I am new to stretching my relaxers and am doing it by adding a week or two to every new stretch. The last relaxer I had I was only able to make it to 8 weeks (which is good for me.) But I had a lot of shedding. I could hardly get the comb through my roots for the last two weeks and every time I washed I lost a lot of hair. Is there anyone here who has managed to grow their hair and maintain its health by relaxing at 8 weeks or less? I wanted to stretch this time to 9 or 10 weeks but it won't be worth it if I shed the way I did before.
Anyone Here Relax at 8 weeks or under?
- Thread starter LadyJ76
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HighlyFavored1
New Member
I get a touchup every 8 or 9 weeks, and this has worked well for me. You might want to check this poll out, it's a really good thread: http://www.longhaircareforum.com/showthread.php?t=90341&highlight=long+stretch
CoCoGirl821
New Member
This last time I stretching my relaxer I didn't get as much shedding (depending on the day), however, my hair has grown a lot faster(making the stretch more difficult). I would recommend not trying to comb your hair as much. I try to only comb when I am washing my hair using a wide tooth comb. This really cuts down in the shedding and breaking. Also doing roller sets and finding the perfect moisture and protein balance has really helped me. I am about 8 weeks post and I am trying to go for 9(we will see how that goes). But you should listen to you hair first before you listen to anyone else.
LadyJay114
New Member
i've gone 11 weeks, but the shedding was ridiculous... if i can find a moisturizer than can soften the new growth & strenghten the shaft, then I'd be able to stretch.
I'm glad to hear that I'm not the only one like this. Frankly, I was starting to feel like a failure. I see so many on the board that only relax a few times a year and I wish that was me. My new growth comes in like a monster at about wk 3 or 4 all of the sudden it's there and it does not want to play. It's been even more so since joining LHCF, because of the vitamins I'm taking it seems to grow faster now. I am going to continue to go a long as I can w'o relaxing but I won't feel so bad if it's under 8 weeks.
fancypants007
Well-Known Member
Yes I self-relax and I am going to start doing them every 8-9 weeks.
asiaticlily
Active Member
I can usually only stretch for 8 weeks. Trying to add a 1 week every touchup until I get to 12 weeks stretch.
sweetcashew
Well-Known Member
I do a touch up every 7 to 8 weeks. By then I have anywhere between 2 to 3 inches of new growth (depending on the season) so it works for me. Going longer than that is quite a challenge for me and definitely not worth the aggravation.
I've tried to and actually made it to 10 weeks but it was not easy at all and to much work. I also had a lot of shedding when I touched up.
I've tried to and actually made it to 10 weeks but it was not easy at all and to much work. I also had a lot of shedding when I touched up.
LocksOfLuV
New Member
Me. I went up to 12 weeks and was doing that at a time, but that was miserable. Shedding, knots, tangles, just too much. I actually feel bad now relaxing at 8 weeks, because it feels 'too easy,' as weird as it sounds. I am going to find a middle ground between 8 and 12 weeks, but i honestly think 8 weeks is my cut off. I am on week 4 or 5 now and I can't wait to relax, the newgrowth is getting to me.
gymfreak336
New Member
I did 9 the last time and I thought I was going to die. I think I am going to stick to 8 for now one but right now I am about 6 and the newgrowth is killing me. Stretching causes too much breakage, and shedding for me. I lost more than I gain.
locabouthair
Well-Known Member
do you use a big tooth comb for your hair? that heps me. also s curl is good at softening your roots.
loveable37
New Member
I just currently recieved my relaxer(MOTION HERBAL)this weeks after 3 months strengh wat a job.Usually i wait until 10 weeks to self-relax my own hair,My next strengh goin to be 6 months hopefull everytime in june.
PrincessDiva
New Member
I totally agree. Stretching is not for everyone and a major stretch is definitely not for the inexperienced. My hair grows very fast so streching beyond 8-9 weeks without braids equals more hair loss than gained . My first time streching (14 weeks)I had a large broken patch right at the demarcation linenicki6 said:Eight weeks is my maximum because the shedding will increase dramatically. I tried several times to stretch further, but my hair was NOT having it
....Do what works best for you. Listen to your hair. I would advise not relaxing less than 6 weeks but just make sure you`re not overlapping & all should be fine!!
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I relax 8 weeks and under now and it works fine for me. I used to stretch relaxers when I was in college unintentionally because I'd get too caught up in school to worry about doing a touchup, so sometimes I'd go months without getting a relaxer. When I finally did get a touchup, the shedding was ridiculous and so was the hair that would come out in the shower. Even this summer I got lazy and went more than 10 weeks without relaxing just because I didn't feel like doing it or asking someone else to do it. Also, sometimes in the past I'd lose track of when I last had a touchup and that would result in stretching. All in all, I've found I have more shedding when I stretch longer than when I relax at 8 weeks or under. My hair grows very fast, so that could be another reason why I got the shedding when I stretched for long periods.LadyJ76 said:
Precious_1
Well-Known Member
I try to go for 8 weeks and it is hard bc i have 4b hair and the texture change is really dramatic. and its hard to comb through that new growth. and you are not a failure girl, we have to start somewhere
http://www.longhaircareforum.com/showthread.php?t=106352&highlight=True
http://www.longhaircareforum.com/showthread.php?t=106352&highlight=True
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baglady215
Well-Known Member
I relax every 8 weeks, sometimes less. Don't feel bad about it. Everything is not for everybody.
sugarose
New Member
I tried to stretch but I've learned it's just not for me. I even put braids in my hair at the 5 week mark for 1 month, and when I took out my braids, globs of my hair came out too, thats when I decided to listen to my hair and stop stretching.
Also, I am consistantly getting 1.5-2" of new growth every 4 weeks now, so I just give myself a touch up when I reach the 2 inch mark.
I'm sticking to what works for me.
Also, I am consistantly getting 1.5-2" of new growth every 4 weeks now, so I just give myself a touch up when I reach the 2 inch mark.
I'm sticking to what works for me.
Royal Glory
New Member
I am also new to stretching and right now I am right around 8 weeks, depending on the shedding and breakage. My goal is to try to increase from one relaxer cycle to the next, but I "listen" to my hair. If it is shedding too much or if the new growth is getting a harder to manage without damage, I'll touch up.
The attachment below was taken in November and shows one month's progress from my avatar. (The precious little one climbing over my shoulder is my 21-month-old grandson. He wanted the camera.)
The attachment below was taken in November and shows one month's progress from my avatar. (The precious little one climbing over my shoulder is my 21-month-old grandson. He wanted the camera.)
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I tried stretching all year and the longest I went was 11 weeks and I had so much shedding it was scary. I've learned everyone hair is different and do whats best for your hair. I was one that use to relax every 4 weeks so I've come a long way even if I relax at 6 or 8 weeks its and accomplishment for me.
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