Ok..

[Leona28]

Started reading an article about managing very dry hair and a few things were clear....your hair always is growing but how you manipulate your hair effects its state. Moisturizing products sit on your hair and don't enter it. They protect the hair but only for x hours. With some leave ins, your hair gets a SLIGHT coating from silicons and oils which is what gives its gloss and shine. Internally, you can take several vitamins and minerals which will improve your overall health but once again, your hair won't miraculously appear long and flowy, nor would your hair texture change and the above won't prevent your hair from breaking.

http://www.livestrong.com/article/312783-does-keeping-dry-hair-moist-make-it-grow-longer/

Other than less heat, bunning/ps and less relaxing,what is our solution? Drinking 4 L of water a day?

 

[manter26]

You have to think in terms of your specific head of hair. No article can tell you exactly how your hair will react to different products. Maybe you could post your current hair stats, issues, and regime and products and we provide specific advise for your hair.

 

[TheVioletVee]

Personally, I've never found that drinking excessive (for my body weight and activity level) amounts of water led to more moisturized hair or even skin for that matter. I probably can't offer you any tips that haven't been repeated many times on this site.

Also, this statement in particular has me puzzled:

"Your hair shafts are not living tissue, so they can't absorb things any more than your fingernails can."

Something does not have to be living in order to absorb things. Napkins, towels, and sponges are all examples.

Maybe it's just me, but I've noticed that some articles on livestrong.com are a bit iffy/questionable, even with their references.

 

[Nonie]

Leona28, what dry hair needs is internal moisture by way of deep conditioning or baggying. Drinking water is good for your skin, and maybe the follicles. Once hair shows up on your scalp, it's not absorbing anything from your blood. You keep it moisturized by providing external moisture to it.

Fotki is in maintenance mode but if it wasn't, I'd show you the difference moisture made to my mom's hair. All I did was DC her hair and then take away her dry greasy moisturizers and give her moisture-laden S Curl. It was like day and night. Her hair went from rough-like-steel-wool, to fluffy soft and easy to manage.

 

[Leona28]

You have to think in terms of your specific head of hair. No article can tell you exactly how your hair will react to different products. Maybe you could post your current hair stats, issues, and regime and products and we provide specific advise for your hair.

Hey My hair grows and I see it grow length quickly but the ends are usually thinned and the back is usually the most broken part. The side lengths keep length probably because I find it easier to comb them...
I'm relaxed but transitioning.

I have found adding Powermag water conditioners to my pipes, washing with Joico K-pak clarifying and moisturizing shampoo and deep conditioners (moisturizing overnight and protein type for few mins), my hair has felt pretty good. What's hardest for me is finding a good drying and maintenance routine. Lately, I've simply airdried overnight and then flatironed the next day with the use of Keratase Anti-Snap and Frizz Ease. I have needed more moisturizing products going into week 2 however I plan to do my routine every weekend. In terms of PS, I roll my hair into bohemian twists and use clips at the back. I do find myself using combs and brushes each day and shining sprays as I need a dye touch up. ( I do one every 3-4 months).

I find that airdrying my hair to work turns out pretty bad and dry looking. No shine, lustre and unkempt. I would love to co-wash daily however I can't braid or do rollers. I have bought magnetic rollers and about one curl turned out silky. The others were a mess. I did not use rollersetting liquid as many don't seem to feel there is a need.

My husband is caucasian, blow dries his hair every day and hair looks thick and good. I just pray our kids have type 3a-type 2b hair! Goodness.

 

[manter26]

Hey My hair grows and I see it grow length quickly but the ends are usually thinned and the back is usually the most broken part. The side lengths keep length probably because I find it easier to comb them...
I'm relaxed but transitioning.

I have found adding Powermag water conditioners to my pipes, washing with Joico K-pak clarifying and moisturizing shampoo and deep conditioners (moisturizing overnight and protein type for few mins), my hair has felt pretty good. What's hardest for me is finding a good drying and maintenance routine. Lately, I've simply airdried overnight and then flatironed the next day with the use of Keratase Anti-Snap and Frizz Ease. I have needed more moisturizing products going into week 2 however I plan to do my routine every weekend. In terms of PS, I roll my hair into bohemian twists and use clips at the back. I do find myself using combs and brushes each day and shining sprays as I need a dye touch up. ( I do one every 3-4 months).

