Question about relaxers
Printed From: HairBoutique.com
Category: African American Hair
Forum Name: African American Hair
Forum Description: Devoted to the special needs of African Americans.
URL: https://talk.hairboutique.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=46147
Printed Date: August 04 2025 at 4:32pm
Topic: Question about relaxers
Posted By: TwinkletOes23
Subject: Question about relaxers
Date Posted: August 16 2006 at 1:14pm
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first question : how do i properly base my scalp i mean what do i use ive tried everything vasilene,mango butter heck ive even tried olive oil no matter what i still burn whats the purpose of basing the scalp if it doesnt protect your scalp?
second question : Is it necessary to after you apply the relaxer to go back over it with a cob my stylist said she was smoothing the hair down but i thought once you apply the relaxer you dont have to do anything....i know once shes done applying it she smooths it and thts when my scalp starts burning
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Replies:
Posted By: Sistaslick
Date Posted: August 16 2006 at 4:31pm
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If your relaxer is burning though the base... especially a base like vaseline... your relaxer is probably too strong. You can try stepping it down (super to regular---regular to mild) or adding oil to the relaxer creme itself. You should NOT be burning at any point. Just lightly grease through the 4 main sections, around the hair line and edges, and over the tops of the ears. You can break the bigger 4 sections into smaller ones for more complete coverage. Most bases will melt once they meet with your body heat to cover more of the scalp area. Also be sure that you are not going over your processing time. It may be that once she has applied the relaxer and has begun the smoothing process, too much time has elapsed. She may need to work on applying the relaxer faster to ensure enough time for smoothing.
II. The smoothing step is the step where the hair is actually straightened. The relaxer creme itself only breaks down the sulfide (curl) bonds of the hair. Your going through manually and smoothing it out is what helps the bonds rearrange into the permanent straight shape. This can easily be done gently with gloved fingers. I would NOT use a comb to smooth the hair. The snagging and manipulation the comb would inflict while the hair is already in the midst of undergoing such a damaging process is not good. You could really risk damaging your hair. ------------- 
http://blackhairscience.com - The Science of Black Hair |
Posted By: TwinkletOes23
Date Posted: August 16 2006 at 6:03pm
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thank you for explaining it to me about the smoothing process :)
but she claims shes using mizani relaxer for sensitive scalps and i dont burn all the time just ocassionaly ....not only do i base myself but she bases me too so it makes no sense why i still burn
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Posted By: Sistaslick
Date Posted: August 17 2006 at 12:56am
Thats interesting. I also use Mizani Sensitive Scalp Relaxer w/ no problems. Are you sure she is processing within the regular processing time? She may be processing you longer than you need. If you ever feel that tingling, you've waited too long. I remember back in the day they used to say the relaxer was working once it began to tingle  -- yeah righ! Wash it OUT!!!!!
Also, make sure that you don't manipulate/scratch the scalp too much before the relaxer application. Also, be mindful of what you are using on your scalp the wash before your relaxer. Avoid scalp stimulating things like peppermint oil or really strippy shampoos if you burn easily.
Another thing may be your scalp/body heat. This may be causing your relaxer to process at a faster rate. The only thing you can really do about this is to double up on the base. -------------
http://blackhairscience.com - The Science of Black Hair |
Posted By: TwinkletOes23
Date Posted: August 17 2006 at 8:19am
| cool hey what do you use to base your hair maybe i can try it |
Posted By: Sistaslick
Date Posted: August 17 2006 at 2:42pm
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Okay, I'll let you know in advance that since I do my own relaxers-- I take extra extra precautions. This is how I usually prep my scalp and hair:
I use vaseline on the edges and hairline b/c I burn easily there. For the rest of my scalp, I use blue magic grease, and for the length of my hair its bluemagic and hot six oil. I could probably just use the grease for the entire thing and be fine, but I'm trying to use up all of my old products from back in day.
I also add 1/4 cup of almond oil to the relaxer to weaken it a bit. If you are trying to relax your hair bonestraight, don't follow this. Doing all of this will more than likely underprocess you. This gives me about a 70-80% degree of straightness-- which is what I prefer since my hair is on the fine side. I don't like bonestraight hair on me, so purposely underprocessing gives my fine hair the illusion of natural thickness.
It also gives me a buffer and extra time to work since I am doing the whole relaxer on my own. -------------
http://blackhairscience.com - The Science of Black Hair |
Posted By: Jasadin
Date Posted: August 20 2006 at 3:12am
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Here's my situation
I used a regular strength no lye relaxer on my thick hair(was natural before).I used it because my hair has become too dificult to manage with just 7 inches of growth(I usually wore it short).Anyway right after I put it in it looked great for a few hours.Now my hair looks like it reverted back to the pervious afro.I followed directions and used the maximum time.What gives?What can I do?Do I have to wait 6 weeks before I let a professional do it the next time?
Educate me please! I'm going to be looking for another job this week.I can't be going to interveiws looking like soul brother number 1 :)
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Posted By: Champagne_Wishe
Date Posted: August 22 2006 at 3:18pm
| Basically what sista said. Hey Sista! |