Struggling With Dry Hair...please Help!

[trueheartofgold]

Hello Everyone,

As the title states, I am struggling 1 million percent with my hair!

I am transitioning from major heat damage and my biggest problem is DRY hair! My hair is dry, brittle, shedding and breaking so so bad. Its very hard for me because I don't know what to do to fix these problems.

My last relaxer was nine years ago (January 2007). I heat styled my hair up until April 12, 2015. So, I've been transitioning from major heat damage for 18 months. It has been a battle!

I've been struggling with dry/brittle hair for the entire time. No matter what I do, my hair is still dry like hay and straw had a baby (LOL)....

I don't know what to do at this point because everything and I mean everything I've done just does not work. I just can't figure out what I'm doing wrong.

I've tried only incorporating moisturizing products (and a protein deep conditioner only once a month), trimming, a hard protein (Aphogee 2 Step), Clarifying/Chelating, eliminating humectants (glycerin, honey, etc), eliminating coconut oil, yet nothing works.

My hair is hard/dry/brittle the same day I wash it even if I go through the whole process: Pre-poo, shampoo, condition, deep condition, LOC or LCO Method no matter what products I use. My house looks like a beauty supply store at this point.

My current regimen/products:

Pre-poo: Coconut, avocado, olive and rosemary oils
Shampoo: The Mane Choice hydrating detangling shampoo
Condition (To detangle): Herbal essences hello hydration conditioner
Deep Conditioner: Eden body works jojoba monoi deep conditioner
Leave-In: Shea Moisture raw shea detangler
Cream: Shea Moisture raw shea conditioner
Oil: Grapeseed oil

Daily moisturizers: Taaliah Waajid protective mist bodifier and Shea Moisture coconut curl and style milk

Any advice and help is greatly appreciated!

Thank you!

 

[LostInAdream]

Hello Everyone,

As the title states, I am struggling 1 million percent with my hair!

I am transitioning from major heat damage and my biggest problem is DRY hair! My hair is dry, brittle, shedding and breaking so so bad. Its very hard for me because I don't know what to do to fix these problems.

My last relaxer was nine years ago (January 2007). I heat styled my hair up until April 12, 2015. So, I've been transitioning from major heat damage for 18 months. It has been a battle!

I've been struggling with dry/brittle hair for the entire time. No matter what I do, my hair is still dry like hay and straw had a baby (LOL)....

I don't know what to do at this point because everything and I mean everything I've done just does not work. I just can't figure out what I'm doing wrong.

I've tried only incorporating moisturizing products (and a protein deep conditioner only once a month), trimming, a hard protein (Aphogee 2 Step), Clarifying/Chelating, eliminating humectants (glycerin, honey, etc), eliminating coconut oil, yet nothing works.

My hair is hard/dry/brittle the same day I wash it even if I go through the whole process: Pre-poo, shampoo, condition, deep condition, LOC or LCO Method no matter what products I use. My house looks like a beauty supply store at this point.

My current regimen/products:

Pre-poo: Coconut, avocado, olive and rosemary oils
Shampoo: The Mane Choice hydrating detangling shampoo
Condition (To detangle): Herbal essences hello hydration conditioner
Deep Conditioner: Eden body works jojoba monoi deep conditioner
Leave-In: Shea Moisture raw shea detangler
Cream: Shea Moisture raw shea conditioner
Oil: Grapeseed oil

Daily moisturizers: Taaliah Waajid protective mist bodifier and Shea Moisture coconut curl and style milk

Any advice and help is greatly appreciated!

Thank you!

You need to get rid of the shea moisture raw shea as leave in and cream. It's not moisturizing at all! It acts as a reconstructor/protein. Try oyin hair dew as a leave in and their whipped pudding as a cream. Also switch the grape seed oil as a pre poo with the avocado oil. Avocado oil is more moisturizing. HTH

 

[Browndilocks]

Less is more. From the looks of things you need to simplify. I personally would cut pre poo altogether and use only shampoo and deep conditioner with heat. Also you need to stick to the exact same regime for a while to see results. I always say give the exact same routine a good 3 months to notice a difference. Also your daily moisturizers are water based and can dry you out.

