How I Manage My New Growth During Relaxer Stretches

I'm what's called a relaxer stretcher. This means I go several weeks between my relaxer touch-ups, longer than the hair stylist recommended six weeks. I typically go about 12 weeks between relaxers but have gone even more than that making it to 18 weeks post relaxer

I stretch my relaxers because it allows me to have a few inches of new growth and avoid relaxer overlap. Relaxer overlap is when hair is relaxed multiple times, usually by accident because there is very little new growth to work with. Relaxer overlap results in weak hair that thins and breaks.

Managing new growth during relaxer stretches | A Relaxed Gal
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One result of stretching my relaxers means I can have a lot of new growth and will have several weeks where I'm dealing with two hair textures, straight and curly, which can be a challenge. So I've had to learn how to deal with two textures and have them work together without causing more damage. 


Here are the techniques I use to manage my new growth between relaxer touch-ups:


Deep condition, deep condition, deep condition

I say this a lot, only because it's true. If I don't deep condition during my relaxer stretches detangling is a nightmare and my new growth is more prone to tangling up on itself. Deep conditioning is when you use a hair treatment typically called a deep conditioner or hair mask on your hair to help nourish, add moisture to, and/or strengthen your hair. Deep conditioners contain nourishing ingredients like oils, proteins, and vitamins.

There are several deep conditioners I've used to successfully keep my relaxed hair and new growth moisturized



Deep condition with heat 

When I'm deep in a relaxer stretch, in addition to deep conditioning each wash day I like to amplify my deep conditioning with heat. Since direct heat, and even indirect heat if used a lot, can damage my hair I use a heating cap. The one I use is the Hot Head Deep Conditioning Cap. I found that when I use my heating cap my hair feels more moisturized and stays that way longer.



Stretch my new growth

This is something I learned from other relaxed hair bloggers. My natural hair has some tight curls in certain places which result in the curls tangling or curling around each other. So stretching my new growth helps to lessen or eliminate the tangling.

Here are the two ways I stretch my new growth:
  • Apply tension to straighten my new growth when blow-drying. When I blow dry my hair (always using cool or cold air) I take about 2-4 inch sections and hold the section taut while I blow dry my new growth. This way my new growth dries more straight than curly.
  • Cross wrap at night. This works best if my new growth is still damp when I go to bed or used tension when blow-drying. The more new growth I have the more nights between wash days I cross wrap.


Drink lots of water

Having healthy hair is not just about the external, but also about taking care of yourself internally. When you're dehydrated the hair closest to your scalp starts to feel it first. Not getting enough water into your system can make your hair feel dry, brittle, and rough.


When I don't drink a lot of water and start getting dehydrated my scalp and new growth begin feeling dry. As a result, my new growth starts tangling and doesn't stay stretched.

How I manage my new growth durnig relaxer stretches | arelaxedgal.com

What I don't do

One thing I do not, especially regularly, is flat iron my new growth straight. I used to do that in the past before I started my healthy hair journey and I experienced thinning and breakage. Once I started my healthy hair journey I cut back on the flat ironing to the point where my flat iron hasn't seen the light of day in a while. While I don't think heat should ever be used on relaxed hair, using a lot of direct heat on relaxed hair does more harm than good.

What do you do to manage your new growth between relaxer stretches?





11 comments

  1. Stretching it during washes certainly helps, great tips!

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    1. It really does. I wish I had thought of how to do it without direct heat years ago. I could have avoided a lot of hair damage.

      What else do you do Tomes to manage your new growth during your relaxer stretches?

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  2. I used scurl moisturizer a lot when I was transitioning.it softened the new growth.

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    Replies
    1. I've seen a few other bloggers mention scurl. What turned you on to it? Do you still use it now that you're natural?

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  3. I enjoyed reading your tips between relaxer touch ups...I usually strectch mine more during the Fall/Winter/Spring months and deep conditioning is a must! Right now, my relaxed hair is down to shoulder/back bra length but I will be doing a new hair grow plan in my blog by the end of this week!

    Ursula

    www.blueridgebeautyblogger.com

    Ursula

    www.blueridgebeautyblogger.com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks for reading Ursula. What's your favorite deep conditioner to use during your stretches?

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  4. Saw the title of this post and couldn't click fast enough! I'm on Week 15 and decided to airdry this week and understand the struggle!

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    Replies
    1. Haha....thanks for reading! What tips do you have for stretching 15+ weeks?

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  5. When I was stretching my relaxers my key was finding a style that complimented all the textures of my hair. My go to style ended up being bantu knots. It's heat free, blends all of the textures into one and makes the perfect set to give high buns a little oomph!

    KLP @ www.savingourstrands.com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I've tried Bantu knots, but have yet to master them. Or even get decent results (Sigh). Great tip about blending textures. Thanks for sharing KLP!

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  6. Is it ok to deep condition overnight if you don't have a thermal heating cap?

    ReplyDelete

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