Moisture or Protein? I NEED HELP (long)

[growinstrong]

Ok ladies, my hair is not doing to well right now. I went to the salon 2 weeks ago and asked for a roller wrap. I informed the stylist that I have been experimenting breakage and shedding. She suggested a reconstructor and I told her ok. She used 6-n-1 (I believe this is a Design Essentials product). Well, the stylist shampood my my hair, put the reconstructor in w/heat, DC and was ready to detangle. As she detangled, she told me my hair is not healthy and then she turned me to the mirror so I could see. She separated my hair until she had 1 strand in her hand and and tugged 2x's very very lightly and it broke off . Not at the root as if it were a shed strand, but it was breakage . I'm thinking wow, this aint good. She told me I definitely need protein. So, I suggested that I get a hard core protein treatment next week. So, next week comes around and after the treatment (straight request strength 1000), its still breaking a little. What should I do ladies? I am in need of a trim, could this be the culprit or do I need to incorporate more protein treatments until my hair gets back to balance? Is this a good reconstructor (straight request strength 1000)? I am sooooo depressed right now.

 

[Aggie]

It's hard to make recommendations when we have no idea what your overall hair regiment is.
How long has it been since your last relaxer?
When did you last clarify your hair, because you could have product buildup?
What kind of daily moisturizer are you using?
Are you deep conditioning with a water-based moisturizing deep conditioner at least once a week?
There are so many unanswered questions to give an objective response.

 

[growinstrong]

You're definitely correct. To answer your questions:

How long has it been since your last relaxer? My last relaxer was April 19, 2008 (I relax every 8 weeks so next relaxer is June 14)

When did you last clarify your hair, because you could have product buildup? (I usually clarify immediately when I notice buildup. I dont think this is the problem because the stylist used a calcium remover both weekends)

What kind of daily moisturizer are you using? I use ORS olive oil in the jar or in the bottle (I have both)

Are you deep conditioning with a water-based moisturizing deep conditioner at least once a week? Yes, when at home, I use Kenra MC.

It's hard to make recommendations when we have no idea what your overall hair regiment is.
How long has it been since your last relaxer?
When did you last clarify your hair, because you could have product buildup?
What kind of daily moisturizer are you using?
Are you deep conditioning with a water-based moisturizing deep conditioner at least once a week?
There are so many unanswered questions to give an objective response.

 

[memee1978]

i understand how you feel completely.just keep taking care of your hair.you have to remember,hair that was already damaged prior to the treatment will break off anyway.the most you can do is maintain your hairs health into good condition.......it takes a while for the hair to be in good condition once damage occurs.......when relaxers are over lapped,it causes,dryness,breakage...etc...so many problems........treat your hair gently.as you get newer healthy hair,youll see the big difference.you wont have excessive breakage,shedding,drynes.........good luck...happy hair day!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Supergirl]

When you do your hair at home, do you use heat? If so, what kind and how often?

 

[growinstrong]

When I do my hair at home, I DC under hooded dryer for 30 mins. I airdry, so no heat there. I havent done my hair at home for a while, because I just cant deal with the breakage that I see. I will definitely be trimming in 4 weeks because its time (will be 6 months since last trim). I will see how that works out.

When you do your hair at home, do you use heat? If so, what kind and how often?

 

[Supergirl]

When I do my hair at home, I DC under hooded dryer for 30 mins. I airdry, so no heat there. I havent done my hair at home for a while, because I just cant deal with the breakage that I see. I will definitely be trimming in 4 weeks because its time (will be 6 months since last trim). I will see how that works out.

Maybe consider trimming a little sooner than you planned. Four weeks is a good ways off and allows too much time IMO for more breakage. A trim does not always stop breakage, but it almost always helps it.

Have you ever tried Mizani Rose H20 Nighttime Treatment? I highly recommend it for breakage. Follow the package directions.

 

[growinstrong]

Thanks so much for the info. I will definitely be trimming sooner then and I will check out the Mizani Rose H20 Nighttime Treatment. I've heard about this being good.

Maybe consider trimming a little sooner than you planned. Four weeks is a good ways off and allows too much time IMO for more breakage. A trim does not always stop breakage, but it almost always helps it.

Have you ever tried Mizani Rose H20 Nighttime Treatment? I highly recommend it for breakage. Follow the package directions.

