Why are NATURAL HAIR Black Women Relaxing Their Hair? | Is Going Back to Relaxers the New Trend?

Today, we're going to be talking about a hot topic in the natural hair community - natural hair black women are relaxing their hair. Why?
Now, I know this can be a polarizing issue, but let's keep things positive and have a lively discussion! We'll explore why some women choose to switch back to relaxers, including pressure to conform to beauty standards, the time and effort required for natural hair, and not feeling supported in certain spaces.
I hope this video will give us all a chance to learn from each other, and to celebrate the beautiful diversity of black hair.
Video I mentioned: • relaxing my hair after...
Why are NATURAL Hair Black Women Relaxing Their Hair? | Is Going Back to Relaxers the New Trend?
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0:00 Reason 1
1:09 Reason 2
1:55 Reason 3
3:21 Reason 4
4:34 Am I joining relaxer gang?
6:06 Leave the secret emoji in the comments!
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[@quintessiagreen4604]

A great break down. Thank you for being open minded! Some of the commentary I’ve seen in general reminds me of Salem witch trials and those who relax are the witches.

[@NeliaBedilia]

LOLOLOL now that's funny! Thanks for watching 😂🥰

[@LifeWithSimvu]

I went back to relaxed hair because of manageability, natural hair was really time consuming and it was hard to find products that worked for my hair, they were so painful to comb. But I love natural hair more than relaxed hair.

[@NeliaBedilia]

Exactly my points! Do what's best for you. Thanks for watching 💕

[@CammyjOfficial]

You brought up so many good points. Relaxers are not for me, but I’m never going to try and vilify anyone who wants to get one!

[@NeliaBedilia]

exactly ! lol I'll GET it !

[@daniielleyful]

Natural hair does take time, but you have to listen to your OWN hair. Just because someone says not to use oils, butter etc., doesn’t mean you should do the same. I never got that lol

[@NeliaBedilia]

eggggxactly

[@katsol1995]

This because I never stopped using grease on my hair

[@smilemajik8189]

Butters and oils till I die

[@nicolecurry203]

Yes, some women are going back to relaxers. However, the same reason you left the relaxers alone; your hair will be the same once you relax your hair again. If your hair broke off or thinned badly, it will certainly happen again. Nothing change.Good luck....

[@joshie19922]

It can with better knowledge. They need to learn to take care of their hair

[@shyphyre]

If they learned how to take better care of their hair, then that would be neat for them to relax to begin with.

[@tias.6675]

Not true ! Some of us didn't know what we were doing before, and a lot was done incorrectly. Stop being nasty about the choices of people you don't even know.

[@PassportBrosAndBlondeManWeaves]

Bye

[@Blue-zx5mp]

Lol. That's not why a lot of people left. MOST of us was just trying something. Black people made natural hair become a CULT. uhh

[@rachelreid1585]

Being natural is time consuming for all curly hair types. But for specifically 4C hair, it can be a nightmare to detangle and maintain a style.

[@07ikkin]

@rachelreid1585 yes, I'm 7 months post relaxer and really don't know how to style my hair. I've just been keeping it moisturized and brushed into a claw clip 🥴

[@goddesslivy]

I've had my natural hair for 10 years and never thought I would go back to relaxing it. But tbh I'm so done with it 😑

[@thebemphahlele4773]

I'm a lazy natural and my washdays are 1 hour max. My hair still grows and it's 4C and full. I'll never go back to relaxer. My hair was thin brittle. It was horrible

[@NeliaBedilia]

Okay full !! Love that for you!

[@thebemphahlele4773]

@@chocolatte522 couldn't have said it better. We have to embrace ourselves. Our hair is beautiful. And it is tidy. We can't allow societal standards to tell us what's tidy or untidy

[@thebemphahlele4773]

@@NeliaBedilia thank you

[@katsol1995]

This! I’ve managed to get my wash day to 20-30 mins after learning more about my hair

[@gwalla90sbaby]

Love you queen 🥰 as long as it's a couple of y'all that still rock the natural look I'll have someone to admire 😅 I got scared for a minute I was at another video and everybody was saying they were going back to relaxers black women have never looked so beautiful to me natural I can't explain it maybe cuz I have dreads it's something about the natural look that just attract me to y'all I can't help it all you girls get in the relaxers you'll never get another compliment for me about your hair being beautiful 🤷🏾‍♂️

[@JordeeFam]

Why are yall’s wash day taking all day?? I shampoo and deep condition and style. Done. It only take 1hr and 30 mins. 2hrs at most If I’m being lazy

[@sigmasiren777]

Same here.

