...about hair. After about 5-6 years of wearing braided extensions, I got sick of them. The long hours sitting, long hours taking them out, a stylist who wasn't punctual, and having to do them over when I was home, I got fed up. I relaxed my hair myself with TCB No-base Mild. I got scared half way through and rinsed it out. There was barely a diff in my fine but 4a/b hair and it was okay but I later let my aunt relax my hair with the regular strength of the same brand. Again my hair was not straightened and now badly damaged. Between that and what I now realize was a big no-no: washing twice a week with SLS-filled Garnier Fructis Sleek 'n Shine Shampoo and some cond I don't even remember since I threw many bottles of junk in the TRASH, I had a great deal of breakage. After forum surfing, I switched to the gentler and more acidic CON Ultra-moisturizing Shampoo and also use Elasta QP Creme Conditioning Shampoo, DPR-11, and Capilo Cinammon Conditioner. Occasionally Queen Helene Jojoba Hot oil treatment. My hair is no longer breaking as badly but I have a large broken section of about a 1 inch length, everywhere else nearly 8. It is not noticeable to others as long as I don't place their fingers over it. It just irks me touching it, though. I jokingly considered shaving my head, but it's not really necessary. I can style it well enough but it is daily and tedious. I know it will take me 1.5 years to recover my former length and cut off the semi-relaxed hair. I may braid it again if I can bear it. Has anyone had a similar experience? How did you cope with the disparity in lengths? 

General Info: Is it possible to achieve a straight look on virgin hair (fine 4a/b) with simply a mild (lye) relaxer?

Hey Girl!  I've had that same experience minus the braids. A year ago, I had beautifully moisturized hair..I'm talking wet look moisturized!.. As the summer began, I started to notice broken off pieces of hair on the sides of my head in the SAME EXACT SPOT  It must have been genetics or what have you.  I never wrapped or anything..I used grease and pink oil moisurizer, and my hair was considerably healthy or so I though.  The patches started to get shorter and shorter and became more distinct when I tried to smooth out their ends, and they would NOT BUDGE.  Everyone noticed!  Well... to cope with the despair..I had the stylist chop of what damage was left.  After that..It was soo much more manageable..and it went unnoticed.  The only thing that bugs me..as it grows out.. when I'm dying for a cut you can see the frizzy ends.. soo  I try to hide it.  Right now I'm putting Miconazole Nitrate on the patches..and everything seems fabulous..they're growing faster than before.  HTH

That's so crazy! What shampoo/conditioner were you using at the time and how often did you wash?

I've got a job interview in less than a weeks time. I think I'll pull it up in a (tiny) bun. I'm strapped for cash so I don't have the option of running out and getting a really professional short cut (thanks to college!) I keep thinking about Halle Berry in Die Another Day but I'm 5'10", thin & not very curvy, never wear make-up and always wear sneakers so you could imagine it may backfire and not be as feminine as I would like.