There is Nothing Relaxing about Relaxers

In this article, I want to address everything from relaxer shelf life to relaxer getting into the hair follicle below the scalp.

First of all, many new clients tell me that their stylist goes behind closed doors to get the relaxer and then re-emerges with relaxer product in a bowl ready to use.  They really do not know what type of relaxer is being used on them.  Then some hairstylists even in my own personal experience will put what they want in the bowl despite your special request.

I personally offer full transparency in my salon.  I want my clients to know that I am not trying to play a "switch-a-roo" game on them.  I do not purposely position the styling chair so that the client can not see the mirror.  I know some hairstylists intentionally keep the client from out of the mirror until the very end of the service.  When performing haircoloring services, I do recommend keeping the client out of the mirror only because every colorist has times when they have to tone or correct some undesirable results.  There is no use in alarming the client when you know that you can fix the issue.

Now, back to the relaxer topic, Avlon relaxers typically have an expiration date of three years from manufacture date listed on their tubs of relaxers, but many relaxer tubs do not have expiration dates just batch codes.  That can be a problem because I read online that one relaxer brand ( I don't remember which brand) claims the relaxer shelf life is only one year unopened and four months when opened.  So does that mean twisting off the top to see and smell a relaxer starts a separate countdown for shelf life?  That is scary because with so many hairstylists working independently in styling studios in addition to the "natural hair" movement, relaxer tubs are no longer being constantly turned over because of the decline in relaxer services.

Los Angeles, California residents have been practicing the natural hair movement for awhile because of their low humidity weather.  One of my friends who was working temporarily in the LA area asked for referrals for relaxer services, and no one had a referral because they felt all hairstylists had "old relaxers" because of the low volume of relaxer service requests in the area.

Something else to consider about relaxers is that it is cosmetic and not strictly regulated.  So the consistency of the manufacturing of the relaxers can vary.  There is one brand of relaxer where sometimes when I would purchase it - it would be creamy  and other purchase times, it would be stiffer.  One time, it looked horrible and separated and upon calling the company, they said "due to the heat of the summer, the shea butter had risen to the top, and to just stir it up."  Who wants to pay top dollar for new, fresh product and it is defected????  I asked them take it back and exchange it for some better looking product/tub.  I am seriously planning to discontinue offering this particular brand as soon as I get everyone switched off of it.

I say all of this to say, we really do not have any control over what is in a relaxer tub.  It is a toxic chemical, and I believe, that as the toxic chemcial is softening/relaxing the new growth, it can seep below the scalp and into the hair follicle.  If the relaxer does seep below the scalp, proper neutralizing may be difficult below the scalp resulting in hair shedding.  If you suspect the relaxer to be causing shedding, then I suggest a thorough cleansing with Paul Mitchell Shampoo Two.  It is a clarify and neutralizing shampoo.  It should help detox the scalp and hair follicle.  You will probably need to re-hydrate the hair because the Shampoo Two can be a little drying to ethnic hair.  The dryness can be fixed with using the conditioner that comes with the relaxer system.  If it is the Paul Mitchell relaxer system, then I recommend using an ethnic conditioner to rehydrate.  No pure protein.

Please understand that I am not anti-relaxers.  My pre-teen client who just received her first virgin relaxer (separate blog article) a few months ago is doing extremely well.  Less tangling.  Less time to service.  More styling control.  The relaxer seems like the most beautiful thing on the planet.  Yet, I cautioned her that the chemical is still toxic and should not be performed too often.

Ultimately, relaxers are not going anywhere.  For 50% of ethnic women, they will probably have no relaxer challenges.  Then there is probably another 25% whose hair will not completely relax, but it will become vulnerable to breakage.  Then there is another 25% that will forever have relaxer challenges.  Relaxers and Recovery will become a vicious cycle.

So Relaxers are nothing to be too relaxed about.

Observation: 20 minutes True Indulgence relaxer time

Curl pattern: Type 4b Wouldn't you say?

Same hair sample after 20 minutes using the Regular Strength True Indulgence relaxer at a room temperature of about 73 degrees and full neutralizing process. Pictured is the end result.

