Relaxed Heads: How many weeks post relaxer are you and when is your next touch up???

MzSwift

Well-Known Member
5 weeks post and I'm JUST NOW feeling the new growth bumpies at my roots. I swear my hair grows so slowly.
Just mixed up my ayurvedic cleanser and condish. Pefecting my retention game is my focus.
 

sunnieb

Well-Known Member
8 weeks post and plan to go at least another two weeks before relaxing. I don't even have a relaxer kit yet, so I know I'm trying to get into stretch mode.

It's funny that my old stretching habits naturally kick in. I'm trying styles that blend my newgrowth. Moisture game is on point - this keeps the newgrowth and previously relaxed hair playing nice with each other and not becoming a tangled mess.

I might go longer than 10 weeks. I'll see. I like giving my hair a relaxer break.
 

LushLox

Well-Known Member
Just done my touch up at 16 weeks post. This is a perfect timeframe for me, I think I see the most retention when I touch up at this point. I'm currently hovering around MBL but I'm going to take some of the ends off and go back to BSL.

I last trimmed about 6 weeks ago but I'm going to do a light dusting. I couldn't be bothered to straighten my hair today for the trim, but I will likely do it tomorrow.

I need to repurchase my Affirm relaxer kits as I've now run out.
 

Queenie

Well-Known Member
Just done my touch up at 16 weeks post. This is a perfect timeframe for me, I think I see the most retention when I touch up at this point. I'm currently hovering around MBL but I'm going to take some of the ends off and go back to BSL.

I last trimmed about 6 weeks ago but I'm going to do a light dusting. I couldn't be bothered to straighten my hair today for the trim, but I will likely do it tomorrow.

I need to repurchase my Affirm relaxer kits as I've now run out.

Just did the mine now. I'm also at the 16 week mark. I will trim tomorrow, but debating how much I'll trim. I'm a couple of inches from waist length.
 

sunnieb

Well-Known Member
@Plushottie like with most things.... it depends. Once I get around 7 weeks, I notice way more shedding. Not breakage, but it's still a little disconcerting to see hair in my comb everyday.

I had to accept that's normal for me. Also, I do have some "mechanical" breakage simply because manipulating my hair with a thick layer of newgrowth is just going to cause it.

However, I can't argue with the stretching results. My hair was thicker and seemed to be in better condition when I stretched at least 12 weeks between relaxers.
 

Plushottie

Thicc and fione
@Plushottie like with most things.... it depends. Once I get around 7 weeks, I notice way more shedding. Not breakage, but it's still a little disconcerting to see hair in my comb everyday.

I had to accept that's normal for me. Also, I do have some "mechanical" breakage simply because manipulating my hair with a thick layer of newgrowth is just going to cause it.

However, I can't argue with the stretching results. My hair was thicker and seemed to be in better condition when I stretched at least 12 weeks between relaxers.
This is good to know. On my wash day yesterday I didn’t see much in the comb but once I blow dry I see hair on my arm. I use to be very anti heat but still would see breakage even as a natural who basically only wears wigs. Same now as a relaxed babe.
 

MzSwift

Well-Known Member
9 weeks post. Still planning to relax around 5-6 months. Since my hair is shorter though, I may end up only stretching 4 months.
Currently in mini braid/twists, no extensions. I plan to go into back-to-back extensions for the rest of the stretch after I take these out.
 

sunnieb

Well-Known Member
Relaxer - DONE!

DC'ing now. I think the Optimum normal relaxer is a keeper. I didn't feel any under-processed areas so far. I'll know better tomorrow. But for now, I'm loving the results! I processed for 15 minutes and my hair is skrait! Yes, S-K-R-A-I-T! :rofl:

I liked the little bottles instead of packets that ORS had. There was enough conditioner to coat my hair for the 5 minute mid-step too. :D

20221211_174719_resized.jpg
 

MzSwift

Well-Known Member
Question:

Approximately how much new growth before you ladies feel like it's time to do a touch up?

I'm curious bc I didn't grow up with healthy hair practices and I don't really see any other ladies here posting their pre-touch up photos. I've been waiting until I have at least 2-3 inches or so before touching up so I only relax about 2 times a year. I've seen 12-16 weeks being reported by a lot of veterans as the sweet spot but by that time, I barely have an inch of new growth.

I've read some of the older posts about how waiting too long led to inconsistent results for some ladies so I'm curious about what the hair looks like before someone decides to relax.
 

naturalpride

Well-Known Member
Question:

Approximately how much new growth before you ladies feel like it's time to do a touch up?

I'm curious bc I didn't grow up with healthy hair practices and I don't really see any other ladies here posting their pre-touch up photos. I've been waiting until I have at least 2-3 inches or so before touching up so I only relax about 2 times a year. I've seen 12-16 weeks being reported by a lot of veterans as the sweet spot but by that time, I barely have an inch of new growth.

I've read some of the older posts about how waiting too long led to inconsistent results for some ladies so I'm curious about what the hair looks like before someone decides to relax.
I relax at 12-14 weeks post with about 2.5 inches of new growth. Some months I have growth spurts and I'll relax at 10 weeks. That's usually once or twice a year.

For me touch ups depend on the state of my new growth and hair, not the number of weeks post.

If my growth is faster I relax sooner and if it's normal growth I relax on my typical schedule.
 
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