Taking weave out after 18 months! Texturizer?

[Dymondz7]

Okay ladies I need your help! A while back I wore briads for about two years and ended up with a head full of beautiful natural hair. But what did I do once I had a head full of natural healthy hair??? You guessed it, went to the "best" salon in the city and got a full relaxer.

My hair was bouncing and behaviing for oh about 4 months, then the shedding, breaking, dryness, etc. kicked in and even with bi-weekly salon visits my hair began to thin and look awful. And my wallent was getting thin too

So I cut it all off in March '05 and have been wearing sew ins since then. I'm so ready to wear my own hair again. However I'm feeling anxious. My natural hair is now about 10 inches and is a beautiful course 4b with an obvious natural "o" curl pattern. But it's so very thick with about 90% shrinkage. Based on that fact I've decided to go with a texturizer. Since I no longer trust hairstylist I'll be doing it myself in early October.

I'm doing my research before I do it - so can those with 4 a/b hair who texturize please answer the following for me?

What brand & strength of relaxer/texturizer worked well for you?

How long did you leave it in before washing out?

Did you tex in sections?

How do you maintain your texturizer/curls in the winter?

How do you wetset your hair with sucess?

What products do you use to maintain moisture and curl defintion? (I prefer products I can pick up at my local BSS, salon or drug store)

Please post any pictures!!!

Any guidance you offer will be greatly appreciated!

 

[Healthb4Length]

Okay ladies I need your help! A while back I wore briads for about two years and ended up with a head full of beautiful natural hair. But what did I do once I had a head full of natural healthy hair??? You guessed it, went to the "best" salon in the city and got a full relaxer.

My hair was bouncing and behaviing for oh about 4 months, then the shedding, breaking, dryness, etc. kicked in and even with bi-weekly salon visits my hair began to thin and look awful. And my wallent was getting thin too

So I cut it all off in March '05 and have been wearing sew ins since then. I'm so ready to wear my own hair again. However I'm feeling anxious. My natural hair is now about 10 inches and is a beautiful course 4b with an obvious natural "o" curl pattern. But it's so very thick with about 90% shrinkage. Based on that fact I've decided to go with a texturizer. Since I no longer trust hairstylist I'll be doing it myself in early October.

I'm doing my research before I do it - so can those with 4 a/b hair who texturize please answer the following for me?

What brand & strength of relaxer/texturizer worked well for you? Silk Elements Lye relaxer regular strength-try mild because reg strength gets your hair really straight with a quickness.

How long did you leave it in before washing out? 12 minutes because it was getting too straight

Did you tex in sections? yes, in 4 separate sections

How do you maintain your texturizer/curls in the winter? I'm usually in braids during the winter but when I'm not in braids, Bagging at nights, moisturizing my ends, wash & deep treat once a week, moisturize daily.

How do you wetset your hair with sucess? Please check members album on site.

What products do you use to maintain moisture and curl defintion? (I prefer products I can pick up at my local BSS, salon or drug store) So far Fantasia's Gel for definition, for moisture I use Qhemet...that's the only thing that keeps in moisture for days for me.

Please post any pictures!!! Sorry no pics of texturized wash and go styles...check www.fotki.com/nubian7 password in profile

Any guidance you offer will be greatly appreciated!

Always moisturize
Don't skimp on deep protein/moisture treatments
Always oil your ends
Protective styles are your friend
Use heat sparingly

 

[Dymondz7]

Thanks so very much Alli77 for your reply. Your hair is beautiful.

Where can find Qhemet AO heavy creme? I actually purchased the silk elements in mild - so if I end up moving forward with the texturizer that's what I'll use.

I'm consider "playing" with my natural hair for a week or so to see if I'll be able to do anything wth with before actually texturizing - we'll see. I only know that i don't want to go completely straight....

I'll also do a search on this site for the product.