Pictured is the hair sample with relaxer still on it and right before the rinse. As I was smoothing out the hair, some strands came loose from the rubber band binding that I placed on top. The hair was donated from a friend of mine. I did an article on the blog some months back about "Black women cutting their hair."

I believe that I achieved about 85% straightness.

Relaxer Review: Affirm Normal with Argan Oil

It had been five weeks since I had another stylist to perform my relaxer touch-up. The afro forming in the back of my head was screaming for help! So I skipped the entire front of my head and only relaxed the back. In the picture included here, I wanted to show my length in the front.

I self-relaxed the back of my head from ear to ear below the occipital bone. Apparently, even the other hairstylist was not able to get it any straighter than what I was able to do on my own. Therefore, I took the opportunity to try out the new Affirm relaxer on the back part of my hair. I know - I have so many brands of relaxers that I have been experimenting with. I keep trimming the back away in search of stabilizing it. I am thinking that all of that Chi Super relaxer (mistake) is cut away by now.

Anyway, the new Affirm relaxer is much, much more tolerable than its old formula. The Argan oil, Pequi Oil, and the Cupuacu butter were added to the Normal strength relaxer. As far as straightness goes, nothing has beat my "True Indulgence" relaxer.

With type 4c hair, I am finding that if the hair is too underprocessed then it leads to dryness and frizz making it more prone to break. If type 4c hair is processed to a point that it holds straight, then it is much easier to gain length. The front of my head is less maintenance because it is straighter. Don't get me wrong, I still like body too! So finding that balance is important.

I will probably stick with a mild True Indulgence for the front half of my head, and Regular strength True Indulgence for the back half in the future.

It is good to still have the Affirm normal strength relaxer as a salon service option. I have a much better idea of its straightening power now that I have used it on myself. Type 3 and 4a curl patterns should find this relaxer to be sufficient.

So your hair will not hold curls?

The True Indulgence Relaxer delivered fabulous results again . . . on another client who decided to return back to the relaxer! She and I were very pleased with the beauty of the finish. So the True Indulgence relaxer is still my favorite relaxer so far, but as you know from my last post, I feel that my hair won't hold curls as well now. I had been fighting for a while to get my hair to hold straight without burning up my scalp. Well, my wish has come true! But now, I want my curls to hold better. As you can see from my picture, I figured out how to make them hold! Yeah!!

So the secret to making your curls hold in case you potentially get overrelaxed is: Use a generous amount of Lightweight Curly Leave-in Conditioner to roll/wet set your hair with. (I fully saturated my hair with Mixed Chicks Leave-in conditioner after my shampoo, then rolled my hair.) The results are soft, hydrated, defined curls!

Your brain is churning right? Remember when using curl defining creams and leave-in conditioners, straighter ends will show up as you were trying to enhance your new natural curl pattern? Most people trying to grow their relaxer out to transition into natural would snip those straight ends away. So why not embrace the fact that the curl defining cream or leave in conditioner could be used as a setting cream for those straighter pieces? Now, apply that same principle to a whole head of straight hair that will no longer hold a curl. The curl defining cream absorbs into that straight, wet hair. The hair will feel heavier than foam or lightweight setting lotion, but you wrap the wet, generously saturated hair around the rollers the same as usual. The hair dries in the same amount of time or quicker because it is a leave-in conditioner versus a setting agent.

So how do you select the right leave-in condiitoner or curl defining cream? Because I learned a lot this summer experimenting with my natural hair, I know which creams dry stiff and which creams dry soft. You want the curl creams and leave-in conditioners that absorb easily into the hair, but they dry soft. The Mixed Chicks Leave-in conditioner was my obvious choice because it has a lot of glycerin in it. Kinky-Curly's Knot Today Leave-in is organic and leaves the hair soft as well.

The "cheap" curl creams may not work as well nor be as healthy. Then again, they may do just fine. You choose the cream or leave-in that works for you. This article is to give you the concept of how to make your potentially overrelaxed hair hold curl using a wet set. Enjoy experimenting!

