secret to long, healthy, relaxed hair

[sugawooga]

(or so she says) I know this lady that has hsir down to her mid-back. I asked her what in the world is she doing to her hair to make it grow like that. At first she said, "well, it just started to grow like this and never stopped" She also said that her hair use to only grow to her shoulders but then it just started to grow like weeds. Now me being a LHCF gal, that just wasn't enough info for me, so I began to pry. "Is it something your eating? Are ya' taking some sorta vitamins ?" I asked her. She then asked me what my regimine was and what type of relaxer I was using but before I got a chance to tell her she told me, " don't use those box relaxers, they make your hair break off", so now I'm thinking to myself

hmmm, so she DOES have some hair knowledge under her belt. She said she uses Motions and she only relaxes her hair every 12-16 weeks. (I've heard this before somewhere too - i wonder where? hint, hint). Also she uses next to no heat (I always see hair sporting a long, ponytail (and yes, it's all her hair). I asked her if she deep conditions her hair and she said no.
Then this is where the conversation got interesting, She asked me how often I wash my hair. I told her once a week. She said, try washing your hair every 2 weeks. She said let my hair get a little more dirty.

WELL, that's what she said. I dunno why.

So, ladies, here's the rundown:

1. No more boxed relaxers (she recommended Motions)
2. Relax every 12-16 weeks
3. Little or no heat
4. Wait 2 weeks to wash your hair

Now, I just thought I'd share this info with you ladies. As for me. I'm already on the right track it seems (except the part about washing every 2 weeks) I also will continue my deep conditioning processes (until my no-lye hair grows out and I'm able to cut it off) I guess when you've been using lye relaxers on your hair you don't have to focus so much on deep conditionings.

I'm just curious, does any one on this board wait 2 weeks for their next washing?

 

[KinksnCurlz]

I use too wait 2 weeks until the next wash heck, i still do sometimes

.

ETA: the 'dirtier' my hair is, the more it sheds so it is better for me to wash at least once a week to combat that.

 

[Dolce_Dawn]

Interesting... I've heard mixed reviews on Motions and I've been using a boxed perm forever. I wash my hair once a wk b/c I can't stand a dirty head and hardly ever deep condition.

But hey, if it works for her...

 

[myco]

I think if I waited 2 weeks, I would do more damage to my scalp from scratching like crazy.

 

[SherryLove]

[ QUOTE ]
sugawooga said:
(or so she says) I know this lady that has hsir down to her mid-back. I asked her what in the world is she doing to her hair to make it grow like that. At first she said, "well, it just started to grow like this and never stopped" She also said that her hair use to only grow to her shoulders but then it just started to grow like weeds. Now me being a LHCF gal, that just wasn't enough info for me, so I began to pry. "Is it something your eating? Are ya' taking some sorta vitamins ?" I asked her. She then asked me what my regimine was and what type of relaxer I was using but before I got a chance to tell her she told me, " don't use those box relaxers, they make your hair break off", so now I'm thinking to myself

hmmm, so she DOES have some hair knowledge under her belt. She said she uses Motions and she only relaxes her hair every 12-16 weeks. (I've heard this before somewhere too - i wonder where? hint, hint). Also she uses next to no heat (I always see hair sporting a long, ponytail (and yes, it's all her hair). I asked her if she deep conditions her hair and she said no.
Then this is where the conversation got interesting, She asked me how often I wash my hair. I told her once a week. She said, try washing your hair every 2 weeks. She said let my hair get a little more dirty.

WELL, that's what she said. I dunno why.

So, ladies, here's the rundown:

1. No more boxed relaxers (she recommended Motions)
2. Relax every 12-16 weeks
3. Little or no heat
4. Wait 2 weeks to wash your hair

Now, I just thought I'd share this info with you ladies. As for me. I'm already on the right track it seems (except the part about washing every 2 weeks) I also will continue my deep conditioning processes (until my no-lye hair grows out and I'm able to cut it off) I guess when you've been using lye relaxers on your hair you don't have to focus so much on deep conditionings.

I'm just curious, does any one on this board wait 2 weeks for their next washing?

[/ QUOTE ]

now that I am transitioning,, i wash my hair every two weeks..I also keep my hair covered with fashionable headwraps with the length of my ponytail soaked in castor oil covered in a baggie, so it stays soft and moisturized....when i go for my wash and deep condition, my stylist is always amazed how soft my ends are...

 

[alliyah4eva203]

[ QUOTE ]
myco said:
I think if I waited 2 weeks, I would do more damage to my scalp from scratching like crazy.

