Relaxed Hair Thread

[emada]

divachyk I saw your feature on a relaxed hair blog and notice you mentioned that you comb your hair everyday. Well I wanted to know how do you prevent breakage when combing through your hair when you air dry that week, especially when your a few weeks post? I ask because my last visit with my hair dresser she mentioned that I can't treat my hair like when I was natural I have to comb through my hair everyday to remove shed hairs and to combat this bad detangling sessions on wash day. I'm wondering how will that work when I air dry? My hair still has lots of texture to it when I air dry.

Any help you can give me will be appreciated!

Great question, I would love to know as well

 

[divachyk]

MileHighDiva, Supergirl also likes Redken Cleansing Cream. Not sure which she likes best.

halfindian, which oils are you using? Glad your scalp is feeling better.

naturalagain2 emada, I comb my hair either once or twice daily. I pretty much air dry 100% of the time. I vary the process.

Process #1: (night)
spritz hair, moisturize, seal, shower, comb hair in small sections from ends to line of demarcation; waiting to comb allows time for the product to absorb in the hair. Product saturated hair = breakage (for me).

Process #2: (morning)
moisturize, seal, no combing
or
moisturize, seal, get dressed, lightly comb hair in large sections ends to mid length; waiting to comb allows time for the product to absorb in the hair

I use process #1 the most frequent to provide slip to the hair before combing.

Spritz ideas range from diluted conditioner to an actual detangling agent. I was using diluted conditioner for the longest but notice my hair gets super wavy after using it. Wavy = clumping hair = tangled hair (for me).

As of late, I've been trying different detangling agents (ex: mane n tail detangler, etc) to see if the -cone content blocks moisture and so far, so good. I don't use these daily though. So my trial process have gone something like this:

Process #1: (night)
Same as above

Process #2: (morning)
Same as above

Process #3: (night)
moisturize, seal, spritz with detangler, shower, comb ends to either line of demarcation or roots...just depends on what my hair needs. I place the detangler on top of the seal so that my moisturizing efforts can penetrate before apply a -cone product.

I vary process #1 and #3 to keep from using -cone based products daily

HTH

 

[SamandI]

So I'm not sure if this is the right thread to post this in, but I'm posting it here anyway.

I am considering relaxing my hair. I am currently natural but I am sick and tired of the tangles and not being able to really enjoy my hair.
What advice can you give to help me prepare for the relaxer and daily care after I apply the relaxer? (specifically, what type of relaxer to use, regimens that work for fine hair; etc)

TIA!

 

[divachyk]

SamandI, welcome I have much of that detailed on my blog. A quick summary:

Preparation:
Clarify / Chelate
Protein Treat
Deep Condition

Daily Care:
Moisturize/Seal
Much of my regi is natural inspired so I would like to think your current wash routine would work post-relaxer

Maybe those who got a virgin relaxer can chime in on they prepared.

 

[SamandI]

Thanks!! I will be checking out your blog. Also, how far in advance of my relaxer should I be doing the prepping? I know when i used to relax way back when, I wasn't supposed to wash for like a week or so before.

 

[MileHighDiva]

divachyk

She's probably giving people different price points. With that in mind, she may prefer the Redken, or Aubrey Organics.

I'm curious, because I'm helping a friend get her products/stash together. She's taking the care of her 12-year-old DD into her hands from the salon.

I've given them a bunch of stuff, but no poos. I'd rather she spend more $$ on moisturizing poo vs. clarifying poo.

I'll feel better recommending the .99¢ Suave on Walgreens.com with a testimonial about lack of hard core stripping from an avid user like NGraceO. Along with the fact, that the creator of my favorite line recommends it. Recently, the 12-year-old went to a sleep over that involved swimming. They were going to poo her hair with some random sample they had

Imagine their faces when I started screaming NO! You need to get the chlorine out with a chelating poo. I sent them home with Joico K-Pak Clarifying poo that of course they had to return to me. She's not going to pay that much for poo.

Sent from my Speak & Spell using LHCF

 

[divachyk]

A week ahead SamandI - a week gives the scalp enough time to rest before the chemicals hit your scalp.

 

[emada]

Thanks divachyk. Interesting process of waiting for the product to absorb before combing. So it seems like you don't comb through new growth at a certain point even if it's moisturized? Have you found any excess tangling or breakage in the new growth when you do this?

TIA!

