What's the point of "stretching" a relaxer?

[krayzkool]

I'm still fairly new... just wanted to know. I thought the point of demarcation stuff, etc, would break the hair...

I went from June 05- Jan 06 w/out a perm, and haven't had 1 in 2 mths... was in braids then, may go back - trying tree braids....

So, if anyone can help me with that, I'd appreciate it.

 

[CreoleInDC]

Less chemicals...better hair.

 

[SignatureBeauty]

I am guessing because you give your hair time to grow,I usually touch up every 8 weeks but I am gonna try for an extra 4wks. to get more growth plus it will help with overlapping,I use an applicator bottle to apply my relaxers it makes it more easy for me to get it on the newgrowth that I can see.

Good Question!

 

[CreoleInDC]

Well ya gotta think of it this way.

Once your hair is relaxed...it's relaxed. No need for futher chemicals to the relaxed hair. When you do a touch-up...chemicals touch your relaxed hair (even if you are super careful regarding overlapping) while you are rinsing out the chemical. Yes I know this is brief...but it still happens. Because of this, your hair is weakened yet again. The more you use chemicals, the more potential damage you can cause to already relaxed hair. Drying it out more and causing random to severe breakage.

It's how I think about it now that I know more about the process. Welcome to the Board. You will learn a lot here with these ladies.

 

[Legend]

Less chemicals...better hair.

Definitely!!! The great benefit of stretching a relaxer is healthier, great looking hair. I usually stretch my relaxer 12-14 weeks (or longer), but my hair was driving me crazy and shedding last year and I stretched my relaxer from April 9, 2005 and just had it relaxed only 2 weeks ago (11 months, yikes! ). But, my hair really appreciated the break because now it is much fuller, grew out about 7 inches, the color is better, and responds better to the products I use. I know stretching is a pain in the bum (I had to wear a phony pony for months ) but, stretch it as long as you can! Good luck!!!!

 

[Miss*Tress]

Here's another thread with some good information on the subject of stretching.

Good luck and welcome to the board!

 

[brooklyngal73]

That's a very interesting application method--never heard of it. I'd imagine that it's more precise than using a tint brush.

I am guessing because you give your hair time to grow,I usually touch up every 8 weeks but I am gonna try for an extra 4wks. to get more growth plus it will help with overlapping,I use an applicator bottle to apply my relaxers it makes it more easy for me to get it on the newgrowth that I can see.

Good Question!

 

[SignatureBeauty]

That's a very interesting application method--never heard of it. I'd imagine that it's more precise than using a tint brush.

I use to use a tint brush and then I would end up with alot of overlapping so I used an applicator bottle and it made it more easy to get it on the newgrowth and less overlapping,I know we can't stop overlapping but by using that applicator bottle it lessen it.

 

[OneInAMillion]

Definitely!!! The great benefit of stretching a relaxer is healthier, great looking hair. I usually stretch my relaxer 12-14 weeks (or longer), but my hair was driving me crazy and shedding last year and I stretched my relaxer from April 9, 2005 and just had it relaxed only 2 weeks ago (11 months, yikes! ). But, my hair really appreciated the break because now it is much fuller, grew out about 7 inches, the color is better, and responds better to the products I use. I know stretching is a pain in the bum (I had to wear a phony pony for months ) but, stretch it as long as you can! Good luck!!!!

Wow girl 11 months!!! Way to go

 

[SexySin985]

I am guessing because you give your hair time to grow,I usually touch up every 8 weeks but I am gonna try for an extra 4wks. to get more growth plus it will help with overlapping,I use an applicator bottle to apply my relaxers it makes it more easy for me to get it on the newgrowth that I can see.

Good Question!

OMG, what a great idea!

 

[trinidarkie1]

Which I had seen this last night. I was at the BSS, could have bought an empty bottle.
I'm doing my touch up this weekend after 12 weeks. I never thought about the overlapping in terms of the new growth and the already relaxed hair being touched by the relaxer.