[@lattymartin9038]

When u have a lot of hair especially long hair it takes long and is hard on ur arms and hands so u gotta take breaks

[@natrlchallenge]

I will be returning back to relaxers, but it will be a texturizer. I just need to not take so long to do my hair. I just am tired of the pressure the natural hair community puts on women of color. We should be able to do what we want to our hair and not be labeled. The outside world does it enough.

[@tias.6675]

Ignore them. Their insecurities are why they are so upset about what strangers are doing to their hair.

[@kaleyum778]

I’m going back to relaxers too in 2022. I had cut my hair to go back natural and I said that I was never gonna go back to relaxers but here I am now to go back to relaxers I don’t have the time the patience for it and limited to hairstyles that I like and I just want sometimes for my hair to be curly you know curled up with curlers or just straightened , even though I could’ve just straighten it with a flat iron I don’t know I just don’t want it because you know of course your hair is gonna go back to its natural state where your hair if not get heat damaged , I have no problem with cutting my hair when I want a change 😂 and besides everybody has a style so this is my style and just cut my hair back off to go back natural simple it’s not like is permanent permanent for the rest of your hair that’s growing out your roots so we good 😂

[@AbianahBarbie]

I just throw my hair in a bun everyday and my hair is flourishing thanks be to God. I will never go back to relaxers. I have my hair blow dried and flat ironed right now but i love having my natural curls. Never going back plus I have been natural for most of my life I only had relaxer for 1 year basically. I have had plenty of big chops heat damaged and issues tho on my journey but I wouldn’t have it any other way.

[@akeamwilliams-vk5ye]

The "black girl luxury" is real and sad. We don't need straight hair to look fabulous.

[@NeliaBedilia]

exactly!

[@JAH-iu3yh]

@1:30 you spoke for me 🙌🏽 As a mom of 2 little ones, wife, homeowner, working full time, we got a puppy, trying to grow in my career… I just don’t have the time or the mental capacity to do Exactly what you said: wake up & not know WHAT my hair is going to look like after a tired twisted style the night before. It’s usually too damp to shake out & go anyway. Really about to get that olive oil kit in the morning…😩

[@NeliaBedilia]

I get that completely! Do what works best for you and makes you happy! also, you're KILLING it out here!!

[@JAH-iu3yh]

@@NeliaBedilia awww thank you. So I did an at home olive oil relaxer the next morning, followed by deep condition, a long “wolf cut”, leave in conditioner & curl cream. Gotten compliments wearing it curly & flat ironed.😁

[@NeliaBedilia]

@@JAH-iu3yh now that sounds cute !!

[@MultiKingvegeta]

Sounds like you just lazy

[@ginellenere]

This video!! Yes to all of the reasons! I get it but I wouldn’t do it. Once you know what works for you hair stick to that! That’s what helped me. 💁🏽‍♀️ I say whatever makes everyone happy!

[@CammyjOfficial]

Right! Relaxers are a permanent no for me, but I’m not about to sit here and try to tear anyone down for doing what they want to do with their hair either.

[@NeliaBedilia]

exactly. life is too short to just be unhappy with your hair for no reason !

[@fancyfox2075]

People have choices. I personally am not a fan of straight hair, so I loved my natural hair and finally grew it to my waist after ditching relaxers (which I got as a kid). I cut it and now have long healthy locs. My daughter loves her 4c hair too. She never had a relaxer, never had extensions of any kind, never had braids (she doesn’t like the idea of sitting for that long) but her hair takes me only a few minutes in the morning and she is good to go for school. Work smarter not harder is something that should apply to natural hair. I learned what works for our hair and managing it is easy now.

[@keziahhairs]

So true🎉 I’m relaxing my hair soon😊😅

[@NeliaBedilia]

I get it! Going to a professional?

[@HeavenlyBridegroomMusic]

As a licensed Master Cosmetologist, I knew it would happen. It's like everything else trends come and go. These little girls who watched their moms, grand Master and aunt tees are not going to repeat the looks we are wearing today. I've seen it before. History repeating over and over again. Fashion repeating over and over again. That's just the way it is. Just let a professional who works with natural hair give you a keratin or mild relaxer. No, kitchentician, DYI, please!

[@blentski]

Its just difficult to handle natural hair especially the longer it gets. I relaxed my hair because wash day took 12 hours now that my hair is relaxed its takes 20 minutes to wash and style ..sooo why not

[@metalbabee]

12 hours?? 😱 What was the routine?

