*My Healthy Hair Journey*: Relaxer Update: The Deets

Regimen + Goals

My Hair Regimen: I moisturize and/or oil my hair daily. As needed (usually weekly) I cleanse my hair and scalp with a moisturizing shampoo (or a clarifying one if there's build up). I do a moisturizing OR protein treatment with every shampoo. I stretch my relaxers 3-4 months.

My go-to protective/low manipulation styles: buns, braid-outs and halfwigs. In 2012 I want to start experimenting with more heat-free styles. I air dry most of the time and flat iron for length checks only.

I'm currently midback length (MBL) and actively working towards reaching waist length by my graduation in mid-2012.

Monday, 18 July 2011

Relaxer Update: The Deets

I relaxed my hair last night with Optimum No-Lye relaxer in normal strength (review in a nutshell: claims to reduce breakage after 1 use. Not sure how true that is but its been a staple since the first time I tried it in 2008. This relaxer also contains ceramides).

I self-relaxed for the second time ever (the first time I was shoulder length and it came out super underprocessed) It came out pretty good and overall it was a good experience. For the first time I feel like a 100% DIYer when it comes to my hair.

After relaxing


Still some texture/thickness left in the back, just how I like it

May 2011 relaxer

July 2011 relaxer. I see some progress

Here's now the July 2011 (yesterday's) relaxer process went

Relaxer prep: The last wash before my relaxer (Wed July 13) I clarified/chelated, and used aphogee 2 minute reconstructor, and did a final rinse with Porosity Control Corrector and Conditioner. The days leading up to my relaxer, I oiled my scalp with JBCO, and coated my hair with CHI silk infusion and Aphogee Green Tea and Keratin Reconstructurizer. I also put some JBCO and One n Only Argan Oil in my relaxer mix to buy more processing time.

Yesterday (relaxer day) I applied the relaxer using a combo of gloved hands and the back of a comb. Left the relaxer on for 20 minutes, neutralized 5x. Then I deep conditioned with Aussie Moist 3 Minute Miracle and Queen Helene Cholesterol for 2 hours (that's all I had at the moment...not my favorite post-relaxer dc...would have prefered to use Kenra Moisturizing Conditioner). Then I rinsed that, air dried with a little Aphogee Green Tea & Keratin Reconstructurizer as a leave-in (this is officially my staple leave-in conditioner) then blow dried the rest of the way. Finally, I applied CHI silk infusion and flat ironed today.

Whew! Now I see why people don't relax often (or not at all lol). Hope I covered everything!