Phyto screwed up my hair - am I the last to know?!

[bluejay47]

I wanted to use Phyto because it was supposed to be healthier. And it seemed to get rave reviews. At first I loved it.

But after 2 years, I've realized it's been the culprit for dryness and slowly increasing breakage. I've cut a lot recently. I've been doing LHCF searches and just realized what was to blame after finding an old thread. Am I the last to know? This STINKS!

After losing several inches, I'm starting all over again with dry, busted up hair. I know others have good experiences with the Phyto, but it didn't work for me.

 

[lana]

I haven't used Phyto at all, I use Mizani No-Lye to texlax. But I'm sorry this happened to you. What was the issue? How did it cause dryness?

What steps are you taking to recover your healthy head of hair? I hope things work out for you.

 

[santia]

Wow, I'm sorry this happened to you. I hate when that happens, you hear good reviews from many but you'll be the one person it doesn't work for

 

[Lovelylocs]

PhytoSpecific's relaxer? Interesting... I was kind of interested in this relaxer. Did u put the relaxer in urself or did u go to a professional?

 

[HighlyFavored1]

I gave Phyto 2 a chance for about 8 months. I really liked it at first, but I also started to notice that the hair I applied it to was having dryness issues. I didnt experience breakage but, since I was texlaxing, I didnt want to have to deal with both dryness and the different texture. I have since switched back to Affirm but am still texlaxing.

 

[Nina_deF]

I'm a user since 3 yrs back, recently transitioned from index 2 to 1.
What was the reason of your dryness?
The relaxer itself?

 

[simplycee]

So sorry this happened to you. I know how you feel and I can only suggest deep con more often (maybe twice a week and see if that helps). In my case a cut and almost starting from scratch is all that helped. I hope that is not the case for you.

I realized the hard way the no lye relaxers were killing my hair. I made the switch to lye and never looked back. When Phyto was the rave here I resisted the urge to try it because I was afraid of the long term effects.

No lye is the devil!

 

[bluejay47]

Thanks everyone for your responses. I went to a professional in the city for over a year, and she gave me deep conditioning treatments about every other time I went. I paid so much money. But it all went down the drain! It just took me this long to realize that going to a high end salon doesn't always mean healthy hair.

The problem was buildup on scalp, on hair. Dullness, dryness. Then constant breakage on the ends. I bought up all the phyto products to combat the issue... And before I started getting Phyto, I never had a problem with broken ends.

simplycee, thanks I'll try your suggestion. I am afraid to try another relaxer because of bad experience with Mizani. Maybe I will lay off the horrible chems for a while...

 

[yodie]

I think phyto is a type of no-lye relaxers. I've found that most no-lye relaxers dry my hair causing severe breakage and drying. I then have to cut because its damaged.

No-lye may affect your hair the same way.

I wanted to use Phyto because it was supposed to be healthier. And it seemed to get rave reviews. At first I loved it.

But after 2 years, I've realized it's been the culprit for dryness and slowly increasing breakage. I've cut a lot recently. I've been doing LHCF searches and just realized what was to blame after finding an old thread. Am I the last to know? This STINKS!

After losing several inches, I'm starting all over again with dry, busted up hair. I know others have good experiences with the Phyto, but it didn't work for me.

 

[Misseyl]

I'm sorry this happend to you. I've been using Phyto II for the last 3 years w/out any problems. I've noticed when I use the reconstructor my hair gets dry/hard/not soft to the touch but if I only use it for apporximately 10 minutes it doesn't get as hard. I guess you know your hair and if it doesn't work then it doesn't but I love Phyto because it's the only relaxer I've been able to use w/out experiencing any burns.

 

[sareca]

I'm sorry this happend to you. I've been using Phyto II for the last 3 years w/out any problems. I've noticed when I use the reconstructor my hair gets dry/hard/not soft to the touch but if I only use it for apporximately 10 minutes it doesn't get as hard. I guess you know your hair and if it doesn't work then it doesn't but I love Phyto because it's the only relaxer I've been able to use w/out experiencing any burns.

Same here. I burn easily. I love that Phyto doesn't burn. The only time I run into problems with breakage is when I'm using too much protein. Phyto doesn't destroy my hair's protein (I also add protein) during relaxing so I rarely need to use protein conditioners.

I'd say stop using protein conditioners and try a few hour long DCs with heat. That should get you back on track.

 

[bluejay47]

Thanks sareca, I'll try that.

 

[jasmin]

I loved Phyto but it didn't love me. I had to start over using it too.

