UM...ABOUT THE CHRISTMAS STRETCH CHALLENGE. I NEED HELP! AND ADVICE. PRETTY PLEASE.

[Bmm]

UM...ABOUT THE CHRISTMAS STRETCH CHALLENGE. I NEED HELP! AND ADVICE.PLEASE.

I am really excited about this challenge, so I shared my plans with my hair buddy that frequents another board, and lurks over here. I also shared my plans with my husband, that says that my hair will fall out He said " If you wait that long to get a perm your hair will start falling out" he just does not want me to look all nappy ( you know how men are)

I am very optimistic I plan on getting a sew in this weekend, which will probably stay in for 4-5 weeks. I am going to do a protien treatment before, as well as a deep moisturizing con.

I just need some tips from you ladies that do stretch this long, on what ways to avoid breakage.What I can do to help me along my way- I will post to keep up with my other XMAS stretch teammates. I just want to avoid any pitfalls and be able to combat any breakage. I do feel pretty confident... so here I go. As of today I am 24 days post, which is three weeks and 3 days. Wish me luck!

 

[CarLiTa]

i need help too!!! usually after stretching for so long i lose a lot of hair when i get the touch-up and that's usually from the lady having to part my hair etc...

i'm thinking that it would be a good idea to go to the salon and have my hair washed and rollerset about 3-4 days before i get a relaxer so that the rest of the relaxed hair is manageable to part etc...

i need to come up with (or find ideas) for a extra-moisturizing concoction (sp?) for my new growth. I'm hoping for a lot by December... On monday i will be 3 weeks post, and I need to start exercising to boost the napps

 

[Bmm]

Well damn I hear crickets chirping...no one had any tips Damn I should have mentioned MTG in my Post to get more replies

 

[Divine Inspiration]

You guys are hilarious! Ok, everybody inhale slowly...hold it, hold it, now, exhale slowly. Ah yes, don't we all feel better?

Now let's find ways to put off the new growth weight which doth so easily beset us....

Here are my(they work for me, no guarantees) tips for mega stretching:
*Keep manipulation to a minimum. Braidouts, twistouts and other finger comb only styles are a must to get through the latter half of the stretch.
*I make a moisture concoction of distilled water, rosemary oil, and a creamy conditioner (i.e. DDTA, Humectress, Aubrey's GPB, Giovanni Triple Treat) ~or~ distilled water, S-curl, and rosemary oil. Rosemary is good for strengthening the hair so this should be a deterrent for breakage.
*I highly recommend oiling the scalp before putting on a leave-in (after pooing). This has worked well for me since I don't oil my scalp a lot during the week. I apply some WGO to my scalp and apply my usual leave-ins to me length and my scalp stays moisturized until my next poo.
*I recommend roller setting the week before a relaxer so the hair is actually combable. If it's combable, then the stylist doesn't have to yank and tug trying to get to the new growth.
*Giovanni Direct Leave-in is quintessential for smoothing new growth and making it manageable. It's amazing on roller sets, but I love it for a wash and go too. It has kept me from going into "hair anxiety mode" many a day...
*I don't listen to people when they tell me I look crazy. Sometimes folks will say, "Oooh you need a relaxer" but they're either male, white, or they have short hair. Regardless, nobody from any of these groups can give me advice on caring for my hair. I know what the heck I'm doin by keeping the relaxer away...my hair has really thanked me for pumping the brakes on the relaxers...nevermind the naysayers. Besides that, what happens to people who transition for 6 months, 1 year or even 2 years? Do they go bald? I think not; they just give their tresses TLC, as we all should.

I hope this was kinda sorta almost helpful...
If all else fails, just breathe, strecth, shake and let it grow! I need help...

 

[Bmm]

You guys are hilarious! Ok, everybody inhale slowly...hold it, hold it, now, exhale slowly. Ah yes, don't we all feel better?

Now let's find ways to put off the new growth weight which doth so easily beset us....

Thank you kindly, I really to appreciate the tips, Its a little scary stretching that long for the first time. I am optimistic though. The longest I have went is 9 weeks. Thanks alot!

 

[prettyblac]

Baby girl is the queen of stretch and I remember when she first started and now her hair is longggggggggggg and beautiful. Just look at her posts and take her advice it's really good. I just adapted some of the things she does and make them my own. I think the key thing is shower comb and protective styles hands down that will take you to any length you desire.

 

[Divine Inspiration]

You guys are hilarious! Ok, everybody inhale slowly...hold it, hold it, now, exhale slowly. Ah yes, don't we all feel better?

Now let's find ways to put off the new growth weight which doth so easily beset us....

