Relaxed heads who don't stretch relaxers

[blackberry815]

Seems like everyone stretches past 10 weeks. Anyone still relax between 6-8 weeks with steady progress? What is your experience? Just curious to see if anyone has been able to reach their goals without stretching.

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[blackberry815]

No one?

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[blessedandlucky]

blackberry815, i usually relax between 8-10 weeks. when i stretched to 12 weeks, i experienced some breakage. i know this isn't everyone's experience re: breakage, but it was mine, so i am cutting back to between 8-10 weeks. before lhcf, i relaxed between 6-8 weeks and had no problem with retaining growth.

 

[Roux]

when I was relaxed I couldn't stretch beyond 12 weeks without excessive breakage and shedding. I think that people see the 'success' of few that do long stretches and see it as a growth method rather than what it's really used for. prior to hair care I would relax every 8 weeks.

 

[Your Cheeziness]

Before my hair journey, my stylist relaxed me between 6-7 weeks and I retained length just fine. He was careful about overlapping and gave me a protein/moisturizing deep condition treatment under the dryer to prevent any issues. Since I'm used to stretching now, I will probably not go past 10 weeks.

 

[divachyk]

I relaxed 6-8 before LHCF with no issues. I now stretch to 10 because I know that's better for my hair's health. If 6-8 works for you, then roll with it. Otherwise, stretch. Stretching is not for everyone, though. It's about finding balance.

 

[Relentless]

As divachyk said, my experience is similar. I used to relax faithfully every 6 weeks with no problem before LHCF. I have found that stretching is better for my hair, but no longer than 9 weeks. I can go for sure 8 weeks (but that's about it LOL) thanks to the ladies tips on LHCF. It's different for everyone though. I suggest keep doing what you are doing now. 6 to 8 weeks is a good time frame IMO.

I hope my 2 cents help.

 

[Brownie518]

I go 8 weeks. I tried to stretch and it was not good. My hair is doing great.

 

[taz007]

I relax my hair every 7-8 weeks like clockwork! I just make sure to coat the previously relaxed hair with Neutralizing shampoo and vaseline.

This seems to work best for me.

 

[blackberry815]

I relax my hair every 7-8 weeks like clockwork! I just make sure to coat the previously relaxed hair with Neutralizing shampoo and vaseline.

This seems to work best for me.

Really ? Neutralizing shampoo? I would be afraid of the drying effect of the shampoo. Also I would be scared it could
Touch the newgrowth during the process and prevent my hair from processing. Do u put the vaseline on first and then do the shampoo over it?

I tried vaseline the last time but I felt like it made my relaxed ends stick together, which made parting to get the relaxer in more difficult then I would've liked. Do u think coating it with conditioner would help? I was thinking of using porosity control.


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[blackberry815]

As divachyk said, my experience is similar. I used to relax faithfully every 6 weeks with no problem before LHCF. I have found that stretching is better for my hair, but no longer than 9 weeks. I can go for sure 8 weeks (but that's about it LOL) thanks to the ladies tips on LHCF. It's different for everyone though. I suggest keep doing what you are doing now. 6 to 8 weeks is a good time frame IMO.

I hope my 2 cents help.

7 and a half weeks is pretty much my limit. I see long broken strands right around 6 weeks. Which makes me wanna move it up. It seems like non stretchers have very little representation on this site. I wish I could stretch longer but my hair breaks and I look a mess... that and I love the look of a fresh relaxer.


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[leona2025]

I'm gonna start counting my weeks. I relax when every I feel like it's too much. Lol. I like my waves so I hold on to them for a while and then when I feel like they getting too unruly I relax. Most time I can't even remember the last time I relax. I try to remember to mark it on the calendar.

 

[blackberry815]

I'm gonna start counting my weeks. I relax when every I feel like it's too much. Lol. I like my waves so I hold on to them for a while and then when I feel like they getting too unruly I relax. Most time I can't even remember the last time I relax. I try to remember to mark it on the calendar.

I never used to remember the exact date I relaxed before I joined this site lol. Now I have to remember the date and count how many weeks post relaxer I am each week.

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[amwcah]

I tried vaseline the last time but I felt like it made my relaxed ends stick together, which made parting to get the relaxer in more difficult then I would've liked. Do u think coating it with conditioner would help? I was thinking of using porosity control.


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blackberry815

I protect my previously relaxed hair with Roux PC.