 

[sprungonhairboards]

Thanks everyone for your responses. I went to a professional in the city for over a year, and she gave me deep conditioning treatments about every other time I went. I paid so much money. But it all went down the drain! It just took me this long to realize that going to a high end salon doesn't always mean healthy hair.

The problem was buildup on scalp, on hair. Dullness, dryness. Then constant breakage on the ends. I bought up all the phyto products to combat the issue... And before I started getting Phyto, I never had a problem with broken ends.

simplycee, thanks I'll try your suggestion. I am afraid to try another relaxer because of bad experience with Mizani. Maybe I will lay off the horrible chems for a while...

Sorry you're having these issues.

Unless you were getting your hair done twice a week 'every other' time is not enough. You should dc EVERY time. Your hair sounds really dry and I would recommend dc'ing no less than once a week. It also sounds like you need to clarify to get rid of build up on your scalp and hair. Also sounds like there may be some overlapping going on from what you describe and since it was 2 years before you started noticing damage.

If you don't properly and consistently moisturize, condition and clarify your hair you will have these problems regardless of what relaxer you use. Phyto is still one of the most gentle even among people who generally don't do well with no-lye because the ingredients aren't the same as regular no-lye relaxers.

 

[MonaLisa]

Will say it again....Phyto is overhyped....
*devil relaxer*

Sorry didn't work out for you. Hopefully the next choice of relaxer will turn out different results.

 

[jh1581]

I really wanted to like Phyto too when I used it back in early summer of last year. But after using it twice, my hair had the worst breakage. I ended up having to cut my below shoulder length thick hair into a bob (about mid-neck) Thanksgiving of last year.

I've since started over, have reached shoulder length, and definitely won't be using that relaxer again.

 

[Arcadian]

I've used phyto since i started my hair journey here. I won't use anything else as I like how happy my hair is.

However, the one thing that just drives me crazy about phyto is that you have to really be sure its all out of your hair. Its one of the worst relaxers I've had to deal with in as far as getting out all the residue (which will lead breakage and dry hair)

I always use a vinegar rinse just prior to using the neutalizing shampoo. IMO, its a must to make sure its completely neutralized.

I use index II. I also go 12+ weeks between relaxers so that I'm sure I'm not overlapping. And I never go bone straight.

The longer my hair is, the drier the ends tend to be, so I make sure to always DC once a week. It won't matter what relaxer you use IMO, if you don't manage the protien/moisture balance, you'll have problems.

Phyto isn't for everybody and won't work for every head. If it did there'd be no need for any other relaxer. Its too bad that it didn't work out for you, and hope that you do find a product that works better for you than phyto did.

-A

 

[newflowers]

I too am sorry to hear that the Phyto didn't work for you and wanted to second what Arcadian said about neutralizing. It takes forever to get to the white suds - not the almost white but barely pink - but white suds. Using her suggestion, instead of washing my hair 7 times, I now use the acv rinse - two washes and I am there. Actually I still wash one more time because it's habit, but relaxing has been so much better since I started the acv rinses.

Maybe a really good bout with a chelating or clarifying shampoo and some serious and frequent deep conditioning to help heal your hair will make things better.

 

[AbundantlyBlessed]

I wrote about this problem with Phyto before. This is not to discount the merits of this relaxer but the major risk is dryness, even when used by a well trained hairdresser. I'm glad that a number of LHCF ladies found a way to overcome this but it can be a significant challenge to some.

I'm back to my beloved Affirm mild.
HTH

 

[back2relaxed]

I love Phyto as well, but w/all things it may not be right for your hair. I don't notice dryness, but my stylist deeply moisturizes our hair w/a moisturizing condish right after it is rinsed out. I also DC weekly w/moisture. I think w/any no lye you will have to replace moisture. My problem w/lye is that it weakens my hair tremendously over time, so my hair loses volume. I would rather moisturize 2x daily and DC like crazy than for me to have thinning hair! I hope you find a solution that will allow you to continue w/Phyto.

 

[nycutiepie]

I made the switch to lye and never looked back.
No lye is the devil!

ITA with everything above. I learned the hard way with Phyto and wasted 1 whole year. I would be damn near MBL now. I'm glad it works for somebody because it didn't work for me.

