This explains Hair Breakage from.......

[peacelove]

you all are welcomed.................to those that find it trivial keep using your trusty relaxers. Maybe this isn't for you right now..................Give it some time you'll see the effects.

That sounds like a bit of a jab. I doubt anyone here thinks it's trivial. Why say that? It is important to share all info. But it is a person's choice. Just like the parabens that are reported to cause cancer that are in 90% of the beauty products, even some so called natural ones.

 

[Faith]

Hairgurl, had your relaxers been overlapped over the years?

Sounds like it to me...like incorrect application is what caused the problems and would continue causing the problems NOT the relaxer itself.

 

[Faith]

Good point.

Sounds like she needed/found some "research" to back her new money maker...period. Not hating just stating what I see

 

[beyondcute]

Sounds like it to me...like incorrect application is what caused the problems and would continue causing the problems NOT the relaxer itself.

Well for real 99% of people apply relaxers incorrectly. Who does a skin allergy test? Who bases the scalp? Who ONLY relaxes the newgrowth (ummm yea 'corrective relaxers' are a made up term....) Who relaxes every 6-8 weeks? Who allows a professional to apply them each time? Who only usus one line of a product? The makers of relaxers get over so often because people dont use them correctly.... Perm burns would never occur is all of this was done? Breakage would never occur is all this is done? I highly doubt that.... BUT thanks for the info and I hope no one loses thier hair.

 

[Candy_C]

Hey Beyond...

hmm 99% is ALOT. I sure do all that stuff u said 99% dont do! i relax every 14 weeks. thats like 4 times a yr

 

[~Nigeria~]

I usually get a relaxer every 8-10 weeks at the salon. I am well aware of how damaging relaxers are. My stylist swears that she doesn't overlap but I know my new growth ain't that long. So a few hours before I my relaxer I apply a generous amount of leave in conditioner (usually NTM) to protect my already relaxed hair.Then I don't feel as worried about my stylist overlapping relaxers.

 

[Poohbear]

Yeah....but then again we can say the same thing about the MTG threads popping up constantly with no new info, lol. Just the same with this and other topics, topics will continue to be brought up, and just like you handle the rest of them that aren't of interest to you...move on to the next thread and save YOURSELF the hassle...

No need to get defensive or offensive here.

In total agreement.

 

[beyondcute]

Hey Beyond...

hmm 99% is ALOT. I sure do all that stuff u said 99% dont do! i relax every 14 weeks. thats like 4 times a yr

Are you serious? You actually do the skin allergy test every time you relax? Well thats great but I really dont think most people do that.

 

[HoneyDew]

Honestly though, who doesnt know this already? Especially on a hair board where we talk about this stuff all the time.

I agree also, but thank you for the info.

Nair has Sodium Hydroxide in it and we all know it can remove hair in 4 min.

I have some other hair products, including leave-ins that contain Sodium Hydroxide and it is used in soaps and detergents and bleach and so many other things that we use.

I understand that this is a dangerous chemical, but what other things in our life should we avoid, as well. How much more dangerous are relaxers compared to all the other chemicals around us?

I have always wondered that and I guess because I have never really found an answer to that, I still get my regular touchup.

It is something to think about, though.

 

[beyondcute]

I understand that this is a dangerous chemical, but what other things in our life should we avoid, as well. How much more dangerous are relaxers compared to all the other chemicals around us?

The internet is full of information about dangerous things.... Compared to other things around us? I dont know but Im gonna find out. Ive been doing alot of research for a paper Im writing about African American Aesthetic practices. And if anyone REALLY wnats to know they will seek information as well. Relaxers are very dangerous. As dangerous as Nair or Drano. As we all know its very caustic. None of this is new info.

But here's what I think... No matter what anyone tells anybody about relaxers and how dangerous they are and no matte rhow many pictures of burned scalps go up peopel will continue to use them even if it came out that they were linked to a disease or cancer. Ask any smoker is the scientific reports make them change their minds.... Same thing with birth control, no matetr how many blot clot victims or stroke victims they tell you about most people will still line up for the patch.

People will always find a way to downplay scientific evidence if it doesnt support what they think. Period. For those that these articles will help they have seen it. For those that have 'heard it all already,' theyve seen it all already as well.

 

[Poohbear]

I agree also, but thank you for the info.