 

[divachyk]

emada, I should have also included (sorry about that)....when new growth is present, I comb through my new growth (ends to roots) several times per week. I average, every other day. If not, my new growth will coil around itself, become compact and create choas.

I try to wash either Saturday or Sunday - new growth is combed. For example, if I wash on Saturday, my next ng combing is Mon / Wed / Fri.

 

[divachyk]

MileHighDiva, totally agree which is cool for her to do. Supergirl only mentioned liking Redken after noticing my product review.

I try to have a cheaper product in mind to recommend to others because not everyone will drop the $$ on products like we do. As I Am Cleansing Pudding is a good OTC product.

I can picture their faces. Most ppl I speak with are really not well versed about hair in the least bit.

 

[NGraceO]

They have a cheating one too? what does it look like ? @NGrace

It looks like All the others. I found out it was chelating, because It's contains the ingredient used for chelating, tetrasodium EDTA

 

[halfindian]

So I'm not sure if this is the right thread to post this in, but I'm posting it here anyway.

I am considering relaxing my hair. I am currently natural but I am sick and tired of the tangles and not being able to really enjoy my hair.
What advice can you give to help me prepare for the relaxer and daily care after I apply the relaxer? (specifically, what type of relaxer to use, regimens that work for fine hair; etc)

TIA!

Doing a dc before relaxing helps it process better. At least 3 days before is fine. The chemical may take longer to straighten the hair if the hair is too dirty. It could also result in under processed hair. Don't scratch the scalp, don't wear head bands that are too tight, don't comb tight hairstyles especially pulling around your hairline.

 

[halfindian]

divachyk I am using organics by Africa's best carrot tea tree oil therapy. The ingredients are: soybean oil, carrot seed oil, fragrance, castor seed oil, jojoba seed oil, olive fruit oil, walnut seed oil, tea tree leaf oil, kiwi fruit extract, safflower seed oil, calendula officinalis flower extract, achilla millefoLium extract, cucumber fruit extract, carrageenan extract, matricaria flower extract, thyme extract, ginseng root extract, sage leaf extract, symphytum officinale leaf extract, aloe leaf extract.

 

[ckisland]

It's official. I am not about this relaxed life . My hair looks good, real good, and all I can do is imagine how I would look bald . I'm not going that far. . . Imma give it 4 weeks at least so I'll have so hair. But I can't make any promises .

 

[Supergirl]

NGraceO

When you posted, I ran and played "Inspector Gadget" the Suave Daily Clarifying has Tetrasodium EDTA and Citric Acid at a point in the ingredients list that it would be used for chelating and not as a pH adjuster or preservative.

Thanks for the tip!

Supergirl recommends the Suave Clarifier on her site. Does the ALS strip your hair? Does your hair feel hard and dry after you use it?

Sent from my Speak & Spell using LHCF

MileHighDiva, totally agree which is cool for her to do. Supergirl only mentioned liking Redken after noticing my product review.

I try to have a cheaper product in mind to recommend to others because not everyone will drop the $$ on products like we do. As I Am Cleansing Pudding is a good OTC product.

I can picture their faces. Most ppl I speak with are really not well versed about hair in the least bit.

I mention both on my site. It's good to have high end and lower cost options.

 

[ghanagirl23]

ladies I need help how do you do you all keep your new growth soft Im 2 months post and my new growth is out of hand I was planning on relaxing after my finals which is in april but I don't know if I can make it !

 

[Lilmama1011]

ladies I need help how do you do you all keep your new growth soft Im 2 months post and my new growth is out of hand I was planning on relaxing after my finals which is in april but I don't know if I can make it !

Part hair in sections and spray a mix of your favorite conditioner or leave in with water (i use distilled) and oil of choice and gather each section like I'm doing a ponytail to male sure new growth is wet and I detangle from ends to root. You can do it every day or every couple of days depending on how your hair holds moisture, you will notice daily that your new growth is so easy to comb, and don't forget to seal with a oil ghanagirl23

 

[divachyk]

ladies I need help how do you do you all keep your new growth soft Im 2 months post and my new growth is out of hand I was planning on relaxing after my finals which is in april but I don't know if I can make it !

ghanagirl23
spritz it good
moisturize it with an applicator tip bottle
deep condition weekly
co-wash as needed
GHEing
Baggying
saturate ng with oil

 

[coolsista-paris]