A Bad mix: Too much heat on relaxed hair

I shampooed, blowdried, and marcel curled my hair a few days ago. It felt great, but much thinner than I wanted. It felt like I had a fresh relaxer again. I have to admit, I have had a few stressors along the way too. Well, I ended up roller setting at night to achieve the body in this hairstyle the following morning. Of course, it had to rain, and the hair flopped. The good thing is that it is straight; unfortunately, that also feels like a bad thing. Remember that example some time ago where I talked about raw vegetables? As long as they are crisp; then there is more time to cook them. If they are too soft, then they fall apart.

Well, I think the Mild True Indulgence touchup followed by the regular True Indulgence touch-up four weeks later, and I applied it myself to my own head, was an overdose. Then I added the heat styling this week although I had been roller setting. Okay, you live and learn. It will definitely be another six weeks before I do another touchup. I think that I need to alternate Paul Mitchell relaxers with the regular strength True Indulgence. The mild True Indulgence is still a little too aggressive to apply at the four week period. The Paul Mitchell relaxer should be adequate enough to retexturize at a four week period until I can relax at a 8 week period with the True Indulgence. Also, roller sets, roller sets, roller set.

With straightness comes responsibility. I had to trim a little again for this picture. I am mainly focussed on growing out sides and front because I can always use the hair from these areas to make a ponytail or a simple, quick maintenance regimen. Also, I had abused the back of my head plus I sleep on the back of my head. I know it needs more recovery time.

I feel like I am rambling. In a nutshell, straight hair is great if you are blending hair extensions, but straight hair is more vulnerable. Avoid the heat! Also, True Indulgence relaxer touchups should be spread apart at least six weeks.

Now I know the power of the True Indulgence.

Four weeks Follow-up

Well, my new growth was back in full force. I was beginning to rake through the ends to avoid the comb getting stuck in my roots and popping my hair out. (i.e. avoid breaking because of the two texture differences) Women with kinky hair know what I am talking about! Please see third picture posted here.


Yes! It was four weeks and three days since my last touch-up. The Viviscal tablets really work! Just one a day! I discontinued them for about two days because I knew that I was planning to relax my hair again.

Pictured is one "before the relaxer touch-up" picture to show how my roots (i.e. new growth) were controlling my whole hairstyle. The rest of the pictures were taken after the regular strength touch-up.

This time, I used the True Indulgence regular strength relaxer. It did fine. I did roller set my hair, but my roots still buckled a little. I had to go back in with hot irons to smooth and shine. I still do not think that I got as straight as my original exposure to the True Indulgence relaxer. Of course, I had been experimenting with so many relaxation services back then that I was already a little texturized. My new growth is just going to be resistant.

So far I am still pleased with my progress. I trimmed very little this relaxer time. Because I am gaining length, I really am feeling more pressure to find another hairstylist that can perform my touch-ups properly without getting too much on my ends. I pre-protect my ends but still I do not want anyone being too sloppy with the relaxer application. Otherwise, I can keep performing my own relaxer touch-up service. We shall see!

On one separate note, I did experiment with one of the ceramic flat irons that I bought. The principle is this: if you can run a hot curling iron along the hair or hairline to straighen or silken the hair without clasping onto it, then the flat iron utilizing "direct heat" not infrared/indirect heat should essentially serve the same purpose. I did not turn the flat iron up hot enough to silk out my hair so I had to go back in later with the marcel irons. The ceramic flat iron still makes me nervous even though I believe that it is okay to use. Anyway, I also need to check my setting lotion. It may have weakened over time which can mess up my roller set results.

My next touch-up service will be mild strength. I do not want to use regular strength every four weeks. If I continue self-relaxing, I will probably stick with mild strength. I beared through the same touch-up frequency with the mild. Plus, I have under 3 inches of length in my back, and I do not want overlapping to cause me issues months down the road.

