Relaxer Service: From Afro to Straight

Fresh relaxer service with a cut! Hair by Benita Blocker
Type 4c hair can shrink 75%. We measured this hair to be over 3 inches long when stretched out!
Type 4c hair means extremely overcurly and maximum shrinkage. Pressing the hair would still be difficult to manage without chemical relaxation. We made sure that she had at least 3 inches of "new growth" before relaxing it. Anything under 3 inches will eventually overprocess with relaxer touchup services. So relaxing "the afro" prior to 3 inches of growth is not ideal. 3 inches is six months of growth. Say a seven month wait to allow for reshaping/trim after the relaxer.
Client received a virgin relaxer application, roller/wet set, flat iron, and cut. Client just came out of a full sew-in hairstyle, and we did not want the added stress of a full blow dry service after the relaxer process. Some of the ends were still slightly texturized after the relaxer; so flat ironing will be needed each time to finish her look. Some Texture in the hair is a good cushion for this hair type for future relaxer touchups. Hair by Benita Blocker.

9/5/2011 Update: I have posted another article called "Hair Growth: Five Months review." This particular article gives a more detailed journey of going from Afro to Straight. Honestly, if you have a sensitive scalp, I do not know if you can get the level of straightness that you desire in one relaxer setting.

The Curliest Hair is the most fragile hair

Yes! The more twist and turns that your hair has, then the more opportunities for breakage. "Natural hair" is included.

If you think about the scales of a fish, when the scales are flat and tight, the fish is the most protected, smooth, and shiny.

Those scales are like our hair cuticle. If the hair cuticles are tightly closed, then they are the shiniest and beautiful.

Curls represent opportunities for the hair cuticles to raise up because there are so many twist and turns. Therefore you see frizz and some vulnerability because a tight cuticle keeps the hair protected.

Tight cuticles can be achieved through relaxation of the hair which is permanent straightening of the hair or by putting a polymer such as Brazilian Blowout Keratin Treatment around the strand which is temporary. Some people are born with straight hair.

If you decide on permanent relaxer, then the curliest hair will have the most bonds altered within one strand. If you go to the website: http://www.livestrong.com/article/41191-hair-relaxers/
it explains how the relaxer is designed to seek out the points where the hair bends in order to straighten it. So less bends equal less permenant alteration of the hair.

Those born with straight hair but use a lot of permanent color can find that they damage the cuticle therefore they see frizz which is a raised cuticle. The Brazilian Blowout Keratin Treatment again would be a good way to enclose the hair strand with a polymer to keep the cuticle down.

Overall, straight hair that is not continuously over processed where the cuticle becomes damaged is the healthiest, shiniest hair!