Here are some interesting tips from various threads on the LHCF:
“Some tips, if I may (this is what works for me):
- do a pre-relaxer assessment. feel your new growth with your finger so that you know exactly how high up that you have to apply the relaxer.
- work like your fingers are on fire. Applying relaxer to each section takes me 2.5 minutes. I go back to smooth. This more than anything took practice.
I don't rinse in the shower but I lean over the tub. This took some getting used to because you have to twist to get both sides of your head but I also have a plastic bucket and cup filled with water standing by just in case.
When I relaxed in sections, I did the front first, left my hair hanging down until I could use the towel, so that the back section (which I had wrapped in plastic) would not get wet.” Chichi
“ Just remember if always check the sections right before rinsing to make sure your hair is done processing by take a comb and wipe over the area removing a little of the relaxer to see the results if its not ready then put the relaxer back on that section, and always do the resistent area firt since it processes slower.” Beautifulwideeyes
http://www.longhaircareforum.com/showthread.php?t=64680&highlight=self-relaxing
“For your next time advice, what I usually do since I know I'm slow, clumsy, and I have a sensitive scalp is I take extra precautions. I prebase my scalp with hair food, always, I have to. I slabber vaseline all over my ears, forehead, neck, and behind my ears just in case. I also put vaseline on all my ends in case something accidentally happens. And in addition to that, I predivide all my 4 sections using about 30 duckbill clips befoe I even start. That way when I relax, I just follow the clips and don't need to draw lines. I use my fingers (with no gloves) coz that's how I can feel the hair's texture at the roots while I smooth. At the end, I follow Shamboosie's method of rinsing the relaxer out in sections, giving time to the last sections to fully relax.” Shunemite
“Well it has to happen at some time in our life, when things just don't go the way they should. don't worry though the problem can be fixed. Next time only wear a glove on the hand that u are using to apply the relaxer, also apply a conditioner to u'r ends to protect from overlapping, also apply pretroleum jelly to entire scalp area and hairline also ears just incase. If u'r scalp is really sensative use Pro-Styl pre creme for sensitive scalp by Ampro to base entire scalp and wait a few minutes so it can penetrate. Always use a protein reconstructor after relaxing to help bounce hair back to a healthy state. For the underprocessing just comb thru to the under processed parts when smoothing and wait a few minutes checking frequently so that u don't overprocess the hair. Don't give up it gets better with practice how about practicing with conditioner in btwn relaxers tring not to overlap then u can check out how u done when u'r finished with a hand mirror. If u'r gonna wait 5 months until u touch up that's alot of time for practice you know.” BeautifulWideEyes
Here is another thread with tips and instructions on self-relaxing.:
http://www.longhaircareforum.com/showthread.php?t=1645&page=5&pp=10&highlight=self-relaxing
In this thread, Londondiva gives specific instructions on self-relaxing.
