Texlaxing: The Pros. The Cons. All Opinions Are Welcome!

[Sianna]

Hello ladies! Not for the first time, I am considering the idea of thinking about the possibility of maybe, perhaps texlaxing my hair some time in the indefinite future.

Before I actually consider thinking about maybe doing it, I'd like to get some advice and opinions of ladies who've been there and done that. As my hair did not do well with relaxers, I realize that I chance damaging my hair by texlaxing it. But on the other hand, I also seem to be breaking a lot of my ends each time I detangle my hair. Not to mention the fact that I've learned better hair care practices. I really think my hair would have a much better chance this time.

My objective: I simply want to "thin out" my hair a bit to make it easier to detangle. I know that the actual density won't be affected, I just want to stretch my coils (about 40-50%) so that they're not coiling around each other quite so much.

What are your thoughts? Opinions? Experiences? Alternative suggestions?

All comments are welcome and appreciated!

ETA: If this topic has already been discussed, I didn't find it in the search!

 

[mstk]

It's been a while since I was natural, so I can't speak on the transition from natural to texlaxed. I can tell you that I went from relaxed bone straight with no-lye relaxer at the salon to texlaxing at home with a lye relaxer (Mizani BB for fine/colour treated hair), and it's been a very positive change for me.

I think texlaxing can be both the best and worst of both worlds depending on what you're talking about (and sometimes, on my mood ).

PROS:
Closer to your natural texture
Thicker than relaxed hair
Straightens easily but has body

CONS
More prone to tangling than relaxed hair
Line of demarcation is very fragile

Because I'm still transitioning, I can't wear my hair down. You wouldn't have that problem if you texlaxed your entire head at the same time. Also, styling options are limited to heat-intensive (straight) or time-intensive (braidouts, twistouts etc.) I also think you have to research what method you're going to use (what/how much oils or other products you'll be adding to the conditioner, how much you'll be underprocessing your hair) prior to texlaxing and try to ensure consistency in each application so that you have even texture throughout your hair.

 

[Sianna]

Thanks mstk!!

More responses are welcome!

 

[SunySydeofLyfe]

I was two years natural after my BC and decided to texlax this past December.

Pros: Easier to detangle, no single strand knots, less time and heat when straightening, not super straight, can still see the natural texture of my hair.
Cons: Gone back to the creamy crack dependency, didnt try to find more ways to tame my own tresses. Reconsidering being a natural again.

Wish I could offer more. Happy Hair Growing!!!

 

[MzSwift]

I wore my hair texlaxed from about 1999-2009 w/periods of natural in between. I kept my hair short though. I did WNG's everyday, even in the winter. I didn't have SSK's. It was very low maintenance.

Many of the natty ladies who have gone the texlaxed route, with longer hair, have reported that they returned to natural hair because the chemicals were still damaging. Also they mentioned that the results can be inconsistent.

I kept bouncing back and forth because I was struggling w/caring for my natural hair. I didn't realize then that I had to recondition my thinking about natural hair maintenance. Once I learned to keep my natural hair stretched, I haven't had very many SSK's and I don't have long detangling sessions..at all. But I PS 90-95% of the time.

HTH!

 

[Whimsy]

I was texlaxed most of my life. I loved it. Then I went natural and loved it even more.
I don't know about how 'thin' it will make your hair, but if you just want easier detangling you can get that with store bought products versus texlaxing.

I will say this, unless you're doing it at home, be sure to go to a stylist you trust, because you'll want each touch up to be exactly the same so your hair will be all one uniform texlaxed texture with each touch up and not have some bits overely straight or overly curly...yaknowhatimean?

 

[Sianna]

I don't know about how 'thin' it will make your hair, but if you just want easier detangling you can get that with store bought products versus texlaxing.

Store bought products? Which ones? :scratchch Please tell me more!

Thanks for responding ladies! And MzSwift, your 'fro is

 

[DDTexlaxed]

I have very relaxer resistant hair and I believe it is because I used sulfur based products. The best texlax I ever had was from using a lye relaxer called Revlon Realistic. I basically just applied it and left it on 5 minutes. Great curl def and easy to maintain. However, I did not know how to maintain it and wanted to straiten my hair. I now know that a lye relaxer won't straiten my hair and I can leave it on and get the same results no matter how long I leave it on. I no longer relax, but if I ever did change my mind, I would texlax and not relax my hair strait. The only thing I did with my texlaxed hair was wash n go. I retained all my growth with not much effort.

 

[Whimsy]

for me cowboy magic detangler works wonders for detangling. it amazes me.

 

[gottabme247]

question: when texlaxed how do you know how much to touch-up if you still have curl definition from your ng to the line of demarcation(if transitioning from relaxed)?

