Fast forward to age 16 and Id decided to embrace my4C curlsand go natural.

And I wasnt the only one.

From 2016 to 2018,at-home relaxer salesdeclined over 20 percent.

Gif of a woman going from curly hair to straight hair

Bella Geraci / Getty Images

What is a texture release?

A texture release is essentially a mild relaxer.

The final result is that your hair doesn’t have as much curl anymore.

My average wash day is about three to five hours, on a good day.

Whats the difference between a texture release and a relaxer?

Traditional relaxers use more active because the goal is to get curly hair bone straight.

The amount varies by brand.

Do texture releases damage the hair?

Any treatment that involves permanently breaking the disulfide bonds in the hair will cause some damage.

(Breakage and thinning are the most common types of damage related to texture releases and relaxers.)

Breaking bonds in the hair to loosen your curl pattern could make the hair weaker, Douglas explains.

But you havent necessarily damaged the hair.

You have changed the biology or chemistry of your hair, she adds.

You’re basically weakening already weak hair, says Douglas.

But when you have strong healthy hair, these formulations can definitely be used safely.

What happens at a texture release appointment?

The appointment lasts about an hour.

Williams charges $200 to $500 at her salons in Brooklyn, New York.

(The cost will vary based on location.)

Why get a texture release?

Williams and Douglas agree.

I’m not pro straight or curly, says Williams.

It’s really what your lifestyle allows you to do and what you feel comfortable in.

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