I am over this! FMH

[virgo_chinwe]

I will admit I have had my setbacks and I have fallen off on my routines in the past. But I know I am making a genuine effort in my hair. Now out of nowhere, I am getting patches all over! My edges which I have been working on for the the past year are still not coming back. I have been natural for like 3 years and I still have a TWA...no wait...I have a half funky TWA that stretches five inches in the front w/ no edges, barely and inch on the back of my hair and nape..and my crown....well is a lost cause b/c it never grows.

The only thing I can attribute is maybe that I dont cover my hair at night but since I have been doing it lately...I feel like my hair's condition has only worsened. Honestly f what you heard...white girls have it so easy---give me extra oily hair any day..or hair that doesnt curl like I want it to. At least it would be my own.

I wish I had a digital camera to show how ridiculous my hair looks. This is definitely not one of those posts where someone is exaggerating in the slightest...like when someone posts with MBL hair and is complaining about a 1/2 inch of see through strands. Like I have strands ranging from 1/4 of an inch to 5 sprinkled all over my head. (FYI:Health wise...My thyroid is great.)

My sister used to tell me when I started my journey that ...there is really no point and she has accepted that her hair will always be short. I am starting to think shes right and I am wasting my money and time. I feel like my hair has really hindered alot of things in my life. For example, I model on the side and would like to take it more seriously but nobody wants a model with barely there hair or who always has a built in weave. I dont like to go out with my girls in between weaves. UGH...I am done complaining......sorry I needed to vent.

 

[testimony777]

I am sorry you are feeling this way . I don't have any advice to share, I just wanted to give you a big. I am sure other ladies will chime in with great tips.

 

[LoveCraze]

Oh wow, really OP? Is it really that bad? Please share your reggie so some of the vets can come in and see if maybe you should do some tweaking. Preferably one in which you will not have to bear any extra expense. I'm really sorry to hear you're having such a frustrating time with your hair. Let us all know what it is exactly that you're doing with your hair.

 

[sleepflower]

In addition to telling us your reggie... How is your emotional health? You do not have to tell us, but ask yourself. Stress and other negative emotions can impact us negatively, including crap like weight gain and our hair's health. If there is something you need to boot out of your life, do it!

 

[Fine 4s]

I second Testimony777.

However I will say that I know someone who's been on the natural kick for years and is just now APL. I mean I'm talking 5 years plus...she's still as happy as a clam of her progress.

Yes, please tell us about your overall health, and the last time you got a physical etc. with blood tests...

((Hugs))

 

[virgo_chinwe]

I guess my biggest problem is that I dont know how to read my hair until something drastic happens. Since the first of the year I have been really trying to do this ayurveda rinses (1 to 2 times a week). Shampoos just seem to dry out my hair..and this seemed to be a great alternative to cleanse my hair. I have been oilling w/ vatika oil like every other day or 2 days. Mosturize with glycerin/water and afroveda shea alma cream. Deep condition once a week or bi monthly.

Stress...perhaps...maybe I have underestimated the power of stress. I just dont think it caused this. hmm...wow....i need to do some thinking...i will post back.

 

[BostonMaria]

I'm so sorry OP

If you think you can't then you will have exactly that. I would have to know your regimen to help you out.

 

[coolsista-paris]

sorry to hear this. tell us your reggie and hair. do you do any other protective styles?
tell us what you use. Like the girls say,stress ,been very tired/not enough sleep, not eating well may have something to do too.But i don't knowif you have any problems of that type.

 

[sharifeh]

I'm sorry, I know how you feel! But you can do it! I'm sure of it!

 

[*CherryPie*]

How about your iron? Could you possibly be anemic? That would cause it too.

Low iron will mess your hair up!

 

[shopgalore]

If I were you I would -
1. List exactly what you do to your hair
2. List the products you use

With those 2 things, the ladies here maybe able to help you, sometimes its the tiny things we do that can hinder. Do you take a vits?? That may help you. Stress is a nightmare, but it can be solved.

 

[butterfly_wings]

Sorry Op, things will turn around. I suggest you up your DC's to twice a week for a start

 

[BlaqBella]

I'm so sorry..I don't have much time to read right now...but i saw thyroid and i know how devastating this problem can be for a woman w/ hair & weight issues (being magnified during this rough period). And i pray it get's better for you SOON sweetie.

 

[mscocoface]

Give us the 411 on the reggie. We want ALL the gory details.

 

[frizzy]

Can you change your weave routine into a wig routine? Then you can work on taking care of your scalp and moisturizing your hair a lot easier.

