Hello!! I'm new and I need a teeny bit of help =)...

[maddywoo13]

You all seem really nice so I thought I could ask you all from some help concerning my hair.

I'm maddy, I'm 16, I'm relaxed, my hair is shoulder length and since early this year I vow to take care of my hair, not better but ANY care. I'm known as the type who doesn't know a thing about caring for my type of hair and I always depended on a stylist to do it for me. I'm surprised I'm not bald. I would just let it go dry for days and days because I was scared to do anything with it. Everything I tried people said I shouldn't do so I just left it alone. I would like to change all of that so after surfing around these forums for a bit I put together this regimen list on stuff I will start doing. I would really appreciate it if some of you would read it and give out suggestions and point out anything that's not quite right, I will GREATLY appreciate this!

·[FONT=&quot]I will relax my hair only 11 to 14 weeks at a time[/FONT]
·[FONT=&quot]I will DC w/ Miss Key’s 10 en 1 or my concoction of Lekair Aloe Vera mixed with a tsp of Cayenne Pepper, a tbsp of coconut oil, EVOO, and Jamaican Castor Oil every Wednesday and Thursday.[/FONT]
·[FONT=&quot]I will CO-wash every time I DC and weekend that I don’t go to the stylist.[/FONT]
·[FONT=&quot]I will do a Protein Treatment w/ either Palmers Coconut Protein pack or Nexxus Emergencee Restorative Conditioner every month or 5 days before my upcoming perm.[/FONT]
·[FONT=&quot]I will “scritch” or massage my hair 3x a week, with my Shower comb.[/FONT]
·[FONT=&quot]I will only comb my hair only 2 times a day; no more, maybe less[/FONT]
·[FONT=&quot]I WILL eat a spoonful of Coconut oil, plain or mixed in.[/FONT]
·[FONT=&quot]I will continue to take my Fish Oil and Iron, and will add Biotin[/FONT]
·[FONT=&quot]I WILL drink half a gallon of water EVERYDAY, distilled or spring.[/FONT]
·[FONT=&quot]I will only use heat when I go to the stylist.[/FONT]
·[FONT=&quot]I will always protective style[/FONT]
·[FONT=&quot]Moisturize twice a day with one of the great products I have, first thing when I wake up (unless I plan on washing my hair) and before I go to sleep. I will also seal with an oil such as EVOO and coconut oil[/FONT]
·[FONT=&quot]I will always think positive about my hair.[/FONT]


I also have a few questions. Do any of you ladies using any type of scalp moisturizer to prevent scalp dryness? I have a bad itching problem and I am just done with petroleum and mineral oil products because they did nothing stunt my progress of my hair growth. My other question is I'm a ROUGH sleeper, I put on a satin bonnet and the next morning its off on the floor. I've read that friction between hair and the pillowcase can break it off. Does anyone else have the same problem and if so did you ever find a solution for this? and my last question, I hope this isn't asking much, I was wondering if some of you could post your regimens on here so I can get a better idea of what I can do.

Most you have such beautiful hair, and your progress is so amazing. I would really love some advice or words of wisdom. Once again, thank you!

 

[Cleve_gryl]

My other question is I'm a ROUGH sleeper, I put on a satin bonnet and the next morning its off on the floor. I've read that friction between hair and the pillowcase can break it off. Does anyone else have the same problem and if so did you ever find a solution for this?

Welcome Maddy!! Sounds like you have a good solid reggie, way better organized than when I joined the boards. My suggestion is to use a satin pillowcase. I use this regardless to what I cover my hair with, just in case. I also like the way it feels on my face HHG!

 

[wheezy807]

Welcome to LHCF! As far as the stretching is concerned, sometimes it's more difficult than it appears. For example before i joined i used to retouch like every 6 weeks and the first time i stretched when i joined it was 12 weeks. Not everyone can do that so if you find it difficult just stretch 1 week more til you reach 11 to 14 weeks. One retouch 8 weeks, next retouch 9 weeks and so on... Another thing is sometimes it's not good to schedule your protein treatments because it could lead to protein overload. As you get the hang of things you will know when you need moisture and when you need protein. You will be able listen to your hair and it will tell you. For the most part when we first start out we really lack moisture. And then there's a such thing as overmoisturizing, too. But i've been here almost two years and never suffered from neither, don't worry. My dry scalp issues disappeared when i joined because i shampooed/dc twice a week. If you prefer to drink spring or distilled water than that's great, but drinking water period is a great idea. I need to listen to that myself, lol.

 

[wheezy807]

I was afraid i would run out of space, lol. Does your bonnet have a tie? I have a satin scarf with a tie and it stays on for the most part. I hope i helped you somewhat. Don't worry in a few weeks/months you'll know just about everything. It's more easier than it sounds, trust. Happy Hair Growing lady!

 

[maddywoo13]

Hello! I just bought this bonnet, before that I had a bonnet that tied but it would always slide off, like to the middle of my head. I think that's the reason why my front and my ends is the weakest part of my hair but I'm gonna start using satin pillowcases like you suggested, Where did you get yours btw? About the relaxing part and the protein part, I'm gonna try that as well. How do you know when your hair has too much protein and too much moisture?

 

[Platinum]

 

[wheezy807]

Hello! I just bought this bonnet, before that I had a bonnet that tied but it would always slide off, like to the middle of my head. I think that's the reason why my front and my ends is the weakest part of my hair but I'm gonna start using satin pillowcases like you suggested, Where did you get yours btw? About the relaxing part and the protein part, I'm gonna try that as well. How do you know when your hair has too much protein and too much moisture?

