Beyond Repair or Do I Have a Prayer??!!

[boundlessbeauty]

Color damage, dryness...all due to my lack of knowledge in how to take care of my natural hair. 15 months natural...please help.

 

[melissa-bee]

Wow, that second pic looks quite bad. What things have you done to treat it so far?

 

[BronxMyth]

I am not natural, so I'm not sure if I can help, but I would like to know your haircare techniques. Do you DC weekly?

 

[LushLox]

I'm not natural but I think good start will be to get a cut, to get rid of some of the damage. Start your repairing and nurturing process from a clean canvas.

 

[ms.blue]

I believe you should stop coloring, give yourself a good hair cut & start dcing weekly alternating b/w a moisturizing & protein con. Also maybe protective styling to give your hair some rest. Hth

 

[boundlessbeauty]

So far I've started conditioning more. I do deep condition every week now. The damage stemmed from a lot of breakage from color [ironically done by professionals].I don't see a lot of spit ends. I do get knots a lot because i wear my hair in curly fros and puffs. I plan to get a weave in a week for protective styling. [hopefully it last for about 2 months] I really don't want to cut all and start over but I will do what I need to.

 

[melissa-bee]

Well i think you know what you gotta do. That sounds like a decent plan you have so i'd try that and wait for 2 months and see what you can do after that.

 

[Chaosbutterfly]

Wow you are pretty.

But I wouldn't tell you to do any drastic cuts, especially if you have not been on your HHJ for long.
I think you should just get a trim at the ends, to get rid of splits, and aid in retention. Then baby your hair for a while...keep it moist and protected, and treat it like silk. After you've given your hair some time to recuperate, start trimming away at the parts that won't cooperate.

Eventually, you will have to cut out all the damage because it never truly repairs itself. But by taking good care of your hair and trimming slowly, you may not have to cut so much and you can avoid the shock of losing all your hair at one go.

Unless you don't mind cutting it all off at once and starting anew. If that's okay with you, then just do that.

Good luck!

 

[curlicarib]

Before cutting, give up the coloring and try going back to basics:

- clarifying wash
- mild protein treatment (like yogurt)
- serious moisturizing dc
- Roux porosity control
- good leave in
- seal
- protective style

Do this for a few weeks then access the damage. It may not be as bad it seems today.

HTH

 

[FlawedBeauty]

i wouldnt say cut it, just nurture it back to health. a lot of DC's and hot oil treatments. Maybe use henna to color it back to its natural color, it will probably make it look a lot more healthy. my hair is naturally red in color, and while not unhealty, i find that when i dye it a darker color, it looks much healthier than when it is lighter.

it looks dry so you may need lots of moisture, i would stay away from the protien treatments as it may cause more dryness.

 

[Janet']

Hi OP...It's never too late. I, too, am a colored "natural", although I try to "baby" my hair as much as possible. These ladies have offered some excellent advice! Take it slow and you will see a difference.

 

[boundlessbeauty]

Wow you are pretty.

But I wouldn't tell you to do any drastic cuts, especially if you have not been on your HHJ for long.
I think you should just get a trim at the ends, to get rid of splits, and aid in retention. Then baby your hair for a while...keep it moist and protected, and treat it like silk. After you've given your hair some time to recuperate, start trimming away at the parts that won't cooperate.

Eventually, you will have to cut out all the damage because it never truly repairs itself. But by taking good care of your hair and trimming slowly, you may not have to cut so much and you can avoid the shock of losing all your hair at one go.

Unless you don't mind cutting it all off at once and starting anew. If that's okay with you, then just do that.

Good luck!

Thanks for the compliment-made my day.

On the hair tips. I am going to try to baby it for awhile before a drastic cute because i think the color makes it look worse than it may be.

 

[boundlessbeauty]

i wouldnt say cut it, just nurture it back to health. a lot of DC's and hot oil treatments. Maybe use henna to color it back to its natural color, it will probably make it look a lot more healthy. my hair is naturally red in color, and while not unhealty, i find that when i dye it a darker color, it looks much healthier than when it is lighter.

it looks dry so you may need lots of moisture, i would stay away from the protien treatments as it may cause more dryness.

Where can I purchase the henna? Would you recommend just putting it on the dyed hair? I agree that it possibly looks worse than it is because of the red vs my dark brown hair.

 

[I Am So Blessed]

So far I've started conditioning more. I do deep condition every week now. The damage stemmed from a lot of breakage from color [ironically done by professionals].I don't see a lot of spit ends. I do get knots a lot because i wear my hair in curly fros and puffs. I plan to get a weave in a week for protective styling. [hopefully it last for about 2 months] I really don't want to cut all and start over but I will do what I need to.

ok ima keep it real, as usual.

no weave! why? because you have to take care of your hair msnetta.

