misskriss01: there was really NO method that I used-Nov.'99, I decided that I wanted to grow my relaxer out, so I go to the shop twice a month. My stylist gives a shampoo, deep condition, virgin olive oil hot oil treatment, cuts between 1/4 to an inch of hair off, and then if I want to wear it silky straight, she flat-irons my hair and dry-wraps it (wraps the hair around my head and then place me under the dryer for about 15-20 minutes). I comb it down, and I'm good to go for about 2-3 weeks.
Poplife-I am in the same boat as your grandmother. Since learning that relaxers aren't tested by the FDA
(because relaxers/products generate so much $$$ in sales, I am pretty sure that they will NEVER be tested because if there are harmful effects, they may have to be pulled from the beauty supply stores), I will never put that stuff on my hair again. Also, thanks for giving the link on your most recent post.
naturalbeauty08-I feel you 100% on the change to going natural
. The first month of going relaxer-free, I knew that people would question why I chose to go that route. When I had my relaxer, I would always hear "Your hair is soooo pretty"-now when i wear my hair straight, people CANNOT believe that I don't have a relaxer-it's like they think that you have to have one to have "pretty" hair. As long as you take proper care of your hair once you decide to go natural, you can achieve the same look that you had as when you had a relaxer.
------------------
"Mind ya own, stay true to ya own, be ya own."
Peace and God Bless
Classy_Diva5