 

[prettyinpurple]

You need to get rid of the shea moisture raw shea as leave in and cream. It's not moisturizing at all! It acts as a reconstructor/protein. Try oyin hair dew as a leave in and their whipped pudding as a cream. Also switch the grape seed oil as a pre poo with the avocado oil. Avocado oil is more moisturizing. HTH

Good to know.

I'd ditch the coconut oil too. It can make your hair feel hard.

How are you styling your hair after washing? Are you using a blow dryer? If so, use it on low setting with low or cool heat.

I wonder if you have protein overload too.

 

[trueheartofgold]

Less is more. From the looks of things you need to simplify. I personally would cut pre poo altogether and use only shampoo and deep conditioner with heat. Also you need to stick to the exact same regime for a while to see results. I always say give the exact same routine a good 3 months to notice a difference. Also your daily moisturizers are water based and can dry you out.

Thank you for responding. What products do you recommend for daily moisture?

 

[trueheartofgold]

Good to know.

I'd ditch the coconut oil too. It can make your hair feel hard.

How are you styling your hair after washing? Are you using a blow dryer? If so, use it on low setting with low or cool heat.

I wonder if you have protein overload too.

Thank you for responding. I cut down my protein use to once a month (deep conditioner) and still the same. I twist my hair in sections and air dry. I then bun my hair (its the only style I can do because of the dryness and also due to my hair being so hard to manage).

 

[trueheartofgold]

You need to get rid of the shea moisture raw shea as leave in and cream. It's not moisturizing at all! It acts as a reconstructor/protein. Try oyin hair dew as a leave in and their whipped pudding as a cream. Also switch the grape seed oil as a pre poo with the avocado oil. Avocado oil is more moisturizing. HTH

Thank you for responding. I tried Oyin Hair Dew when I first started to transition (didn't work). I tried it again months after and the result was the same. Maybe I should revisit.

 

[pre_medicalrulz]

Personally, that monoi deep conditioner is a joke. Try...no don't 'try' but BUY Joico Moisture Recovery Treatment Balm.
Viola! Problem solved.

Opt for the shampoo and conditioner as well and drop your other ones.

HHG

 

[trueheartofgold]

Personally, that monoi deep conditioner is a joke. Try...no don't 'try' but BUY Joico Moisture Recovery Treatment Balm.
Viola! Problem solved.

Opt for the shampoo and conditioner as well and drop your other ones.

HHG

Hello, nice hair! Thanks for responding. The Joico Shampoo has SLS. Wouldn't dry out the hair even more? Most shampoos strip and tangle my hair to the max so that's why I'm asking. Also, the products have silicones and protein. Wouldn't those promote more dryness as well? Thank you!

 

[Coilystep]

You seem to be doing a lot. Cut down on some of your products. Get a shampoo/cowash, a rinse out conditioner, a leave in, and a styler.

Deep conditioning may also be helpful and protein when needed.

I found Eden body works to be a little meh. I do use Shea moisture's masques and some of their leave in occasionally. I find that both of these lines are a little oily.

Have you tried as I am or Camille Rose they are very moisturizing to me.

 

[pre_medicalrulz]

Hello, nice hair! Thanks for responding. The Joico Shampoo has SLS. Wouldn't dry out the hair even more? Most shampoos strip and tangle my hair to the max so that's why I'm asking. Also, the products have silicones and protein. Wouldn't those promote more dryness as well? Thank you!

No Joico is the bomb! I don't even use a daily moisturizer after a moisture treatment using Joico. Love love love this stuff!

Do you have a picture of the state of your hair? It will help a little more. Sometimes the issue is never what it appears to be.

 

[Browndilocks]

Thank you for responding. What products do you recommend for daily moisture?

