Stretching between your relaxer touch-ups

Some time last year, my cousin asked me, “why do you stay such a long time before you retouch your hair? I retouch my hair every 2 to 4 weeks”. I was really amazed! I then took some time to explain to her why I stretch the time between relaxer touch-ups and she realized why her hair was thin. She has since started taking better care of her hair and it looks so much better.
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So, what is stretching between relaxer touchups and what is the purpose of stretching?
Stretching is delaying the time between relaxer touchups for as long as possible. Stretching your relaxer makes it possible for there to be an obvious demarcation between the new growth and the previously relaxed hair. That way, the relaxer is applied only to the new growth.
When relaxer is applied to hair, it breaks up protein bonds in the hair. This means that when relaxer is applied to hair that has already been relaxed, more protein bonds are broken leading to further damage on those sections, resulting in thinning. This is why it is important to limit relaxer application only to new growth. What this also means is that stretching the time between relaxer touch-ups can result in fuller-looking hair.
According to Audrey Davis-Sivasothy, the author of the The Science of Black Hair Book, “each time the hair is relaxed, the potential for overlapping onto previously relaxed hair is high. Unfortunately the points where the relaxer has overlapped create new weak points along the hair strand. These points of weakness present challenges for protecting the hair fiber and curbing breakage. The more often hair is chemically relaxed, the more stress points there will be along the strand. When relaxer applications are stretched out, the stress intervals along the fiber are further apart and breakage potential decreases along the length of the fiber“.
What this simply means that if you have retouched your hair four times in a year, you have created four stress points. On the other hand, if you retouch your hair 6 times, you have created 6 stress points that year on each hair strand. This means that there are at least 6 possible point for your hair to break off from.
What’s the ideal duration to stretch between your relaxers?
I would say a minimum of 8 weeks. Since monthly hair growth averages about half an inch, retouching your hair every 2 months would give you a new growth of about 1 inch.
If you could go as long as 12 weeks, that would be even better. This would give you a new growth of about 1.5 inches.There would therefore be a clear difference between the new growth and the previously relaxed hair and it would be easier to apply the relaxer only on the new growth. Some people however go even longer than 12 weeks…some even up to a year. Although I think that 3-4 months is ideal, I also think that the duration of stretching should also be decided by each individual’s ability to manage the new growth and the condition of your hair. For example, if my cousin I referred to above did her next relaxer touch-up at 6 weeks, I would consider it stretching for her.
How do you take care of your hair while stretching?
I’ve found that 6-8 weeks after retouching my hair, it starts becoming difficult to comb the new growth. It also becomes difficult for my hair to look as smooth or for my edges to lie as flat as it did when I first relaxed it. This is the point many people retouch their hair. To prolong your stretch, you can do the following:
1. Deep condition your hair with heat once a week. The line of demarcation is the weakest point of your hair. Deep conditioning helps to even out the difference in textures and makes it easier to comb through this point with less breakage. After washing my hair, I usually apply my deep conditioner to my hair, especially the new growth like I would a relaxer and smooth it in just like I would a relaxer. Sometimes, I detangle my hair under the shower. Sometimes, I don’t. If your conditioner doesn’t make it easy to comb through your hair, don’t attempt to detangle under the shower: you will only cause your hair to break. Come out of the shower and detangle it carefully. You can also use a detangling spray to make it easier.
2. Co-wash your hair once or twice a week. In addition to deep conditioning my hair after shampooing, I co-wash once or twice a week. I apply my co-wash conditioner to dry hair the same way I apply my deep conditioner and I smooth it in. Sometimes, I moisten my hair a little before applying the conditioner. I cover my hair with a shower cap and leave it in for about 15 –20 minutes with or without heat. I get into the shower, pour some water on my hair and massage my scalp and hair as though I were shampooing. I detangle in the shower sometimes. Then I rinse off the conditioner very well and apply my leave-in conditioner and air dry like I normally would.
3. Moisturize and seal your hair as needed.
4. Tie a scarf to keep it flat:
When you have gone far into the stretch, it’s easier to just pack your hair into a bun. When going to bed, part your hair and style it the way you would like it to be in the morning. Tie a scarf to make your hair flat. In the morning, take off your scarf just before you step out the door. Your hair will look nice and flat.