[@Gladiator_in_a_Suit]

I’m new to this channel! And I love all the information you mentioned--especially black women luxury--that was new to me when it was all over social media, because the first black women luxury I’ve seen hit theaters black Panther 1 and 2 return to Wakanda I saw so many naturals it was fire! 🤩 lol all in all, I think when someone finds a regimen that’s working they should stay with it; when people start experimenting after going natural and following trends that’s when it reaps havoc on the hair and they want to turn back to relaxers. If your hair gets used to products don’t switch them out for new ones--just do a hair detox with bentonite clay and your hair will be reset and accept the products again.

[@Not_yourMOM]

Great video and thanks for being honest! I have been debating for years if I should just relax my hair so I’ll spend less time managing and styling, but I am no professional and discouraged from going to a salon for all the reasons you stated. These hair salons near me have outrageous prices imo and many state a consultation is needed before any services and that amount doesn’t go towards the services.

[@NeliaBedilia]

Ugh that sucks ! I def understand. Protective style In the meantime ?

[@naturallycicely7072]

Definitely thinking about going back to a relaxer.

[@NeliaBedilia]

I get it !

[@BLESSFUL-Bliss]

Did you do it; and if so how is it faring for you?

[@naturallycicely7072]

@DivaRise24 I didn't beaches my hair has thinned so badly from thyroid issues so I'm just doing braids and mini twists

[@indiaanikol]

Really the relaxer was sooo much easier to maintain but too many chemicals

[@NeliaBedilia]

Right ! I just can't do it personally 🫠

[@cookie234ful1]

There are harsh chemicals in everything. At this point choose your poison.

[@smilemajik8189]

I love how concise this video is...I agree with your points aswell but I'll always be natural

[@NeliaBedilia]

Thank you! I try to get right to the point 🥰😂

[@NewJohariClassic]

I didn't think about the luxury aesthetic being a factor but it makes sense. Now I'm thinking about the Andi from Sistas because she had two strand twists and now has changed to a silk press look.

[@sw33tnycandy]

I have heard plenty reasons why many of us is returning to relaxers however relaxers in my opinion is way more maintenance than virgin hair. For one the cost of getting one can be quite high then we have the maintenance of them every 3m or longer. Folks still need to do protein treatments and moisture mask while having relaxed hair along with stay away from the heat. I personally didn't get a choice as a child in having relaxed hair. My hair is also low porosity so the amount of time needed for my hair to "take" was obscene. My hair also being high volume never laid flat without being beat into submissive by wrapping and tying down with a scarf. Without that my hair will retain the shape of barel rollers. Given how a lot of us have flat, sleek hair trying to achieve that in my own hair is not happening. Plus I personally never had a relaxer experience that didn't involve any level of burning. Overall retuning isn't for me. I really think that most who returned honestly never understood their hair needs and wanted looks of more desirable looser curl types. Type 4 hair doesn't behave that way so you gotta be realistic in what to expect from your hair. Just like we had to learn what worked well for our relaxed hair we needed to do the same with our virgin hair. However when your elders have conditioned you into thinking your virgin hair was too much to bare and claim it difficult to style, it sets the tone for a less than stellar relationship with your hair. My own aunt claimed my hair cuts her fingers when braiding it. My mom claimed men in my age group don't loke natural hair. I'm in my 30s btw, late 20s when she said that bs. Had I not been strong in my personal wants for self their words could have had me running for the creamy crack stat. I'm still natural. I'm not going back. My hair is far healthier now than it ever was while being relaxed. Regardless of do what works for you while maintaining healthy hair.

[@ARLITA4545]

New sub!

[@NeliaBedilia]

Yay! Welcome! Thanks for subscribing 💕

[@jensoop]

I’ve wanted to do it just once just to try it I’ve always loved the straight hair look on me but I hate wash days takes too long

[@yattamook]

Yass the stylist girl it’s too much and the natural hair movement turned into the curly hair movement there is a difference

[@phenomenallypatty]

💁🏾‍♀️I agree with all things said. Especially about the black girls in luxury. I still feel like anytime it's a special occasion my hair should be straight/wig.