It depends on how you're doing your hair. If you are still blow drying and following up with a flat iron then you don't need to use anything. If you shampoo and deep condition with heat for at least 30 minutes - all you need is a good leave in, such as its a 10 mixed with a little Moroccanoil. Put that on your hair while its still wet then blow dry and flat iron with nothing else. Results are salon swang and a clear scalp. If you must maybe a thermal spray like Tresseme while flat ironing and that is it.

Your scalp will produce natural oils if you give it a chance. The key is in the deep conditioning.

 

[prettyinpurple]

Thank you for responding. I cut down my protein use to once a month (deep conditioner) and still the same. I twist my hair in sections and air dry. I then bun my hair (its the only style I can do because of the dryness and also due to my hair being so hard to manage).

You're welcome

Maybe ditch protein for a while? A lot of your products have coconut oil, that may the culprit here. Just looked up the ingredients.

My fav DC is the babassu one from Brown Butter Beauty. I tried Darcy's DC finally and it was good as well. It's a thicker product but it did spread well. My go to moisturizer is the cocoa tree detangling ghee from Qhemet Biologics.

I wonder if steaming would be beneficial to you. Or at least DC'ing with heat.

Oops I saw where you did try eliminating coconut oil. Hope it works if you try again!

 

[trueheartofgold]

You seem to be doing a lot. Cut down on some of your products. Get a shampoo/cowash, a rinse out conditioner, a leave in, and a styler.

Deep conditioning may also be helpful and protein when needed.

I found Eden body works to be a little meh. I do use Shea moisture's masques and some of their leave in occasionally. I find that both of these lines are a little oily.

Have you tried as I am or Camille Rose they are very moisturizing to me.

Thanks for responding. I'm starting to question Eden Body works and Shea Moisture LOL...I only tried the Algae Renew from Camille Rose.

 

[trueheartofgold]

No Joico is the bomb! I don't even use a daily moisturizer after a moisture treatment using Joico. Love love love this stuff!

Do you have a picture of the state of your hair? It will help a little more. Sometimes the issue is never what it appears to be.

To me the issue is what it appears to be...my hair is always dry/brittle and shedding even after deep conditioning. Here is a pic (its bad lol...I have very damaged hair from all the heat styling):

 

[trueheartofgold]

You're welcome

Maybe ditch protein for a while? A lot of your products have coconut oil, that may the culprit here. Just looked up the ingredients.

My fav DC is the babassu one from Brown Butter Beauty. I tried Darcy's DC finally and it was good as well. It's a thicker product but it did spread well. My go to moisturizer is the cocoa tree detangling ghee from Qhemet Biologics.

I wonder if steaming would be beneficial to you. Or at least DC'ing with heat.

Oops I saw where you did try eliminating coconut oil. Hope it works if you try again!

Thanks again. I deep condition every week with heat. So you're saying don't use any products with protein at all? I only eliminated coconut oil as a pre poo so I may have to eliminate altogether. The thing is most natural hair products have coconut oil lol...

 

[Browndilocks]

No protein at all. Moisture moisture moisture. Then just keep it simple and leave your hair alone. I know it's hard to do but it's a mindset that you have to adopt so you don't drive yourself crazy & stagnate your hair's progress by always messing with it.

ETA: Looking at that picture, you would really benefit from roller setting instead of using a standard dryer. Roller setting allows your hair to condition itself so to speak.

 

[trueheartofgold]

No protein at all. Moisture moisture moisture. Then just keep it simple and leave your hair alone. I know it's hard to do but it's a mindset that you have to adopt so you don't drive yourself crazy & stagnate your hair's progress by always messing with it.

ETA: Looking at that picture, you would really benefit from roller setting instead of using a standard dryer. Roller setting allows your hair to condition itself so to speak.

I only use a soft bonnet dryer for deep conditioning. My hair in the pic is freshly washed. I haven't used any kind of heat other than for deep conditioning since I started transitioning (18 months).

 

[YvetteWithJoy]

I had this same problem up until a few months ago: NOTHING I did moisturized my hair. Within 1 hour, dry as scorched, desert sand. I was taking everyone's advice, buying up this and that product (there's a picture of my 3-year old stash in the Sept-Nov No Buy thread), prepooing and oil rinsing and yaddah, yaddah, yaddah . . . etc.

