ABCs of Texlaxing

Texlaxed hair is gradually becoming more popular in the hair care world. The aim of this post is to break down basic things about texlaxing, how it's different from relaxing or texturising, how to texlax and it's pros and cons.

What is Texlaxing?

Texlaxing is deliberately under-processing the hair during a relaxer application process. This leaves a bit of texture in the hair,  this implies that the hair is not allowed to be bone-straight or silky straight. The amount of texture left in the hair or how under-processed the hair is,  depends on individual preferences.

How to Texlax

Texlaxing is done with relaxers (both lye and no-lye). This is how it is different from texturising (done with texturisers). It's also where the name was coined from i believe; Texture + Relaxer/Relaxing.

Method 1: Reducing the relaxer application and processing time to 15 minutes or less

Method 2: Reducing the applicator before mixing it with the relaxer creme in no-lye relaxers.

Method 3: Diluting relaxer with carrier oils (olive oil, coconut oil, avocado oil, sunflower oil). Add 1 - 3 tablespoons to the relaxer depending on how weak you want it to be, and mix thoroughly.

Method 4: Saturating/coating the hair strands with a carrier oil just before the relaxer application process.

Any of these methods can be used and two or more methods can also be combined. Each method or combos can be adjusted to give preferred texture. For example, someone using a no-lye relaxer could pour 80% of the activator into the relaxer creme to get hair with just a little texture/coils. Another person that only wants to adjust the curl pattern slightly could pour 50% activator or less into the relaxer creme. The activator makes the relaxer creme in no-lye relaxers potent, hence the more you add, the straighter your results. The more oil or conditioner you add to your relaxer,  the weaker it is and you would have more texture or kinks left. 

My method:

I apply a light oil like olive oil all over my hair

I add 2 tablespoons of olive oil or coconut oil to my relaxer (ORS lye Relaxer).

*application and processing time usually less than 15 - 16 minutes and I smooth the relaxer just once with my fingers.  No combs

There are posts on here detailing my texlaxing routine.

Pros of Texlaxing

• Slightly less chemical (relaxer) damage than in bone-straight relaxed hair
• Thicker hair or more volume
• Some natural hair styles would give better results in texlaxed hair than bone straight relaxed.  For example; braidouts,  twistouts. Updos & buns also have more volume
• Usually more manageable than unprocessed natural hair

Cons of Texlaxing 

• Getting same texture results at every touch up might be difficult. This can be managed by being consistent with method(s) used and application and processing times
• Higher probability of breakage because of texture similar to kinky hair, dryness, breakage at the line of demarcation between new growth and texlaxed hair, and varying texture results from touch-ups. This can be managed by regular sealing & moisturising and deep conditioning.
• More difficult to manage than bone straight relaxed hair. The texture and thickness makes texlaxed hair very prone to knots and tangles like in natural hair. To manage this, work in small sections, detangle your hair thoroughly before washing, keep your hair stretched post wash and generally handle your hair like it's natural.
• Texlaxed hair is also chemically processed and should be treated accordingly. Regular light or medium protein treatments (ORS replenishing conditioner, Organics hair Mayonnaise,  ORS Hair Mayonnaise, Aphogee Two Minutes Keratin Protein Reconstructor,  Vitale Olive Oil Hair Mayonnaise etc. ) once in 4 - 6 weeks and strong protein treatments (Aphogee 2 Step Protein Treatment) 1 or 2 weeks before texlax touch-up.

My Verdict: Texlaxed hair is NOT for a lazy hairlista, else there would be frustration due to dryness, breakage and so much thickness and volume. However, if you are ready to put in the work, you can have the best of both worlds of natural and relaxed hair. *winks. Search out texlaxed hair bloggers or vloggers, learn about their struggles, success and be INSPIRED or otherwise.  Lol

If you have any questions, drop a comment below or send a mail to hairvolutionbybee@yahoo.com.

xx, 
Bee. 

Disclaimer: Everything stated in this post is based on my personal experiences and should not be take as scientific or professional advice. Please do your personal research before making any drastic haircare changes. 

Texlax/Relaxer Update #3

I texlaxed on Monday, 30/08/16 at 17 weeks and 3 days post. I prepared my hair the usual way, using aphogee two step protein treatment. See here, to read how I prepare my hair for texlax touch-up.

For the first time on my hhj, someone else did my texlax for me!!! I had my texlax touch done at HairvolutionbyBee Lounge by one of our stylists. And she did a very good job following all my prompts and instructions. Felt good really. Finally, a texlax day without the stress and arm-ache.