Nair has Sodium Hydroxide in it and we all know it can remove hair in 4 min.

I have some other hair products, including leave-ins that contain Sodium Hydroxide and it is used in soaps and detergents and bleach and so many other things that we use.

I understand that this is a dangerous chemical, but what other things in our life should we avoid, as well. How much more dangerous are relaxers compared to all the other chemicals around us?

I have always wondered that and I guess because I have never really found an answer to that, I still get my regular touchup.

It is something to think about, though.

This is true that almost all personal care products contain harmful ingredients, but when you use those other products that contain Sodium Hydroxide, they are near the end of the ingredient list meaning there isn't much in that product. PLUS, these products do not BURN after a few minutes of application like a relaxer unless you have applied an extremely thick layer of vaseline or something to protect your scalp from this chemical.

The burning is what I dreaded everytime I got a relaxer. This is one reason I decided to stop getting relaxers and looked into how to take care of natural hair. I think I would have continued relaxing too if I didn't find out about natural hair care and really step out of the box to do something safer for my hair and scalp. I'm so glad I found out the truth about relaxers and information about natural hair care. I do not have to worry about that burning feeling any longer.

 

[HoneyDew]

This is true that almost all personal care products contain harmful ingredients, but when you use those other products that contain Sodium Hydroxide, they are near the end of the ingredient list meaning there isn't much in that product. PLUS, these products do not BURN after a few minutes of application like a relaxer unless you have applied an extremely thick layer of vaseline or something to protect your scalp from this chemical.

The burning is what I dreaded everytime I got a relaxer. This is one reason I decided to stop getting relaxers and looked into how to take care of natural hair. I think I would have continued relaxing too if I didn't find out about natural hair care and really step out of the box to do something safer for my hair and scalp. I'm so glad I found out the truth about relaxers and information about natural hair care. I do not have to worry about that burning feeling any longer.

If the burning was that bad for me, I would feel the same way you do, I'm sure. I self-relax and use no-lye. No-lye does not make it better, in my opinion, but, maybe that is why I get no burning. I don't get any burning when I relax my hair.

The pores on my scalp do feel more "open" after I relax and I feel I have to be more selective in products I use that day (for pH reasons), but I never get any burning.

Burning, would motivate me to leave them alone, though, so I understand why you feel the way you do about relaxers.

 

[Poohbear]

If the burning was that bad for me, I would feel the same way you do, I'm sure. I self-relax and use no-lye. No-lye does not make it better, in my opinion, but, maybe that is why I get no burning. I don't get any burning when I relax my hair.

The pores on my scalp do feel more "open" after I relax and I feel I have to be more selective in products I use that day (for pH reasons), but I never get any burning.

Burning, would motivate me to leave them alone, though, so I understand why you feel the way you do about relaxers.

Trust me, there were times when I did not feel the burning. So you've never ever had any burning or scalp burns from relaxers out of your entire life???

 

[Candy_C]

Are you serious? You actually do the skin allergy test every time you relax? Well thats great but I really dont think most people do that.

No, i did an allergy test once, i've used the same relaxer since ever. i dont need to do one each time

 

[Candy_C]

woah, i would stop too Pooh if my head burned. my head burnt the very first time i had a relaxer but since then it gets washed off before any thing like burning starts

 

[HoneyDew]

Trust me, there were times when I did not feel the burning. So you've never ever had any burning or scalp burns from relaxers out of your entire life???

Oh my goodness, YES!!

It was always when I went to salons, especially when I was younger and my mom took me.

I remember once getting a scalp burn that was like a big sore. Actually that happened several times.

That's why I can understand why so many people are saying "FORGET THIS!!".

Last year, I went to the salon for a relaxer and she insisted that I use lye because "it would last longer", as she said.

Again, BURNS BURNS BURNS!! When I do it myself, in sections with my trusty no-lye, I avoid burns. It just takes longer when I do it myself, but it so is so much better for me this way.

 

[baglady215]

If the burning was that bad for me, I would feel the same way you do, I'm sure. I self-relax and use no-lye. No-lye does not make it better, in my opinion, but, maybe that is why I get no burning. I don't get any burning when I relax my hair.

The pores on my scalp do feel more "open" after I relax and I feel I have to be more selective in products I use that day (for pH reasons), but I never get any burning.