DC every week? nah, you need to do it twice a week and on dry hair. why ON DRY HAIR? becuase your hair will soaK UP nothing else but the conditioner, no water. think of a sponge. if the sponge is soaked with water, how will it soak up anything else after?

you dont need to cut off your hair, you need a protein treatment, and NOT A LIGHT ONE.

IF YOU GET WEAVE, HOW WILL YOU DC TWICE A WEEK? (ITS SO NEEDED,MSNETTA)

come over here. let me do your hair for you. id hook it up.

luv ya!!!!

 

[LushLox]

Yeah I totally agree Adora, great advice. After babying it for a few weeks/months then make an assessment.

 

[I Am So Blessed]

BTW, i love the color, i have the same color but mines is bleach, and im relaxed so i should be bald right?


aint gonna happen cuz i wont let it.

 

[boundlessbeauty]

ok ima keep it real, as usual.

no weave! why? because you have to take care of your hair msnetta.

DC every week? nah, you need to do it twice a week and on dry hair. why ON DRY HAIR? becuase your hair will soaK UP nothing else but the conditioner, no water. think of a sponge. if the sponge is soaked with water, how will it soak up anything else after?

you dont need to cut off your hair, you need a protein treatment, and NOT A LIGHT ONE.

IF YOU GET WEAVE, HOW WILL YOU DC TWICE A WEEK? (ITS SO NEEDED,MSNETTA)

come over here. let me do your hair for you. id hook it up.

luv ya!!!!

Thank you buddy. Makes sense. I just get frustrated thus the reasoning for wanting the weave. *sighs*. I guess I need to find a protective style I am comfortable with until my hair is healthy again. Wig? The thing that really bothers me is growing the color out. The two colors are sooooooo different and drastic but there is nothing I can do I guess-unless I do the henna on the colored part.
I may have to take you up on your offer, where do you live?

 

[I Am So Blessed]

Thank you buddy. Makes sense. I just get frustrated thus the reasoning for wanting the weave. *sighs*. I guess I need to find a protective style I am comfortable with until my hair is healthy again. Wig? The thing that really bothers me is growing the color out. The two colors are sooooooo differently and drastic but there is nothing I can do I guess-unless I do the henna on the colored part.
I may have to take you up on your offer, where do you live?

when i started my journey i stayed in a half wig, i didnt care how jacked up it looked either. so rock one if you gotta.

i know your frustrated, you gonna be alright.


i live in atlantic city. comeeeeee onnnn overrr.

id have your hair sooo soft that you wont believe, i actually did 3 ladies hair this

week. but they dont giva ish about their hair so it wasnt fun for me lol.




im also new at doing people's hair lol, but im workin it

 

[exoticmommie]

I don't have much to say but

The girls will help you. Especially adora.

 

[Lady S]

So far I've started conditioning more. I do deep condition every week now. The damage stemmed from a lot of breakage from color [ironically done by professionals].I don't see a lot of spit ends. I do get knots a lot because i wear my hair in curly fros and puffs. I plan to get a weave in a week for protective styling. [hopefully it last for about 2 months] I really don't want to cut all and start over but I will do what I need to.

Like another poster said, perhaps a weave isn't the best idea. I'd be scared that the braids and the weight of the weft may cause more breakage.

Step away from the hair dye. Just step away. Maybe once you get your hair a little stronger, you can do a gentle semi permanent to soften the difference between the roots and the colored hair. Maybe.

Honestly, I would deep conditioner every time you wash your hair. That's the only way I managed to deal with my color damaged hair. And even then, that just slowed the breakage. Protein, moisture, and very little manipulation.

 

[I Am So Blessed]

first thing i would do is wash your hair, then put some aphogee treatment in a spray bottle and spray your whole head, blow dry it in.

rince out with some pantene or infusium 23 moisture condtioner,

DC your hair with cholesterol mixed with ors replenishing pak, or somthing just as moisturizing. on dry hair for an hour or more. (long time) im OD with hair care.

rince out about 90%

then put some s curl/ or care free curl lol(everybody knows i love care free curl by now ) in you hair or something like it. your hair will feel so fricken good after. im tellin you.


then three days after that yo should do a DC on dry hair again!!!

this is what i do to my hair!!! i wouldnt do anything to your hair that i dont do to my own!!!!

 

[caribeandiva]

You can repair it. Do a protein treatment followed by a moisturizing conditioner once a month (or twice a month if you feel you need it) and go easy on the heat. You'll be ok.

 

[hothair]

DON'T CUT YET!!!! I colour and i'm natural.

First things first, do a hard protein treatment (I use Aphogee 2 step) don't forget to moisturise (I use Nexxus Humectin to DC) after.

Set up a regimen that incorporates more protein than you would normally, but don't overdo it and listen to your hair. Also concentrate application of products on your ends.

