Hi Ladies,

I have been post-relaxer for a year and three months.  It hasn't been easy as I'm sure a lot of you know.  I have come a long way and was hoping my hair would be healthier by going natural.  I am struggling right now though.  Because of breakage due to the transitioning, I had to get my hair cut really short.  And now that I have some new growth, my roots get really nappy quickly between pressings once a week.  My hair just always looks jacked up.  I hate it so much, I have been thinking about getting another relaxer.  I don't want to do it, especially considering how far I have come.  But I miss the conveinance of a relaxer.  I miss how it allowed my hair to stay straighter longer, and it seemed to grow quicker.  Now, when any humidity comes near my head, it draws up so tight.  I can't keep any kind of straightness for more than a day or two after a pressing.  I am at my wits end.  I am trying to be strong, but it is hard.  Can someone help me by sharing any similar stories?  I always can find some encouragement from this forum...I am really depressed about this

Wow.  That is a dilemma.  I guess if I were to transition to natural, I would need to be ok with wearing my hair in it's natural state a lot of the time.  It seems to me that going natural and then wearing your hair straight most of the time seems to defeat the purpose. 

I know in your case you transitioned in order to improve your overall hair health.  I would not go near the relaxer just yet since you have worked so hard to go natural.  Why don't you try wearing your hair in more natural styles like braids / braid-outs or twists / twist-outs.  Also, do you press with a comb or use a ceramic flat iron?  I don't know for sure whether this would make a difference.  Hopefully the ladies on this board will have more ideas.

Sorry you're having such a hard time. I'm not natural, but I can feel your pain on the "jacked up" hair days. I'm so tired of buns I could scream, but I know it's better for me in the long run. Anyway, I know you mentioned going natural for healthier hair, but I agree it sounds like you're defeating the purpose. IMO, you need to work more w/ your natural texture if you desire to have natural hair. I've seen pics of gorgeous styles to wear--braidouts, strawsets, twists, etc. Sounds like you enjoy wearing your hair straight often and if that's the case I'd think you be better off w/ relaxed hair instead of "fighting" against your natural hair daily. *NOT encouraging relaxing, but after almost a 1 1/2 you're still battling w/ this you have to decide what you feel is best for your hair and for you.