Steps followed:                                  

• My hair was parted into 4 and detangled.
• Petroleum jelly was applied to my previously relaxed hair to prevent over-processing from relaxer runoff during wash. Petroleum jelly was also applied to my hairline and top of my ears
• About one-third of the jar of ORS lye relaxer was mixed with two tablespoons oof vegetable oil. Lol? yea, you read that right. I was out of olive oil which use normally. So i used good ol' vegetable oil from my kitchen.
• The diluted relaxed was applied to my hair. Application and smoothing time (fingers only) was 12 minutes. I left it on for another 4 minutes. Making a total of 16 minutes.
• The relaxer was rinsed out, and shampooed thrice with Vitale Olive Oil Neutralising Shampoo. The shampoo was left on for 4 minutes the third time before rinsing out.     
• Deep conditioned for 15 minutes with heat, with a mix of ORS Replenishing Conditioner, Roux Porosity Control, and Motions Moisture Plus Conditioner.
• Megagrowth Profectiv Daily Leave-in Strengthener was applied and sealed with HairvolutionbyBee Whipped Shea Butter.

My hair was then rolled with large rollers, I sat under the hooded dryer for a while but I didn't have the patience to sit till my hairgot dry. I simply combed out the curls and I was left with fairly straight hair.

This texlax was a very successful one, the vegetable oil was a good call after all. I love the texture I was left with.

Post-trim Hair

However, I observed I'm having an unusual amount of breakage. I'm trying not to freak out. I noticed about two weeks before my texlax touch-up but I believed the Aphogee two step protein treatment would keep it in check. Alas! I was wrong. I ended up trimming so much, I trimmed twice on texlax day, and once the following day. My plan is to give my hair some TLC and do a henna treatment which is long overdue.

I don't think I retained much length this stretch due to the thin ends which I had to trim (1.5 - 2 inches). I didn't really do a length check or comparison pictures because I didn't flat iron. However, I measured for my hair diary before trimming. I will do an update on that in another post.

xx,
Bee

Texlax/Relaxer Touch-up Preparation WashDay

I took down my Crochet Havana Twists after keeping it in for 3 weeks. I took the twists out in a way that would make them re-usable. I simply did this by "un-looping" each twist. After removing the all the twists, I unravelled the cornrows but I ensured my fingers and palms were well oiled. This made finger - detangling easy and also reduced breakage as the oil would provide some slip.

Before detangling 

Pre-wash detangling: I divided my hair into about 8 sections and sprayed a generous amount of Mane n Tail Detangler on a section. I then detangled with my finger and followed with a wide-toothed comb. I repeated this for all the sections. I tried to be as thorough as possible in removing shed hair strands. They are usually the cause of post-wash knots and tangles. During washing, they curl around the strands that are still intact and form a knot or tangle.

Pre-poo: I mixed some HairvolutionbyBee Whipped Shea Butter with about 2 tablespoons of honey and coated my hair with the mixture. I wrapped my hair in clingfilm and went to bed.

Pre-poo ready

Washing: I washed the following morning with ORS Creamy Aloe Shampoo using warm water. I lathered twice, squeezed out excess water and wrapped my hair in a cotton tshirt.

Protein treatment: As usual, to prepare my hair for the impending chemical  treatment ( relaxer ), I used Aphogee Two Step Protein Treatment. I made sections, sprayed the protein treatment and twisted each section off. To keep the twisted hair off my back and cloth, I pinned all them up with one large bobby pin. I applied heat with my Babyliss hand dryer till my hair felt hard and crunchy to touch. I DID NOT manipulate my hair in this state. I poured warm water on my hair it felt soft and then I removed the bobby pin. I unravelled the twists and rinsed thoroughly with warm water.

Deep conditioning: To restore the needed moisture after the protein treatment, I mixed Aphogee Balancing Conditioner + Aussie 3 Minutes Miracle Deep Conditioner + 2 tablespoons Grapeseed oil + 1 tablespoon Vegetable Glycerin. I wrapped my hair in clingfilm and left it on while I did my daily workout. I rinsed my hair with cool water  and tshirt-dried for 30 minutes.

Post-wash care : Working in sections as usual, I sprayed Aphogee Pro Vitamin leave-in conditioner and sealed with Fantasia IC Hair Polisher Carrot Growth Serum. I detangled with a wide-toothed comb first and then blow-dried with cool air using the comb attachment. I worked through the stubborn knots and tangles with my finger carefully.

Styling: I applied some Cantu Shea Butter Natural Hair Creamy Lotion to my hair focusing on the ends, and put my hair into a low bun. The bun kept my hair safely tucked away till texlax/relaxer day.


How do you prepare your hair for relaxer or  chemical applications?

xx,
Bee