In The Long Run, Do You Eventually Have To Quit Getting Relaxers For Hair Health
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CodeRed
Well-Known Member
Depends on how your hair reacts as you get older and how strong it is.
I will say that relaxers aren't supposed to touch your skin anyway so the health aspect of it (not you, people who mention it) should be almost moot unless you are allergic to those chemicals being even close to you.
Edit to add I've seen women with white hair that I was surprised relaxed because their hair was so full. Definitely depends on the individual, even when you're younger.
I will say that relaxers aren't supposed to touch your skin anyway so the health aspect of it (not you, people who mention it) should be almost moot unless you are allergic to those chemicals being even close to you.
Edit to add I've seen women with white hair that I was surprised relaxed because their hair was so full. Definitely depends on the individual, even when you're younger.
julzinha
Well-Known Member
I think you can have as healthy relaxed hair as well as natural hair. That is a myth that is continually spread through YouTube and blogs that relaxed hair is unhealthy and natural hair is immune from damage. There are women with natural who have more damage and issues with hair health than women who've relaxed for 15 yrs. I think it also helps to use a gentler relaxer.
faithVA
Well-Known Member
No I don't think relaxers have to be given up. I think most people that have issues with relaxers know early on. I knew in my 30s. I think most people that are going to have problems have problems by their 40s.
I know a few women who are relaxed well into their 60s, 70s and 80s with no problems.
I also know quite a few women who are quite bald because they didn't give them up early enough.
A person really has to know which camp they are in and make the right choice.
I know a few women who are relaxed well into their 60s, 70s and 80s with no problems.
I also know quite a few women who are quite bald because they didn't give them up early enough.
A person really has to know which camp they are in and make the right choice.
ezina
Well-Known Member
Getting a relaxer when I'm 90 and frail was one of the reasons I stopped relaxing. I think of my great grand aunt and can't even think of applying a relaxer on her head. Just can't.
So I figured I should give myself a head start and start getting to know my hair without relaxers.
But like anything else, it's a personal decision. Just keep it informed!
So I figured I should give myself a head start and start getting to know my hair without relaxers.
But like anything else, it's a personal decision. Just keep it informed!
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ForestRose
Well-Known Member
I don't think relaxers can last to old age honestly. The hair just becomes to frail for most. Some maintain their hair well but looking at the older ladies in my family, I doubt the same will happen for me.
discodumpling
Well-Known Member
When you know better you do better. Rare is the person who uses relaxers with consistent results for years. Folks be under or over processed. Folks develop alergies to the chemicals with time and age. Folks develop sensitivities to the smell of the caustic chems. Folks want to double & triple process ie relax and bleach and colour.
Ivonnovi
Well-Known Member
I didn't vote but I'll share my experience.
I relaxed/underprocessed/texlaxed/texturized (call it what you like) my hair every 4-6 weeks for about 20 years. Often it was a DIY and I did a pretty good job, often airdried versus mechanical drying....blah blah blah
My problem was that my hair itself is naturally dry and I have fine strands. I lost A LOT of hair density and if bone straight you can clearly see my scalp through my hair.
For 3 years I just tex-laxed (after stretches) and my hair density did not improve
For 4 years I had sisterlocks, (no perm) my hair density did not improve. (*see the parting in my advatar?)
For the past 1.5 years I've enjoyed my natural hair for the first time since the 80's; as of a few weeks ago I'm finally starting to see some improvement in hair density. BTW a recent bout of crochet braids threatened my temple areas but we are recovering.
BOTTOM LINE: Natural and loose worked best for my hair and scalp health. From a "clinical" perspective might have come from better products and an improved regimen that includes me being MUCH more aware of scalp care. But this is just my story.
I relaxed/underprocessed/texlaxed/texturized (call it what you like) my hair every 4-6 weeks for about 20 years. Often it was a DIY and I did a pretty good job, often airdried versus mechanical drying....blah blah blah
My problem was that my hair itself is naturally dry and I have fine strands. I lost A LOT of hair density and if bone straight you can clearly see my scalp through my hair.
For 3 years I just tex-laxed (after stretches) and my hair density did not improve
For 4 years I had sisterlocks, (no perm) my hair density did not improve. (*see the parting in my advatar?)