Here's an article on protein and moisture by one of the members here:http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/278612/the_fine_art_of_protein_and_moisture.html?cat=69(if you read on it will also tell you the symptoms of too much moisture or protein). I also have two pillowcases i picked up from sally's. HTH.

 

[lilsparkle825]

good regimen, but remember...BABY steps. don't run out and buy all that stuff at once...use up what you have or you will end up like me with 17 new things to try (literally) and then you find some stuff in your closet that you really need to use up. and like others have said, listen to your hair...i used to be like what is THAT but i found out once i told myself i would DC 3x a week and my hair told me no you won't and my relaxed ends began breaking off.

and i don't know if you have been doing this, but what i did before i joined and even more so now is fotki stalking. if you ever feel yourself falling off, look at your hair idol's latest pics or read a new journal. happy hair growing.

 

[Simply_Kelz]

Welcome! I sleep pretty wild too, I usually tie a scarf on, then put on the bonnet. And since I start co-washing, I haven't had a dry scalp.

 

[Kirei]

Hello! I just bought this bonnet, before that I had a bonnet that tied but it would always slide off, like to the middle of my head. I think that's the reason why my front and my ends is the weakest part of my hair but I'm gonna start using satin pillowcases like you suggested, Where did you get yours btw? About the relaxing part and the protein part, I'm gonna try that as well. How do you know when your hair has too much protein and too much moisture?

I think you know your hair has too much moisture when it is mushy and too much protein when it is dry and very brittle.

Just add a protein leave in or something and it should all balance out.

Also, just a note often times the people who have the longest hair, have the simplest routines. IMO, all you need to start off is the basics: Shampoo, Conditioner, Leave-In, Moisturizer (can be homemade) and a Oil to seal or just add shine and extra moisture.

Shampoo can be baking soda, which for many people has gotten their hair really soft and fluffy.

Cheapy conditioners like White Rain Tropical Coconut, Herbal Essence, VO5 and a few other cheap ones, have worked really well for lots of people on this baord. Great for Co-Washing if your hair doesn't retain moisture well; dries out fast.

Have you done a search? Before you spend too much try the simple methods and then expand on that.

This all just my opinion, I just hope it helps you some how.


~Liyah

 

[maddywoo13]

Here's an article on protein and moisture by one of the members here:http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/278612/the_fine_art_of_protein_and_moisture.html?cat=69(if you read on it will also tell you the symptoms of too much moisture or protein). I also have two pillowcases i picked up from sally's. HTH.

Why, thank for this article! I'm reading it now. As for all the other ladies who threw their two cents in, thank you sooooo much. I'm learning so much and I am mos def going to take ALL of your suggestions into consideration.

 

[Lady Esquire]

I also have a few questions. Do any of you ladies using any type of scalp moisturizer to prevent scalp dryness? I have a bad itching problem and I am just done with petroleum and mineral oil products because they did nothing stunt my progress of my hair growth. My other question is I'm a ROUGH sleeper, I put on a satin bonnet and the next morning its off on the floor. I've read that friction between hair and the pillowcase can break it off. Does anyone else have the same problem and if so did you ever find a solution for this? and my last question, I hope this isn't asking much, I was wondering if some of you could post your regimens on here so I can get a better idea of what I can do.

Maddy! What up mami?! Glad to have you here. Regimen looks mad thorough.

Before I started with a healthy hair regimen, I had dry scalp with dandruff. The moment I started to pay attention to shampooing often, co-washing, DCing, etc...my dry scalp problem vanished almost instantly. Do not use too much shampoo. The "Crown and Glory" method is a great one. Use moisturizing shampoos to keep scalp both clean without stripping too much. As long as you are keeping it clean, on a consistent basis, there really is not much need to apply much, or any thing, to the scalp. Plus since you're going to be incorporating regular scalp massages in your regi, then you should be stimulating natural oils to the surface anyway. If you must, a light dab of coconut oil or a light oil should suffice.

Experiment with some scarves. Also buy some satin or silk pillowcases. My regimen is in my fotki journal. But it is probably a bit outdated, so I will come back to this thread with something more updated.

Maddy, I wish I was where you are when I was 16. Starting young is great! You have definitely come to the right place.

 

[maddywoo13]

Maddy! What up mami?! Glad to have you here. Regimen looks mad thorough.

Before I started with a healthy hair regimen, I had dry scalp with dandruff. The moment I started to pay attention to shampooing often, co-washing, DCing, etc...my dry scalp problem vanished almost instantly. Do not use too much shampoo. The "Crown and Glory" method is a great one. Use moisturizing shampoos to keep scalp both clean without stripping too much. As long as you are keeping it clean, on a consistent basis, there really is not much need to apply much, or any thing, to the scalp. Plus since you're going to be incorporating regular scalp massages in your regi, then you should be stimulating natural oils to the surface anyway. If you must, a light dab of coconut oil or a light oil should suffice.

Experiment with some scarves. Also buy some satin or silk pillowcases. My regimen is in my fotki journal. But it is probably a bit outdated, so I will come back to this thread with something more updated.

Maddy, I wish I was where you are when I was 16. Starting young is great! You have definitely come to the right place.

ooo, thank you! I was always wondering how to use those type oils when I massaged the scalp. I always thought it would ok if it was dry but then again I was worried if the peppermint that I found in my cabinet would do something bad to my scalp, plus I didn't know how to apply it. Thank you for the lovely welcome =)