[@NeliaBedilia]

Ugh same ! Hopefully we shake it eventually 🥴

[@phenomenallypatty]

@@NeliaBedilia I really hope so

[@gwalla90sbaby]

All I know is I'm a black man I honestly just caught on to this today and I'm terrified yeah you'll be able to bag you a white boy until it starts breakin off and we already held y'all down once looking crazy with no edges and patches in yall heads I speak for every black man in America we ain't doing it again 💯🤣

[@TheMspoodle2]

The creator of all natural things on earth made afro textured hair this way. People have the choice to deal with the struggle or find a quick fix. That quick fix is straightening the hair. I also, say that those women opt out for the quick fix. With that being said, they should not complain about hair injustice or non-bw getting "black hair styles." I can also, guarantee that most of those women will return natural once they realize that natural hair is where it's at because it's home familiar.

[@NeliaBedilia]

I have a seen a few decide to grow out their relaxers! Thanks for watching

[@crystahuggins]

❤Agreed

[@NeliaBedilia]

Thanks for watching !

[@interviewboss8782]

My heart cries a tear every time a BW says she going back to the creamy crack. 😢 I am so glad I stay away from the natural hair community online for long periods. I think many women are overexposed. And as a result, there’s internalized pressure to make our hair look like someone else’s - not to mention time for care + ALL the external pressure. I only come here when I need to learn something new. And then I log off. We gotta stop foaming at the mouth over other people’s hair. Plus, I never got into trying to buy every product. Over COVID, I learned the most simple and natural ingredients work great for conditioning my hair: tomatoes, avocado, coconut oil, olive oil, etc. And I only have a handful of simple hairstyles. (I’m trying to do better.) But otherwise, I really just leave it alone. Let’s keep it simple ladies. 🙏

[@andrepatterson2229]

🔥🔥🔥

[@IAMCHIDERA]

Having relaxed hair was so much more stressful for me. I’m staying natural, it’s just an easier life even as a 4c hair girl because i can do my hair myself no matter the country I’m in. I literally only need a detangling brush, shampoo and a butter/leave in. But with relaxed hair i need to FIND the relaxer then find SOMEONE else to do it for me and if i don’t then i have to do it myself and risk getting chemical burn. The when it’s 3 months down i have to hide my hair because i have 2 textures on my head. Absolutely not, i would rather get locs or shave my head…

[@coolkidd151]

Weaves tape ins blow dry and fry do whatever but I think there has to be a line drawn when it comes to the fact that these products cause cancer and infertility. 😢

[@NeliaBedilia]

Yeaaaaa I didn't want to add my two cents about that in this video 😅 do ya research like I said!

[@coolkidd151]

@Golden Rose k 😊

[@imdinma9826]

@Golden Rose 😂😂😂 sure. And the sun dont rise daily

[@ScorpioMami415]

I don't blame them it's difficult to deal with all those naps, lol. lol. I tex-lax mines it's more manageable. The thickness is a mess 😂😂😂

[@CammyjOfficial]

Whewh 😅 chileeeee

[@NeliaBedilia]

👀🌚🌚😂

[@Blessed_Daye]

I'm going back, can't do it anymore.

[@Twinflamedivinefem]

😂😂😂

[@barbarascott9174]

😮 after the cancer scare.

[@makeupfix2997]

I was natural longer than I’ve been relaxed. I relaxed for about 3 years in college and then went back natural for about 11 years. During my time natural I had a uterine cancer scare… I was rarely wearing my hair… mostly protective styles because my hair wasn’t manageable and I have a tender scalp. It was a headache trying to find and keep a consistent natural stylist. I was able to retain bsl natural but, never truly enjoyed it. Getting a relaxer wasn’t trendy for me. It was more of a lifestyle change … I’m now lower back length (relaxed) and I wear my hair more than weaves/ wigs. Different things work for different people.

[@makeupfix2997]

Hair can flourish either way… you just have to unlearn some harmful practices/ routines.

[@NeliaBedilia]

@@makeupfix2997 thank you for sharing!! congrats on the growth!

[@TrocilynRufus]

I've been natural since 1999! I've had nightmares w I dreamt that a hairdresser put a relaxer in my hair! I was so heartbroken in my dreams! So happy to be nappy! Never ever going back to the crack perms & relaxers! No way! Hate the way my hair feels w u wash it under a relaxer no integrity to the hair! My hair is so much fun!

[@habitual6108]

I’ve been natural all my teen and adult life. I’ve been so fed up with it. I’m thinking of cutting it anyway so I’m going to try relaxing it first. If it fails I might cry, but wigs are a thing. I’m still young, it’ll grow back? Like- I’m not going too crazy over it.