Burning, would motivate me to leave them alone, though, so I understand why you feel the way you do about relaxers.

I agree. Relaxing is not for everybody. I rarely burn, with lye or no-lye, and I don't base my scalp. If that ever becomes an issue for me, I will probably go natural as well.

 

[sareca]

ok ... i know relaxers aren't the mildest thing on earth..what is the duration between gettin my 1st relaxer to going bald then? cuz many people have relaxers for like 30 yrs and their hair is down their back. actually 4get it, its gonna turn into some relaxer vs natural war again.

Hey Candy maybe it's not a relaxer vs natural war (again)? Maybe it's a let's share facts thread. I have one....Did you know more people die from a falling coconut than die from shark attack? Oh, here's another one most perfumes would kill you if ingested.

 

[Poohbear]

Interesting... I didn't know so many of you don't feel the burn from relaxers. I've never been to a salon to get my relaxer touch-up. My mom always did my hair. Sometimes I would feel the burn, and sometimes I would not. I'm not sure whether the relaxer was no-lye or lye. My mom either used Motions, ElastaQp, or Hawaiian Silk... are those no-lye or lye???

 

[baglady215]

Interesting... I didn't know so many of you don't feel the burn from relaxers. I've never been to a salon to get my relaxer touch-up. My mom always did my hair. Sometimes I would feel the burn, and sometimes I would not. I'm not sure whether the relaxer was no-lye or lye. My mom either used Motions, ElastaQp, or Hawaiian Silk... are those no-lye or lye???

If they came in a box and she had to mix them, they were no-lye.

If it was just in a jar/tub, they were lye.

 

[sareca]

My last two cents (I know some of you are tired of my change, lol, ignore me if that is the case)

I think we all can agree here that Cath Howse is full of **** as far as her motives. I think she's taking advantage of the "boom" of natural heads emerging in our community. HOWEVER, what she states as well as a lot of this other information regarding relaxers is a POSSIBLE reality for anyone that chooses to use them. Please do not get deffensive over these facts, like many of you stated, you know these challenges exists and you are making a conscious decision to relax. That is YOUR decision and I don't have a problem with it...why should I? It's not up to any of us to make you feel differently, however, it is up to all of us to enlighten each other on hair care in general. Some people here, as the OP mentioned, are not aware of this info, no matter how well educated some of us are on this and other matters. We get new members everyday. I do appreciate this information being kept on the surface of discussions because it is real. We've all seen beautiful heads of thick, long relaxed hair on older women, but we have also seen the very opposite. I guess we can same the same about uncared for natural hair. This board all about hair care, the GOOD, the BAD, and the UGLY and no matter what the subject matter is, if it is relevant it should continue to be up for discussion (no matter how much it annoys me to see a new MTG thread pop up, LOL). It's easy for all of us to become defensive when something contridicts something we love to do, but in the big picture, it doesn't hurt to know. Use and process the info as you will or disregard it. We all have a lot to learn from each other...but these underlying negative tones in our comments from all participants to one another is really unecessary and hindering. People here start paying more attention to the battle rather than the cause when they read these posts.

The bold part is my favorite.... But you're right about the other stuff too. I lurked before posting so I knew where the hot buttons were but that's not a requirement. I'll try to be more understanding when I'm personally offended.

 

[Poohbear]

If they came in a box and she had to mix them, they were no-lye.

If it was just in a jar/tub, they were lye.

Well in my case, I used lye relaxers.

But besides the burning and everything else that goes with relaxing, I ultimately wanted to go natural anyway. But like so1913 said... it's your decision as to what you do with your hair and it's up to everyone to enlighten each other.

 

[hairgirl]

Well in my case, I used lye relaxers.

But besides the burning and everything else that goes with relaxing, I ultimately wanted to go natural anyway. But like so1913 said... it's your decision as to what you do with your hair and it's up to everyone to enlighten each other.

I'm the OP and agree w/Pooh bear and others........It's your decision, but as for me and my head. I'm officially going natural with this new found knowledge.

 

[hairgirl]

You're right. And, let's not let this turn into a "war".
I think that some people do need to realize that relaxer = chemicals. And it is a caustic chemical. It's not harmless lotion.