OP - go back to lye

 

[godsflowerrr]

I was gonna try phyto after hearing about oprah using it and i loved her hair. When I started reading up on it i noticed that it didn't work well on everyones hair and some people experienced severe dryness and had to cut their hair off and start over that scared me so i decided not to take the chance. sorry to hear about your hair though...it will grow back soon sis

 

[sprungonhairboards]

I too am sorry to hear that the Phyto didn't work for you and wanted to second what Arcadian said about neutralizing. It takes forever to get to the white suds - not the almost white but barely pink - but white suds. Using her suggestion, instead of washing my hair 7 times, I now use the acv rinse - two washes and I am there. Actually I still wash one more time because it's habit, but relaxing has been so much better since I started the acv rinses.

Maybe a really good bout with a chelating or clarifying shampoo and some serious and frequent deep conditioning to help heal your hair will make things better.

You know what I learned (it may have been here) and it works. This is what I do, first rinse really really good, longer than seems necessary.

I do 1 really good lathering then rinse.

Then I do a 2nd lathering but I don't rinse it right out. I let it sit on my hair while I bathe my body. The neutralizer needs time to work.

Then I rinse, re-lather a 3rd time and leave it on for another few minutes, while I shave my legs or something. Then rinse.

By the 4th lather the suds are white.

 

[jasmin]

I use to let the neutralizing shampoo sit on my hair the 2nd time I wash then I was wash it an additional 3 times. So basically I was washing my hair like 5 times. I even had my hubby look to make sure my hair wasn't pink. Still no dice for me.

I loved phyto...it just doesn't work for everyone.

 

[lala]

I used Phyto some yrs. back, and I never found it drying, but some of the Phyto products didn't agree with my hair. I had to use other products for moisturizing/conditioning.

But, I'd have to hold your stylist responsible for not seeing how your hair was progressing, and not recommending alternate products that your hair would respond to. I wonder if she was properly rinsing/neutralizing/conditioning your hair. Some stylist are in too big of a hurry and don't properly rinse...that's key with any relaxer. She may not be experienced and/or skilled in that particular area . Did you discuss your concerns with her? If so, what was her response?

 

[bluejay47]

I used Phyto some yrs. back, and I never found it drying, but some of the Phyto products didn't agree with my hair. I had to use other products for moisturizing/conditioning.

But, I'd have to hold your stylist responsible for not seeing how your hair was progressing, and not recommending alternate products that your hair would respond to. I wonder if she was properly rinsing/neutralizing/conditioning your hair. Some stylist are in too big of a hurry and don't properly rinse...that's key with any relaxer. She may not be experienced and/or skilled in that particular area . Did you discuss your concerns with her? If so, what was her response?

She seemed to do a really good job rinsing it out. But when I brought up my concerns, she just pretended she didn't see any damage, and said that the short pieces were healthy hair growing in. Then she told me to buy more phyto products which really didn't agree with my hair!

Anyway, I'm not going to think about it anymore. And I've tried explaining/arguing with stylists, it just doesn't work, because they think they know everything. I'll just start over with a good trim, wet sets, and get my hair healthy again. Thanks guys.

 

[sunshinelady]

Are you chelating your hair? I know ORS and Joico have chelating treatments to get rid of the buildup that causes dryness. You may want to try it.

 

[LABETT]

Will say it again....Phyto is overhyped....
*devil relaxer*
[/B][/I]

-Not Overhyped-Just dont work for everyone just like other relaxers.
Phyto is my hair best friend.

 

[lala]

She seemed to do a really good job rinsing it out. But when I brought up my concerns, she just pretended she didn't see any damage, and said that the short pieces were healthy hair growing in. Then she told me to buy more phyto products which really didn't agree with my hair!

Anyway, I'm not going to think about it anymore. And I've tried explaining/arguing with stylists, it just doesn't work, because they think they know everything. I'll just start over with a good trim, wet sets, and get my hair healthy again. Thanks guys.

No...don't argue with her anymore, it's time to move on. I know it's tough but start looking for another stylist. The short pieces are the broken off hairs that are growing back in. Start over with a mild relaxer if you must relax...

 

[caribgirl]

-Not Overhyped-Just dont work for everyone just like other relaxers.

Phyto is my hair best friend.[/quote]

It's Mona's best friend too-check her siggy as she uses it too. I also LOVE my phyto relaxer experiences!

OP, I'm so sorry that Phyto did not work for you. In deed every product is not for everyone. I also agree that you need to question your stylist as he/she should have noted that your hair was not responding well at all.

I speak for most phyto-users on this site when I say: Always add the acv rinse before neutralizing to rid your hair of the relaxer faster. Also, toss the reconstructor that came with the box- it is known to dry out some hair terribly.

HHG!