Heat Damage Pt.2. Operation: Get rid of frizzy curls (w/ comparison pics!)

[BrockStar]

Me again!! As some of you know, I had major heat damage in October.
My hair is DAAAAAAAAMAGED. Like bad. Thinking about another BC. The thing is, I know some people would think my hair is fine, but to know what it was like before in comparison is just insane. It's so fragile and breaks off constantly. Here is my worst problem though: My curls are frizzy as can be. If I took a curl and pulled it down to examine it, it would be frizzy all around the curl. If I try to brush it out or smooth it, it turns into a puff with no curl pattern. Any advice, things to try?

BEFORE the damage

AFTER the damage

 

[BostonMaria]

First of all, I'm so sorry! I had no idea you had heat damage. Are you sure you want to cut it? Have you tried any protein treatments such as Aphogee 2 minute reconstructor?

 

[CoilyFields]

Im going through the same thing...basically I loved my puffy 4b hair but got heat damage in October. So I'm facing either cutting it or possibly changing to a straightened natural.

Unfortunately protein treatments did not help my hair recover the curl but maybe less prone to breakage. But I'd say give it a chance...see if you can find new styles that work with the damaged hair (like flat twistouts or curly nikkis twist and curl). Thats what im doing since I've already had a cutting bout with damaged hair and refuse to start over again.

 

[blue_flower]

Is the damage that bad? I don't see anything wrong with your hair. Maybe you should find a product on your hair to reduce the frizz, like conditioner or something.

 

[longhairlover]

how did you get the damage? is it your whole strands that are damaged? or is it just the ends?

if the damage is up in the hair I would just start to do heavy deep conditioning treatments with moisture, and I mean heavy 2x-3x's a week. STAY AWAY FROM HOT TOOLS!!!! for a while like several months.

use heating caps for deep conditioning, hooded dryer if you have one.

I would do hot oil treatments as a pre poo, and glossing treatments to keep your cuticles smoothed down while they are being repaired. frederick fekkai has a good one there are plenty on the market. I can def. see a difference in your before and after pics.

alternate once a week with a light protein treatment such as emergencee, sebastian penetraitt (a fave of mine), I wouldn't do hardcore protein because sometimes that can make the situation worse. you want to nurture the hair slowly into health not shock it.

this was my regimen for the last few months, I was battling damage from illness and the above snapped my hair back into shape, I only use the blowdryer on dry hair to blow out my roots it's not as harsh as drying your hair from when it's wet. and I was suffering frizz as well now my hair shaft is smooth, chopping the hair off isn't always necessary, just get a light trim.

hth

 

[Vshanell]

I had heat damage in the beginning of my journey. I didn't even know what it was at the time. I just let it grow out and slowly my hair got healthier as I progressed on my hair journey. I guess it would be just a preferance.....if you can't wait it out you'd probably have to just BC because no amount of dc'ing or protein will bring it 100% back to normal. It might help a little.

Heat damage (gosh looking back on this i cringe)... http://public.fotki.com/Pokahontas/natural-hair/hair_pics/dryhair002.html

http://public.fotki.com/Pokahontas/natural-hair/hair_pics/2nd_day003.html

Curls now.....http://public.fotki.com/Pokahontas/2008/natural-curly-qs/005.html

 

[Vshanell]

Is the damage that bad? I don't see anything wrong with your hair. Maybe you should find a product on your hair to reduce the frizz, like conditioner or something.

Yeah, her's dosen't look bad at all.....i would just wait that out.

 

[ctosha]

I see a difference but if you didn't say it was heat damage I would never have guessed. Some say as hair grows the curl pattern changes and sometimes the weight of the curls weighs down the hair. That would have been my guess judging from the after pic. I would say wait it out a bit before getting scissor happy.

 

[ThePerfectScore]

Oh wow heat damage is no joke... I still think your after hair is lovely... But I am totally in love with those curls in the before picture. Please keep us updated on your hair's recovery. I'm sure you can get your hair back to normal without a BC.. maybe subtle trims til you get your texture back.

 

[tada1]

You're right, the damage isn't really noticeable until you mention it. I'll say just enjoy the hair as it is and grow it out. Try to figure out how you got the damage though, so that it doesn't happen again

 

[ceebee3]

Let it grow out, unless you want to be shorter right now. I see a big difference but it still looks good.

 

[chevere62]

Maybe you could try an amla treatment. It is supposed to reinforce the curl pattern. Mix it up with some water and let it sit for a few hours and follow up with a DC. I would do it a couple of times before I made a decision but I think that will help.

 

[Soliel185]

Have you tried Beer Rinses? I've seen several naturals (Prettydimples01 was one) mention that they're great for after Dominican Blow Outs to help the curl revert.

 

[DeepBluSea]

I wouldn't cut it because although it is heat damaged it is still very pretty. Maybe "transition" back to your natural curls.

 

[BrockStar]

Thank you for your responses! I think I'm going to book a salon appointment (which I've never done except to get it straightened) and get a trim and professional deep conditioning treatment. I'll let you know if I see a difference!

 

[bella gee]

Im sure you could conjure up just as good of a deep treatment as any salon will !

But on another note, after your trim, maybe you can try styling it to combat the frizz. As my hair has gotten longer, I just cant deal with the daily wash n gos because of the tangles/frizz. So I usually braid or twist my hair (wet or dry) with a leave-in conditioner and set the ends on rollers. I get a virtually frizz free consistent curl/wave pattern.

Either way I think you should wait it out for awhile and see what happens with consistent TLC

 

[gimbap]

BUMP

any updates? I love your hair.

 

[naturalgyrl5199]

Me again!! As some of you know, I had major heat damage in October.
My hair is DAAAAAAAAMAGED. Like bad. Thinking about another BC. The thing is, I know some people would think my hair is fine, but to know what it was like before in comparison is just insane. It's so fragile and breaks off constantly. Here is my worst problem though: My curls are frizzy as can be. If I took a curl and pulled it down to examine it, it would be frizzy all around the curl. If I try to brush it out or smooth it, it turns into a puff with no curl pattern. Any advice, things to try?

BEFORE the damage

AFTER the damage

SO sorry about your minor setback. I had a bout with heat damage right after Christmas 2009 when I decided to use my new flat iron and set it too high...and oh goodness. The front/crown area of my hair barely reverted and had a zigzagging pattern...no refined coils...2 months later I have been doing weekly DC's and balancing moisture and protein, protecting the ends with HE LTR Leave in conditioner split end protector...and Joico Split end mender..which helped curb the breakage...I took a break from heat 60 days and counting..yay!....I also have been twisting my hair a lot...I have noticed the front of my hair has its beautiful defined coils again...It takes time...a little TLC and patience....I thought my hair was permanantly damaged, but its looking way better now...I have been slowly trimming the ends that did not revert as it grows so my hair is layered now...Which is okay...My front is chin length, the back is just past APL...Good Luck...I wouldn't BC...I would BABY your hair

 

[sunshinelady]

If you start to see splits, then I would cut. Otherwise, let it grow out.

 

[ManeVixen]

Yea I see the damage...I have the same problem I didn't know there was a way to get the curl pattern back other than cutting it and starting over....that's what I planned to do

 

[CaramelLites]

Your hair is still gorgeous to me...But, I've heard weekly protein treatments have helped some people's curls return to their original state. Goodluck on your HHJ.