Mecca thanks for your input. Its not easy for me to choose the natural lifestyle & to the curious minded I have very healthy hair and get complements on it. I just want to have strong hair and not waste my time with all these products for reconfiguring what the relaxers rob from MY HAIR. Don't internalize this msg. as to mean that you all need to stop relaxing. This is for me and others who are ready to embrace their natural hair. If a white girl says shes no longer perming her hair it's no problem, but a black female says it and it's up for discussion.......geesh!!

 

[Southernbella.]

Mecca thanks for your input. Its not easy for me to choose the natural lifestyle & to the curious minded I have very healthy hair and get complements on it. I just want to have strong hair and not waste my time with all these products for reconfiguring what the relaxers rob from MY HAIR. Don't internalize this msg. as to mean that you all need to stop relaxing. This is for me and others who are ready to embrace their natural hair. If a white girl says shes no longer perming her hair it's no problem, but a black female says it and it's up for discussion.......geesh!!

FWIW, it's not the message, but the tone behind it. And yes, I saw a tone in your posts. At any rate, congrats on doing what's best for your own head!

I'm just going to say this...I don't think the relaxed heads on this board have any problems with anyone going natural. For me, I get annoyed with this:

"I recently discovered that relaxers are made with the same product as Drano! It's a harsh chemical! Plus, relaxed hair is dull and lifeless and thin, and NOT healthy. Sure, it looks healthy because you put all kinds of products in it, but it's really stripped down to nothing. Relaxers also burn, and why would anyone want to burn their scalp? Here are several acticles that back me up, and hopefully you will see what I see. Now, my hair is beautiful and healthy, and I get tons of compliments, not like when I was a slave to the relaxer! And most of them are from white people!!! For those who still choose to use the creamy crack, don't be offended. Just keep it moving!"

I mean, is all that necessary? No. There just seem to be jabs made at our expense, but we aren't allowed to get defensive or start "wars". It just gets tiresome, is all. If you are truly secure in your own choices, you don't have to reference anyone else.

 

[BerrySweet]

Hey Candy maybe it's not a relaxer vs natural war (again)? Maybe it's a let's share facts thread. I have one....Did you know more people die from a falling coconut than die from shark attack? Oh, here's another one most perfumes would kill you if ingested.

Wow perfume could really kill you like that?? Hmm, I recall spraying some in my mouth many years ago...don't ask why lol.

 

[Poohbear]

I'm the OP and agree w/Pooh bear and others........It's your decision, but as for me and my head. I'm officially going natural with this new found knowledge.

Congratulations girl!!! I hope everything goes well as you transition to natural!!!

 

[so1913]

Jabs at natural hair have been made for YEARS at " black peoples' " expense, (no need for me to elaborate on that)....No one is "safe"....I know it won't end in my lifetime. We all need to stop being so d*mn sensitive. If you are confident in your decisions, relaxed OR natural, what anyone has to say about them shouldn't bother you THAT much, goodness. In the end, you are the one combing your hair when you role out of bed in the morning.

But go ahead and get all worked up if you want to....then ask yourself why.

 

[beyondcute]

No, i did an allergy test once, i've used the same relaxer since ever. i dont need to do one each time

Exactly, youre supposed to do it every time... Over time you can develop allergies or become sensitized to certain things. Just like doctors and latex. I cant remmeber being allergic to it but now I develop blisters with prolonged contact to latex BUT only on my hands. But its okay. Im not saying youre gonna lose your hair or anything. I was just using it as an example. And maybe thats what your relaxer says, to only test for an allergic reaction once but most Ive come in contact with (includudng hair dyes) tell you to test each time. It doesnt matter. Its your head. Do with it what you please.

 

[beyondcute]

Jabs at natural hair have been made for YEARS at " black peoples' " expense, (no need for me to elaborate on that)....No one is "safe"....I know it won't end in my lifetime. We all need to stop being so d*mn sensitive. If you are confident in your decisions, relaxed OR natural, what anyone has to say about them shouldn't bother you THAT much, goodness. In the end, you are the one combing your hair when you role out of bed in the morning.

But go ahead and get all worked up if you want to....then ask yourself why.

This is SO true! Usually people get defensive when you strike a sensitive bone.... Its just an opinion. People are entitles to them whether they support yours or not. No need to get worked up just move on to the next thread.... As a wise man once sang, "DONT WORRY BE HAPPY!"