The Break-Out! Relaxers & Braids
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By naanis naturals
Published on 01/26/2008
When's it ok to get braids when you have relaxed hair?
The Break-Out! Relaxers & Braids
Braids extensions are a good way to give your hair a break from the chemicals, but what do you do after they've been taken out? Most stylists recommend that you don't relax your hair immediately after removing or before getting braid extensions.
AFTER REMOVING BRAIDS
Even if you use quality hair, extensions tend to create tiny nicks in the hair shaft. When you relax your hair, the product works quicker on these areas which causes uneven and over-processing and the breakage may not show until months later.
Now I know if you've just taken out your braids extensions, you may feel as if you need straight hair, but you're better off doing a deep conditioner treatment and light press the first two weeks following the braids removal. Although the new-growth is driving you crazy, your hair will thank you for it later...trust me!
If you're going to be hardheaded (which most of you relaxed-heads are), you should try "filling" your hair. Filling is done when you use a protector on your hair to coat or "fill in" the weak spots so that you will get an even process and minimize breakage.
BEFORE BRAIDS OR BRAIDS EXTENSIONS
Many women also make the mistake of getting a relaxer prior to having their braids done. Your hair has just been damaged by a chemical treatment...give it a rest!
The first time I chose to wear braid extensions was back in college. I heard that many of the other young ladies got a relaxer prior to putting the braids in. The belief was that their roots would be neater and therefore need less attention as the braids aged.
So I got a relaxer. When I got back to school, I decided to remove the braids within a couple of weeks of having them. I got in the shower, started washing my hair as I normally would...you know, scrubbing my scalp and such. All of a sudden I began to realize that the tangles weren't coming undone. I immediately grabbed the conditioner...the tangles weren't coming out! Nothing I tried was working. I literally had to rip my hair apart. I ended up going to a salon that day and had my hair cut into a short bob...I had no other choice. The bob was fly as hell though.
In short, after a chemical procedure, wait at least two weeks...
Reprinted with permission. Copyright SalonBaptiste.com 2005. Visit SalonBaptiste.Com for information on this Georgia based salon.
AFTER REMOVING BRAIDSEven if you use quality hair, extensions tend to create tiny nicks in the hair shaft. When you relax your hair, the product works quicker on these areas which causes uneven and over-processing and the breakage may not show until months later.
Now I know if you've just taken out your braids extensions, you may feel as if you need straight hair, but you're better off doing a deep conditioner treatment and light press the first two weeks following the braids removal. Although the new-growth is driving you crazy, your hair will thank you for it later...trust me!
If you're going to be hardheaded (which most of you relaxed-heads are), you should try "filling" your hair. Filling is done when you use a protector on your hair to coat or "fill in" the weak spots so that you will get an even process and minimize breakage.
BEFORE BRAIDS OR BRAIDS EXTENSIONS
Many women also make the mistake of getting a relaxer prior to having their braids done. Your hair has just been damaged by a chemical treatment...give it a rest!
The first time I chose to wear braid extensions was back in college. I heard that many of the other young ladies got a relaxer prior to putting the braids in. The belief was that their roots would be neater and therefore need less attention as the braids aged.
So I got a relaxer. When I got back to school, I decided to remove the braids within a couple of weeks of having them. I got in the shower, started washing my hair as I normally would...you know, scrubbing my scalp and such. All of a sudden I began to realize that the tangles weren't coming undone. I immediately grabbed the conditioner...the tangles weren't coming out! Nothing I tried was working. I literally had to rip my hair apart. I ended up going to a salon that day and had my hair cut into a short bob...I had no other choice. The bob was fly as hell though.
In short, after a chemical procedure, wait at least two weeks...
Reprinted with permission. Copyright SalonBaptiste.com 2005. Visit SalonBaptiste.Com for information on this Georgia based salon.