Newbie needs help!!!

[Pandora1975]

Hi All,

I've been lurkin here for a while and dying to ask for help. Well thanks to a replaced debit card and a long dull story, I'm here.

I have type 4 (all subtypes I think- its a mess) hair that I've been unknowingly transitioning for about a year now. I put in braids last summer and finally ended that run this past spring. I haven't relaxed since about a month and a half before the braids. When I took them down, I found I had longish (for me) nape length hair- something I haven't seen in years. I decided then and there that I wanted to keep it, and gave my sis the relaxer I had bought.

Since then I have been learning everything I could, and all was going great until the week. I just can't seen to keep moisture in my hair. Tonight I tried the acv treatment thinking my prob is ph. I normally use Cantu Shea a leave in, I do co-washes and dcs.... What am I forgetting???

 

[redecouvert]

looks like you're doing everything right.
I also tend to have a problem retaining moisture so i use heavier products (qhemet) depending on what my hair tells me..
do you seal with an oil?
it also helps and drinking water too
Congratulations on your natural hair journey!

 

[Crackers Phinn]

I know it gets a bad rap, but try using shampoo once a week. Both natural and relaxed, co-washing alone always caused too much build up on my hair.

 

[Pandora1975]

I use shampoo once to twice a month to get rid of buildup. I have 2 bottles of various poos around here to use up, then thought I would give baking soda a go. I have recently started sealing with EVOO. To be honest, I think I'm just starting to feel a bit overwhelmed. There are just so many techniques to try. I used to have a life outside of my hair. While I love doing all of this, I'm starting to wonder if I'm wasting my time if all I end up with is a head that resembles a badly shaped birds nest.

I nearly forgot, I also dink a good deal of vitamin water (love the stuff). I ordered chlorella last night (more for health than hair) and am on a healthier eating regimen (my gall bladder requested that change last week).

 

[LushLox]

Buy some Roux Porosity Control. It will enable you to retain moisture, well it certainly has helped my hair and lots of other ladies. Have a search, there are a few threads on it.

 

[Pandora1975]

OK, just an update- My hair is mostly dry following the acv and it feels a little better. I guess ph might have been it. my curls are poppin, but i'm doin a braidout to hide the relaxed bits some. will post a pic- maybe- when all is said and done.

 

[tiffers]

Welcome Pandora! Okay, so how often do you dc? How long do you dc? Do use a dryer when you dc? What conditioners do you dc with? What do you use for your daily moisturizer?What shampoos do you use? Do you have hard water?How do you wear your hair daily?

 

[Pandora1975]

Welcome Pandora! Okay, so how often do you dc? How long do you dc? Do use a dryer when you dc? What conditioners do you dc with? What do you use for your daily moisturizer?What shampoos do you use? Do you have hard water?How do you wear your hair daily?

OK... I DC once or twice a week depending on dryness and how tired I am. I'm still searchin for that perfect conditioner, (keeping in mind that I'm poor- wish I could afford to try Miss Jessie's or similar), but currently I cowash with the Tresseme for curls, and have DC'd with an ORS packet (best results) and the Tresseme with added olive oil and honey (was ). Daily moisterizer could be Aussie Hair Insurance, StaSofFro leave in (it works but something in the smell bugs me), or Africas's Best Organics Olive Oil cream. These depend on what style I'm wearin, cause if my hair gets wet the only style left to me is a mini puff. Most days I'm in a braid out. I admit that for important days I flat iron on very low heat. I get Chicago water, so yeah- its hard. I don't have a hooded dryer - yet - but I do heat the DC's. Please don't ask how- its embarrassing. Gels for the braidouts are Fructis Style Fiber Gum Putty (dry braidouts - sounds awful, works great and should be used very sparingly) or IC Hair Olive Styling gel (wet braidouts), and I seal tips with EVOO when needed. Today I bought Aussie 3 minute miracle (have used before when relaxed- liked it then) and HH LTR (the forum convinced me).

Hope I got it all! Thank you to everyone. Don't know if I'd have the resolve to finish this without the support of my family and all of you!