Cancer patient's hair. Ladies, I need a little more help.

[fletgee]

I am five years without a touch up. No chemicals at all. I had lost all my hair ( and had a bald spot running from ear to ear- from a front fringe of a hairline to the back of my crown). The back (whatever had not fallen out) was clippered down to about an eigth of an inch.

I was BSL.

But I washed and conditioned every week, sometimes twice a week. I have worn a silk scarf since-24/7-even at home. I never remove it. I have it on now.

When I washed my hair today I stretched it. The back is a little below SL and the sides are at my collar bone. All the hair is virgin and I don't want to damage it.

I tried to flat iron the back. It was so puffy and was drawing up faster then I could iron it.

Here is my weekly routine.
1. Alter Ego Garlic as a pre-poo w/heat for 1 hour.
2. 2 washes with organic shampoo.
3.deep conditioner with 2 oils w/heat for one hour.
4. detangler, leavins, moisture seal and braid
5. scarf

So how do I take it to the next level? Maybe a non puffy flat iron? I feel I am not ready for a relaxer yet. And fletgee with natural hair looks like me with a brown cotton ball on my head. Not the look I'm going for.

I am ready to proceed with caution. But how to proceed is the question.

LHCF ladies..you have brought me this far. I am asking for just a little more help.

All comments, questions and replies are welcome.

Thank you.

 

[RoundEyedGirl504]

Well what was your flat ironing process? I know for me I have pre stretch my hair somehow, either by blowdrying, roller set, or banding in order to get a good flatiron job - did you just flatiron on shrunken hair? Did you use a heat protectant and/or serum pre straighten?

 

[mzteaze]

I am not sure what type of styling you are looking for.

You could try rollersetting, twists or curly dos for full, volume looking styles.

If you want straight hair, blow-dry lightly on a lower heat, then flat iron. Perhaps you needed a thermal protectant like Nioxin before you flat iron next time.

 

[RubyWoo]

Which product are you using to deep condition?

 

[lilsparkle825]

I am not sure of your hair type, but if you have not put heat on your hair before, it could simply take a while for it to become accustomed to being straight. See Mwedzi's thread where she describes having to go through a heat training process of sorts before her hair would get pin straight. Try blow drying it once a week or every 2 weeks for a while, then flat iron it after a month or two of this routine.

 

[EllePixie]

Are you doing the comb chase method?

 

[fletgee]

Hi Ladies!

RoundEyedGirl504-

I blow dried my hair with a heat protectant. Then I used my Maxi Glide on a 5 heat setting.

I just thought of something. Should I have put more heat protectant on when I used the Maxi Glide?

Msteaze-

That roller setting idea sounds good. I could do that after I blow dry instead of using more heat. And I do use a heat protectant. Or maybe after I Maxi I'll roll it. I'll try it both ways.


Nixx-

For my deep conditioning I mix together-

Matrix Conditioning Balm
AO Honey Suckle Rose Conditioner
Coconut Oil
Jojoba Oil

This combo makes my hair feel moisturized, but not heavy.
****
Thanks!

 

[RubyWoo]

Please check out the following thread. I noticed that you deep condition for an hour. I have found that deep conditioning for a few hrs (including overnight) has done wonders for my hair when I use heat. The key is to make sure your hair is drenched in moisture so that your hair won't draw moisture from the environment thus creating frizz and reversion. I've also found that my hair is alot easier to straighten when my hair is well conditioned/moisturized.

http://www.longhaircareforum.com/ha...ype-4-secret-perm-straight-hair-one-pass.html

Good luck!

 

[EMJazzy]

Have you considered just staying natural? There are plenty of nice hairstyles you can do.

Sent from my DROIDX using Long Hair Care Forum App

 

[beana]

I am happy to hear your hair has grown and hope that you continue to regain your health.

I usually wash and DC for at least 30 minutes, use a leave in and apply sabino moisture block when my hair is 50% dry. Then i blow dry and flat iron with my sedu on 360degrees. My hair is relaxer straight with 1 or 2 passes.

When I straighten my hair, i wash it every 10-14 days instead of weekly.

 

[Tiye]

I am not sure of your hair type, but if you have not put heat on your hair before, it could simply take a while for it to become accustomed to being straight. See Mwedzi's thread where she describes having to go through a heat training process of sorts before her hair would get pin straight. Try blow drying it once a week or every 2 weeks for a while, then flat iron it after a month or two of this routine.

I agree with this. Before last summer I hadn't straightened my hair in years. I don't remember exactly how many years it was but it might have been at least 6 yrs. My hair was very resistant at first. I still don't get my hair pin straight because I don't push it - I'm fine with "coarse yaki (in extension speak)" type results. I guess my advice is if you want to heat train your hair - don't be aggressive with the heat.

 

[Iluvsmuhgrass]

First, I'm so glad you're ok.

I don't know how to get that super relaxed look just yet... but I do know that water based moisturizers + flat ironed hair = poofy goodness.

I'm sure you'll find what you need here.

 

[Detroit2Dallas]

Are you on chemo? Were you on chemo? Are you on medicines? Diet? Actually your diet is probably really good right now, high in fresh fruit and veggies.
Many medicines change the texture and reaction of hair to heat and products. Its normal from my experience with cancer and dialysis patients.
It takes quite some time for the hair to act in what we know as "normal" way. You can try flat ironing your hair and following it up with a silk wrap (saran wrap it and sit under the dryer for a few). But also consider trying cute natural styles or a nice wig so as not to become frustrated.

Also I'm glad to see your feeling well and up trying to do hair and posting and what not. I love your siggie, and your so right. Stay strong sis.