Texturizing Techniques

A texturized style

When applying a texturizer to your hair, you're not trying to completely straighten it, as you would with a regular relaxer. A texturizer does use the same chemicals as a relaxer, however, and should be used with care. Following the directions to only partially relax the curl can lead to good results that leave you with a wavy, wash-and-go style.

Consider Your Natural Texture

Before using a texturizer, you need to look at your hair's natural texture to determine how it will react. Some hair straightens quickly, while other hair textures require stronger chemicals or a longer processing time. You always should do a strand test on a small, inconspicuous area of your hair before applying chemicals all over.

Think about what you want for a final result. You may want very tight curls to loosen up into big waves, or you may just want a slight texture difference for greater manageability.

Apply to Virgin Hair Only

When you apply a texturizer to your hair for the first time, it should only be applied to virgin hair, or hair that doesn't already have any chemical straighteners on it. If your hair has been previously relaxed or texturized, only put the chemicals on your new growth. You should wait at least eight weeks between chemical processes so you have enough new growth to target.

Don't overlap chemical processes; this will lead to breakage and damage. Whenever possible, it's best to have a professional or friend help you with chemical applications. It can be difficult to see and work on the back of your head if you're alone.

It's not uncommon to have different textures of hair on one head, so you may need to apply the texturizer to tighter curls first before moving on to loosely curled areas. This will ensure that you get a uniform result all over your head.

Requires Shorter Processing Time

The biggest difference between a relaxer and texturizer is the processing time. A texturizer can be left on for 5 to 10 minutes. It should not be combed through the hair, not even the new growth. Simply apply the chemicals to virgin hair, completely coating these strands, and allow it to sit before rinsing and following up with a neutralizing shampoo to stop the chemical actions.

Once the hair is properly texturized, you won't need to touch up the new growth as often as you would with a relaxer, because the curly hair blends much better than new growth coming into straightened hair. You usually can go 10 to 12 weeks between texturizer touch-ups versus eight weeks for relaxers.

Tags: your hair, apply texturizer, chemical processes, eight weeks, relaxer texturizer