Cheleigh
Well-Known Member
This is so weird. I was cleaning out a computer folder, and I ran across a document just titled "it." I thought you all would get a kick out of it because it's what so many of us have said on this very site. I don't know why I wrote this, but I was not on ANY hair sites back in 2002. Actually I can't believe I wrote this back in 2002. Only thing is that I don't think I was getting retouches that often. And I guess that I did what I said I would back in 2002--just took me 4 years to do it. 
"it's totally acceptable, and even encouraged, to go natural if you can, and I love seeing women in natural and closely cropped cuts. The saddest thing I see is young girls with hair damaged from relaxers (hair breaking around the front, brittle and dry), and I've always said that if I'm blessed to have a daughter, that I will not subject her to the ritual of the press & curl OR the relaxer for as long as she desires.
Now, having said that I am a natural hair supporter, I have a relaxer, and have had one for many years. My hair is pretty long (to my back bra strap) and pretty healthy (I?m lazy, so it?s not as healthy as it COULD be) -- here are some practices I employ:
The Salon:
-I selected a cosmetologist who focuses on hair health and using quality products rather than styling.
-I generally go to the hair salon for deep conditioners and retouches, which averages about once per six weeks.
-I also get wet sets (which takes hours to dry my hair) several times yearly to avoid the high blow dry and flat iron heat.
-I get solid cuts or trims (1/4" or more) almost every time I go to the salon.
-I do not color my hair, but I do use clear/tinted rinses
At home:
-I do NOT use hot curlers on my hair except at the salon and the VERY RARE special occasion. I roll my hair at night (not all the way to the top, just the bottom 1/4), and/or just sleep on satin pillowcases with half-wraps.
-I use boar bristle bushes and wide toothed combs (and I don?t over comb/brush/style)
-I ensure that my hair (roots to ends) stay well moisturized nightly?massaging your scalp is healthy too.
I think the summary is that the relaxer is damaging to your natural hair, so you cannot use the relaxer as a panacea and think that every fantasy style is now at your disposal because of it--actually the opposite is true. I have sacrificed the cute short cuts and fly colors so that I CAN exercise daily, don't worry about the rain, can braid it and go swimming, etc. One day, I probably will go natural."
"it's totally acceptable, and even encouraged, to go natural if you can, and I love seeing women in natural and closely cropped cuts. The saddest thing I see is young girls with hair damaged from relaxers (hair breaking around the front, brittle and dry), and I've always said that if I'm blessed to have a daughter, that I will not subject her to the ritual of the press & curl OR the relaxer for as long as she desires.
Now, having said that I am a natural hair supporter, I have a relaxer, and have had one for many years. My hair is pretty long (to my back bra strap) and pretty healthy (I?m lazy, so it?s not as healthy as it COULD be) -- here are some practices I employ:
The Salon:
-I selected a cosmetologist who focuses on hair health and using quality products rather than styling.
-I generally go to the hair salon for deep conditioners and retouches, which averages about once per six weeks.
-I also get wet sets (which takes hours to dry my hair) several times yearly to avoid the high blow dry and flat iron heat.
-I get solid cuts or trims (1/4" or more) almost every time I go to the salon.
-I do not color my hair, but I do use clear/tinted rinses
At home:
-I do NOT use hot curlers on my hair except at the salon and the VERY RARE special occasion. I roll my hair at night (not all the way to the top, just the bottom 1/4), and/or just sleep on satin pillowcases with half-wraps.
-I use boar bristle bushes and wide toothed combs (and I don?t over comb/brush/style)
-I ensure that my hair (roots to ends) stay well moisturized nightly?massaging your scalp is healthy too.
I think the summary is that the relaxer is damaging to your natural hair, so you cannot use the relaxer as a panacea and think that every fantasy style is now at your disposal because of it--actually the opposite is true. I have sacrificed the cute short cuts and fly colors so that I CAN exercise daily, don't worry about the rain, can braid it and go swimming, etc. One day, I probably will go natural."
thanks for sharing