Product Review: Design Essential Regular Relaxer

Design Essentials has now improved its entire relaxer line. They have added "Hydrastrength Vitamins and Protein Complex." Even the Pre-protect solution for the previously relaxed ends has the hydrastrength complex built into it. This is great news regarding the maintaining of the integrity of relaxed hair. However, I have better news!

Look at the old and new packaging of their regular strength relaxers pictured below. Notice the "olives" logo on the one on the right? They look like cherries from a distance, but guess what? Design Essentials has added Shea Butter and Olive Oil to this new regular formula. Okay, why am I sooooo excited? Well, remember I was soooo in love with the True Indulgence relaxer? The True Indulgence relaxer is infused with shea butter. Remember it did not irritate, and the hair turned out shiny and smooth? Well, the good news is that I used this new and improved Design Essentials regular relaxer on a borderline sensitive scalp client, and she did not get irritated from it. The old formula definitely caused irritation for those who were sensitive scalp. So I am excited about this new regular strength option! I have grown other clients that were not sensitive scalp out to mid back length using the old Design Essentials regular relaxer. So I know that it is a good relaxer line.

You are probably wondering if I like it better than the True Indulgence relaxer. The answer is that I am not sure yet. I liked the shine on the Design Essentials relaxer just after the shampoo. However, the True Indulgence shine was just as beautiful or better. So why consider this new and improved Design Essentials regular strength? I want to have a backup option.

Unfortunately, I have absolutely no regular strength True Indulgence relaxer in stock. Why? The distributor delivered one regular strength container, but the product consistency was different. Also, the batch code made me think that it was older product than the one that I originally purchased at the hair show. So I asked her to exchange it out. The next container that she delivered had the same "old" batch code, but the "shea butter" had risen to the top. So the product consistency of this second container was even worse than the one I was returning to her. She said that all I had to do was stir it up. "This happens in the summer sometimes." I told this distributor that I am not comfortable stirring up a new container of relaxer trying to get shea butter redistributed for my already sensitive scalp clients. Time is not on my hands in the middle of a relaxer service. I need product that has not been overheated, mishandled, etc. So she did not have any more fresh regular strength relaxer in stock to sell me. Of course, I was happy that I did not have any clients in immediate need of regular strength, but it made me realize that I may not be able to get my hands on the True Indulgence relaxer in a timely manner. Now, that is a problem. So I am going to need a backup. I believe that this Design Essentials shea butter regular relaxer is going to be my backup plan.

Of course, I will be using this new Design Essentials regular strength on my hair at my next relaxer time to see if it irritates me. I am soooo sensitive scalp. If it does not irritate me, then I know that my sensitive scalp clients will survive it as well.

Congratulations Design Essentials! You are back on the map for me!

True Indulgence Relaxer: Client Feedback

My client pictured here had about eight months of new growth. She was ready to go back to having relaxed hair. We used the regular strength True Indulgence relaxer system to straighten the new growth area. We pre-protected her remaining relaxed hair that had not broken off. She is a type 4a curl pattern. We also completed a roller set service for her finished look. She was so extremely happy with the relaxer service that she said if she left wet without final styling, then she would still be happy because it looked so incredibly shiny and manageable. I was overjoyed because I did not remember the last time a client was ready to do a "halleujah" over a relaxer.

Constantly, this whole week, the client feedback has been everything from "my hair has been so much easier to manage on a daily basis" to "I am loving this new relaxer" upon arriving through the door followed by "oh, hello, how are you? . . . Well, I have not felt this way in a long time about a relaxer; I am truly loving this new relaxer."

I even had one client who is commercially integrated mentioned that she is no longer worried about her hair blending into the commercial hair; she now needs the commercial hair to stay as smooth as her own hair.

Other client feedback included that they were prepared to burn because they had been scratching a good bit, but amazingly, they did not burn, and it got straight. They were really pleasantly surprised.

Even for me, this relaxer has me spellbound.

Now, I only have one word of caution. As with any relaxer system or product line, you should make sure the product has not expired. I had gone through my first tub of relaxer that I brought back with me from the hair show and started the next tub that I had purchased locally. The second tub seemed to have a different product consistency. I had to call the distributor to get an exchange. So in the future, I am going to have to check for freshness before taking delivery.

