Threads on improving overall thickness/reducing major breakage

[ElegantPearl17]

Actually, its interesting that you mention that, it seems my hair is more prone to tangle after any cowash/wash.... and tangling for me almost inevitably means major loss. When my hair tangles, it is extremely hard to detangle (for me atleast..)

I have the same exact problem. What have you done to resolve it in the past couple of weeks?

 

[taz007]

Currently, my hair is the thickest it has ever been (see pic 1 in siggy ) and I do not stretch. Here is what I think has contributed to the increased thickness:

1) Getting a good trim initially (see pic 2 in siggy)

2) Drastically reducing the direct heat. I think that I use direct heat maybe 3 times per year. I got pretty good at rollersetting by following Macheriamour's rollersetting DVD.

3) Using a lot of protein and incorporating ceramides into my routine

4) Covering my previously relaxed hair with Vaseline, neutralizing shampoo and Joico cuticle sealer before relaxing (Most important, I believe).

5) Post relaxer, I apply food grade Aloe Vera and Garlic oil to my scalp and Duotex protein treatment to my hair and sleep in it overnight. This stops shedding and thickens up freshly relaxed hair nicely (see pic 3 in siggy)

6) Henna. I used to henna twice a month. I have slacked lately and have only henna'd once this year (note to self: get back to the henna!)

Lately, I have been protective styling quite a bit (due to time constraints) and I think that this is helping as well.

HTH

 

[shasha8685]

When I started my journey I had massive breakage from really being unkind to my hair. This is what I did:

1) Stretch my relaxers (I relax every 3 months or so)
2) When I do relax, I don't relax my hair until it's bone straight
3) I wound up having to cut it to the cut seen in my avatar. This worked for me because it enables me to learn what my hair likes from the ground up.
4) Minimize manipulation. I wash my hair 2x a week at most. I keep my hair in low manipulation styles during the week.
5) Cut down on the heat. I rarely every use heat and when I do, I make sure to use heat protectant
6) Evaluate your products, something might not be working for you. The products I used at the beginning of my journey are completely different than those I use now. I have found that my hair thrives off of natural DCs and leave-ins. Finding that out was the best thing that has ever happened to my hair.


I know you don't want to cut your hair but I really think that may be the best thing for it. You get to start over and learn what your hair needs.