For the past 1.5 years I've enjoyed my natural hair for the first time since the 80's; as of a few weeks ago I'm finally starting to see some improvement in hair density. BTW a recent bout of crochet braids threatened my temple areas but we are recovering.
BOTTOM LINE: Natural and loose worked best for my hair and scalp health. From a "clinical" perspective might have come from better products and an improved regimen that includes me being MUCH more aware of scalp care. But this is just my story.
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ravenhairedcharm
Well-Known Member
I think it honestly depends on the hair type. Maybe some hair types can withstand the chemicals more but I say yes to having healthier hair without chemicals because it's true for me. My hair is much stronger and I like it this way. Been natural, relaxed, and back to natural lol
Prettymetty
Natural/4b/medium-coarse
It depends on hair texture, density and scalp health. I think that hair can be healthy relaxed or natural. It's all about the regimen. Just think of all the long haired relaxed ladies... (past and present)
ClassyJSP
Well-Known Member
I don't remember when this whole relaxed vs natural thing started but YouTube is promoting natural hair heavily. I personally believe how you take care of your hair (in the long run) will be more important than if it's relaxed or not.
greenandchic
Well-Known Member
I'm still pretty neutral on the subject. I started relaxing my hair for the first time later in life (age 35) and I'm still learning about it. I am open to transitioning back to natural hair since I was so used to it anyway, but I prefer relaxed hair for now. I HOPE my hair can remain healthy and relaxed.
Alta Angel
Well-Known Member
My hair had always been thick, long and healthy when relaxed. Over time, though, my hair started thinning out. I can count at least three times when my hair had grown past BSL and then my hair inexplicably broke off practically to the new growth. I don't think my edges have ever recovered from relaxers.
LeftRightRepeat
Well-Known Member
i think that the relaxer and dye together can be a bad combination. At a certain point most people probably choose one or the other..or neither.
I dye my hair soo much its crazy. Once I get this color bug out of me, I will probably go back to texlax hair and I will def keep my hair short.IDareT'sHair
PJ Rehabilitation Center
"Here's what I Do Know" (as a coworker/friend of mine always says when she's trying to be profound) Menopause can be a "beast" it can take a toll on hair, skin, weight, sex, mood/attitude it can run the whole gamut on your life.
So, I think due to severe hormonal changes, it causes many women to eventually have to stop relaxing etc...
i.e. relaxers stop taking like they once did, hair becomes fragile, thinner, it changes. Everything changes. Your body does go through "the change" as they call it.
I always wondered why my Mother and Grandmother eneded up 'natural' after "the change" now I can kind of understand why.
I know I've been relaxed since age 16, so I need to be thinking about how to proceed going into various changes of Perimenopause/Menopause myself.
So, I think due to severe hormonal changes, it causes many women to eventually have to stop relaxing etc...
i.e. relaxers stop taking like they once did, hair becomes fragile, thinner, it changes. Everything changes. Your body does go through "the change" as they call it.
I always wondered why my Mother and Grandmother eneded up 'natural' after "the change" now I can kind of understand why.
I know I've been relaxed since age 16, so I need to be thinking about how to proceed going into various changes of Perimenopause/Menopause myself.
LeftRightRepeat
Well-Known Member
I haven't gotten to menopause yet, but I can testify that dye + relaxer is the devil. I think my choice will.be dye and i will probably try to stretch relaxers for 6 months at a time.
LivingInPeace
Well-Known Member
I saw what happened to my mother's hair as she got older with continued use of relaxers and that's what made me go natural. I was afraid of what could happen to me. I didn't want to take the chance of losing my hair the way she has. I was already concerned with how my edges were thinning.
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Ann0804
Member
Yes I believe so. Not only for the health of your hair, but for the health of your scalp as well. As you age your hair starts to thin out and if you're relax that makes it worse. I see lots of older folks hanging on for dear life of their fine thinning hair.
There are a few who didn't relax early in life or have relaxed off and on so their hair/scalp is in better condition at an advanced age.
There are a few who didn't relax early in life or have relaxed off and on so their hair/scalp is in better condition at an advanced age.
ag00
Well-Known Member
Absolutely not. My grandmother and aunt have been relaxed for almost all their lives. My grandma has had moments where she stopped due to maintenance being an issue. But my aunt has had hers relaxed non-stop since the 1980s I believe. And she went from a perm to relaxed. and her hair is very thick and healthy. So yes, it is entirely possible if done correctly.