I find that airdrying my hair to work turns out pretty bad and dry looking. No shine, lustre and unkempt. I would love to co-wash daily however I can't braid or do rollers. I have bought magnetic rollers and about one curl turned out silky. The others were a mess. I did not use rollersetting liquid as many don't seem to feel there is a need.

My husband is caucasian, blow dries his hair every day and hair looks thick and good. I just pray our kids have type 3a-type 2b hair! Goodness.

Between this the other thread, I'm not exactly sure what I should say. I guess I should start with there's is nothing inherently wrong with type 4 hair. It grows to long and big lengths, it can shiny and moisturized naturally or with the help of products. And no two heads of hair are the same so sweeping generalizations don't apply to everyone.

If your ends are breaking you need first figure out why and second, get a trim. There are probably weaknesses along the strand that are causing the hair to snap off easily. Perhaps it's the clip you are using or the way you tie your scarf. Figure out if some mechanical damage is the cause. I would also suggest cutting out heat but if you don't like braid outs, twist outs, buns, roller setting, etc then there aren't many more options besides weaves, wigs or braids. Although, I think roller-setting is a great option but it takes patience and practice to master. Lots of people use diluted setting lotion and end papers to keep the hair sleek looking. There are plenty of roller setting threads here and a ton of tutorials on youtube.

As far as the hypothetical kids go...they can have beautiful hair type 1 through type 4 but that depends on how well it's taken care of...

 

[Bunnyhaslonghair]

Is sounds like u are just newbie OP. Chill out here and all ur questions shall be answered. :-D

 

[Evolving78]

you only need to clarify monthly if you are using a hydrating shampoo and moisturizing deep conditioner. you also need to find a moisturizer and a light oil to seal in the moisture. you may need to moisturize and seal your hair daily, (depends on your hair needs) you don't need to do protein treatments every wash either. you need to find balance.

there are plenty of air drying methods that may work for you.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P2pj4tm5GG0

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tFnFR8WLAZw

try Neutragena Triple Silk daily moisturizer and leave-in. it is light and won't cause too much buildup. try a nice oil like, grapeseed, jojoba, or avocado oil to seal in the moisture.

you may also need a nice trim. dust your ends for upkeep and to avoid big trims

as far as your children's hair is concerned, my DD has 3b/3c hair and it is fine, dry, and gets frizzy easily. so her hair isn't all that easy to manage. it still needs a lot of care.

 

[Leona28]

Between this the other thread, I'm not exactly sure what I should say. I guess I should start with there's is nothing inherently wrong with type 4 hair. It grows to long and big lengths, it can shiny and moisturized naturally or with the help of products. And no two heads of hair are the same so sweeping generalizations don't apply to everyone.

If your ends are breaking you need first figure out why and second, get a trim. There are probably weaknesses along the strand that are causing the hair to snap off easily. Perhaps it's the clip you are using or the way you tie your scarf. Figure out if some mechanical damage is the cause. I would also suggest cutting out heat but if you don't like braid outs, twist outs, buns, roller setting, etc then there aren't many more options besides weaves, wigs or braids. Although, I think roller-setting is a great option but it takes patience and practice to master. Lots of people use diluted setting lotion and end papers to keep the hair sleek looking. There are plenty of roller setting threads here and a ton of tutorials on youtube.

As far as the hypothetical kids go...they can have beautiful hair type 1 through type 4 but that depends on how well it's taken care of...

Thanks Mantra. I've gotten the trim. Got it Dec 31st. I have noticed for sometime that there are many weak points along my hair shafts. I wondered if this was due to hair relaxing because as a child/teen, my hair was considered 'quite strong.'

My mom (who didn't know much about African hair) asked her Ghanian family friend/hairdresser what to do. She opted for the relaxer root when I was about 8 years of age. My nounou/househelp/2nd mom took over and didn't use heat. Only twists. Though the big question is why my hair only grew from SL to armpit length over 3 years? My hair grows about 1/2-3/4 in per month.

I also find that the parietal lobe area of my head is the driest part. The hair strands would be very very dry and shorter no matter how much conditioner and DC is done. I can not explain this eventhough I deliberately put treatments there.