r/relaxedhair

My Thoughts On Olaplex

My Thoughts On Olaplex

I’ve used Olaplex twice so far and here is my opinion:

I seriously get how people say it damaged their hair or broke it off! I Used Numbers 0, 3, 4, and 5. My first use was on relaxer day and my hair felt very stiff afterward although it did feel healthy though if that makes sense. My second wash I experienced the same thing but I also noticed during the week my hair would feel almost crunchy like but still soft, I actually applied more moisturizer during the week. I went to ChatGPT and I got some useful tips which include cutting back(0 & 5) on some of the olaplex products and also adding a moisturizing deep conditioner on the olaplex wash day. I had a complete moisture wash day yesterday after using olaplex the week prior and my hair is no longer stiff and very soft and smooth. What I noticed is I believe the hair issues with olaplex is the active bond builder ingredient is in every product at varying degrees of concentrations and using so much makes it highly concentrated in strengthening the hair and it also is not moisturizing and in a sense can make the hair feel(stiff and brittle) like it would after using a hard protein treatment without following up with a moisture deep conditioner. If you are using olaplex often then just imagine what would happen long term if you don’t rectify the concentrated strengthening of the hair, it will snap and break off. Ofcourse some people don’t have the issue at all, likely don’t use it often, or don’t use many olaplex products at once. If your are experiencing any issues with olaplex cut down on the amount of products or add a moisturizing deep conditioner because olaplex is not a moisturizing product but a concentrated strengthening treatment. Moving forward I may focus on using number 3 and possibly 4 but rotate the others along with adding a moisturizing deep conditioner regardless.

u/ladii06 — 5 hours ago

I want a relaxer. Is there anything I need to keep in mind for my consultation with a hair stylist I found?

Hello all, I am so appreciative already for all of the post and comments I was able to read. So happy this space exists!

How should I wear my hair to the consultation?

u/Acrobatic_Wait_2313 — 19 hours ago

Do you put oil/grease on your scalp before or after flat ironing?

I typically don't flat iron my hair, and ordinarily I add oil to my scalp right after blow drying to retain some moisture since my scalp flakes up easily. If I do flat iron my hair, I often do it the next day, but I have to do it today. I imagine oil before the flat iron will burn it, but oil after will make it greasy looking. What do y'all do?

I also don't grease my scalp because of dermatitis, I just added it for those that do since I imagine it might have the same effect.

reddit.com
u/TruthExtension7761 — 1 day ago

I really need help

Please help, I am at my wits end. This is the current condition of my hair after my 2nd relaxer touch up. I used the ORS relaxer kit and even though I started applying at the back, it only processed the front. So I still have 4c roots which didn’t happen last time. I also noticed mad breakage at the back even though I never put my hair in a ponytail. I wash my hair once a week with a moisture-rich Vit B5 shampoo and conditioner and deep condition with an Argan-based one. I also take a Vit B-complex supplement that has Biotin. I’ve also had my iron levels and thyroid checked and results were normal. I used to have an eating disorder (restrictive) but I’ve been in recovery for two years so I thought my hair would also start doing better. I also know I’ll have to cut it and level it out, but I’ll still be missing chunks of hair in the middle so it’s still going to look wild either way 🥲

I know that many of you guys recommend Olaplex and Redken but it’s super duper expensive in my country and I’m wondering if you guys have suggestions of good supermarket alternatives like L’Oreal, Pantene sort of price range? Also if there’s any additional vitamin deficiencies i can look into?

u/SpaghettyTacos — 2 days ago

Fresh relaxer 😋

1st perm of the year 3/7. 2nd perm of the year 7/5. 17wk stretch (not by choice). I stretch every relaxer but this has been the longest stretch I’ve ever done, and I think I did alright considering the length retention and that is the goal. 🙂‍↕️

u/actually_imokay — 2 days ago

Protective style suggestions😭

I have fine hair and my natural texture is 4c (idk if it’s relevant for this). I braided my hair nonstop for almost two years(knotless braids without switching up parting). During these times, I rarely cared for my hair. As a result, my hair thinned/broke off considerably.

I’m sure the main reason is because of my neglect. However, a change in the kinds of hairstyles I do will surely help.

As long as it’s not a wig/weave, gives me easy access to my hair, and won’t look crazy after frequent washes, I’m interested.

Any suggestion helps!

reddit.com
u/PresentDistinct7228 — 1 day ago

Why is my hair like this?

It’s been this way for as long as I can remember. Front section grows just fine but you all can see that huge gap/thinness in the middle 😭

I’ve tried EVERYTHING (blood work, collagen tablets, even a big chop. I’ve seen a dermatologist and they say my hair grows just fine from the root)

It just doesn’t retain any length in that particular area and I don’t understand why

u/Sea_Branch5923 — 2 days ago

My hair is always matted after every shampoo session

Everytime I shampoo my hair, I always get the most insane fairy knots afterwards.

But the time I’m done combing them out, I always lose a good amount of hair.

My hair also stays breaking when I’m shampooing. I’ll run my hand through it in the shower and look at my hands and I might as well be using hair removal cream on my head.

I use OLAPLEX shampoo and conditioner with cecred leave-in conditioner as my hair products.