Well, I have my fingers crossed. I hope that this relaxer is the real deal. I hope that I am going to continue to love and trust it for years to come.

Day Five Followup on my Relaxer service

Well, it is day five, and I am still "bright eyed and bushy tail" over the True Indulgence relaxer system. Also, the cooler weather means I can start back wearing my cosmetic/makeup without sweating it all off! Yay!

So far, I still working on a nightly regimen of rolling my hair and deciding which daily hairdressing to use. Also, I will be peforming a protein treatment at my next shampoo because I am still using the curling iron in the back to get a tighter curl in my hair. Yes, this is a "no no," but I think the Profectiv MegaGrowth hairdressing is a little too heavy in oil and the Bee Mine Luscious Cream Moisturizer is a little too light and wet for the back. Then add the fact that I sleep on the back of my head with and without rollers some times . . . I am looking forward to growing it out long enough to bantu knot or pin curl. Also, I hope to get a regimen together by next week in order to quit using the curling iron.

On a separate note, Affirm relaxer system has been revamped. Nice new packaging and new healthier formula. I believe they still want you to use their KeraCare Strengthening Thermal Protector to ensure the integrity of the hair. I purchased the 5 in 1 Reconstructor as pictured. Notice the old packaging versus the new packaging? The ingredients are different as well.

I do not plan to purchase this relaxer system at this time. I am really, really content with the True Indulgence relaxer system. I am happy to know that Avlon did improve their Affirm relaxer system. Many people felt that the previous Affirm relaxer system was too agressive. I think the beauty industry is moving in the right direction again. This is great news!

Relaxer and Roller Set Service

I wanted to focussed on my roller set service after my four week relaxer touchup. (Please see my separate article on my mild relaxer touchup service.) I decided that I needed to get into the habit of giving myself more roller sets since I am always pushing roller set services to my clients. Especially after the relaxer service, it is a good way to keep body in the hair. Anyway, for my final finish, I had to use hairspray and some of the Schwarzkopf "Dust it" powder to keep volume in my hair. Please see my separate article on "Dust it" powder. Also, I used the Bee Mine Luscious Cream Moisturizer for final shine.

As for the roller set, I used Jane Carter Solution Wrap N Roll foam and Paul Mitchell Sculpting Lotion as well as some Bee Mine Deja Vu Hair Milk for my roller set. As you can see in my picture with the rollers removed, the back of head still has some texture in it. The mild relaxer was not strong enough, but it was better than nothing! Smile.

Roller placement is important. Find the drop off points on the sides and back of your head and place rollers in these areas. The roller placement for the rest of the rollers is less important.

Also, please keep in mind that I am trimming my hair in the back to keep my layers and a uniform growth pattern. Everyone does not need to trim as often. The Chi Super relaxer touchup that I performed about six weeks ago??? was very drying. If you are wondering why I used a Super strength in the first place, please read my last article for your answer.

As you can see, I am back on track. I am growing solid length. Some of hair ends in the back of my head has been tempermental from the Chi Super relaxer, but I am diligently trimming those ends away with each relaxer service. A half inch of new growth a month really adds up when you are patient.

Also, I have discovered the Bee Mine product line. I am really loving it. I will be doing a review on these products soon. I am acheiving incredible shine and softness with a lightweight finish. I believe the lady from the KISS hair network turned me onto it. Anyway, stay tuned. I will perform the review on the Bee Mine products and a few others soon . . .

p.s. The weather is getting cooler. That means that I can start wearing my makeup/cosmetics again! Yay!!!!

Relaxers: Alternating between Mild and Regular?

Please don't call the relaxer police! Yes, I did it again . . . 3 weeks 6 days later . . . I relaxed my hair again.