Thank you kindly, I really to appreciate the tips, Its a little scary stretching that long for the first time. I am optimistic though. The longest I have went is 9 weeks. Thanks alot!

You'll make it gurl...you've already done step 1 which is joining the Christmas Stretch Club Now it's just a matter of staying the course...
Another recommendation: I went downtown and purchased a bunch of colorful & decorative scarves. I highly suggest tying it up in these silk scarves throughout the day and throwin on some hoop earrings and callin it a day. It's terribly simple but quite fashionable and fuss-free...
Just a thought...

 

[Divine Inspiration]

Oh yeah....I've got a MAJOR overload of DDTA over here. Once I start getting closer and closer to relaxer time, I CO wash once a week & poo once a week. I may be willing to negotiate a bargain on some DDTA with ya...

I've already got some clients on the block...I sell it outta my trunk...just kiddin...

 

[czyfaith77]

Oh yeah....I've got a MAJOR overload of DDTA over here. Once I start getting closer and closer to relaxer time, I CO wash once a week & poo once a week. I may be willing to negotiate a bargain on some DDTA with ya...

I've already got some clients on the block...I sell it outta my trunk...just kiddin...

Hey That stuff works! I have not stretched before and this made my new growth very manageable. I use Daily Defense but, I do not use the Tender Apple. It is easier to find the Water Lily kind where I live but, it still works well. I really am enjoying stretching my relaxer ( I am am even encouraging my friends to do so). When wearing a bun, I CW daily and shampoo every three days. When wearing my hair out, I CW every few days, air dry, and use steam rollers (Caruso Rollers - thanks to a fellow LHCF member who sold me three sets of hers!) At first I was a skeptic about the conditioner but this one is a keeper as long as I can find it. I found two bottles at Family Dollar and the rest at Big Lots. I highly recommend it for CW's!

 

[CarLiTa]

Re: UM...ABOUT THE CHRISTMAS STRETCH CHALLENGE. I NEED HELP! AND ADVICE. PRETTY PLEAS

What's DDTA?

 

[Divine Inspiration]

Hey That stuff works! I have not stretched before and this made my new growth very manageable. I use Daily Defense but, I do not use the Tender Apple. It is easier to find the Water Lily kind where I live but, it still works well. I really am enjoying stretching my relaxer ( I am am even encouraging my friends to do so). When wearing a bun, I CW daily and shampoo every three days. When wearing my hair out, I CW every few days, air dry, and use steam rollers (Caruso Rollers - thanks to a fellow LHCF member who sold me three sets of hers!) At first I was a skeptic about the conditioner but this one is a keeper as long as I can find it. I found two bottles at Family Dollar and the rest at Big Lots. I highly recommend it for CW's!

YES!!!!!!!!! Someone other than me is actually enjoying stretching the relaxer!!! Yaaaaaaaay! Girl I feel you on that...when I found it I went CRAZY...too crazy, hence the reason I'm selling it now

Carlita, DDTA is Daily Defense Tender Apple which is a conditioner that a lot of ladies like to use for CO washes or as an addition to a deep conditioning concoction (thanks LuvSlave).

 

[LongIslandBeauty]

Re: UM...ABOUT THE CHRISTMAS STRETCH CHALLENGE. I NEED HELP! AND ADVICE.PLEASE.

This is what has helped me stretch. Castor oil & shea butter on the roots, weekly deep conditioning - I rotate different Dominican conditioners, twist outs, combing hair in sections when wet, and lots of patience. The last few stretches I braided my hair after 16 weeks.

I also started slow. This is my fourth stretch. I tried 10 weeks then 16, then 24 which ended up being 26 weeks.

I guess the most important thing is to find what moisturizes your hair the best, it makes the combing a whole lot easier.

 

[Amarech]

Thank you kindly, I really to appreciate the tips, Its a little scary stretching that long for the first time. I am optimistic though. The longest I have went is 9 weeks. Thanks alot!

Well I guess they got to you before I did! Can you take some more encouragement? Cause I gots plenty. Don't give up. Now would be a good time to work on natural styles like twists and braids. If all else fails just think about reaching your goal.

I have seen many a challenge come and go witout jumping on the band wagon. I don't know why this one has me in a fever. But I am excited nonetheless.
I have been at the whole healthy long hair since January and I am just now seeing progress and it is small. But it is big enough to build on. Be encouraged sis, don't know if I was any help but be encouraged!

 

[Divine Inspiration]

LOL...because this a club, not a challange...you feel that sense of belonging that we all long to achieve on Maslow's hierarchy of needs....LOL!!!!! J/k it's good to be excited about the stretch...Taij I sense good things in your hair forecast, lol.