5. Reduce the number of times you comb your hair. If possible, only comb and detangle your hair on days you wash your hair. Finger comb your hair and use a small comb or brush to smoothen the top of your hair. Afterward, tie your scarf as described above. If you must comb your hair, apply an oil or any hair product that you’ve found to soften your new growth. In my personal experience, coconut oil and Strong Roots Pimento oil helps soften my new growth. I honestly think that although Castor oil helps thicken hair, it doesn’t help soften my new growth when I’m stretching longer than 8 weeks.
6. Detangle your hair CAREFULLY: When detangling your hair, start from the tips of your hair and work your way upwards. If your new growth is not soft enough, you can try using a detangling spray.
7. Opt for braidouts, twistouts and other curly styles to blend the new undergrowth with the previously relaxed hair.
8. Fix a weave-on or braid your hair. Please, do not leave your weave or braid on for more than 4 – 6 weeks.
9. Wear a wig.
Underneath the wig, you can weave your hair flat to reduce your frequency of manipulating your hair during the week.
So, happy stretching to you ladies. What’s the longest time you’ve ever stretched between your relaxers? The longest I’ve ever done successfully is 16 weeks. I’m now 7 weeks post-relaxer: I’m wondering how long I can stretch for this time!

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I am currently 18 weeks post and have gone longer in the past. I always start weaving/braiding at 10-12 weeks post and it helps with the stretching. Now that I know what works for me and take better care of my hair I think I can even do a full year if I need to.
Wow! I’ve never gone past 14 weeks! I am considering wigging it this time to see how far I can go
This is a great collection of resources. I don’t relax but some tips come in handy still. BTW, do you have a recommendation for a detangling spray?
Most of the ones I know are good for relaxed hair. Silk Elements Silken child detangling spray and Mane n’ Tail detangler come highly recommended
Well written post-everything I already know and practice!!
Thanks Dabs. You’re already a veteran soldier nah 😛
My longest stretch has been 17 weeks 2 days, it was when I first started my hair journey, honestly, it was easier then because my hair was way shorter so tangles was not an issue like I’m learning it is now.
Wow! 17 weeks is a long time! It really does get more difficult as your hair grows longer but I think I concur with the ladies who weave their hair and wear wigs to make it a bit easier as the weeks pass by
I’ usually do 16weeks, but mehn, it isn’ t easy oo, especially the disapproving looks to your hair and ‘when are you going to relax your hair’ I usually recieve.
LOL. I used to get those looks too 😛
11 weeks post, currently wigging till 3 weeks time. Ebony of Longing4length reminded me through her wig post. And my cornrows are becoming even better, extremely pleased with myself. I would be greenhousing too while wigging.
I still haven’t practised my cornrows yet! I’ll need them soon the deeper I get into my stretch
Also, I won’t undo the cornrows till the end of my wig duration, i.e after 3 weeks. All that manipulation with texlaxed and new growth is capital no no for me and my dense coarse strands.
I think that’s a good idea to leave the cornrows for 3 weeks… to reduce manipulation… also considering how thick your hair is! LOL 😛
I normally stretch for 16weeks and between 12-16weeks i bun constantly. Great post! This is a question i get quite often and i just finished a post on it but haven’t published yet.
i’ve been stretching since last year up to 5 months and my hair is fuller and longer than it’s been in years. i must say this is my first time reading your blog and i am impressed. i am aspiring to have hair as long as yours 🙂 and would like to buy some of the products you mentioned. where is the store located?
Thank you for your compliments. Yes stretching really helps. The store is not physical. It’s an online store at http://www.sizzelle.com
I love reading your blog and I must I am always delighted when I read ur blog. I also envy your growth.i wish I had hairs as long as yours.
Thank you. My hair is short now though cos I cut it a few months ago.
Am 15 weeks post relaxer nd still hoping to stretch for anoda 4 weeks to make my edges fuller nd thicker,tnx to deep conditioning my new growth is soft nd easy to manipulate……keep up d gud work
Thanks for the compliments. Good luck on your stetch. I’m about 6 weeks now and I’m hoping I can stretch till the end of the year.
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