Saludable84, why did you have to stop using Redken? pre_medicalrulz, clarifying removes product buildup and chelating removes hard water minerals. Babygrowth, I like Elucence but it's not forgiving when I'm heavy handed. I will use it the first wash after a TU but will rely on Redken thereafter.

i didnt know there was a difference either between chelating and clarifying.
i use ors creamy aloe. what am i doing then? clarifying? it says it removes build up. i thought it was enough. plus a no lye relaxer was used on me :-/

 

[Lilmama1011]

i didnt know there was a difference either between chelating and clarifying.
i use ors creamy aloe. what am i doing then? clarifying? it says it removes build up. i thought it was enough. plus a no lye relaxer was used on me :-/

i knew it was a difference but it was doing fine with the ors, but i could of sworn it chelates and clarifies, if so i will keep using it coolsista-paris

 

[coolsista-paris]

i knew it was a difference but it was doing fine with the ors, but i could of sworn it chelates and clarifies, if so i will keep using it coolsista-paris

yup . because thats the only one i have and use.

 

[coolsista-paris]

It's official. I am not about this relaxed life . My hair looks good, real good, and all I can do is imagine how I would look bald . I'm not going that far. . . Imma give it 4 weeks at least so I'll have so hair. But I can't make any promises .

im going through this. i saw my new growth ( nice and soft), thought about how its hard to deal with fine hair. i think i am retaining but, the missing volulme ( broken hair at crown) is making me mad at my hair.

im stretching for long and i will see if i will or not transition back.

i dont know yet. the thing is that it takes too long taking care of natural hair. ... i hate soending hours on hair.

 

[Lilmama1011]

yup . because thats the only one i have and use.

coolsista-paris i think it clarifies and chelates look at this

http://freshlengths.blogspot.com/2013/01/ors-creamy-aloe-shampoo.html?m=1

 

[naturalagain2]

divachyk Thank You so much for the info!!! I can't wait to try this and see if my results will be better this time around.

 

[halfindian]

ghanagirl23 I only comb throug my new growth on wash days when it is saturated with conditioner. I comb it while I'm rinsing out the conditioner in two sections from ends to root. The flow of the water and the slip of the conditioner do all the hard work. After I comb through one section I put it in a braid and secure the ends with rollers, bows or small claw clips. Ponytails tend to bend the ends of my hair and they dry bent. At least once daily I fingeR comb after I have applied serum to my hair and hands.

 

[ghanagirl23]

ghanagirl23
spritz it good
moisturize it with an applicator tip bottle
deep condition weekly
co-wash as needed
GHEing
Baggying
saturate ng with oil

thanks what kind of spitz lol

 

[ghanagirl23]

ghanagirl23 I only comb throug my new growth on wash days when it is saturated with conditioner. I comb it while I'm rinsing out the conditioner in two sections from ends to root. The flow of the water and the slip of the conditioner do all the hard work. After I comb through one section I put it in a braid and secure the ends with rollers, bows or small claw clips. Ponytails tend to bend the ends of my hair and they dry bent. At least once daily I fingeR comb after I have applied serum to my hair and hands.

okay thank you for your response I shall do that do I don't wear my hair out anyways I've been wigging it since september

 

[ghanagirl23]

Part hair in sections and spray a mix of your favorite conditioner or leave in with water (i use distilled) and oil of choice and gather each section like I'm doing a ponytail to male sure new growth is wet and I detangle from ends to root. You can do it every day or every couple of days depending on how your hair holds moisture, you will notice daily that your new growth is so easy to comb, and don't forget to seal with a oil ghanagirl23

ok thank you never thought of this

 

[niknakmac]

It's official. I am not about this relaxed life . My hair looks good, real good, and all I can do is imagine how I would look bald . I'm not going that far. . . Imma give it 4 weeks at least so I'll have so hair. But I can't make any promises .

I'm feeling that way too these days. I think I am headed back to natural.

 

[ckisland]

im going through this. i saw my new growth ( nice and soft), thought about how its hard to deal with fine hair. i think i am retaining but, the missing volulme ( broken hair at crown) is making me mad at my hair.

im stretching for long and i will see if i will or not transition back.

i dont know yet. the thing is that it takes too long taking care of natural hair. ... i hate soending hours on hair.

That's so much smarter than what I'll end up doing. I just wanted to make sure I wasn't jumping ship because my hair was relaxed the way I wanted it. Well now it is, and now I'm hanging over the side of the ship ready to drop back into the natural water