Newbie and just starting Natural

[fiyababygurl]

Hi everyone,

I'm new to the site and the whole going natural thing. I don't know where to start, what products to use, what kind of hair I have, etc.... But I know my hair gets to a certain point of growth (just about to my shoulders) and stops growing and breaks off. I want it to grow longer. I haven't had a relaxer since Sept 11 and I doing good so far with some temptations. I made some minor cuts and so far it has been growing back.

I know my hair lacks moisture and my scalp tends to flake up more than ever. I currently use Aphogee deep moisture shampoo and the keratin 2 minute reconstructor and creme of nature argan oil conditioner. I've tried many products in the past and many haven't done much. I was thinking about trying Nexxus or Aveda but don't know what direction to take. Can you guys help a girl out. Thanks in advance

 

[lamaria211]

Welcome Flyababygurl
Do you have a regimen?
What are your short and long term hair goals?
Whats your hair type?

 

[BlaqBella]

Welcome. I would purchase products from one of the two lines you mentioned (nexxus/aveda) and try them when you're ready. Idk about the flakes in the scalp. Hopefully someone who does will post suggestions.

 

[Mz.MoMo5235]

WELCOME!!

Are you transitioning or are you fully natural (I really couldnt tell from your post)

How often are you shampooing? Do you protective style or wear your hair down?

Are you a straight hair natural (flat iron, blow dry, roller set)? How do you wear your hair?

I would advise to use a moisturizing dandruff shampoo every so often but I would need to know how often you wash already. I personally like head and shoulders. Its an oldy but goody and works for flakes and keeps your scalp healthy which promotes healthy hair. Also that blue one has a good rep to, Salem Blue or something.

Do you use any gels? What are your styling prods?

 

[longhairdreaming]

I'm with the ladies above...we need more information about your reggie but I will say what helped me with my flaky scalp was doing weekly hot oil treatments with olive oil and honey as well as using aloe vera juice throughout the week to mist my hair and scalp and massaging it in. I used those two thing religiously when I started taking care of my natural hair and they got my scalp under control.

 

[jessicarabbit]

Reggie! reggie!



oh but one thing, you say your hair always stops at SL? i think for starters, you should (if you already havent) find you a great protective style (like braids, wig buns, anything to protect your ends from the friction of your clothes) and stick with it till you pass that hump. Also, when you moisturize and seal, focus alot on your ends.

 

[jessicarabbit]

oh, and daily cowash is a godsend. when i was natural it had my hair in great condition ans same since i relaxed. it may also help ur scalp.

 

[Bajanmum]

Yeah, what they say ^^^

Oh and...

WELCOME NEWBIE

 

[sheanu]

Yup! Ladies above are on point. Just wanted to add that since quitting sulfate shampoos my scalp has REALLY turned around. This depends on the person though as does daily cowashing. The dandruff could be an easy problem to take care of if we know more about your current regimen and protective styling, as the other poster said could help with the breakage at shoulder-length.

Searching on this site can be your best friend! Also, here are a few pages that can help you along:

http://www.longhaircareforum.com/showthread.php?t=601645
(titled "for those wanting long hair")

http://www.longhaircareforum.com/showthread.php?t=476422
(this page has 4A/4B mixed hair pics that can help you with hair typing. there should be a link that could help you find the other types of hair like 3a, 3b, 3c, 4a, etc)

http://www.longhaircareforum.com/showthread.php?t=590139
(about ayurvedic hair care)

http://www.longhaircareforum.com/showthread.php?t=591027
(a challenge where ladies are trying to get 12 inches per month this year)

http://www.longhaircareforum.com/showthread.php?t=617703&highlight=vitamin+challenge
(the latest vitamin challenge)

These are just a few informative sites but check out stickies and the home page for more info!

 

[fiyababygurl]

Thank you everyone!! I am transitioning. I am kinda scared to do the big chop but....I have made some minor cuts and most of my hair is now natural. My reggie is just washing, deep conditioning and drying and straightening with a flat iron at least once a week or week and a half. I tend to wear my hair down because I don't know of any other styles that I can do myself.

I don't know what my hair type is...i guess that's what I am trying to figure out. My long term and short term goals is I want my hair to be pass my shoulders and I want it to be thicker and fuller also. I hope I got everyone's questions

 

[knjsavy]

Welcome and as mentioned above - search feature is your friend

 

[claud-uk]

Like you my last relaxer was September 2011. I just started my healthy hair journey in February. I knew NOTHING about my hair, how to take care of it, until I came to this forum. My hair has grown at least 2" in the last two months thanks to all the advice and information available on this site.

For example I have been loading my hair up with moisture - I deep condition twice a week, conditioner-only-wash once a week and hot oil twice a week and my hair is continually damp with a mixture of moisturizing products and oil.

Three days ago I noticed about four 1" long broken hairs while I was moisturizing. I thought nothing of it, because I have had zero breakage for two months. Yesterday, another four broken hairs, and again this morning I found about eight. I realised that the breakage must be down to insufficient protein, because I know my hair is fully moisturised (something else I learnt from the girls here).

I coated my hair with a mix of wheatgerm oil and extra virgin olive oil (EVOO) for protection from drying out during my shampoo). I left that on for half an hour while I mixed up one egg white with Aphogee 2 Minute Keratin and Lustrasilk Keratin Cholesterol. I shampooed and now have my egg + keratin mix on my hair, which I have wrapped up under clingfilm/saran. I am going to leave this egg + keratin on for half an hour. After rinsing it out I am going to do a deep condition with the egg yolk, a light protein conditioner, EVOO, coconut oil and avocado oil and leave on my hair for at least three hours under more clingfilm/saran.

I knew instinctively what to do because I have learnt that healthy successful hair is a perfect mix of moisture and protein, and there was nothing wrong with my moisture levels so the recent breakage problem HAD to be protein. I will update again today when I have finished the process to let you know if this has stopped the breakage. I'll know if it has or not because there won't be any broken hairs when I rinse the conditioner and comb through after.

Pics taken in February (before I found this forum) and April. Massive difference in the ends of my hair which were broken to f%%%!

 

[Leeda.the.Paladin]

Thank you everyone!! I am transitioning. I am kinda scared to do the big chop but....I have made some minor cuts and most of my hair is now natural. My reggie is just washing, deep conditioning and drying and straightening with a flat iron at least once a week or week and a half. I tend to wear my hair down because I don't know of any other styles that I can do myself.

I don't know what my hair type is...i guess that's what I am trying to figure out. My long term and short term goals is I want my hair to be pass my shoulders and I want it to be thicker and fuller also. I hope I got everyone's questions

Welcome! I was similar to you. My hair would rarely grow past my shoulders in my relaxed days. Once I went natural and started taking care of my hair.

I would suggest that you start wearing your hair up some, in buns or updos, to help you retain length. I would also recommend decreasing your heat usage. Try some other styles like braid outs and twist outs. Good luck to you!!