Nightingale
On the Grow and Keeping it Simple
This is what it came down to for my mother. Her fine hair became more fragile with age and could no longer handle two chemical processes. She loves jet black hair, so it was the relaxer that had to go.
CodeRed
Well-Known Member
When I was natural a couple of years ago menopause was something I thought of. I had to prove to myself that I could do my natural hair if I got sick or when I began going through "the change". Now that I've proven to myself I can do it, the only stopping me from being natural is the unexpected time that I would have to put into doing it. It's not really time consuming but it's more time/work than I put into my relaxed hair... I'm hoping that when I get to that age that I'll have all the time and patience in the world
leona2025
Well-Known Member
I relax, texlax, bleach, and dye. I know every head is different. I just believe you have to be more careful with your hair when you do more stuff to it. Right now I'm not bleaching and dying so I'm doing the minimum amount of care, lol.
I will definitely give relaxers and hair when I'm elderly. I don't want to comb my hair now I certainly won't want to struggle with it when I'm old. I'm pretty sure I'm going to do just the two Indian style braids. That's how both my grandmas did.
I will definitely give relaxers and hair when I'm elderly. I don't want to comb my hair now I certainly won't want to struggle with it when I'm old. I'm pretty sure I'm going to do just the two Indian style braids. That's how both my grandmas did.
Crystalicequeen123
Well-Known Member
I don't think you HAVE to go natural in order to maintain and have healthy hair. I just know for ME personally I wanted to go natural mainly because relaxers were thinning my hair out bad. 
I have naturally fine-textured/low density hair (it runs in my family) and my hair is very delicate, so having had relaxers since I was 10 years old, it was eventually starting to thin my already fine hair after a certain point. I tried for years (6 years to be exact) to do everything under the sun (ie. reading hair books, joining hair boards, stretching relaxers to 3 - 4 months, trying mild relaxers, making sure to relax ONLY the new growth, lye/no-lye, etc), and while my hair health DID improve tremendously, at the end I was just tired of having hair "anorexia", so I decided to try going natural just to see what would happen. The rest is history.
I think it all depends on each person, what their goals are, and how their hair type is. Personally I think everyone should at least TRY being natural once in their adult life. If it doesn't work for you, then you can always go back. Shoot, I may even go back to relaxers one day. I never know lol
But no, I don't think you HAVE to go natural in order to have healthy hair.
I have naturally fine-textured/low density hair (it runs in my family) and my hair is very delicate, so having had relaxers since I was 10 years old, it was eventually starting to thin my already fine hair after a certain point. I tried for years (6 years to be exact) to do everything under the sun (ie. reading hair books, joining hair boards, stretching relaxers to 3 - 4 months, trying mild relaxers, making sure to relax ONLY the new growth, lye/no-lye, etc), and while my hair health DID improve tremendously, at the end I was just tired of having hair "anorexia", so I decided to try going natural just to see what would happen. The rest is history.
I think it all depends on each person, what their goals are, and how their hair type is. Personally I think everyone should at least TRY being natural once in their adult life. If it doesn't work for you, then you can always go back. Shoot, I may even go back to relaxers one day. I never know lol
But no, I don't think you HAVE to go natural in order to have healthy hair.
SunRai Naturals
Well-Known Member
I'll be relaxed for awhile. I want to see if I can grow healthy full length waist to TBL relaxed hair. After that I'll probably cut it off and try something different. So I definitely don't see me being relaxed in my older age. I may try locs. BUT it depends on the head. My stepmother is 60 and she still gets relaxers. Her hair is waist length and very thick.
@crystalicequeen123, @idaret'shair, @ivonnovi - I just want to co-sign on what you guys are saying. I've been on this journey for years, relaxed being the longest and my hair never really took off the way I've always imagined it should. Now that I'm natural, I've seen hair growing back in places where I thought it was gone for good. I've seen little hairs all over the place. My natural hair does not look like the average because it has a long way to go before I can actually say my hair is healthy. I also know for sure that if I wasn't being proactive, I would probably be wearing a permanent wig by now. Know what I know, I will never go back to relaxers and I hope I live long enough to finally enjoy what I've been striving for for years, healthy, long hair.
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