My friend offered to relax my hair for me so that I won’t have to bother with the flat iron in the morning. I don’t know what relaxing your hair all is about, or what effects it really has on your hair. I’m mixed with Jamaican and East Indian, so my hair is coarser then East Indian hair. Its curly when wet (ringlet curls) and when I straighten it’s now almost waist length and at that length takes a lot of time. I’m not sure if I should relax my hair just for convenience sake because I don’t want to ruin my hair. My mother who is Jamaican keeps telling me that my hair is nothing like hers it’s not like black hair and that I don’t have to relax it because it may do damage. So is saving time on my hair worth relaxing it or will it end up damaging my hair?

Don't do it.  It's not worth the damage you could suffer.  It sounds like you have beautiful hair and I don't think you should ruin it for the sake of convenience.  Anthing worth having takes time so just invest the time in your hair.   Just my 2cents.

                  I 100% agree with Yoli. cuz if your hair ends up damaged and ruined you'll be beating yourself up for doing it and it will take a long time to grow out.

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I do not think it is worth it for what you are describing.  Sounds like your hair is beautiful and healthy and very versatile.  Once you relax your curls, there is no turning back.  Also, if you are looking to get wash n wear stick straight hair, a relaxer probably would not work anyway.  Usually relaxed hair dries a bit frizzy and still requires blowing, ironing wrapping etc. to get stick straight.  You do that anyway with your hair now, so why would you want to add harsh chemicals to the mix? 

Wow thanks everyone thanks that was helpful I guess it’s not worth it. I did think that when I washed my hair It would get rid of my curls (which I love but too hard to maintain everyday) and I would just be able to wash and go. I guess not. But out of curiosity how do they go about relaxing your hair? And how long does it last?

I agree with everyone, don't relax it!  It could possibly be very damaging and like afrolatia said, if you are aiming for stick straight hair you will still have to do something else to it to get it straight even if it was relaxed.  My hair is curly and even when relaxed it was curly.  There was no way I could wear it straight with out flat ironing it so I was like what's the point to having the relaxer then. 

Right now I'm wearing my naturally curly hair stick straight with no relaxer.  I think all you really need is a good flat iron and the right hair products.  I agree with Yoli also....it is really worth investing time into your hair and it sounds like you have beautiful hair.

As for how long a relaxer lasts.....it is permanent until your new growth starts coming in and that will have to be re-touched......some people re-touch every 4 to 6 weeks.....some people once or twice a year.  Basically it's up to the person and the hair.