WHAT IS TEXLAXING, HOW IT’S DONE AND IT’S PROS AND CONS
Chances are you’ve heard of relaxed hair, natural hair, maybe texlaxed and even texturized. If you like to stand out or be in between the two most popular (natural and relaxed), I’ve got you sis. In this article, we would look at what texlaxing is
And if you have been wondering what to do to the strands on your head or are confused as to whether to leave it natural or relaxed. Sis, I have been in that dilemma before and I get how you are feeling. Read to find out more.
WHAT IS TEXLAXING?
TEXLAXING is an irreversible chemical process of breaking protein bonds in the hair strands BUT not completely. It is the same as relaxing the hair but under processing it by intention. Also, texlaxing is an intentional process. Meaning with texlaxing, you do not have your curl pattern broken down completely (bone straight).
WHAT TEXLAXING REALLY DOES TO YOUR HAIR.
In this process, your curl pattern is just altered by becoming much more looser than it originally was. In a nutshell, texlaxing is under processing your hair with a regular relaxer or a relaxer formulated for it.
Texlaxing gives your hair a natural hair appearance. It keeps the volume you have in your hair.
DIFFERENCES BETWEEN TEXLAXING AND RELAXING.
- Texlaxing uses less the amount of time indicated on the relaxer but relaxing uses the full time indicated on the relaxer.
- In terms of appearance, texlaxed hair looks like a blown out natural hair whiles relaxed hair looks bone straight.
- Texlaxing leaves some volume in your hair, but relaxing reduces the volume of your hair drastically.
HOW TEXLAXING IS DONE/ WAYS TO TEXLAX YOUR HAIR.
Let’s look at ways to under process your hair. Texlaxing is basically either cutting down the amount of time or reducing the strength of the relaxer. you can achieve this by
- Cutting down the amount of time allocated for relaxing. If the instructions on the relaxer says leave for 30 minutes, you’d have to leave it for 15 minutes
- Reducing the strength of the relaxer. You can do this by mixing the relaxer with your conditioner or olive oil. You can choose to apply the oil directly, on your hair.
PRODUCTS USED FOR TEXLAXING????
Any relaxer would do. For texlaxing, it is advisable to use a no lye relaxer(a relaxer containing either potassium hydroxide or lithium hydroxide). This is because no lye relaxers are lesser in strength. Also know your hair and find what works best for you
HOW TO TEXLAX YOUR HAIR.
Sis, go to the salon okay. See a professional so they can be quick about it. If you can afford it. It would save you the stress from local hairdressers. If your only option is to see a local one, I strongly advice you do not go to a hairdresser you know. That way, you’re not shy to tell them what you want. Just save yourself the stress of being criticized for doing what you want to do with your own hair.
PROS AND CONS OF TEXLAXING YOUR HAIR.
PROS
*Gives you the manageability you desire.
*Gives you relaxed and natural hair vibe altogether.
*Gives you volume unlike relaxed hair.
CONS
It is irreversible.
You are no longer considered a natural.
Exposes hair to chemicals and this means extra care and maintenance.
CARING FOR YOUR TEXLAXED HAIR.
Follow your regimen. If you have none, just incorporate the tips below in a timely order and work your way around the rest. Or Read this if you do not know what a regimen is.
- Wash your hair at least twice in a month (bi weekly) or weekly depending on your lifestyle. Just don’t wash it twice in a week pleasseeee I beg you. You can’t be stripping your hair of it’s natural oils sis.
- Deep condition as and when needed. Please do because it goes a long way to help.
- Protein treatments protein treatments protein treatments….they are done only when needed okay. When it’s time, your hair would let you know. Check my post on general hair care tips to know how to know when your tresses need protein.
- Mind the way you use heat. Heat is good but mind it.
- Stretch your relaxers please. That way, you’d lessen over processing already processed strands.
- Make sure to coat or create a barrier between already texlaxed strands and the relaxer. That way, you do not overprocess your strands.
TAKEAWAY
Sis you are no longer considered a natural after texlaxing. It is an irreversible process. It changes the original curl pattern of your hair. The only way to go back to being natural is, to wait for new growth and chop off the already texlaxed hair. when you want to stand out, texlaxing is for you. And oh, what most hairdressers and ladies in Ghana call “blowing” or “natural perming” is what is called texlaxing.
You should be okay with these and I wish you all the best in your hair journey. Let me know in my instagram dm how it goes. MUCH LOVE