 

[CarolinaGal]

OP, I am sorry to hear about your situation and frustrations. Can you please tell us a bit about your scalp? Dry, oily, flaky, itchy? Also, maybe you could consider getting tested for topical and food allergies if that is possible.

 

[MissLawyerLady]

How about your iron? Could you possibly be anemic? That would cause it too.

Low iron will mess your hair up!

This is so true! I am severly anemic - about a step away from needing a transfusion- and my hair has suffered. My length is okay, but my growth has slowed noticeably since I stopped taking my prescribed iron supplements. I never have to shave my underarms or legs now and I attribute this to my lack of iron.

I would suggest getting a comprehensive physical exam first, to make sure all is well. If your health checks out then your regimen can be tweeked to maximize your hair's potential. Best wishes/HTH.

 

[luxurious_lengths]

I co-sign on iron deficiency causing a lot of hair loss. My hair is long but after having my 2nd child my iron levels were low and I lost fists full of hair. Good luck.

 

[UrbainChic]

Maybe you should also examine your weave routine, You may be losing some hair from traction, tightness, and it may be hard to take care of your hair under the extensions.

Other than that I don't really know.

 

[virgo_chinwe]

The last time I checked my iron levels were normal...although it was back in november. I take a prenatal vitamin with iron...but I am pretty flimsy w/ my routine. I am starting a hair log today to see if I can identify the problem. I have been checking my faucets and I am suspecting I have hard water.

 

[virgo_chinwe]

Can you change your weave routine into a wig routine? Then you can work on taking care of your scalp and moisturizing your hair a lot easier.

I went from wigs to weaves b/c my edges were suffering from the wigs....

 

[virgo_chinwe]

My diet...is awful...to say the least. I kinda eat only when im really really hungry. Food suggestions to add to my diet? And I dont work out.....

 

[ladylibra_30]

Aww, VC. I feel your frustration through the screen.

Your hair can hear you, you know? <---- I know that may sound crazy but 'she doeth as she thinketh!' You may be taking out your frustrations on your tresses amongst other things.

Are you using good products? Washing/conditiong/moisture & protein thoroughly? Being consistent? Protecting the hair? Eating, resting, maintaining stress, & supplementing properly? Being patient AND POSITIVE?

ETA - OK - I see you answered some of my questions...I type like a turtle LOL. You know you have to do better right if you want your hair to thrive?

 

[virgo_chinwe]

In Jan. Routine

Using Ayurvedic Rinse 1x to 2x a week, following a vatika prepoo ( i can leave it in for days when im feeling lazy)
deep condition after ayurvedic tea rinse
Maybe...ayurvedic kick is not for me...b/c during one of my sessions...I had a lot of hair loss while combing my deep conditioner.

FEB
Since the hair loss...I have been just mosurizing mainly every 2 days to revive my hair from the loss. I deep conditioned last weekend w/ keracare humecto ---what I have been using since jan. I use a water/glycerin/wgo mix to mosturize and seal with afroveda shea alma.

As a natural....how much combing is too much???

 

[Shoediva]

I would get a sulfate-free moisturizing shampoo, conditioner & weekly deep conditioner. Good leave-in and oil. Be consistent with that for 30 days and journal. Stop with the weaves/wigs (cept for when your modeling requires it). Be consistent with covering your hair at bedtime..

Try to get more fruits and vegetable & water.

Your hair can grow! and you will see a difference with consistency~

 

[PPGbubbles]

In Jan. Routine

Using Ayurvedic Rinse 1x to 2x a week, following a vatika prepoo ( i can leave it in for days when im feeling lazy)
deep condition after ayurvedic tea rinse
Maybe...ayurvedic kick is not for me...b/c during one of my sessions...I had a lot of hair loss while combing my deep conditioner.

FEB
Since the hair loss...I have been just mosurizing mainly every 2 days to revive my hair from the loss. I deep conditioned last weekend w/ keracare humecto ---what I have been using since jan. I use a water/glycerin/wgo mix to mosturize and seal with afroveda shea alma.

As a natural....how much combing is too much???

@ the bolded you have to learn what your hair can tolerate....Combs hurt my progress early on.... I never cared about ripping hair out the goal used to me to get the comb through my hair by any means necessary

Now I "comb" only on wash days.... I always finger detangle first then use a wide tooth comb... other than that all manipulation in done by hand... and i treat my hair like fine silk!

This had reduce breakage esp at the crown where my hair is a bit unrully....but since i stopped combing and started finger detangling my hair has doubled and thickness and I am retaining length