[/ QUOTE ]
me too.

my hair has gotten used to being washed twice weekly.

 

[aqualung]

[ QUOTE ]
sugawooga said:
1. No more boxed relaxers (she recommended Motions)
2. Relax every 12-16 weeks
3. Little or no heat
4. Wait 2 weeks to wash your hair

[/ QUOTE ]

It's so good of you to share this, suga!

I relaxed during the 12th week last time, and 5 hour detangling bouts prevent me from washing often when I have a lot of new growth.

BUT I wish I could save pennies by quitting $50-65 Affirm mild lye touchups at the salon and applying PCJ lye ($6 boxed relaxer) at home. Maybe by boxed she meant no-lye?

 

[sugawooga]

yeah, i also think she meant no-lye when she was referring to the boxed relaxers

 

[Lengthwanted]

Hmm is right. Anyhow, I had to get my hair back healthy again after I decided I was goin to let the stylist put relaxers in my hair instead of the box perms and it back fired big time.

Anyhow, after having to cut between 4-5 inches of damaged hair, I was able to regain all of that back in 4 months. I am about 1 1/2-2 inches from bra strap. The process I took was, conditioner only washes 4-5 times a week, buns, twist ups with ends protected, using surge and olive oil and this other leave in conditioner for natural hair when I got to 11 weeks past due. I went back to my box perm every 12-14 weeks.

I have to say that I am estatic over the results I have gained and how healthy my hair has become. I do not wash with shampoo unless it is necessary (buildup, etc.). I just got a fresh relaxer (compliments of the only and only person who has done an excellent job with my hair: my mommy) this past weekend and was able to see the benefits from my recent routine. I need to update my pictures. Anyhow, I plan to wear my hair down for 2 weeks, then back to the CO washes and buns, twists, updos until I reach midback. Good luck.

BTW: I use african pride relaxer - and it does wonders for my hair! (remember all hair types are not the same so what works for others may not work for you)

 

[Karonica]

I believe this method. My friend has one similar to this and she has never had any problems growing her hair and retaining length, she just likes to cut it now and then.

 

[nmfsc]

Whenever I wait a week to wash my hair, which is rare, my scalp itches like crazy, my hair sheds and my hair feels nasty. I can't wait that long and love the benefits of condit washing and how much fresher my hair looks.

 

[sengschick]

My hair doesn't like to be dirty.

It gets angry

, snaps, sheds more and sometimes even makes my headache. Wash day was delayed abit by weekend celebrations. By Sunday I had a splitting headache, I took an Aleve, a nap and it was still hurting a bit. When I got in the water and found the shampoo my headache disappeared.

I live to serve my hair, so I give it what it wants.

 

[Dolce_Dawn]

LOL

That's serious, sengschick!

 

[chocolate01]

[ QUOTE ]
CaramelHonee said:

ETA: the 'dirtier' my hair is, the more it sheds so it is better for me to wash at least once a week to combat that.

[/ QUOTE ]

Same here.

 

[iwantlongerhair]

When I go to the salon regularly, my hair gets washed every two weeks, I get lye relaxer every 6 weeks, and she deeps conditions my hair every time and thats also when my hair grows the best.

 

[Dutchess]

I too have mid-back length relaxed hair. Since moisture is the key to the success of my hair growth, I wash my hair 2 x a week. I moisturize my hair in the morning and at night before bed.

 

[Poohbear]

[ QUOTE ]
sugawooga said:
So, ladies, here's the rundown:

1. No more boxed relaxers (she recommended Motions)
2. Relax every 12-16 weeks
3. Little or no heat
4. Wait 2 weeks to wash your hair



[/ QUOTE ]

Hey!

I had made challenges to do all of those above except number 4. I have never used boxd relaxers anyway. I use Motions or Elasta QP. I have changed my relaxer touch up time from every 4-6 weeks to 12 weeks. I'm using no heat right now since Im doing the bun challenge. I used to shampoo every 2-3 weeks and now I shampoo once a week (and cowash 3-4 times a week). I guess Im on my way to long healthy relaxed hair!

 

[greAtness333]

Suga- what was her hair type?

When I was away at school I used boxed relaxers and my hair wasn't in its best condition so I find using a stylist's touch benefits my hair the most. I wash no more than every 3 days especially when I have a lot of new growth.

 

[lonei]

I wash once every 2 weeks and have done for a number of years. My friends think Im crazy because they wash a best once a month or a best every 2 months when they get a relaxer. I dont have to deal with shedding because my hair is generally in a protective style which does not allow for combing. Before I went on holiday, I washed after one week, I was so frustrated, I dont have the patience to wash any sooner than I do.