[@habitual6108]

Getting my hair professionally braided is hundreds of dollars, and for reference I’m a full 4C.

[@anitadelacruz4897]

I grew up in the curl / relaxer era. After 8 years of being natural, I relaxed it due ti the cold weather, flu and ear infection. I'll cut it off again Shall I go back to natural. It's what's best for me.

[@NeliaBedilia]

exactly i get that! i was in the relaxed era myself. what a time lol

[@anitadelacruz4897]

@@NeliaBedilia I always wanted a curl! Mom said no! It will take your hair out, then she relaxed my hair...I secretly still want a curl! Lol!

[@KiaraWright-fn9kc]

I find being natural way easier in a lot of ways… mini braids most of the time silk press every few months to help with the shed hair

[@NeliaBedilia]

Sounds like a good routine to me!

[@neverjudgehernaps6042]

Relaxed hair was always time consuming for me.

[@NeliaBedilia]

so not a win win either way lol

[@gwalla90sbaby]

I didn't know this was a thing again 😭 maybe it's because I'm down south but my honest opinion as a black man we weren't just hyping yall up i'm looking at the videos with the before-and-after pictures and I swear on everything I love the natural look looks way better to me personally I know y'all don't care and my opinion means little to nothing but I've been so use to seeing natural hair nowadays black girls with relaxed hair look off to me damn near don't look familiar like a different race or something but y'all go ahead if European beauty is what makes y'all comfortable Go for it as long as y'all don't go back to being bald headed looking crazy then a mfer😁 and making everyone think we can't grow hair again it's cool whatever makes y'all happy though you definitely going to bag that white boy you been eyeing ✊🏾 most niggas probably don't care one way or the other if it ain't white it ain't right if it's to black take it back or whatever they say🇺🇲

[@sana8468]

😭 we’re exhausted by this hair. I haven’t relaxed yet but when I noticed that my hair always had to be either in braids or cornrows under a wig… Waking up with a neck ache every morning from sleeping with braids isn’t a joke anymore and I look so strange in wigs 😭 My one friend is even about to go bald because of this struggle 😩

[@Gladiator_in_a_Suit]

LOL!!!😂 not back to bald headed and looking crazy😂😂😂😂 you need more likes on this post this gold to hear it from a black man perspective, I’m natural and I’m an African American woman and being natural and seeing other black women with straight hair is like looking into a different pair of lenses--it looks awkward to me now and it doesn’t compliment our features the way our natural hair does--its giving 🗿honestly.

[@BLESSFUL-Bliss]

I left a comment under someone else's thread, but forgot to leave this emoji 💁🏽‍♀for you. 😉💖

[@NeliaBedilia]

Thank you !

[@Lafilledlapluie]

💁🏾‍♀️

[@NeliaBedilia]

💕💕

[@logitech0300]

shes speaking nothing but facts

[@lisamalipilo5113]

Wash, shampoo, condition, style. Bye

[@seannead.wharton4595]

Relaxed hair is not easier than natural. The only thing that makes our hair harder is the tangles. Other than that, it’s the same. Your still hair to wash, deep condition, detangle, and do all the other stuff if you want to have healthy hair. Their are girls with Afro textured with long hair that’s not overly time consuming. The thing the do different is they don’t follow every bandwagon and their routine is simple. Wash day should not be a whole day.

[@otherapy2000]

There’s no way i’d ever go back to putting that poison in my hair. Black women need to just stop that non sense.

[@YummiLolZ]

Relaxers would make it worse to manage , 2 different textures you’ll be working with

[@NeliaBedilia]

that transition stage isnt for the weak! been there done that!

[@YummiLolZ]

@@NeliaBediliaI hated it as I got older 🤦🏽‍♀️

[@SaintComeProductions]

These are cute reasons. Texturism is what killed the community.

[@jessicajames5303]

So the black community shouldn’t be saying its cultural appropriation when whites get braids when black women are getting their hair in a state where it’s emulating the white women hair. Relaxers, lace fronts , the” Brazilian” bundles ALL styles to emulate the euro aesthetic.💯

[@pam3122]

My confusion is nappy or natural. I say comb your hair, I don't want to see nappy cotton in the hair. Wash your hair.

[@NeliaBedilia]

Now nappy is a word we don't use over here Pam 🫠

[@jessi_jessy_jessie]

​@@NeliaBedilia I don't think that individual is Black.💅🏾

[@RxchLJ]

How do you feel about limp, dog scented hair Pammy?