I will share what has finally enabled me to moisturize my hair, but of course your mileage may vary. I'll share my hair details so that you can factor that in.

Hair characteristics: Fine strands, many strands on the head (dense), naturally highly porous, mainly 4a spirals.

What it takes to moisturize my hair and/or keep it from drying out:

1. CLEANSE versus shampoo. Shampoo RARELY. Shampoo waaaaaaaaaaaaay less than I did when relaxed. Shampoo way less than I think I need to. IN FACT: cleanse with just water if I can, cleanse with a DC if my hair is not very dirty, or cleanse with a cleansing conditioner or clay wash specifically designed to cleanse. Product options for me at this step: Naturalicious clay wash, Shea Moisture Hipo Moisture-seal Masque, DevaCurl Decadence No Poo, Annabelle's PerfectBlends (Etsy.com) Blue Agave Cleansing Conditioner
2. CHELATE very rarely. I can get away with this because I don't have hard water and I hardly ever use silicone-containing products. Silicone is okay for some folks hair. It might be okay for mine and might really help my tangling problems. I don't yet know. But for now, I want to use products that wash away easily with conditioner without requiring drying sulfates. That means only water-soluble silicones if any. For now.
3. Steam in DevaCurl Decadence One Condition and leave it in. Apply it to every part of my hair using the praying hands method. Flash it under the water to drive it in, further disperse it, etc. Stay in the shower (soon will get under steamer) so that it gets steamed in.
4. Moisturize with Oyin Hair Dew. It is the ONLY moisturizer that actually really works LONG TERM (days versus minutes) on my hair. I don't know why. I've tried sooooooo many moisturizes. Another leave-in that does my hair pretty good is Kinky Curly Knot Today. But Oyin Hair Dew blows it out of the water for moisture, for my hair.
5. Seal with sealant of the day. Typically this is Camille Rose Naturals Curl Maker. It is the moist moisturizing gel I've ever used. Almost all other gels have a drying affect on my hair, even when paired with a moisturizer. Jojoba oil is one of the best sealants, chemical-structure-wise. So I tried it and it works well for me as a sealant. I also find that castor oil is heavy and helps my hair stay moisturized.

If I restart up shampooing, DRY HAIR CITY.

If I skip steaming in DevaCurl Decadence One Condition, DRY HAIR CITY.

I have tried infusing moisture into my hair with sooooooooo many deep conditioners. They just don't do much for me. As soon as I rinse them out with cool water, DRY HAIR CITY. But for some reason, DevaCurl Decadence One Condition moisturizes my hair and prepares it to receive more moisture. Maybe it's the protein (since my hair is hipo). Interestingly, my stylist said that I can use DevaCurl Decadence One Condition as my DC.

I have the Joico Moisture Recovery Treatment Balm on my list of "try this someday" items.

I was ASTONISHED that my hair was moisturized "all of a sudden." I used to be consumed with how dry it was. I almost forgot I had that problem until I read your post. I know how concerning this can be. Keep trying! It took me YEARS to stumble upon the fix for my hair. It is so worth it.

Please let us know what ends up working for you!

 

[trueheartofgold]

I had this same problem up until a few months ago: NOTHING I did moisturized my hair. Within 1 hour, dry as scorched, desert sand. I was taking everyone's advice, buying up this and that product (there's a picture of my 3-year old stash in the Sept-Nov No Buy thread), prepooing and oil rinsing and yaddah, yaddah, yaddah . . . etc.

I will share what has finally enabled me to moisturize my hair, but of course your mileage may vary. I'll share my hair details so that you can factor that in.

Hair characteristics: Fine strands, many strands on the head (dense), naturally highly porous, mainly 4a spirals.

