This question comes via a text message from Ijeoma.

Hi Angela, I’ve got natural hair which I touch-up about four [4] times a year. The problem is that whenever I do the chemical work and set hair in rollers, the nice texture does not last more than three [3] weeks before undergrowth appears again. Is this as a result of fast hair growth or are there hair relaxers that can help me sustain a nicer texture for a longer period?

The real problem is that women are surprised when they have undergrowth weeks after chemical work; that’s why it’s called a touch-up. You are straightening fresh growth of hair, which will be different in texture and look, from previously straightened hair. If you don’t have undergrowth seven [7] days after chemical application, then it means your hair is not growing. Who needs stagnated growth?

In fact, the only reason why you should be suspicious of undergrowth appearing a week after a touch-up is if your hair did not achieve full straightening. So, if the touch-up did not give you a ‘fried’ straighter effect, then you should be looking to have your next touch-up earlier than anticipated.

The general rule is to leave an interval of anything from six [6] to eight [8] weeks between chemical applications. But the exception to that rule is to do a touch-up earlier because the hair did not achieve full straightening initially. A ‘repair’ touch-up can be performed after four [4] weeks of a failed straightening. Remember to have a post-perm treatment before you do the repair; do not go from one chemical application to another without deep-conditioning the hair.

If your straightening is not as sleek as you would like, consider increasing the strength of your relaxing agent or changing your product of choice. Unfortunately, I cannot recommend any Chemical Straightening Cream for you because I have not seen your hair. However, I would advise that you opt for a superior product that comes complete with Neutralizing shampoo to cleanse all traces of chemical from the hair and Conditioners to restore the hair’s pH balance.