My first major setback was in May 2013 just before my second relaxer touch up and was due to protein overload.
With my last stretch I am happy to report I did not have any major setback but had a minor setback. My set back was due to inadequate detangling. When I was about 10 weeks post my new growth was taking up a whole new life, the back on my hair and my crown had/has a very under-processed texlax from my previous texlaxer and this really matted up and tangled with my new growth.
I would finger comb and moisture my hair on a daily basis. I would then finger detangle the knots I had found, but as soon as I detangled the knots that were there, the next day only brought more knots. From this set back I know that my optimum stretch if I have my hair out is around 10 to 12 weeks post.
During my relaxer I sectioned my hair and made sure I detangled it but alas after rinsing off my relaxer and detangling my freshly relaxed hair I came across quite a few knots and tangles in my hair, instead of panicking and carefully detangled my knots out, lucky I did not lose too much hair.
Learning points
Ø Keep my stretches between 10 -12 weeks if I intend on keeping my hair
Ø Make sure I am never out of Aussie leave in the week before my relaxer, this is an amazing detangler and works really well with my hair
Ø I now understand why people use heat back to back before and on the relaxer day; I think I will be doing this on my next relaxer, at the minimum I will roller set the week before.
Ø Use a comb mid week – I only used a comb on my wash days and only finger combs in between. I feel I could have benefited from using my wide tooth comb as it would have found the tangles and knots for me to fix them up with my fingers at the least.
I am taking these pointers on board for my next stretch and relaxer.
Does anyone else have drama with knots deep into your stretch that have impacted your touch up?
Happy Hair Journeys Ladies! :-)
‘Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter.’ – Martin Luther King Jr.
I really struggled with SSKs during my first attempts at stretching. Since, I've learned to thoroughly finger detangle daily, to wear styles that keep my roots stretched out (less likely to revert and tangle up again), and only tackling tangles when I have the time and patience. Simple ideas---but sometimes easier said than done.
ReplyDeleteGood luck with your next stretch!
KLP @ SavingOurStrands
I need to be more conscious of the styles I use. SSK are really going to be the death of me. I will really try combing through my hair more often and using 'good' styles.
DeleteThanks for your tips KLP!
I have definitely had my fair share of knots during my hair journey, I used to have them more when I had various textures going on in my hair now that it is all one texture it is much easier.Sorry about the minor setback, your hair will recover in no time.
ReplyDeleteOh the many textures that my hair has, I can't wait to be fully texlaxed, but I feel like that will be worse!
DeleteThanks for your comment, its always good to know that I am not the only one who has issues with SSK