 

[girlyprincess23]

you know make very sure that it is indeed protein that you need because a while back i was experiencing shedding/ breakage and everyone was saying protein protein protein and what the actual problem was was I was using mild proteins as d/c the whole time and my hair had too much protein and using more protein made it even worse. so what i want to say is make absolutely sure it's protein you need and not moisture b/c all i needed was moisture. My hair was soooo dry from henna and ors mayo and no moisturizer when I found that out I baggyed 3 nights in a row with nexxus and did a garlic oil treatment and now everything's good

 

[andreab]

I would lay off the ORS for daily use. I am also a 4b and had this same problem with ORS daily mosistuzer. My hair felt weak and easily broke off a lot when I tried this product. Bonner Brothers works well for me.

 

[growinstrong]

Thanks for the tip. I would have never thought that was the culprit , but it just may well be.

I would lay off the ORS for daily use. I am also a 4b and had this same problem with ORS daily mosistuzer. My hair felt weak and easily broke off a lot when I tried this product. Bonner Brothers works well for me.

 

[growinstrong]

Thanks, I will keep this in mind. I'll moisturize and baggy a few days and see if that dont help .

you know make very sure that it is indeed protein that you need because a while back i was experiencing shedding/ breakage and everyone was saying protein protein protein and what the actual problem was was I was using mild proteins as d/c the whole time and my hair had too much protein and using more protein made it even worse. so what i want to say is make absolutely sure it's protein you need and not moisture b/c all i needed was moisture. My hair was soooo dry from henna and ors mayo and no moisturizer when I found that out I baggyed 3 nights in a row with nexxus and did a garlic oil treatment and now everything's good

 

[RubyWoo]

Is your hair just snapping off (no stretching at all before breaking) or does it stretch alot before breaking? You can take one of your shed hairs and see what it does when you pull it apart.

Snapping=too much protein, more moisture is needed
stretching excessively before breaking=too much moisture, more protein needed.

Testing your elasticity is a good way to determine if you need more moisture or protein.

 

[RubyWoo]

you know make very sure that it is indeed protein that you need because a while back i was experiencing shedding/ breakage and everyone was saying protein protein protein and what the actual problem was was I was using mild proteins as d/c the whole time and my hair had too much protein and using more protein made it even worse. so what i want to say is make absolutely sure it's protein you need and not moisture b/c all i needed was moisture.

I agree with this!

 

[growinstrong]

Thanks so much! I will check this the next time I see a shed strand. Can this test be done on dry hair or do I have to wet it a little?

Is your hair just snapping off (no stretching at all before breaking) or does it stretch alot before breaking? You can take one of your shed hairs and see what it does when you pull it apart.

Snapping=too much protein, more moisture is needed
stretching excessively before breaking=too much moisture, more protein needed.

Testing your elasticity is a good way to determine if you need more moisture or protein.

 

[RubyWoo]

Thanks so much! I will check this the next time I see a shed strand. Can this test be done on dry hair or do I have to wet it a little?

It should be done on wet hair. It's the wet assessment and sista slicks addresses this in detail in her article that follows:

http://www.associatedcontent.com/ar...rt_of_protein_and_moisture.html?page=4&cat=69

When you get a chance, read the entire article as sistaslick discusses breakage and moisture/protein balance. HTH!

 

[Aggie]

Is your hair just snapping off (no stretching at all before breaking) or does it stretch alot before breaking? You can take one of your shed hairs and see what it does when you pull it apart.

Snapping=too much protein, more moisture is needed
stretching excessively before breaking=too much moisture, more protein needed.

Testing your elasticity is a good way to determine if you need more moisture or protein.

This is exactly how I test for protein/moisture levels in my hair.

 

[luckiestdestiny]

you know make very sure that it is indeed protein that you need because a while back i was experiencing shedding/ breakage and everyone was saying protein protein protein and what the actual problem was was I was using mild proteins as d/c the whole time and my hair had too much protein and using more protein made it even worse. so what i want to say is make absolutely sure it's protein you need and not moisture b/c all i needed was moisture. My hair was soooo dry from henna and ors mayo and no moisturizer when I found that out I baggyed 3 nights in a row with nexxus and did a garlic oil treatment and now everything's good

Agreed! Well spoken!

 

[luckiestdestiny]

Thanks, I will keep this in mind. I'll moisturize and baggy a few days and see if that dont help .

You might want to find a dc for your next wash that has zero protein in it!

 

[growinstrong]

Thanks ladies for all your replies . I think it may be time for moisture seeing that I did do a reconstructor and then a hardcore protein the following week.