QuoteReplyTopic: It blows my mind Posted: May 05 2006 at 11:32am
Since i put braids back in, I'm covering up damage. I want to wait at least a year and a half b4 i relax it again. I just want to know whether I should do it myself or go to a salon.
i can only imagine how long my hair would've been if my old stylist didnt do a full perm every time I went to her. i found out about "touchups" long after she was doing my hair
Urbanplan
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Joined: April 18 2006
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I guess I will have to learn to relax my hair the way I learned to braid it- from watching what the professionals did. Most of my issue was with maintenance and using products that were too harsh too often. I've since then whittled down my collection and switched to much gentler and mostly non-American products. There has been a great improvement.
I'm in!
cmesweet
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Before I became natural, I relaxed my own hair because the stylists ruined it. I was 16/17 years old when I started doing it myself and I saw it flourish. Never stuck to 1 specific perm, just whatever was on sale when I decided to purchase one. It takes alot of care and patience and READING DIRECTIONS ON A RELAXER BOX to make sure things go smoothly.
Hey girl! It definitely takes practice to get it right. And mistakes can be pretty costly. I always recommend that you practice the relaxer process with regular conditioner before you ever put chemicals on your head yourself. This builds your confidence. If you follow the proper procedures leading up to and following the relaxer application-- your hair will be just fine.
*Never relax hair that is breaking or otherwise damaged.
*Keep your applications a reasonable distance apart, base your scalp well, and protect your previously relaxed hair with a good coating of oil.
*Use a relaxer strength that is gentle enough for your hair, and only use trusted professional relaxer brands. Never process your hair for longer than your hair type will allow according to the directions on the relaxer.
*Be sure to use a neutralizng shampoo with a color alarm or color indicator and allow it to sit on your hair for at least 5 minutes before you rinse it down the drain. Do not proceed further until your hair is fully neutralized and the soap suds are rinsing away completely WHITE. Otherwise, you have not effectively halted the relaxer action in your hair.
*Finish up your neutralizing with a thorough deep conditioning for 30 minute to restore your lost moisture balance.
that so many of you women relax your hair yourselves and have virtually no signs of damage. Every time I took it into my own hands to relax my hair I ended up with damaged dry reddish brown hair coming out in clumps. I suppose it was from using regular strength relaxers and alkaline shampoos/conditioners. I keep seeing pictures and think, "Gosh, you did that all by yourself." Everything I used to do like regularized regimens always backfired from too much manipulation. Except for braids I really don't know how to take care of it.
If I decide to relax again I'll actually have to go to a prof. But I will be careful this time, checking out their non-chemical work before I commit.
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I'm in!
I always recommend that you practice the relaxer process with regular conditioner before you ever put chemicals on your head yourself. This builds your confidence. 
