shockolate said:
@SUNSHINE_BABY
Re the SSKs: if you are regularly applying Megatek to your scalp, and you're not taking or using anything to combat the shedding that comes along with it (garlic pills, garlic conditioner etc.), you're going to experience excessive shedding, which is going to lead to SSKs.
Thin Edges: I too suffer from this problem from my years of weave use/abuse. When I started my LHHJ nearly 2 yrs ago, I knew I had to give up my beloved weaves if I wanted my edges to recover. You may have to arrive at this conclusion tooWigs can be a good alternative....just be sure to get a good silk/satin cap to wear under your wig and lay the edges of the wig on the *cap*, not on your edges. I also make sure I keep my edges *well* moisturized and sealed/massaged daily with castor oil.
Questions: Why do you oil your scalp with WGO and glycerine? I've never heard of anyone doing this before. And....how are you wearing your hair under the wigs?
@LightEyedMami I know that others have addressed you, but I'd really like to reiterate that you need more moisture in your strands!! I suggest you deep condition with AOHSR or GIO SAS more often, and use a stronger protein; perhaps AOGPB, before you begin to heat train. If not, you will begin to melt your strands with the heat.
How do you maintain your twists? Do you seal your ends? Are you sure to trim your ends to lessen the occurrence of SSKS? Join the Twist/Braid/ Bun challenge! We will support you during this time.
@softblackcotton WnG is a no-no if you're having moisture problems; it was time to protective style! Ditch the TT, and Shea Moisture, and experiment with other conditioning brands for moisturizing your hair. Also, you need a light protein to combat breakage and to allow more moisture into the strand. Do you seal with an oil? Make a spritz for your extensions as well and use it 3-4x a week. Your hair may need a lot of TLC under the weight of the added hair.
@lushcoils You need to simplify your regimen. You are doing a lot with a lot of products, but not seeing the benefit.
I know you have an itchy scalp; do you have eczema too? Do you use a natural pomade to soothe the scalp? I would try a tea-tree oil and neem based pomade to address your scalp. Sulfate free shampoos can still strip the hair and scalp if used excessively; you are not adding enough moisture back into your hair and scalp to justify its usage. Have you tried co-washing?
Many of your products have protein; your poo, your moisturizer, you use AOGPB once a week, and then you wear extensions. It's too much at one time, causing your hair to shed and break.
You have the garlic shampoo, try that. It will dry your hair out, so be sure to use AOHSR mixed with your castor oil and steam it in afterwards. Then, air dry in twists or braids and protective style. For daily maintenance, make a spritz of AOHSR, AVJ, a tiny bit of oil, and lots of water. Seal your ends 3-4x week. If you must, sleep in your baggy. This should turn your hair around for the better, but it will take time.
@SUNSHINE BABY Your products have a lot of protein too. You need a more moisture in your strands! Do you have castor oil to massage into your edges for the baby fine areas? Do you seal the ends of your hair under the wig? When was your last trim?
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. I do braid outs, set on very wet hair. It's the only way I can work on my hair without it tangling and breaking. I make sure to cainrow the hair line that way i never have a fuzzy/old looking braid out at the front. I wear braid out buns mainly but style the front differently to how i feel.
sighs
SSK and split ends. I also don't feel like my hair kr retaining any length.judy4all said:
As long as you are sure that your hair can handle the heat. If your hair is not accepting moisture, then I think you have to figure out why and I dont think that heat will fix it... BUT everyone's hair is very different, and your hair may react very well to heat. Keep us posted please.
Struggling is an understatment, Im ready to throw in the towel and tex-lax this week. Im so over natural and my journal has been less than fun. Only nice thing was being chemical free. Im ready to try the Sylvers2 method and call it a day.
Didnt even bother answering the questions because I've done this so much already and tried every tip and advice known to man.
So sorry you are struggling so much... I recently relaxed, but even though my hair is easier to manipulate, i'm finding out that my relaxed hair and my natural hair are very very similar in their likes/dislikes so soak up everything you know as a natural... it may come in handy texlaxed.
detangling
Ok, so this protein once a week with gbp, dcing once a week, moisturizing with a spray of water/conditioner/aloe and sealing with castor oil every other day, baggy only a few times a week, shampoo only once a week; isn't really working as well as I thought it would. I'm not sure what to do next.
Your reggie is too complex... You need to stop and breathe. Does your hair like GBP? If yes, I suggest that once a week, you shampoo lightly, DC with GBP and leave it there. Daily... spray your hair with water morning and evening. Nothing else..... Ive learnt the hard way that less is more... Join the Twist/Braid challenge and leave your hair alone and I promise you will see progress... but please stop stressing and trying too many things.... It never works....
Can you post a picture of your hair loose and in twists? Ive never met a 4c head of hair that cannot wear twists well .. I mean.. that's what our hair is designed for....... What about cornrows? Can you go to someone to cornrow your hair straight back every other week?
I know I answered 2 already... but
1. Not that I know... Some people swear by Henna, Cassia etc.... Personally, I dont think that anything can really permanently thicken up your strands... but I may be wrong...
3. Braid outs.... No damage... I do it with Qhemet's AOHC and after it dries, it's soft and easy to manipulate.
The CG method is NOT going to solve your problem. My hair relaxed/natural must be protective styled for me to retain any length. Please trim your ends, embrace protective styling (you can weave it up for some change) and smile your way down to lush hair...
... While you are practicing... please get some kinky twists or something to keep you off your hair.... Or find a good braider.