 

[PretteePlease]

if you texturize i suggest a no lye texturizer kit they are made for short hair but if you get the type that contains 2 jars you will have enough for your entire head and these chemicals have a lower ph than trying to use a regular relaxer plus the chances of over processing and getting straight hair or under processing and getting hair that still looks all natural are lessened i like

but i must admit i do not like the products that go w/ this line for moisturizing they are too greasy

because they have the timing set up for you i put mine on in 2 sections i dont have pics but i can do wash and go w/ regular old conditioner or ic sparkletts gel widely avail at sally's i also like one bottle brand 6'n1 it says on the bottle lotion for body perms-waves-curls-& texturizers miosturizer sheen dentangler conditioner curl activator and wave revitalizer. when i flat iron it stays longer than when i was natural i wouldnt suggest it but i put this on top of my underprocessed phyto relaxer and had no breakage or shedding

 

[Healthb4Length]

Thanks so very much Alli77 for your reply. Your hair is beautiful.

Where can find Qhemet AO heavy creme? I actually purchased the silk elements in mild - so if I end up moving forward with the texturizer that's what I'll use. I'm consider "playing" with my natural hair for a week or so to see if I'll be able to do anything wth with before actually texturizing - we'll see. I only know that i don't want to go completely straight....
I'll also do a search on this site for the product.

1. On 2 sites, curlmart.com and Qhemetbiologics.com---both are currently out of all products.

2.--You should play with your natural hair before jumping in your chemicals. Just remember that co-washing in sections, detangling when wet and moisturizing must be your top priorities.

 

[caltron]

I was in the same boat as you a few months ago. I had worn a full head sew in weave for nearly 2 years and had 12+ inches of natural hair . I put in a texturizer about a month after taking it out.

I really regret having put in the texturizer, so I hope you really take a hard look at the reasons why you want to get one. It definitely is not a magic solution for all your hair woes. My texturizer was put in by a professional and done the right way. It was a very mild relaxer and looks very close to my natural hair. Just as promised, my hair is not as bulky and the curls somewhat more defined. However, it just seems like my hair in not as healthy and vibrant as my natural hair. The texturizer did not transform my hair. It just looks like a lesser version of my own natural hair--except this costs a lot of money, and a lot of time, and if I wanted to get a retouch, I'd always have to be worrying about not applying it right or it all breaking off.

You can do everything with your natural hair that you can do with a texturizer, and it will actually look better that way. Also, you will have pretty much the same concerns about your texturized hair as you do your natural hair. IMO, if your hair does not do well with a full relaxer, then a texturizer won't be much better. If you don't like your natural curls, then a texturizer is not going to change that. If you DO like your natural curls, then the texturizer is just going to mess it up.

Just think, there are not many black women at all who texturize their hair for any length of time, and I think the reasons for that are obvious. Now that my chemically processed hair is growing out, I've come to have much more appreciation for my own natural texture.

I don't mean to be a drag, because I know a few months ago I was hellbent on getting my hair texturized too, and I know there may be women out there who are happy with their texturized hair. I just hope you go into it with realistic expectations.

 

[Dymondz7]

Thanks so very much for all the responses. Based on the comments I'm going to try to work with my natural hair before making a final decision to texturize. I love my natural hair but was considering a texturizer to courteract the 90% shrinkage and hopefully help strectch out the curls a bit more.

If I'm able to find products to help me achieve this I would much prefer to be chemical free. I don't want to have to go through the cutting and grow out cycle again - not to mention the touch up attempts. I'll be sure to post pictures once I let my hair free.....

 

[blazingthru]

I think that is a great ideal,to wait and see. I tried to transition and I did for about 6 months and then I cut all my hair off. I was scared to death. But I wanted to get to know my natural hair and see what works and what doesn't. I have had a perm since I was 14 and thats 26 years for me. So of course if you wore relaxers, your going to immediately think - something to help make it easier to deal with. but I didn't do that I got to know my hair and it was not nearly as bad as I thought it would be at all. I learned what looks good and what doesn't then I just learned to love my hair - plain and simple. I stop caring what the world thought of it. I sometimes don't put anything in it and walk out the shower and on to work and don't care. Its wonderful, I love the shrinkage. I have learned of ways to pull it down so it looks longer. but I really don't care about it. I can't wait to have a huge afro. I told my family you will see my hair before you see me soon. They laugh and said I was crazy but they have grown to accept it and go with the flow. My dad actually asked me what am I doing to make it grow so fast, and I just say taken better care of it. I love my hair just the way it is. I hope you give yourself a chance to get to know your hair before you make any major decisions. I colored. mine I love the color but my hair and scalp is furious, big mistake. I have to give that up too, eventually I will color again but I will use henna. I wish you great luck on your decisions and hope it works out the best for you.

