Texlaxing: Everything You Need to Know

If you have natural hair and are looking to achieve certain hairstyles easier, or generally looking to have a silkier natural hair experience, you might have come across the term “texlaxing.” This method offers a middle ground between natural and relaxed hair by slightly loosening your natural curls without fully straightening them. Here’s an in-depth look at texlaxing, including its process, benefits, and drawbacks.

What is Texlaxing?

Texlaxing, a blend of “texturizing” and “relaxing,” is a chemical process that partially relaxes natural hair. Unlike traditional relaxers that aim to straighten hair completely, texlaxing uses a milder relaxer for a shorter duration. This leaves some of the natural curl pattern intact, resulting in hair that is softer, more manageable, and retains some volume and texture.

The Texlaxing Process

The texlaxing process involves applying a chemical relaxer to your hair for a shorter period than you would with a traditional relaxer. Here’s a step-by-step outline of the process:

1. Preparation: Before texlaxing, it’s essential to prepare your hair. This includes deep conditioning to ensure your hair is well-moisturized and strong enough to withstand the chemical process.
2. Application: The relaxer is applied to your hair, typically section by section, to ensure even coverage. The application time is critical; it’s usually shorter than the time required for full relaxation.
3. Timing: Timing is crucial in texlaxing. The relaxer is left on the hair for a shorter duration to ensure it doesn’t straighten completely. This duration varies depending on your hair type and desired outcome.
4. Rinsing: After the desired time has passed, the relaxer is thoroughly rinsed out to stop the chemical process.
5. Neutralizing: A neutralizing shampoo is used to restore the hair’s pH balance and ensure all chemical residues are removed.
6. Conditioning: Deep conditioning is necessary after texlaxing to replenish moisture and restore hair health.

Pros of Texlaxing

1. Manageability: One of the most significant advantages of texlaxing is that it makes your hair easier to manage. The partial relaxation reduces tangles and makes it easier to comb and style your hair.
2. Versatility: Texlaxed hair offers a lot of styling options. You can wear it straight, wavy, or curly, giving you the flexibility to change your look as you desire.
3. Volume and Texture: By retaining some of your natural curl pattern, texlaxing provides a fuller and more textured look compared to fully relaxed hair. This can give your hair a healthy, voluminous appearance.
4. Reduced Breakage: Since texlaxing is less harsh than full relaxation, it generally causes less damage and breakage, especially if you follow a proper hair care routine.

Cons of Texlaxing

1. Chemical Damage: Despite being milder, texlaxing still involves the use of chemicals, which can damage your hair if not done correctly. Over time, this can lead to dryness, breakage, and overall weakened hair.
2. Mixed Textures: As your hair grows, you’ll have natural hair at the roots and texlaxed hair on the ends. This can create a line of demarcation, making it challenging to manage two different textures.
3. Overprocessing Risks: There’s a risk of overprocessing if the texlaxing process is not carefully controlled. Overprocessing can lead to uneven texture, increased breakage, and potential damage.
4. Regular Maintenance: Texlaxed hair requires regular touch-ups to maintain the desired texture. This means you’ll need to schedule periodic treatments, which can be time-consuming and costly.
5. Health Risks: Using chemical relaxers, even in a milder form, carries health risks. These can include scalp irritation, burns, and allergic reactions, which are concerns you should be aware of before deciding to texlax.

Care Tips for Texlaxed Hair

1. Moisturize Regularly: Texlaxed hair can be prone to dryness, so it’s essential to keep it well-moisturized. Use deep conditioners and leave-in conditioners to maintain moisture levels.
2. Protective Styles: Consider protective styles like braids, twists, or buns to minimize manipulation and protect your hair from damage.
3. Gentle Handling: Be gentle when detangling and styling your hair to avoid breakage. Use a wide-tooth comb and avoid excessive heat styling.
4. Regular Trims: Regular trims can help keep your ends healthy and prevent split ends from traveling up the hair shaft.
5. Protein Treatments: Incorporate protein treatments into your hair care routine to strengthen your hair and prevent breakage.

If you’re wondering whether retaining your natural hair would be a better option as opposed to opting to texalizing, here are some reasons why embracing natural hair may be a much better choice:

Benefits of Embracing Natural Hair Over Texlaxing

Choosing to embrace your natural hair comes with a host of benefits that can outweigh the appeal of texlaxing. Here are some reasons why sticking with your natural curls might be the better option:

1. Healthier Hair: Without the use of chemicals, your natural hair is less prone to damage, breakage, and dryness. Natural hair retains its strength and resilience, which can be compromised by chemical treatments like texlaxing.
2. Lower Maintenance: Natural hair doesn’t require the regular touch-ups needed with texlaxed hair. This reduces the time, effort, and cost associated with maintaining a texlaxed hairstyle.
3. Avoids Chemical Risks: By avoiding texlaxing, you eliminate the risk of scalp irritation, burns, and allergic reactions that can accompany chemical relaxers.
4. Authenticity and Empowerment: Embracing your natural hair celebrates your natural beauty and heritage. It can be a powerful statement of self-acceptance and confidence.
5. Versatility in Styling: Natural hair can be styled in numerous ways without the need for chemical alteration. Protective styles, wash-and-go’s, twists, braids, and other natural styles allow for a wide range of looks.
6. Environmental Benefits: Reducing the use of chemical products in your hair care routine can also be more environmentally friendly. Fewer chemicals in your hair care regimen mean less impact on the environment.
7. Community and Support: There is a large and supportive community of individuals embracing their natural hair. This community offers resources, inspiration, and encouragement for maintaining and styling natural hair.

Final Thoughts

Texlaxing can be an appealing option if you’re looking for a middle ground between natural and relaxed hair. It offers increased manageability, versatility, and a fuller appearance. However, it’s important to weigh these benefits against the potential drawbacks, such as chemical damage, mixed textures, and the need for regular maintenance. If you decide to texlax, consider consulting a professional stylist to ensure the process is done safely and to receive personalized advice on caring for your texlaxed hair.

Remember, embracing your natural hair in its full glory is always a beautiful and healthy option. Understanding the implications of texlaxing can help you make an informed decision that’s best for your hair and lifestyle.