User post: Tips for Relaxing Your Hair at Home

From the Community…

• 
  Posted by Peaches Fri Jul 10, 2009 11:00pm PDT

  I actually use home relaxers and they are the best. I use to get salon relaxers and they work too but my hair grade is pretty good already, I just have really thick hair so going to a salon for a relaxer is really just a waste of money. The home kit actually gives me better results. I use Dark and Lovely and it`s the first and only relaxer I`ve ever used

  Report Abuse
• 
  Posted by Tisha Sat Jul 11, 2009 7:49am PDT

  Hell no it's not good to relax. Rock the natural hair god gave you. I've never had a relaxer and honestly, I think people really don't need it. From what I have learned, a relaxer breaks down the natural curl pattern of the hair and weakens it beyond what you may imagine. Word of the Wise, Just Don't Do It.

  Report Abuse
• 
  Posted by Aisha K Sat Jul 11, 2009 8:22am PDT

  Great tips. But if the recession is making you cut back on salon visit, why not consider going natural?? No matter how careful you are, eventually a relaxer will damage your hair. Why not use this time to learn to love your hair "as is"

  Just my 2 cents. But as I said, great tips for those who still relax. That's basically what my mom did for me when she relaxed mine!

  Report Abuse
• 
  Posted by Wendy Sat Jul 11, 2009 8:43am PDT

  This is a really good thread to advise people on how to relax their hair. I too used to do my own relaxer (actually for about 8 years)...but like others have said it does really change the texture of your hair and starts to thin it out. I am black and I have always had BSL (bra strap length) hair but after much trial and error I have too decided to go back to my natural roots..meaning no more relaxers for me! I have not had one since Oct of last year and I am loving how my natural curls/coils/kinks are forming and soon i will be chopping off about 6 inches of my relaxed hair to be chemical free! So i say to all of my sistas if relaxing your hair is a big challenge for you then why not consider leaving the chems alone and work with natural products for your own hair that GOD gave you ;o)

  Report Abuse
• 
  Posted by Kitten Sat Jul 11, 2009 10:16am PDT

  While I no longer relax my hair, I did for years. Thank you for this article because no one ever talks about this. Good luck for those who relax.

  Report Abuse
• 
  Posted by Changnfaces Sat Jul 11, 2009 12:19pm PDT

  I have a good grade of hair really dont need relaxers but i use them from time to time when i wanna where mii hair more straight since its fine and curly. but every year i cut it all off and start over fresh i wear it platinum white have been for 10 yrs now..and jus go free and i njoy it better short and curly. But all relaxers r hard on ur hair but its very important that u do keep it condition and healty as possible over time it will start to wear on ur hair n e way. but they r alright if u have to use them. my favs were dark n lovely and motions there whole line i jus love

  Report Abuse
• 
  Posted by Paticia Sun Jul 12, 2009 5:25am PDT

  I say for all the girls who have the curly thick hair instead of using a relaxer to straighten your hair i would use something else like the products made for people with that type of hair. my sister's hair is thick and curly she used a relaxer once and it still sisnt get it as straight as she wanted so she started doing it the old fashion way with a hot comb and it works for her. me on the other had i do the relaxer thing and i like it my hair is different from my sister's. i've never exprienced my hair thinning for using it. for those who's hair thin maybe you should try a different kind because the one you use is too strong. Love the tips!!!

  Report Abuse
• 
  Posted by Avlyn Sun Jul 12, 2009 8:40am PDT

  i am black,have thick,heavy hair and very sensitive scalp.I've tried practically everything and i'm scared to relax due to the burns i get.I've tried Dark and Lovely which doesn't do a bad job to my scalp.Do you think it is outdated? What would you recommend?

  Report Abuse
• 
  Posted by ah87 Sun Jul 12, 2009 9:37am PDT

  I think relaxers are slowly losing their popularity because people are realizing that they are extremely damaging to your hair. Over time, they can cause thinning, breakage, and even burn your scalp causing the hair follicle to break down & the hair to have difficulty growing. My advice to the African American women who are hooked on hair relaxers is to be happy with what God gave you, and if not consider deep conditioning treatments and getting it proffessionally flat ironed.

  Report Abuse
• 
  Posted by America Sun Jul 12, 2009 11:02am PDT

  This might be REALLY stupid, but...

  I'm a fair skinned strawberry-blonde with thick, curly hair. Can I use an at home relaxer, or woul it just kill my hair?

  Report Abuse