 

[SweetNic_JA]

DON'T DO IT GIRL!!!!! If you are in NY I can get you the name and number to a great salon. My natural haired best friend has been going there for years. They press her hair every two weeks and her hair is HEALTHY,looks 100% relaxed, and it is of 4a/4b texture. The best part of it is that it is cheap. Please don't repeat what you did 18 months ago. PM me if you want more information on the salon. It is located in Brooklyn.

 

[SweetNic_JA]

Thanks so very much for all the responses. Based on the comments I'm going to try to work with my natural hair before making a final decision to texturize. I love my natural hair but was considering a texturizer to courteract the 90% shrinkage and hopefully help strectch out the curls a bit more.

If I'm able to find products to help me achieve this I would much prefer to be chemical free. I don't want to have to go through the cutting and grow out cycle again - not to mention the touch up attempts. I'll be sure to post pictures once I let my hair free.....

Is it possible that you are considering the chemicals because you don't know how to work with your natural texture? If that's the case, I was in the same boat as you. As a child my family managed my natural hair, but even then they were quick to throw chemicals in there. I 'm 26 and I can almost positively say that I have been fully natural for 8-10 years out of my life. I had to learn how to deal with my hair and the shrinkage.

I also learned that wetting my hair everyday, semi-picking it with my pick comb, and patting it down is a big NO NO. It causes so many tangles in my hair - not cool at all. This is the main reason I started plaiting my hair at night.

Plaiting/braiding your hair is also a major way to combat shrinkage. I recently started to plait my hair in large sections before I go to bed. This reduces the shrinake from 90% to about 60%.

If you are interested in the texturized look and not hte actual process. You may want to check out Firecracker's "Shingles" thread. The process appears to be completely physical so your hair will revert to it's natural state once you wash it.

 

[firecracker]

What brand & strength of relaxer/texturizer worked well for you?
Motions regular

How long did you leave it in before washing out?
About 20 minutes (my hair is really resilient)

Did you tex in sections?
Yes but I didn't washout in sections.

How do you maintain your texturizer/curls in the winter?
I had a texturizer for 4 years 1997-2001. I wore a short do back then.

How do you wetset your hair with sucess?
I texturized again a few weeks ago. I love it but again my hair can take a perm and bleach at the same time w/o any adverse reactions. I have yet to wetset because I cut off my relaxer in order to grow a funky afro. I am rocking and reveling in my initial hair goal at this very moment.

What products do you use to maintain moisture and curl defintion? (I prefer products I can pick up at my local BSS, salon or drug store)
Humectress conditioner (as a leave in) and sometimes

Back 2 Basics Coconut Mango conditioner (I leave it in for a day to deep condition which holds and defines my curls like you wouldn't believe)

Scurl texturizing gel and moisturizer. (the regular stuff breaks out my forehead and rubs off on things)

IC clear gel w/sparklites

Desharme hair creme for shine


Please post any pictures!!!
I have a thread title "I successfully shingled" that shows my new texturized hair.

Hair album; http://public.fotki.com/fxybrwn909/

Any guidance you offer will be greatly appreciated!

Everyones hair is different but I suggest you check out similar hair types and weigh your options since your hair cannot handle chemicals that well. I offered my information but my hair is very resilient and doesn't break off easily at all. Chile I can do all kinds of stuff to this bush and it bounces right back w/the humectress, 2+1 conditioner w/foils and greasing my hair w/desharme.

OT: I have always been hair adventurous. My mom keeps saying one day its not going to grow back . She is scared because she had super thick waistlength hair til her 20's, brastrap throughout her 20s-40s then she got cancer. I am sure that is why her hair is only past shoulder length now. I come from women with a bush.


Good luck on your decision.

 

[Dymondz7]

Thank you ladies! Where were you guys during my first experience with a head full of virgin hair? Baseed on the feedback I haven't totally ruled out texturizing but I've made a personal committment to working with my natural hair for at least a month or two beore making a permanent decision to add chemicals.

Those with texturizers who shared your pictures - each of you have beautiful heads of hair.....you all are bad influences cause it would be my hope to recreate your success....I'll keep everyone posted....