1/2- 2 inches of new growth). I am trying a new salon in my community, and went in today for an impromptu consultation. The styist who will be doing my hair wasn't in, but the girl who was in today said that they only use Mizani and Design. I've heard raves over Mizani, and I used to use Design before my original stlist went cheap on me. The girl said they use no-lye, but I'm not sure what to do. Should I switch back to lye ? I've been hearing stories of how the no-lye left hair so dry they had to cut it out. I've had two no-lye applications without noticing dryness, but I would rather switch back if it's going to become a problem in the future. Or should I stay with a no-lye since it hasn't bothered me so far?

Also, which to choose-Mizani or Design Essentials? And aren't these lye based?

 

[KAddy]

i used to be what you call a Relaxer "ho" i just went with whatever. I never had ill effects to any relaxer either. Of course I am now reformed and use my beloved...PHYTORELAXER

Anywho, what did you have better results with, Lye or No-lye? I think you should base your decision on that. I have had Mizani before and the results were nice. I never used Design essentials though. I think if you used Design before and like the results go with that.

 

[melodee]

Thanks KAddy. I was going to try Phyto, but couldn't get it in time for Friday.

My hair seems fine with the no-lye, but I get nervous when I hear about girls who had to chop b/c of dryness from a no-lye.

 

[webby]

I have switched, but only until I found the one that worked for me. I guess it's like any other hair product...sometimes the product is no longer productive on your hair, ya know?

 

[AudraChanell]

*lol* former "ho" checking in here...well sort of? I am using Motion Mild right now and I have the last 2 retouches, and plan to until my tub is gone.

I am inclined to say if it aint broke dont fix it.

 

[PrettyBrownEyes]

I've used both (Mizani and Design Essentials). Its been sooo long since that one time application of Mizani that I can't really speak on it. I had Design Essentials applied this time last year and I liked it. I didn't stay with it though because I decided to go back to my regular stylist who used Affirm.

By the way, I haven't had any ill effects from switching relaxer brands. I do think you should be consistent though. I wouldn't change every touch-up. I prefer Lye relaxers though over no-lye. My hair straightens faster and I don't experience the dryness that I've experienced when no-lye's were used consistently.

 

[ms_kenesha]

I've heard that you can switch from no-lye to lye, but you shouldn't switch from no-lye back to lye. I don't want you to damage your hair so I'd stick with no-lye.

 

[melodee]

I'm glad you posted this Kenesha. Where did you hear this?

Anyone else concur with Ms_k?

 

[PrettyBrownEyes]

Well personally I don't understand that theory because the relaxer is just applied to your new growth, which hasn't had relaxer applied to it before, not the already relaxed part of your hair.

For many years unfortunately I didn't always know what relaxer stylists were using on my hair. I am very involved with speaking up now about which relaxer I prefer. I am saying this to say that there have been times I've had a touch-up with no-lye (one time my old stylist said she forgot I wanted lye and I've had a lye put on for the next ones without my hair suffering. Everyone's experience may not be the same of course.

 

[ladylibra_30]

I'm glad you posted this Kenesha. Where did you hear this?

Anyone else concur with Ms_k?

i concur w/ms k. although i don't know her source...i read this same statement in shamboosie's book...he broke it down.

and if memory serves me right i think he says to stay consistent w/one relaxer and make sure that it is conditioning lye. i like clairol tones and textures, design essentials, straight request, revlon, dudleys, affirm - all in mild.

lately, i've been using revlon mild.

 

[melodee]

Ladylibra,
I try to stay consistent, but my styist gave me a no-lye twice (affirm). I'm guessing I should stick w/ it as Kenesha said. What do you think?

 

[ladylibra_30]

melodee,
i don't want to give you bad advice.

i can tell you what i've done (and my hair hasn't suffered at all)

i used to get affirm no-lye too b/c my scalp burns easily.
i heard about shamboosie and ordered the book about 2 years ago. i switched over to lye and my hair is much more healthier for it (eventhough i never had major problems w/no lye just some dryness.)

 

[ms_kenesha]

Okay, I'm quoting all wrong...you can switch from no-lye to lye, but not lye to no-lye. This is from Shamboosie and I read it on some website as well.

I'm glad you posted this Kenesha. Where did you hear this?

Anyone else concur with Ms_k?

 

[dreemssold]

I have switched 4 times in the last 15 years. I went from Affirm to Motions to Elasta QP to Mizani and back to Motions again. In February, I'll be switching to Phyto . I am not sure if this is ho-ish or not, lol, but my hair has never suffered from the switching. I'd like to offer some advice of the lye v. no-lye thing, but this is something I never knew anything about until I found this board, and I still have NO clue whether I use lye or no-lye. I'd bet that somewhere in there I jumped from one to the other, though, and my hair is still on my head . HTH...somehow, someway .

 

[melodee]

Kenesha, thanks for doing the research. But now I'm really confused. I wonder why this is? I mean, I did switch to no-lye and my hair is still in tact. Oh well, I'm going to stick with no-lye as it is easier on my scalp and I haven't really noticed this dreaded dryness everyone is talking about. And if Sherrylove and Caramelhonee can use no-lye and have bangin hair, than I guess I'm okay.

 

[melodee]

Dreems,
Thanks for posting this. I think I was far too worried that my hair was going to disintigrate from a switch. i never really cared in the past and my hair never broke off...it just never got too long cause my stylist cut it all the time.