TEXLAX – What is Texlaxing?

Since you are reading this page, I am going to assume you at least know what a chemical relaxer is and you are curious about this new thing called a “Texlax”. In simple layman’s terms I will attempt to tell you just what a “texlax” is.

So What is “texlaxing”?

In my experience, texlaxing is the process of using a normal chemical relaxer to “relax” or loosen your natural hair texture. A chemical relaxer is traditionally applied to get hair bone straight or as straight as possible.  In that sense texlaxing is different because texlaxing leaves your hair still highly textured just with a looser curl pattern and a softer texture.

Texlaxing is applying a relaxer for less than the recommended time and/or mixing in a base such as oil or conditioner with your relaxer to make it milder. In essence, by adding oil or conditioner, you dilute the effects of the relaxer and slow down the processing time. This gives you more time to work with the relaxer and still not end up with straight hair.

When texlaxing, you always need to be careful not to over process the hair. If you leave the relaxer in too long you will end up with hair that is straighter in some places than some. Not a good look. It is always better to error on the side of caution when texlaxing and be more underprocessed than overprocessed. You can correct underprocessed hair but there is nothing to be done for overproccessed hair. You can go forward but never backwards.

Personally I don’t have a stylist by choice so I do my own texlax. Don’t attempt to apply your own relaxer unless you are properly informed and equipped to do so. Some hairdressers/stylist may be willing to texlax/underprocess your hair if you ask.

Texlaxed Hair

Pictured: My Wet Texlax hair. Not Straight, definitely textured.

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More pictures of Texlaxed hair.

Why do you texlax?

I texlax as opposed to relaxing my hair bone straight to retain more body/volume. I hate limp bone straight relaxed hair but my natural hair is too tightly coiled to easily do the things I want to do with it. That is flat ironing for sleek straight hair or hot curling etc… So texlaxing is perfect for me because it is an in between state. Not too coily but not too straight.

Texlaxing loosens my natural hair texture and makes my hair easier to manage than my natural hair. Nevertheless I love my natural hair

 

Who is Texlaxing for?

Texlaxing is for naturals who simply want to loosen their curl pattern. It is also for those who are already relaxed bone straight but who are seeking a way to thicken up their hair without going completely natural.

Can you go from Relaxed Bone Straight to Texlaxed?

Yes. This is exactly what I did – I went from being relaxed bone straight to texlaxed.  There are no prerequisites, you just simply start texlaxing as seen in my Texlaxing Video tutorials. But before you do, make sure you read the written instructions.

Of course you will have to live with the two textures until you feel it’s time to cut off the bone straight ends. But you really don’t have to rush into this. I cut mine off a little at a time.

Will Texlaxing make your hair curly?

No, it will not “make” your hair curly. Texlaxing is not a Jherri curl or a curly perm. It is a texture loosener/softener. It works with the texture you already have and loosens the curls /coils /kinks. So if you already have a naturally defined curly hair pattern, you can end up with looser curly hair after successfully texlaxing your hair. But I am yet to see texlaxing turn a 4b hair type into curly 3c hair. (It may be possible, I just haven’t seen it yet)

The disadvantages of being texlaxed

The downside is that humidity is not your friend when you are texlaxed

Unless you use an anti-frizz serum, your hair will start to frizz in humid conditions.

You will always have to use a flat iron to get completely straight hair but who doesn’t.

Benefits of Texlaxing

Body & Volume

The ability to wear both straight and curly styles

wash-and-go styles depending on your hair type (I don’t do this, I don’t think my hair is curly enough for this to look good on me).

New growth always blends better with texlaxed hair than bone straight hair

Less relaxer damage

Since it loosens your curl pattern, there is less shrinkage to combat than with natural hair.

Various degrees of texlaxing

Texlaxing is not an exact science, for that reason, you can call yourself texlaxed and be anywhere from 10% to 90% relaxed (my opinion). The key being that you do maintain some amount of texture. Obviously the less relaxed you are the more texture you retain and the more relaxed equals less texture. You can achieve varying degrees of texlaxed hair by applying either or both of the methods mentioned in the “What is Texlax” section in varying degrees.

Texlax versus Texturizer

I honestly don’t know the difference. Texturizers normally bear the label “texturizer”. Personally, I have never had a texturizer. But common belief is that a texturizer is a milder version of a relaxer. The aim is to loosen the texture of curls and enhance your natural wave or curl pattern. In my opinion, the same results can be achieved by texlaxing.

How to wear your texlaxed hair

• Straight- using a Flat iron
• Curly – using a curling iron
• Curly/Wavy – using braidouts
• Wash and Go hairstyles
• See my all my HairStyles Posts or See my Hair Album

How often should you texlax your hair?

This is totally up to you. I can tell you some people texlax as often as every 8 weeks while others only texlax 2-3 times per year. Personally, I texlax every 8 weeks but I will be extending that time to every 10 weeks.

Texlax products: What relaxer to use?

In most mild or regular strength relaxer can be used. I personally use Just For Me Kids Relaxer.

Find out what you need to texlax here.

How I texlax My Hair

Find out how I apply my relaxer/ texlax and what products I use. It’s really NOT very complicated. Click Here

 

More on Texlaxing

• Wearing my "Texlaxed and Loving It" T-Shirt
• I Texlaxed My Hair - Growth Comparison Pics
• Texlax Update: Relaxer Stretch (VIDEO)
• I am Fighting a Losing Battle with These Coils
• Texlaxed and Loving It T-Shirts
• Accepting Texlaxed /Underprocessed Hair…It's a State of Mind Thing
• 6 Reasons Texlaxing May Not Be For You
• Tips for Applying Your Own Hair Relaxer
• How to Self Relax /Texlax your Hair PT 2 (Video)
• How to Self Relax / texlax- Sectioning hair prior to relaxer - Pt 1 (Video)

Texlaxed and Loving It T-Shirts

zanandrob.spreadshirt.com or ZanAndRob.com/shirts