What it takes to moisturize my hair and/or keep it from drying out:

1. CLEANSE versus shampoo. Shampoo RARELY. Shampoo waaaaaaaaaaaaay less than I did when relaxed. Shampoo way less than I think I need to. IN FACT: cleanse with just water if I can, cleanse with a DC if my hair is not very dirty, or cleanse with a cleansing conditioner or clay wash specifically designed to cleanse. Product options for me at this step: Naturalicious clay wash, Shea Moisture Hipo Moisture-seal Masque, DevaCurl Decadence No Poo, Annabelle's PerfectBlends (Etsy.com) Blue Agave Cleansing Conditioner
2. CHELATE very rarely. I can get away with this because I don't have hard water and I hardly ever use silicone-containing products. Silicone is okay for some folks hair. It might be okay for mine and might really help my tangling problems. I don't yet know. But for now, I want to use products that wash away easily with conditioner without requiring drying sulfates. That means only water-soluble silicones if any. For now.
3. Steam in DevaCurl Decadence One Condition and leave it in. Apply it to every part of my hair using the praying hands method. Flash it under the water to drive it in, further disperse it, etc. Stay in the shower (soon will get under steamer) so that it gets steamed in.
4. Moisturize with Oyin Hair Dew. It is the ONLY moisturizer that actually really works LONG TERM (days versus minutes) on my hair. I don't know why. I've tried sooooooo many moisturizes. Another leave-in that does my hair pretty good is Kinky Curly Knot Today. But Oyin Hair Dew blows it out of the water for moisture, for my hair.
5. Seal with sealant of the day. Typically this is Camille Rose Naturals Curl Maker. It is the moist moisturizing gel I've ever used. Almost all other gels have a drying affect on my hair, even when paired with a moisturizer. Jojoba oil is one of the best sealants, chemical-structure-wise. So I tried it and it works well for me as a sealant. I also find that castor oil is heavy and helps my hair stay moisturized.

If I restart up shampooing, DRY HAIR CITY.

If I skip steaming in DevaCurl Decadence One Condition, DRY HAIR CITY.

I have tried infusing moisture into my hair with sooooooooo many deep conditioners. They just don't do much for me. As soon as I rinse them out with cool water, DRY HAIR CITY. But for some reason, DevaCurl Decadence One Condition moisturizes my hair and prepares it to receive more moisture. Maybe it's the protein (since my hair is hipo). Interestingly, my stylist said that I can use DevaCurl Decadence One Condition as my DC.

I have the Joico Moisture Recovery Treatment Balm on my list of "try this someday" items.

I was ASTONISHED that my hair was moisturized "all of a sudden." I used to be consumed with how dry it was. I almost forgot I had that problem until I read your post. I know how concerning this can be. Keep trying! It took me YEARS to stumble upon the fix for my hair. It is so worth it.

Please let us know what ends up working for you!

Thanks so much for the detailed response! It's good to see others who can relate because its beginning to get depressing (I have so many products)! Don't laugh but I'm one of those people who are scared of co-washing because I feel like my hair doesn't get completely clean (I tried As-I-Am Cowash and I just couldn't lol)...I feel like I need a good lather to get rid of all the build up. And I have a very sensitive scalp. I know it says no poo but does it lather at least a little bit? Also, what deep conditioners do you use?

 

[YvetteWithJoy]

Thanks so much for the detailed response! It's good to see others who can relate because its beginning to get depressing (I have so many products)! Don't laugh but I'm one of those people who are scared of co-washing because I feel like my hair doesn't get completely clean (I tried As-I-Am Cowash and I just couldn't lol)...I feel like I need a good lather to get rid of all the build up. And I have a very sensitive scalp. I know it says no poo but does it lather at least a little bit? Also, what deep conditioners do you use?

True, I TOTALLY GET YOU 100%. I just HAD to have lather up until a few months ago. The ONLY thing that stopped me was that I had to try something different.

Every now and then I can't resist the urge for lathery shampoo. When that happens, I use Shea Moisture's High Porosity Moisture-seal shampoo (uber lather). It is sulfate free and safe for color, so I know it's not very stripping. I can, however, tell the difference when I use it: My hair is dryer than when I just trust a cleansing conditioner.