However, I used the Mild strength of the True Indulgence relaxer. As you can see from the pictures, it did not straighten my hair as well as the regular strength did. However, my new growth at about 4 weeks was giving me a "fit." I had a mini-afro underneath the already relaxed hair. You can get away with a mini-afro if you have really long hair, but it is harder to camouflage when sporting a shorter haircut. As you can see from my picture at the end of this article, I did not lose much hair. This was all the hair in the bowl after completing the whole relaxer service. For some people, the amount of hair pictured in my hand is equivalent to a normal non-chemical shampoo. So it was a very safe relaxer service. I fear that I will have to relax again within another four weeks. I will have to decide if I want to use mild strength every four weeks until I get a solid three inches of hair in the back, then go to regular strength every 7 weeks? Or do I want to try alternating between mild and regular strength every four weeks? I am thinking the regular strength will correct the mild strength plus give me a little straighter roots. Since I used the regular strength True Indulgence relaxer about four weeks ago and still needed a touch up four weeks later . . . I really will have to see if this mild strength will get me to the four weeks mark before I can decide on a relaxer touchup regimen that works for me.

With that said, remember every one's hair is different. I have more coarse, resistant, type 4c hair. So "what works for me" may be "overkill" for a fine, type 4c hair.

Also, I noticed a number of bloggers and youtube videographers who were very focussed on achieving "bra strap length (BSL)" or "armpit length (APL)." However, if they continue using ceramic flat irons, then they may get there, but it will eventually break back off. They will forever battle maintaining their length. I have seen it time and time again. (i.e. the reason that neither my clients nor I use flat irons in my salon.) The flat irons are not a friend to "long, curly hair." I have quite a few recent articles including the flat iron free pledge. Also, if you take the flat iron free pledge, then you can NOT cheat! No more flat irons at all . . . if 200 to 300 degrees will not straighten your hair, then 400 degrees may straighten; yet, you will be causing internal damage. Internal damage will come back to bite you one day with continued abuse.

While on the topic of length, I am also focussed on long term length for my own hair. However, for the short term, I am keeping the back trimmed. That Chi Deep Brilliance Super strength relaxer really fried/dried some my ends out. I think that I have about trimmed away the last of them. I know a few of the new followers are probably thinking why did you use a super strength relaxer anyway? Well, I used the super strength in the Paul Mitchell relaxer system quite regularly and loved it. It was not strong enough to hold my hair straight so I had concluded that the "White/mainstream" super relaxers are not as strong as the "Black/ethnic" super relaxers. Oh boy, the Chi/Farouk Super strength relaxer proved that theory WRONG. That relaxer was absolutely ridiculously drying to my hair and it did not even straighten it all the way. I even got a chemical burn down my neck from the runoff. I am going to assume that I got a defected batch of this Super strength, but Lord knows -- it is off my list of ever trying again. Also, I noticed the "Vietnamese beauty supply" stores are selling the very same relaxer to regular people without a cosmetology license. Please see my article on "Hair Battle Wounds" if you want to live through that relaxer experience.

One last topic: Determining when it is time for a relaxer touchup? If you are tempted to use the curling iron everyday because your new growth is showing, then it is time for a relaxer touchup. Everyday heat from a curling iron is going to still cause damage. Luckily, you will see the damage more immediately than if you are flat ironing it. Damage is still damage. Whether you see it sooner or later, damage is what you are trying to avoid. With that said, box relaxers are a "no no." Any relaxer that you have to mix is a "no no." The safest relaxers are sodium hydroxide based relaxers. Some of the lithium hydroxide relaxers are "no mix." However, I think that the lithium hydroxide relaxers leave buildup in the hair similar to the "box" relaxers which are usually calcium hydroxide based.

Hopefully, I have tackled all angles on choosing relaxer touchup over excessive curling iron use. Also, this article serves as a review on the mild strength True Indulgence relaxer. My clients and I are still very, very pleased with the True Indulgence relaxer. I had a client yesterday mentioned how her daily maintenance has been so much easier with this relaxer. I was happy. For me, my search is over. I really like the True Indulgence relaxer system. Stay tuned. I will keep you posted on how long this mild strength touchup lasts . . .