After the first hard protein treatment be sure to up your DCs at least once a week, then co-wash midweek, DCs-Aveda DR Intensive is great, Joico Smooth, Lustrasilk Sheabutter, Aphogee 2 minute.

After washing add liquid leaveins (Infusium, Aphogee reconstructor spray) use a creamy leave in (Giovanni direct) and seal (any oil, castor oil. EVOO).

DON'T BE TOO HEAVY HANDED with your leave ins, its better to put a little 2ce a day than a lot once.

Since you say you have no splits try the new regimen for about 2 months THEN decide if you need to cut. I say most likely not.

Also to make your hair not as strawy get John Frieda Luminous Colour Glaze - its serum like and is supposed to "brighten" your hair but it works like a cellophane and smooths your cuticle making your hair feel better.

Also after 2 months you may want to cut down on the protein treatments and incorporate more moisture treatments, but be sure to do a hard protein at least every 3 months (mine's every 8 weeks but depends on how my hair feels).

HTH

Sorry long post

 

[Grand Prix]

Gosh, you're pretty!!


What exactly have you been doing with your hair until now?

I agree with the rest of the ladies, DC at least once a week and maybe try cowashing?

In stead of a weave, maybe you could try another protective style, like wet bunning.
That way, you can cowash/DC as often as you like and will be able to keep an eye on your hair.

I don't think you need a chop, but a good cut might not be a bad idea.

 

[flowinlocks]

You can repair it. Do a protein treatment followed by a moisturizing conditioner once a month (or twice a month if you feel you need it) and go easy on the heat. You'll be ok.

Cosigning on the moisture and protein. I wouldn't cut it, I would slowly trim away any damage as needed.

 

[I Am So Blessed]

DON'T CUT YET!!!! I colour and i'm natural.

First things first, do a hard protein treatment (I use Aphogee 2 step) don't forget to moisturise (I use Nexxus Humectin to DC) after.

Set up a regimen that incorporates more protein than you would normally, but don't overdo it and listen to your hair. Also concentrate application of products on your ends.

After the first hard protein treatment be sure to up your DCs at least once a week, then co-wash midweek, DCs-Aveda DR Intensive is great, Joico Smooth, Lustrasilk Sheabutter, Aphogee 2 minute.

After washing add liquid leaveins (Infusium, Aphogee reconstructor spray) use a creamy leave in (Giovanni direct) and seal (any oil, castor oil. EVOO).

DON'T BE TOO HEAVY HANDED with your leave ins, its better to put a little 2ce a day than a lot once.

Since you say you have no splits try the new regimen for about 2 months THEN decide if you need to cut. I say most likely not.

Also to make your hair not as strawy get John Frieda Luminous Colour Glaze - its serum like and is supposed to "brighten" your hair but it works like a cellophane and smooths your cuticle making your hair feel better.

Also after 2 months you may want to cut down on the protein treatments and incorporate more moisture treatments, but be sure to do a hard protein at least every 3 months (mine's every 8 weeks but depends on how my hair feels).

HTH

Sorry long post

cosigning. never tried these products but they sound great!!

dont worry msnetta, we got you

 

[boundlessbeauty]

DON'T CUT YET!!!! I colour and i'm natural.

First things first, do a hard protein treatment (I use Aphogee 2 step) don't forget to moisturise (I use Nexxus Humectin to DC) after.

Set up a regimen that incorporates more protein than you would normally, but don't overdo it and listen to your hair. Also concentrate application of products on your ends.

After the first hard protein treatment be sure to up your DCs at least once a week, then co-wash midweek, DCs-Aveda DR Intensive is great, Joico Smooth, Lustrasilk Sheabutter, Aphogee 2 minute.

After washing add liquid leaveins (Infusium, Aphogee reconstructor spray) use a creamy leave in (Giovanni direct) and seal (any oil, castor oil. EVOO).

DON'T BE TOO HEAVY HANDED with your leave ins, its better to put a little 2ce a day than a lot once.

Since you say you have no splits try the new regimen for about 2 months THEN decide if you need to cut. I say most likely not.

Also to make your hair not as strawy get John Frieda Luminous Colour Glaze - its serum like and is supposed to "brighten" your hair but it works like a cellophane and smooths your cuticle making your hair feel better.

Also after 2 months you may want to cut down on the protein treatments and incorporate more moisture treatments, but be sure to do a hard protein at least every 3 months (mine's every 8 weeks but depends on how my hair feels).

HTH

Sorry long post

very good info--thank you!!!

 

[boundlessbeauty]

cosigning. never tried these products but they sound great!!

dont worry msnetta, we got you

You guys are giving me soo much hope

 

[chebaby]

i dont think you need to cut it all off. just trim like 2 inches and continue to deep condition with moisture and protein. then you want to get a deep treatment made for color treated hair.
i also dont think u shold weave it because like adora said you need to have access to your hair to properly take care of it.