How to Successfully Texlax or Relax Your Hair – Instructions

These instructions describe how to self relax /texlax your hair. I have been applying my own relaxer for 5 years. Before I started texlaxing, I self relaxed bone straight. This is from my personal experience as a do it yourselfer – I am not a licensed beautician/hair stylist.

The same set of instructions can be used for a regular relaxer process. Except, do not dilute the relaxer as described here. Also, smooth more and leave the relaxer in for the recommended time.

Let’s begin

Purchase a relaxer kit from your local drug store. It should have everything you need to get started. Do some research on relaxers before you just go pick up one.

Prepping

1. Part your hair into at least 4 sections i.e. 2 sections at the front and 2 at the back. I usually do about 8-10 sections. The more sections you make in advance, the less sectioning you will have to do when relaxing. Twist each section and roll into small bantu knots. Use small butterfly clips or hair pins to secure the hair. (Watch my hair sectioning video)
2. Apply the pre-relaxer treatment to the hair that is not being not processed. You can also use oil or Vaseline.
3. Oil your scalp. I sometimes skip this step, but when I do it, I do it days prior to relaxing.  Reason: If your scalp is sensitive, oiling your scalp may cause a little irritation so it’s best to do it way in advance rather than immediately before.
4. Mix relaxer according to package directions
5. Dilute the relaxer
   • Add you any cheap conditioner or some liquid hair oil to mixture and stir. I typically add 1/2 cup of conditioner.
   • Skip this step if you are relaxing bone straight.
6. What you will need
   • An applicator brush
   • A towel
   • A timer
   • A rattail comb for parting the hair into sections
   • Gloves
   • A removable shower head
   • Cholesterol or Deep Conditioner
   • Detangling comb
   • Shower cap
   • The relaxer kit should contain
     • Neutralizing shampoo
     • Pre-relaxer treatment
     • Oil for basing your scalp /hairline
     • Conditioner
     • Directions
     • Plastic gloves
     • A wooden stick to mix the relaxer.

Relaxing

1. Set the timer
   1. Time yourself. Set the timer to the amount of time you should take to relax. For bone straight relaxer applications, follow the recommended processing time. For texlaxed hair, decide on the time needed based on how much texture you want to retain. I normally do 30 minutes. Even with 30 minutes, my hair never gets bone straight. I still retain a lot of texture. The time needed to achieve your desired texture is also dependent upon your hair type . There are individuals who texlax their hair in only 10 minutes. If I could get the relaxer in this fast, maybe I’d try it.
2. Apply relaxer in sections using the applicator brush. (see my relaxer video)
   1. Start with the portion of your hair that is most resistant to the relaxer.
   2. Do not start with your hairline or your nape. For most people, this is the most sensitive area of the hair and is often susceptible to over processing and thus relaxer damage.
3. Once you’ve applied the relaxer to your entire head, begin to smooth using your gloved hands or the back of a comb. I prefer to use my hands. For texlaxing purposes, the comb may cause the hair to get too straight. Some people chose not to smooth the hair at all. It is entirely up to you, but just know that doing that may not release your curls as much.

Washing

1. Wash your hair out using a detachable shower head /faucet. I wash in the shower by bending at the waist with my head sideways and my hair hanging down. I use my detachable  shower head on the jet setting to rinse the relaxer out.
2. Once you get most of the relaxer out, shampoo your hair using the neutralizing shampoo provided in the kit. Repeat the neutralizing process at least four times.
   • If for some strange reason, you do not have the neutralizing shampoo, I have heard that adding one part vinegar to one part regular shampoo will function as a neutralizer. (I have never tried this, I have no proof that it works- this is what I have heard from other people).
3. Blot with a towel then apply the conditioner provided in the kit to condition your hair or use your favorite deep conditioner. Cover with shower cap and sit under the hair dryer for 10- 30 minutes.
4. Rinse and Style.

Important:

• I do not let the relaxer sit in my hair. Once I am done smoothing, I wash out immediately.
• I do not rub back and forth when smoothing, I use my fingers and smooth the hair out in the direction of hair growth
• Each person’s hair is unique and will react differently  to a chemical relaxer. While I may need 30 minutes to process my hair to my liking, you may only need 10 mins. It also depends on the kind of relaxer your use. I use a children’s relaxer which should be milder than the adults relaxer, and I also add conditioner to it – which also serves to lessen or slow down the chemical reaction of the relaxer.
• I relax my entire head at once. I don’t relax a section, rinse and then do another section. (Waste of time in my opinion)
• I have no ill-effects from washing out my relaxer in the shower since I don’t actually get the relaxer on my body – I bend over and tilt my head away from my body while I rinse.
• Lastly, please don’t forget to wash your applicator brush, hair pins and combs with neutralizing shampoo after your relaxer.

Good Luck with your next attempt to Self Relax/texlax. Remember, it is better to under process than over process your hair. You can always correct under processed hair. With over processed hair, there is no going back.

For a list of the products I use including my relaxer of choice, see my products and regimen page.

MORE ON TEXLAXING

• Tips for Applying Your Own Hair Relaxer
• How to Relax / Texlax Your Hair – Videos
• TEXLAX – What is Texlaxing?
• 6 Reasons Texlaxing May Not Be For You
• Accepting Texlaxed /Underprocessed Hair…It’s a State of Mind Thing