Texlaxing is a process of relaxing your hair where your hair is left slightly under processed and so it is not relaxed bone straight. In texlaxing a relaxer is typically used or you may also use a milder relaxer or a kids one. Texlaxing is extremely beneficial to the hair, hair appears thicker and has more body and volume as opposed to hair that is relaxed which has a bone straight look. It is also widely believed that texlaxing is healthier for our hair as some of our curl pattern is retained. Texlaxing is also very versatile as it is easy to rock either a straight look or a curly hair style.

There are different methods to texlax hair. The key thing to note is that in all methods the relaxer is left on the hair for a shorter amount of time and the relaxer is not combed through the hair. The first method is where you leave the relaxer on your hair for a lesser amount of time. Let us say for example that you normally leave the relaxer on your hair for 20 minutes when getting your hair relaxed. When texlaxing you might want to reduce the time period the relaxer is on your hair to about 10 minutes. The second method is where you texlax by adding about between 1- 3 tablespoons of some conditioner or oil to the relaxer, this weakens the effects of the relaxer, you must also ensure that you reduce the processing time to between about three to ten minutes.

This is a picture of me today, I am currently transitioning to texlaxed hair


Now let us look at the benefits and disadvantages of texlaxing our hair:

Benefits

1.  You hair appears fuller/thicker: This is particularly beneficial for those with fine hair. Texlaxing your hair gives it more volume and body.

2.   It is healthier for your hair: Our hair is naturally curly/kinky. When you relax your hair bone straight you completely remove all the curls and kinks from your hair. However with texlaxing you retain a bit of your curl pattern which is essentially healthier for our hair. Also as the relaxer is left on for a shorter period of time without being combed through this is healthier for our hair as well.

3.   Versatility: Texlaxed hair is more versatile so you have the best of both worlds. You can decide to wear your hair in a more natural state and pull off many natural hairstyles such as a puff, even an afro or you can decide to straighten your hair and achieve straighter hair.

Disadvantages

1.   Having to deal with different textures: If you decide to texlax your hair chances are that you still have bone straight relaxed hair consequently you have to deal with two different textures of hair. Your relaxed hair may like one product while your texlaxed hair does not. Also when your new growth comes in you will then have three different textures of hair to deal with. You have to give each hair texture the care it needs.

2.  Multiple lines of demarcation: In a situation where you first start texlaxing where you already have relaxed hair there would be a line of demarcation between where your relaxed hair and texlaxed hair meet. Also when your new growth starts to come in there will be another line of demarcation between your new growth and your texlaxed hair. It is therefore important that you pay particular attention to these lines of demarcation and be sure to pay extra attention to them when moisturising and sealing and when deep conditioning to prevent breakage. It is also important to be cautious of this when taking care of your hair generally.

3.  Thinner ends: If you are texlaxed, chances are that you have relaxed ends and your ends might appear thinner.

Texlaxed hair might require some additional care as opposed to straighter hair but its benefits far outweighs its disadvantages in the long run. I will share a post in the future on how to properly care for texlaxed hair. Please be sure to leave any questions, advise or comments you might have.

TONKABELLE, xoxo



“When you find your path, you must not be afraid. You need to have sufficient courage to make mistakes. Disappointment, defeat and despair are the tools God uses to show us the way”. – Paulo Coelho, Brida