Who is Done With Long Stretches in 2010?

[baddison]

I think I'm gonna just stick with relaxing 3 times per year....every 17/18 weeks. The more I do it, the better i'll get at it. The benefits simply out weigh the "drama" for me. Wishing myself a whole lotta luck!!

 

[Stella B.]

Ok, so why is this being posted now that I'm getting ready to end my 1 year stretch????? It was hard, and got even harder after six months! Somehow I made it tho, and I'm sure my hair is healthier than it was a year ago. This was my first and last time stretching for that long. Any stretches I do in the future will be 6 months or less. I did learn a lot about my hair during that long "pause", so I'm glad I had the opportunity.

 

[IDareT'sHair]

Ok, so why is this being posted now that I'm getting ready to end my 1 year stretch????? It was hard, and got even harder after six months! Somehow I made it tho, and I'm sure my hair is healthier than it was a year ago. This was my first and last time stretching for that long. Any stretches I do in the future will be 6 months or less. I did learn a lot about my hair during that long "pause", so I'm glad I had the opportunity.

StellaB! I am So Proud of You!. You Learned Alot and You also Shared Alot.

Thanks for all the 'Tips' You passed along the way. They will help me even though 20 weeks will be the Ultimate Maxium For Me. (and that's a Stretch)

 

[Krymsonkween]

I can only do a 12wk that it 4 me!

 

[Ballerina_Bun]

I have been thinking about this the past few weeks, especially the past couple of days. I will be a 6 months not too long from now. I may go back to every 3 -4 months … probably closer to 4. I will just do it as needed. Instead of just saying every 6 months, just listen, notice and observe what my hair needs and act accordingly.

 

[sharifeh]

I feel like I've really suffered with stretching. Granted, I don't have the best hair technique, but I lost a lot of thickness through it. No more. When I get good at taking care of my hair at 7+ weeks, then I might consider it again. But jumping into long stretching was a bad idea.

 

[IDareT'sHair]

I feel like I've really suffered with stretching. Granted, I don't have the best hair technique, but I lost a lot of thickness through it. No more. When I get good at taking care of my hair at 7+ weeks, then I might consider it again. But jumping into long stretching was a bad idea.

You're Right. It is important to know YOUR limit. What YOUR hair can 'tolerate' and what techniques/products/practices will help YOU get there.

IMO: it's always best to start off slowly and then add additional weeks

 

[shandaw]

Include me on this list. I am currently 17 weeks post and I think I'm going to relax next week. My hair is a hot mess, I can barely get my fingers through it and it looks so bad that all I can do right now is wear wigs. Ponytails do not work, I can't do this anymore. My limit in 2010 will be 12-14 wks max. My hat goes off to you ladies that can stretch for a year. No way, I don't know how you do that.

 

[happylife]

fin.

the shedding is just too brutal on my hard work.

 

[Lanea87]

This is my last 6 monther.
I will keep it at 3-4 months.
And I better be APL Tuesday when I relax.

 

[LatterGlory]

Ended a 1 year stretch last month.

Will not be doing that again on purpose.

I worked out well for me though. got to spend time with my natural hair ( I luvs mi waves *sigh*) and realized that I am no longer just 3c but have some 3b too.

I'll go back to telaxing whenever I want. Somewhere between 3-6 months.

 

[MizAvalon]

I had to laugh when I read the title...I feel you...No more 6 month or longer stretches for me either...

I plan to relax from 3-4 months here on out

Wow!! Your hair is looking great Traycee!

 

[phynestone]

I usually stretch in weaves, used to in braids. That way I don't have to deal with clash in textures.

I've been stretching since May, but when I took my weave out in November, I lost a lot of hair b/c I didn't detangle as well as I thought I did. I'm going to leave that to the stylist from now on b/c I can't deal with too many setbacks regarding my hair.

 

[MissNadia]

Count me in. I'm finishing a 20 week stretch this week. Last time I went 24 weeks. I am done and done! 12-14 weeks will be all the stretching I do in 2010.

 

[Optimus_Prime]

Stretching is horrible. That's just the way I feel about it. I can only forsee losing hair during long stretches. I like 8-12 weeks. I rarely do 8, but 10-12 is respectable, I think. I grow slower in winter, too, but not that slow. I get nearly and inch a month in summer, and I think I get 1/2-3/4" in winter. I'm 9 weeks post right now.

 

[The Princess]

I was just thinking about this. I stretched for 14 weeks. OMGosh I was so happy it ended. However I don't think I will do another long stretch for awhile. I now stretch between 10-12 weeks. However if I don't have enough to relax I won't.

 

[ebonimama]

No more long stretches for me either. I lose too much hair. I find that 3 months is too long. I'm good at 8 -10 weeks.

 

[TriniStarr]

Stretching for me is over! My heart skips a beat when i see the amount hair i shed past 12 weeks! So for 2010, i will be relaxing every 12 to 14 weeks!

 

[Kellum]

I just ended a stretch that was a little past 19 weeks. It was torture the last 4 to 6 weeks. I think I will only stretch for 12 to 16 weeks and no more.

 

[goodmorningruby]

Girl when it reaches to a certain point i dont even want to touch the head anymore

Shoots right now its been just about 4 months and i really am not planning on texlaxing until maybe the end of 2010 since i will be in the weave challenge and others for 2010

At the bolded: Same here, but I think that's actually worked with me instead of against me because I'm leaving the hair alone. I think manipulation is a popular downfall for people with stretching. Find a style that will last you in between washes/detangling/whatever and leave it alone.

My six month stretch is almost over; it's bittersweet. I love long term stretching. Am I crazy or is it truly possible for it to be fun? Granted, I haven't lost a lot of hair or had any major setbacks *knock on wood*, but it's always a challenge.

Honestly, I think the part that I enjoy the least is just having to be patient enough to wait until I can see my progress at the end after a touch-up. And the best part for me is that every time I stretch and as I get deeper into the stretch I learn more about my hair and thus develop new appreciations for it. And the necessity for creative styling forces me to think outside the box, which has proven several times to be a good thing.

It can definitely be frustrating. I've had my share of I-want-to-throw-in-the-towel moments. It can also be rewarding, but it's not for everybody. However, I am debating whether or not when January finally rolls around after my touch up if I will stick with the 6 month schedule or call it a wrap at 4 months. We'll see.

 

[janeemat]

Bumping.....can I get anther amen?

 

[MAHOGNEY329]

I havent read any of the posts...........but I am soooooooooo over long stretches. This past relaxer was at an extra early 10 weeks. The stretch before that was 7 months..........I had great growth and retention but I looked a mess. At this point in my life, my appearance is a little more important than stretching............THIS IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE THOUGH :")

 

[Nightingale]

I'm done. I tried a 6 month stretch got to month 4 or 5 and my hair looked a mess.