I don’t think this is a product issue more so a technique/overall hair health issue. Should I be washing in sections, should I just cut my hair and start again? I already booked an appointment to trim my split ends as I read that they may be contributing to fairy knots. But I’m really sad everytime I wash my hair and I leave the bathroom with less and less hair each time.

I’d welcome any advice. Thanks a lot in advance🫶🏽

reddit.com
u/wuraaderele — 3 days ago

Debating

I personally have used this product 2 times for a leave out sew in and loveeeeee it down but unfortunately they discontinued it. I’ve been natural my whole life, my hair is healthy, 4c, never been bleached and this is the most chemical I’ve ever put in my hair. I’m debating on relaxing my whole head since I’ve had such good results with this product.
Any recommendations, I mostly wear my hair in sew ins

u/Candid-Stuff-913 — 4 days ago

Fly aways

Any recommendations on what i can use to lay these hairs down? I switch parts every two weeks. I just recently started wearing a low sock bun and it’s kinda tight. I’m in the military, so it’s either that or a bob. I’m debating going back to my bob as it was easier to manage and i had and less breakage.

u/Wise-Touch-7024 — 4 days ago

Tips

Hi guys, so I’ve restarted my journey and cut off all my damaged hair that I had relaxed and then dyed, so this is currently where I am at and I need some advice on products to incorporate, I’m currently using dove intensive care with L’Oréal hydrating mask and Cantù as my leave in conditioner, I have really thin hair and my goal is length retention

u/Extreme_Gazelle_9604 — 5 days ago

6+ month stretch

This is gonna be the first time I have to stretch my hair from relaxers for more than 3 months. Currently in a location where relaxers will be hard to get. Any recommendations on how I can maintain my new growth? I know it’s gonna be unbearable but I have to do what I can until I can get braids. Plan on washing my hair every 2 weeks and when I can, straightening my roots with a flat iron so my hair can be a little more manageable.

reddit.com
u/No_Present6106 — 4 days ago

Touch Up or No?

Hey!

Seeking advice, I got a virgin relaxer May 2 and I was trying to stretch a touch up appointment but I think my hair is beginning to shed from my new growth. I wear my hair in a loose ponytail w satin scrunchie and I have washed weekly w deep conditionings diligently to keep it moisturized. I recently did a protein treatment so that could also be the cause and need for an appointment(?)

Does anyone think I can stretch to Aug 2 for the 3 month mark or should I try to book an appointment this month?

reddit.com
u/insatiablefruitbat — 4 days ago

I’m a micro pixie girlie and I’m coming to the realization that my relaxers ain’t lasting past 3-4 weeks 🥴…

I tried to do the touch ups on the nape and sides every 3-4 weeks but I end up finding myself wanting to do a full relaxer at 4 weeks. I don’t know how y’all are out here stretching it to 6 weeks 😭😭😭. I’m also wanting to switch to a stronger relaxer and see if that makes a difference. But whew, I am STRUGGLING!!!!

u/FlatIsland9257 — 5 days ago
▲ 29 r/relaxedhair+8 crossposts

Help a new black hair platform

Hi everyone!

I'm building a free, sustainable platform to help the black community find hairstyles, tutorials, and products that actually work for their specific hair and needs, think Pinterest but specifically designed for black hair care needs.

If you have 90 seconds, your feedback would genuinely shape what gets made.

Take the survey here:
https://forms.gle/3ZesfRNNAW8RzA4N6

No spam or email required (optional at the end for early access). Thank you for helping create something useful for this community!

u/HistorySea3563 — 6 days ago

Olaplex 3 on Relaxer Day?

I’m getting my relaxer touch up today and I’m wondering if I should bring my Olaplex No 3 with me to the salon to use it after my relaxer?

Should I get my stylist to use it after she washes the relaxer out ? If so, should I deep condition my hair immediately after the Olaplex treatment?

Unfortunately the woman who does my hair isn’t great when it comes to styling/treating natural hair (she’s mainly a braider) so she isn’t someone I can ask for advice.

reddit.com
u/yeetyopyeet — 6 days ago

Slightly regrettable length check

I had to cut my hair from tailbone length to waist length because of breakage. It went from 25 inches to 20 and you can still see some of the breakage on the side.

I think my go-to style of pigtail braids is what's causing the breakage on the sides. I'll have to stop doing them for the foreseeable future and possibly try something different. It's heartbreaking but hair grows back.

I've really wanted to try roller sets but I've yet to see someone do it on relaxed hair similar or close to my length so I don't have a clue how it'll turn out. Here's to hoping it looks good because I've already bought the rollers🙏🏼

u/ChriseyJo — 9 days ago

2-3 tracks

Hi ladies! I was wondering what kind of hair (human hair bundles, premium now, etc…) do you use when you get the 2-3 rows sewn in for some volume and length ?

reddit.com
u/BottleAccording3727 — 6 days ago

dry hair I never experienced it before I want it to be soft and moist again

Hey guys, my hair been dry like when I touch it. I put moisturizing lotion, grease…but the texture is still dry. Only thing is I moved from Caribbean to Europe. Could it be my hair changed or maybe the hard water? I feel like it doesn’t like the products I’ve been using for years anymore…What brand for washing and conditioning should I use? I want to get moisturized and soft hair again

reddit.com
u/doundoun9 — 8 days ago