 

[Rain20]

Texlax in sections for more consistent results. If you texlax all at once you are more likely to get straight areas. Also stretching for longer periods helps to prevent damage from overlapping.Ceramides help to prevent damage as well as regular hair care.

I think it's personal preference. Do what's best for you.

 

[EllePixie]

My dad told me that when my hair grows out I should get a texturizer so my hair is easier to comb. I told him that I don't want to make my hair more fragile, and the results can be inconsistent (I've seen some people try to texlax and their hair ends up straight). I also wouldn't want to do anything where I would have to BC again if I didn't like it. I know a lot of people transition, but for me it was too much work, so I know I would BC.

 

[Simply_elle]

for me cowboy magic detangler works wonders for detangling. it amazes me.

Whimsy my wallet thanks you....

Sianna, I think the issue with our adolescent 'fros is that out hair isn't formally long enough to stretch in twist and curls, buns, ect. But long enough to get all tangly and knotty... Personally I'm going to ride it out...I was so frustrated around Xmas and ready to relax! *** the telax lol. I'm going to wait as alot of hip length ladies (LadyP, Celina starr) said that the telaxed hair set them back a bit D/T breakage ect. Hope that made sense lol. HHG... and many wishes for patience!!!

OH!! ETA: Cons, the long haired ladies said....figured they know something I don't

Pros: Amazing telaxed ladies here to show you the ropes, if you go that route...

 

[mstk]

question: when texlaxed how do you know how much to touch-up if you still have curl definition from your ng to the line of demarcation(if transitioning from relaxed)?

There's still a texture difference for me, but it's not as remarkable as the difference between my relaxed hair and new growth. To be safe, I stretch as long as possible (for me 16 weeks) so that I can see more new growth. That (overlapping due to similar texture) is a potential con though.

 

[BrownSkin2]

I was natural for 3 years, then texlaxed for a year. I felt that it didn't help with tangles, I got alot of breakage, and it got noticably thinner... I believe that was due to inconsistent results and overlapping. I texlaxed every 3 of 4 months with a reg relaxer, just leaving it in 7 minutes. I have decided to go back to natural. I've been transitioning 16 months so far. I realized with texlaxing, I had the same issues as a natural. I'm mostly 4b and coarse texture. I have found that my natural hair was healthier and happier.

 

[Ivonnovi]

I used "texlaxing" as a gap to wean myself off relaxing bonestraight. Briefly, instead of going cold turkey during my transition, I texlaxed for a period of 6-9 months, then got twists/braids for about 3 months, then went to sisterlocks. (no big chop done at all)

 

[Sianna]

Sianna, I think the issue with our adolescent 'fros is that out hair isn't formally long enough to stretch in twist and curls, buns, ect. But long enough to get all tangly and knotty... Personally I'm going to ride it out...I was so frustrated around Xmas and ready to relax! *** the telax lol. I'm going to wait as alot of hip length ladies (LadyP, Celina starr) said that the telaxed hair set them back a bit D/T breakage ect. Hope that made sense lol. HHG... and many wishes for patience!!!

I appreciate all the responses ladies!

And YES! Simply_elle, you are absolutely right! The problem I'm having right now is that my hair is too long to be a cute little TWA, yet it's too short to wear a lot of styles that promote stretched hair.

I've decided I would not make any drastic decisions and simply give my hair more time to grow. Not that I was really planning on texlaxing, just considering my options and their consequences. Honestly, I feel that if I were to texlax, I'd probably end up transitioning to natural again. *shrugs*

Thanks again ladies!

 

[havilland]

i transitioned to texlaxed from bone straight and i love it.

i stretch for very long periods so i have a very distinct line of new growth so that i don't overlap. also, i use the same product each time and my stylist does it for me so my results are consistent.

i am currently in month 9 of a super long stretch and feel that my hair is strong because of it. the fact that the two textures are not that much different, makes it easier to stretch.

i still have to deal with texture though and can tell you that my texlaxed hair is just as much work to detangle, etc. as my natural hair.

i think long term damage to chemically altered hair can be significantly reduced if you do not use heat, deep condition regularly and moisturize daily.

one major con with texlaxing though to me is that you have to care for your hair like it's relaxed straight (protein treatments, protective styling, careful with heat and permanent color), but it FEELS like it's natural becuase there is so much texture left in the hair.

i don't have texlax that is dern near straight (i have seen some ladies with texlax that is almost straight)...my texlax is almost the same as my natural texture.....it's JUST loose enough to give me a wash and go that isn't as frizzy as the one i get with my natural hair.

hth

 

[Whimsy]

YAY i'm glad you're not gunna texlax.

PATIENCE is the most important hair tool.

You're just in an inbetweenie period. Come summer you'll be postin threads about your fierce twistouts and what not....