I just got my hair relaxed yesterday after not relaxing my hair for about 10 weeks. I had been wearing it in a bun all that time. One of the beauticians at the salon told me that because I had a 4b type hair, that I should never go longer that 6 weeks before relaxing because the tight coils and the straight hair is too different and it would break. My hair was in really good condition. So good, that I didn't even need a trim (when I thought surely that I would after all that time!) Does that sound right to all of you? I thought the longer I wait, the better. How long is too long?
Unsafe to wait?
- Thread starter Cassie28
- Start date
alliyah4eva203
Active Member
it depends. if you can find a routine or product that softens your new growth so you don't experiance breakage then you can for as long as you want. but if nothing works then a regular touch is the best bet.
also for the last few weeks before a touch up you could have braids, cornrows and weaves to help because there is less daily manipulation
also for the last few weeks before a touch up you could have braids, cornrows and weaves to help because there is less daily manipulation
Tracy
New Member
It depends. The best way to find out is to extend your relaxers one week at a time for a series of sessions. So this time go 10 weeks. The next go 11. Then next go 12....and so on.
This way you can 1. determine if waiting longer is of any benefit to you (some people find waiting allows their hair to grow in thicker and it certainly helps lower the probability of overlapping and overprocessing as a result)and if it is 2. which week is the "breaking point" (pun intended) for your hair.
I know 4b's that can go 12 weeks. Some can't go past 6 weeks.
My hair is roughly a 3c...I can't go very far past 8 without a problem. Lindy a 3c//4a (I think?) can go up to 14-16 weeks...
This way you can 1. determine if waiting longer is of any benefit to you (some people find waiting allows their hair to grow in thicker and it certainly helps lower the probability of overlapping and overprocessing as a result)and if it is 2. which week is the "breaking point" (pun intended) for your hair.
I know 4b's that can go 12 weeks. Some can't go past 6 weeks.
My hair is roughly a 3c...I can't go very far past 8 without a problem. Lindy a 3c//4a (I think?) can go up to 14-16 weeks...
sweetcocoa
Active Member
[ QUOTE ]
Cassie28 said:
I just got my hair relaxed yesterday after not relaxing my hair for about 10 weeks. I had been wearing it in a bun all that time. One of the beauticians at the salon told me that because I had a 4b type hair, that I should never go longer that 6 weeks before relaxing because the tight coils and the straight hair is too different and it would break. My hair was in really good condition. So good, that I didn't even need a trim (when I thought surely that I would after all that time!) Does that sound right to all of you? I thought the longer I wait, the better. How long is too long?
[/ QUOTE ]
I think you got the answer to your own question...your hair was in great condition. I think everyone has their own limit as to how long they should stretch out a relaxer. If 10 weeks worked well for you than stick to it.
Cassie28 said:
I just got my hair relaxed yesterday after not relaxing my hair for about 10 weeks. I had been wearing it in a bun all that time. One of the beauticians at the salon told me that because I had a 4b type hair, that I should never go longer that 6 weeks before relaxing because the tight coils and the straight hair is too different and it would break. My hair was in really good condition. So good, that I didn't even need a trim (when I thought surely that I would after all that time!) Does that sound right to all of you? I thought the longer I wait, the better. How long is too long?
[/ QUOTE ]
I think you got the answer to your own question...your hair was in great condition. I think everyone has their own limit as to how long they should stretch out a relaxer. If 10 weeks worked well for you than stick to it.
DigitalRain
Well-Known Member
I'm a 4b and the last time I went 10 weeks w/o a relaxer with no breakage. I plan on getting my next relaxer 3 or 4 months from now.
DahomeyAhosi
New Member
It's certainly not true that having 4b hair automatically means you can't extend your touchups. I have mostly 4b hair and have been able to go 3 or 4 months. Everyone's hair responds differently...some have excessive shedding or breakage after a certain point. But don't let your hair type dissuade you from finding your own personal timing. One of my stylists told me the same thing so I just found another stylist
.
chicamorena
Member
Cassie28 I am 4a/4b mostly 4b and get my hair relaxed every 10-12 weeks. I used to get it relaxed every 8 weeks. My hair does fine relaxing every 10-12 weeks, but I have to handle it with care. This means that I have to keep my newgrowth moisturized and only comb my hair when it's wet. I also have to straighten my hair the wash before I relax so that it's easier to comb through my hair when I am getting the relaxer. I hope this helps
candibaby
New Member
i'm mostly 4b (and a little 4a or something) and i'm at 6 weeks right now. The longest I've gone is probably gone is.. 7 weeks, I used to be a perm freak when my hair was long because it seemed like my hair would get nappy QUICK, but I guess that's because I didn't take care of it the way I should have.
Poohbear
Fearfully Wonderfully Made
[ QUOTE ]
Cassie28 said:
I just got my hair relaxed yesterday after not relaxing my hair for about 10 weeks. I had been wearing it in a bun all that time. One of the beauticians at the salon told me that because I had a 4b type hair, that I should never go longer that 6 weeks before relaxing because the tight coils and the straight hair is too different and it would break. My hair was in really good condition. So good, that I didn't even need a trim (when I thought surely that I would after all that time!) Does that sound right to all of you? I thought the longer I wait, the better. How long is too long?
[/ QUOTE ]
i think as long as u dont relax the hair thats has previously been relax, then extending would be great. ive seen a lotta women on here that says they get mor growth when they wait longer because u aren't applying those chemicals on there as much. i think u should go on extending your relaxer as long as u can take it.
Cassie28 said:
I just got my hair relaxed yesterday after not relaxing my hair for about 10 weeks. I had been wearing it in a bun all that time. One of the beauticians at the salon told me that because I had a 4b type hair, that I should never go longer that 6 weeks before relaxing because the tight coils and the straight hair is too different and it would break. My hair was in really good condition. So good, that I didn't even need a trim (when I thought surely that I would after all that time!) Does that sound right to all of you? I thought the longer I wait, the better. How long is too long?
[/ QUOTE ]
i think as long as u dont relax the hair thats has previously been relax, then extending would be great. ive seen a lotta women on here that says they get mor growth when they wait longer because u aren't applying those chemicals on there as much. i think u should go on extending your relaxer as long as u can take it.
I have 4a/b hair and went 6 months this last time. I believe it all depends on how you treat your hair during that time period. It definitely requires extra treatment but less handling, if that makes sense. I deep conditioned 2 days out the week for 30-45 minutes at times and always kept the hair moisturized. I also chose to refrain from combing it unless it was completely wet to ensure I was not causing any unnecessary breakage. HTH Good luck!
You know what? All of this makes perfect sense. I kinda thought that they were just trying to get me to come in a little more often. They looked at me kinda funny when I started talking about "conditioner washes" and only wearing keeping your hair in protective styles. They didn't know nothing about that! But they DID do an excellent relaxer on it, so I think I'll keep going and try and give them some pointers along the way. I thank god for this site and all of you out there who always answer me, no matter how small or silly the questions are. XOXOXOXOXOXOXO!! Now, I've been using a combination of Kemi-Oyl and Surge on my scalp and Sebastain Potion 9 on the ends. (The Sebastain and Surge is every night, the oil is every 3 days,) I don't know what product in particular has helped me not have to get my ends trimmed, sometimes I wonder if the Surge is worth it but now I'm afraid to not use it. What other ways do you use to keep your new growth moisturized besides Sta-Soft Fro, (which I found out was too sticky for me).
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