To all those who have stretched out relaxers

[NYCQT16]

I was just wondering about stretching out relaxers. I am thinking of doing so but I heard (or read I can't remember) that waiting too long can snap your relaxed ends. Have any of you found this to be true? How do you guys take care so that this doesn't happen?

 

[candibaby]

I haven't found this to be true and this is my first time stretching out my relaxer. I'm wearing protective styles (braids) to keep my hair from "snapping". I also make sure to moisturize my new growth (especially where it meets my relaxed hair) when I'm not in braids.

 

[JenniferMD]

I stretched for 9 months and didn't experience this because I moisturized like crazy all the way done to the ends of my hair and kept protective styles.

 

[Allandra]

[ QUOTE ]
JenniferMD said:
I stretched for 9 months and didn't experience this because I moisturized like crazy all the way done to the ends of my hair and kept protective styles.

[/ QUOTE ]
Moisture and protective styles work for me too. I get a relaxer touch-up every four months.

 

[Neroli]

I have 4b hair and have managed to stretch from 6 weeks to 10 weeks (10 weeks is now my standard!) without any problems whatsoever AND without resorting to a protective style. The key for me is to wash using conditioner only at least once a week, and more if needed. I tried going beyond 10 weeks and just couldn't do it because my new growth was too awesome to handle safely after that. The ONLY way I can go beyond 10 weeks is to braid my hair, which I've done on occasion.

I have gone entire summers (3 - 4 months) with braids and my hair just GROWS that way, I think because zero maintainance, zero manipulation, zero heat, etc.

But in terms of maintaining a "loose" non-protective style, I just can't do past 10 weeks -- my new growth is just DA BOMB at that point and won't be controlled until I bring in the heavy artilery. . .

 

[Poohbear]

[ QUOTE ]
NYCQT16 said:
I was just wondering about stretching out relaxers. I am thinking of doing so but I heard (or read I can't remember) that waiting too long can snap your relaxed ends. Have any of you found this to be true? How do you guys take care so that this doesn't happen?

[/ QUOTE ]

I'm sure people get breakage when stretching out relaxer touch-ups from trying to comb the hair with the new growth...thats a NO-NO! Avoid as much combing as possible when stretching out relaxers.

 

[LABETT]

When I first started stretching out my relaxer I some breakage since I started moisturizing my hair more I have less breakage.

 

[hiza]

Moisture and more moisture!!
I get a relaxer touch-up every four month.
The thing that help me is moisturise my hair often so i do a deep conditon treatment every time I wash my hair. I wash my hair 2 time a week.

 

[26INCHHAIR]

I only get relaxers every 4 months, so the best thing to do is to put lots of moisture on your ends, protect all your relaxed hair, avoid combing, co wash often, because it softens the new growth. Try to only comb your hair in the shower and thats about it. The key attribution to maintaing length is moisture, moisture, moisture!!

 

[Babygurl]

When I stretched my relaxer out to 18 weeks I experienced breakage, from tangling and matting, the textures were just TOO different, and having that much new growth wasnt working out for me, so now I go between 10-12 weeks.

 

[Stormy]

I agree with most of the ladies are saying because moisture is what works for me. Hair stylists will tell you not to wait beyond 6 weeks, your hair will snap, pop off, etc... what they DON'T tell you is as long as you moisturize a great deal and where protective styles to keep the manipulation down, you'll be fine.

 

[NewlyNature12]

I agree with all of you who said moisture--thats been my saving grace--but I also believe in limiting heat. I think the less you do with your hair, the more managable it will be.

 

[Isis]

[ QUOTE ]
hiza said:
Moisture and more moisture!!
I get a relaxer touch-up every four month.
The thing that help me is moisturise my hair often so i do a deep conditon treatment every time I wash my hair. I wash my hair 2 time a week.

[/ QUOTE ]
I do exactly the same thing.

 

[MizAvalon]

I have started stretching between 13-15 weeks and I don't experience breakage at all. I can't tell you how many people have told me I'll be sorry, blah, blah, blah. But, so far, so good. I admit that after 10 weeks it does get pretty difficult, but I just go into braids until touch-up time and I'm fine. And I just love the nice surprise I get when I finally get to see all of that new growth straightened.

 

[lthomas1]

[ QUOTE ]
MizAvalon said:
And I just love the nice surprise I get when I finally get to see all of that new growth straightened.

[/ QUOTE ]

ITA, It is always a pleasant surprise when I step out of the shower and see how much it has grown every time I stretch out my relaxers. That is the best part!!!!

 

[NYCQT16]

Ok...thank you so much everyone...looks like I am on my way to stretching this relaxer. I am only 4 weeks today post relaxer so I am just gonna use all the tips...number one looks like MOISTURIZE!!!! Let's see how far I can go!