I am like you: Lather physically MOVES dirt particles. I know this, so I want lather!!! Every now and then I give in and poo with that poo. So far the only cleansing conditioner that gives me confidence my hair is actually cleaned is that APB (Etsy.com) cleansing conditioner. I can tell my hair is clean: It's a little dry/rough compared to just trying to "cleanse" with a regular conditioner.

I'll list the DCs I use, but like I said, they don't give me long-lasting moisture so far. Once I rinse them, it's like I never DC'd really. I use NaturalleGrow's protein-free DC to detangle and I use SM's Hipo Masque to cowash/detangle/DC. For moisture-infusing, I have tried (largely with very small results):

1. Bekura Y.A.M.: pretty good for a few hours of moisture, LOL. Applying Oyin soon after is a good deal!
   
2. Especially Hair's Moisture Foundation DC: TERRIBLY EXPENSIVE (as in absolutely ridiculous) but works WONDERS to moisturize MY HAIR
   
3. NaturelleGrow Indian Clay mask: I need to keep trialing it, but somewhat moisturizing for my hair after rinse-out (have used once)
   
4. TerraVeda's Quinoa Deep Conditioner: softened hair greatly, slightly moisturizing after rinse-out (have used once)
   
5. Sitrinillah: need to keep trialing . . . softened hair greatly, not a lot of moisture after rinse-out . . . but it's supposed to be amazing so I'll keep trialing it
6. SM Manuka masque: did nothing for me but many folks SWEAR by it
7. SM Superfruit masque: drew my hair up terribly and the draw-up lasted for WEEKS . . . I'm an oddball with this one as most folks like it
8. SM JBCO masque: kind of sat on top of my head . . . but lots of people love it, so please don't take my word for it
9. SM Coconut Fusion Weightless masque: I need to keep trialing it but it didn't do much for my hair
10. TerraVeda's Carmeltini: didn't do much for my hair
11. TerraVeda's Mud masque thingy: didn't do much for my hair
12. NaturelleGrow Coconut, Mango, etc. DC: softens my hair and is great for detangling

I'll keep editing once I have the rest of my DCs in front of me.

Blessings!

 

[SuchaLady]

I know one of my Joico homies had me I agree with @pre_medicalrulz

I highly recommend Joico Moisture Recovery Balm. I would do a wash with some sulfate free shampoo first and then a deep condition. Creme of Nature Argan Oil Shampoo plays nicely with Joico.

What is your density like? I'm not natural but I have thick hair and to be honest with you, my hair would be dry as the Sahara if I used those products you have listed. None of what you included in your post is rich enough to infuse any long lasting moisture in my opinion.

Shea Moisture is a fave here (Hello Hydration used to be too) but no Hop on to some professional product lines. You won't ever look back.

 

[YvetteWithJoy]

Oh: No . . . I get no lather with the DevaCurl Decadence No Poo. But there is a Low Poo you can try.

 

[princess_z]

I think you need to figure out your hair's porosity if you don't already know it and go from there.

Like YvetteWithJoy I used to have very dry hair. It's something I still struggle with, but once I realized I had low porosity hair that helped me know what products to use and what to do to address the problem.

 

[trueheartofgold]

I think you need to figure out your hair's porosity if you don't already know it and go from there.

Like YvetteWithJoy I used to have very dry hair. It's something I still struggle with, but once I realized I had low porosity hair that helped me know what products to use and what to do to address the problem.

Thanks for responding. Since I'm transitioning and have quite a bit of the heat damage left I thought I couldn't figure out my porosity (I may be wrong). How can I do a porosity test?

 

[prettyinpurple]

Thanks again. I deep condition every week with heat. So you're saying don't use any products with protein at all? I only eliminated coconut oil as a pre poo so I may have to eliminate altogether. The thing is most natural hair products have coconut oil lol...

Nope, stop the protein for a while. ETA: Yea there are more products w/o coconut oil as an ingredient now thank goodness.

No protein at all. Moisture moisture moisture. Then just keep it simple and leave your hair alone. I know it's hard to do but it's a mindset that you have to adopt so you don't drive yourself crazy & stagnate your hair's progress by always messing with it.