 

[blessedandlucky]

amwcah, how do you use it?

blackberry815

I protect my previously relaxed hair with Roux PC.

 

[topnotch1010]

I too relax @8 weeks faithfully. I've don't have any problems.

 

[browneyedgrl]

I used to be able to go for up to 16 weeks at a time. for the past year my hair has stopped cooperating after week 8 so I relax between 8-10 wks.

 

[JJamiah]

Prior to LHCF I'd relax every 8 months. I went to every 4 months for 2 years. I now am at every 6 months for my relaxer. I don't think of this as a long stretch, just my schedule.

I don't see any issues with relaxing sooner as long as there is no overlap.

 

[blackberry815]

We should have a non stretcher support thread. Wait does a thread like that already exist?

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[january noir]

I've stretch anywhere between 12 and 16 weeks. I wear my hair in buns and updos most of the time and during my stretches, I condition wash and deep condition several times (3-4) a week. I only detangle when my hair has been deep conditioned and then put it up-no manipulation between washes.

 

[SuchaLady]

I dont stretch either. However I dont relax as often as I used to. I go somewhere around 8 weeks now. I think its also a mentality. I havent had a perm in awhile (In school and mom does perms) and I didnt even notice. Now if I had said "Im going to stretch!" Im sure I would be having issues that probably arent even real lol

 

[SlantedEyezMiss2003]

Before LHCF, I relaxed every 8 weeks/2 months, my hair grew about the same, but when I stopped greasing my scalp and washing my hair more often, it grew faster, when I joined LHCF I stretched my relaxers, it was harder to do my hair, and since I've been going so long without relaxing, when I relax, my hair is left underprocessed, so right now I don't know what I want to do with my hair, relax or braid it up, it's too hot to wear it down, so I might just braid it up and relax later......but I agree with most ladies, stretching isn't for everyone....I tried to go 6 months (i will NEVER do that again) and it was like I couldn't comb my hair.....so do what best fits for u, most ladies who stretch usually don't comb their hair much, so if u can go without combing your hair, then stretching longer shouldn't be an issue.

 

[Softerlove]

I dont stretch either. However I dont relax as often as I used to. I go somewhere around 8 weeks now. I think its also a mentality. I havent had a perm in awhile (In school and mom does perms) and I didnt even notice. Now if I had said "Im going to stretch!" Im sure I would be having issues that probably arent even real lol

Exactly, mind over matter?? I will be 7 weeks post tomorrow and the fact I'm now realizing this spells doom! When I plan to stretch its murder, but when it just happens my hair is good. Fyi I still wear my hair down in flexi rods, wash weekly, and do not blow dry my roots. I'm 4 a/b and i plan to relax when my hair asks for it. I think that products, treatment have a lot to do with it. I planned to relax at 8- 10 weeks since I have more than 1.25 inches in some places, but im taking it day by day. Plus ORS edge control is making ne look presentable so no rush.

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[DDTexlaxed]

When I was relaxed, I could stretch 6 months, no problem with using ceramides in my hair. I just washed, conditioned, and blow dry strait using silicon mix. I had no breakage or shedding. When I was in a rush, I would just bun it with silicon mix. I would pre- poo with coconut oil with ayervedic oils in it, as well. My hair was mostly low to no manipulated styles.

 

[amwcah]

@amwcah, how do you use it?

blessedandlucky

I apply it to my previously relaxed hair so I won't overlap my relaxers. It also aids in less tangles when I am applying and rinsing out the relaxer.

 

[OhmyKimB]

I don't go past eight weeks, Recently I did 10 weeks ONLY because I had put color in my hair and counted from the color week not my actual relax week...

 

[blackberry815]

blessedandlucky

I apply it to my previously relaxed hair so I won't overlap my relaxers. It also aids in less tangles when I am applying and rinsing out the relaxer.

I've also read some threads where people use it on the newgrowth right before they relax and reported that the hair got straighter.... So I guess my question is does it really protect from overlapping if it helps it process better?

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[blackberry815]

Bumping

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[prospurr4]

I don't stretch my relaxers--I usually touchup every 7-8 weeks. I have no problem reaching my goals.

 

[ElegantElephant]

Great thread OP! I've tried to stretch beyond 12 weeks, but as many of you have already posted, I too experienced lots of shedding. I agree, a support thread for non stretchers is a good idea.