Two Weeks Later: True Indulgence Relaxer

It is two weeks since my last True Indulgence Relaxer. I am still pleased with the results. I still have a little more texture in the back than I would like. It is easy to revert to frizz after sweating or if I use a water based hair moisturizer. I am still experimenting with daily hairdressing. I have tried Big Bad D's Stretch and Bee Mine Luscious Cream Moisturizer. I am in the process of trying Profectiv MegaGrowth Daily Anti-breakage Strengthener. By the way, Profectiv MegaGrowth is on sale at Sallys Beauty Supply for September 2011. Another lady with high lift color was using it to maintain her blonde. It seemed to work plus it is cheaper than the previous two products that I named. I don't mind paying a lot for a product, but if I can get good results for less . . . I definitely think it is worth evaluating. The Bee Mine Luscious Cream Moisturizer is organic, natural, and lightweight that I can use for hair or scalp. Profectiv MegaGrowth is mainly for my hair only. Big Bad D's stretch cream is heat activated so I will use only if I am touching up my style with the curling iron.

As you can see, I am still enjoying my hair. I am still trimming as needed. My goal is to hot iron only once a week. I have my fingers crossed. I have been sweating the roots out. Hopefully, I will get a good regimen down to share.

Product Review: True Indulgence Relaxer System

Yes, it has been 2 weeks 6 days from my last relaxer, and yes, I relaxed my hair yet again. One would probably think that I am really trying to destroy my hair, but I am not. However, I am fearless enough to push the limits. That is how you learn! So I brought the True Indulgence relaxer back with me from the hair show. I had used this relaxer system years ago, but never on myself because I was sold on the sensitive scalp relaxers. Of course, now we know that the sensitive scalp relaxers are not good for the hair long term.
I was able to keep this relaxer on for about 20 minutes. I had some minor irritation about 14 minutes into it. However, I loved the softness and shiny results.
Prior to relaxing with the True Indulgence Regular Relaxer, I removed the partial quickweave which involved wetting my hair. I dried my hair under medium heat under the platform dryer. I based my hairline and ears only. I also discontinued taking the Viviscal pills for the last few days.
This was the third relaxer within three weeks. Notice: I still had texture in my hair? I did not preprotect my ends. I just based the full hairline and ears and started another virgin application.

I am going to have to get my layers tuned up in the back, but overall, I absolutely loved this relaxer. I think that my search is over. I am extremely sensitive scalp with resistant hair. Paul Mitchell relaxers were not straightening my hair enough. Design Essentials Time Release relaxer seems to soften, but not straighten. Weird. The Chi Deep Brilliance relaxer was very drying to the hair, did not straighten enough, and corrosive to the skin and scalp. So the True Indulgence relaxer is my new love. Pictured are the before pictures of my hair after taking out the quickweave and before relaxing it with the True Indulgence relaxer. I did not take picture of my hair while it was wet after the relaxer. I was so excited about the look and the feel of it that I could not wait to finish it out. I will say that I still have some wave to my hair when it is wet. It is still not bone straight. A few of the tips of my hair maybe a little more straight, but overall, It was not overly agressive.

Now, brace yourself. I must mention that Dudley does make this relaxer system. Okay, slow your horses. Yes, you heard me. This relaxer is a Dudley product, and yes, I know some people can not stand Dudley, and they say that any stylist that uses Dudley is not a good stylist. I heard it all before. That is why I stopped using a lot of Dudley products because there were a lot of people that did not trust Dudley. However, this relaxer is one of their newer lines. It has been out for about ten years. I used it while in Dudley Beauty School. I used it after I graduated. I always got beautiful results. So I am full circle back to Dudley. I am not adding any of their maintenance products or styling products at this time, but yes, I would have to hurt someone if they stop making this True Indulgence relaxer. It literally made me one of the happiest women on Earth. I have quite a few clients waiting for this perfect match. It is a sodium hydroxide relaxer and very healthy as you can see! I will take pictures the next time that I shampoo my hair to show you my hair texture while wet with this True Indulgence relaxer in. I will try to write a separate article to compare the two wet pictures of a before and after. Regardless, I am so excited my relaxer search is over!