ETA: Looking at that picture, you would really benefit from roller setting instead of using a standard dryer. Roller setting allows your hair to condition itself so to speak.

Agree re: protein.

Other suggestions:

The amla heavy cream from Qhemet Biologics is good as well. Very concentrated, too heavy for me now. I didn't feel moisturized at first but by day 2 or 3, your hair feels great and very moisturized.

Are you ready to cut off the old hair? Dealing with two textures is no fun and they both have different needs IMO. That should stop some of the tangling hair too.

I prefer gentle cleansers vs traditional shampoo. My current face is Kinky Curly Come Clean. It's gentle and clarifying. I also like Curl Junkie Daily Fix and Cibu Spring Roll Hydrating Cleanser. I bought the Cibu at a Bubble salon (it's a chain). I think the SM Superfruit Shampoo is decent too.

ETA: I think that I liked DevaCurl Low Poo (or No Poo?) too.

 

[prettybyrd]

Personally, that monoi deep conditioner is a joke. Try...no don't 'try' but BUY Joico Moisture Recovery Treatment Balm.
Viola! Problem solved.

Opt for the shampoo and conditioner as well and drop your other ones.

HHG

Do you use it with heat?

 

[princess_z]

Thanks for responding. Since I'm transitioning and have quite a bit of the heat damage left I thought I couldn't figure out my porosity (I may be wrong). How can I do a porosity test?

I used to be relaxed, I have transitioned 3x in the past (gave up twice and went back to the relaxer), and recently BC. But even when my hair was relaxed, when I was transitioning, and even now that I'm natural my hair has always been low porosity.

There are a few tests you can do. I always just did the float test though some people say the results from it can be unreliable. You just take a few strands of hair and drop them into a bowl or cup of water and see if they float or sink. If they take a very long time to sink or never sink then you have low porosity hair. If it sinks rather quickly then you have high porosity hair. Normal porosity hair should float somewhere in the middle.

I can also tell my hair is low porosity because my hair takes a while to get truly wet when I am washing it. If I spray it with water the water sits on my hair like little dew droplets of water. When I apply product it just sits on my hair. It's very, very hard for moisture to get into my hair.

High porosity hair, from what I understand, has trouble retaining moisture.

 

[happycakes]

UPDATE: Co-washing often helps soften my hair and reduces tangles. I use a good detangling conditioner (non silicone) on my dry hair, bag it and rinse it out either in a hour or the next day.

Each time I do this, I put my hair in two stranded twists and I tight it down til it's dry. Please note that this is easy for me since I wear my hair in a protective style (wig). My hair dries to a very soft texture and I repeat these steps every other day or so. It's soooo easy.

Here's the conditioner that I use and I get no build up from it.

http://www.sheamoisture.com/Manuka-Honey-Mafura-Oil-Intensive-Hydration-Conditioner_p_1345.html

I cut back on the shampooing to once a month and yes my scalp is clean even with the co-washing.

Good luck on what ever you decide.

 

[trueheartofgold]

Nope, stop the protein for a while. ETA: Yea there are more products w/o coconut oil as an ingredient now thank goodness.


Agree re: protein.

Other suggestions:

The amla heavy cream from Qhemet Biologics is good as well. Very concentrated, too heavy for me now. I didn't feel moisturized at first but by day 2 or 3, your hair feels great and very moisturized.

Are you ready to cut off the old hair? Dealing with two textures is no fun and they both have different needs IMO. That should stop some of the tangling hair too.

I prefer gentle cleansers vs traditional shampoo. My current face is Kinky Curly Come Clean. It's gentle and clarifying. I also like Curl Junkie Daily Fix and Cibu Spring Roll Hydrating Cleanser. I bought the Cibu at a Bubble salon (it's a chain). I think the SM Superfruit Shampoo is decent too.

ETA: I think that I liked DevaCurl Low Poo (or No Poo?) too.

I planned on cutting it off earlier this month and didn't (mostly due to the dryness and how I would handle it). I'm thinking of doing it very soon.