 

[sengschick]

[ QUOTE ]
Dolce_Dawn said:
LOL

That's serious, sengschick!

[/ QUOTE ]

Yeah, girl it will show it's butt in a minute!!!

 

[sugawooga]

I'm not sure what her hair type is. Alot of people look at me like this

when I ask them that question so I stopped asking. She relaxes her hair so I couldn't tell you. I do know that her hair is very thick and her daughter's hair is also down to her mid-back. If I had to guess, I would say she's probably 3c or 4a (maybe)

 

[kitchen_tician]

[ QUOTE ]
sugawooga said:
So, ladies, here's the rundown:

1. No more boxed relaxers (she recommended Motions)
2. Relax every 12-16 weeks
3. Little or no heat
4. Wait 2 weeks to wash your hair


[/ QUOTE ]

Yes, I do all 4 of those.

I prefer to wash every 2 weeks because of less manipulation of the hair. I use heat every 2 weeks only.

Thanks for sharing Sugawooga

 

[Patrice]

dont mean to bust anyones bubble but maybe this is what works for this lady. I use to do everything on that list including using motions and that was when my hair was at its worst. Now I wash once a week and relax with optimum no lye boxed perm every 3 months and my hair has gone from barely touching neck length to shoulder length in 6 months, and it has never been healthier. There is nothing better to me than to see someone with a nice long full head of 4a/b hair and find out what they do but if its something that I know wont ever work for me I wont do it because I know I wont get the same results. I know the majority of ladies on this board will not agree that dirty hair grows faster and healthier and I am one of them because I know my scalp is a home for dandruff but some people actually get faster growth by having dirty hair. My friend wore her hair in a ponnytail for two months straight and she became literally bald at the edges, I wear my hair down 85% of the time and I dont experience any breakage at all. Different stokes for different folks, I envy those ladies that can wait every two weeks before shampooing lol.

 

[inthepink]

I didn't start washing twice a week till I started transitioning. I used to always wash every 2 weeks.

 

[beautywithin1]

my thing is , well wait 3 months before i get a perm , and when i do, i do a rollerset wrap. During those 3 months, i usually get braids, or wear a protective style to reduce manipulation of the hair. i wash every 2 weeks and i moisturize my ends. the only thing i dont do , is getting a professional perm, my mom perms my hair with the box kit

 

[PretteePlease]

long waits between washes really helped me with my transition less detangling=less breakage so i washed every 2-3 weeks but i was not oiling my scalp so i didn't have buildup. i worked on moisturizing my hair.

 

[SoAnxious12]

i can wait up until a month but my hair will start smelling. I can only do that in the winter because in the summer i sweat. But, If I have braids or a fake ponytail or something like that I can wait about 5 weeks but i try not to. I'll try doing the 2-week washing thing this summer. See how it works out for me.

 

[shinyblackhair]

Since coming to this board and learning about conditioner washes, and shampooing more often than 1 or 2 times per month, lol, my hair has grown longer than it's ever been my entire adult life.

I just can't grasp how hair is going to grow when the scalp is all clogged up with 2+ weeks worth of dirt, oil, sweat and products.

But like a previous poster mentioned, different strokes...

 

[JenniferMD]

I sometimes wash one every two weeks because I want my blowouts to last until the next one. On the other hand I will wash once a week to use my own products. It all depends on where I'm going or what I'm doing that second week.

 

[Poohbear]

[ QUOTE ]
Poohbear said:
[ QUOTE ]
sugawooga said:
So, ladies, here's the rundown:

1. No more boxed relaxers (she recommended Motions)
2. Relax every 12-16 weeks
3. Little or no heat
4. Wait 2 weeks to wash your hair



[/ QUOTE ]

Hey! <img src="http://st1m.longhaircareforum.com/images/smilies/ooo.gif" alt="" /> I had made challenges to do all of those above except number 4. I have never used boxd relaxers anyway. I use Motions or Elasta QP. I have changed my relaxer touch up time from every 4-6 weeks to 12 weeks. I'm using no heat right now since Im doing the bun challenge. I used to shampoo every 2-3 weeks and now I shampoo once a week (and cowash 3-4 times a week). I guess Im on my way to long healthy relaxed hair! <img src="http://st1m.longhaircareforum.com/images/smilies/grin.gif" alt="" />

[/ QUOTE ]

Now I do #4...I'm back to washing my hair every 2-3 weeks. I learned that my hair cannot take so much washing. I only did cowashes for a couple of weeks and stopped - made my hair thicker but wasnt very effective overall.