Transitioners at what point did things get really rough?

[RENIBELL]

I am currently 8 months into my transition and i thinking about relaxing! i'm running out of styles without heat, and i still want to enjoy my hair, i also seem to be getting broken strands anytime i wash. its getting harder i think, i was just wondering if some of you experienced ladies out there can give some advice and tips on how you got through it.

 

[RENIBELL]

bumping for responses

 

[LiberianGirl]

It really got difficult around month 7. Are you washing your hair in sections? This really helped with my shedding/breaking.

 

[RENIBELL]

It really got difficult around month 7. Are you washing your hair in sections? This really helped with my shedding/breaking.

i tries the washinh in sections thing, but it didnt work for me , my hair got even more tangled when i tried to take out the sections, i also wash my hair by bending over the bath tub, is this more damaging? just seems like my hair is becoming a problem

 

[Paradox]

The first time I transitioned I was 13 and it got really rough when I was 17 when I tex-laxed( the only reason why I last so long so because I only had 3 relaxers). I never wore any natural hairstyles..so trying to keep it straight was getting difficult because I did not have the right tools.lol. The second it got difficult was January 2007 because I had the right tools such as the Chi but I caused heat damage( dryness, thinning), also from going the the salon(something I never did) and them using the blow dryer on high.
But now I can offer some useful advice since this is my second time transitioning and in terms of styling what has helped me the most is the Sedu( and pressing comb) for straight hair and braidouts for natural hairstyles.
For the line of demarcation I do a reconstructor every 3 weeks( I have yet to do a hard protein treatment, many to though)
Use good products with good ingredients, no silicones, petroleum jelly,mineral oil, lanolin.
Deep conditioning is very important, I use Aubrey's Honey Suckle rose conditioner
Moisturizing..when natural I do this by co washing and then using a leave in conditioner and sealing for straight hair, I use a light mist.
No sulfate unless clarifying.
The fact that I always wear my hair in a braidout and redo my braid outs everynight causes me to never have tangles. I only comb once a week.

 

[RENIBELL]

i wonder ,is it more difficult to transition out of bone straight relaxers then tex laxers?

 

[Paradox]

i wonder ,is it more difficult to transition out of bone straight relaxers then tex laxers?

I think it is most difficult from bone straight relaxers, although I have had trouble transitioning from tex-laxed, I don't have as nearly as much trouble as others, which is why I haven't done the big chop. Those going from bone straight have an entirely difficult texture to deal with.

 

[RENIBELL]

The first time I transitioned I was 13 and it got really rough when I was 17 when I tex-laxed( the only reason why I last so long so because I only had 3 relaxers). I never wore any natural hairstyles..so trying to keep it straight was getting difficult because I did not have the right tools.lol. The second it got difficult was January 2007 because I had the right tools such as the Chi but I caused heat damage( dryness, thinning), also from going the the salon(something I never did) and them using the blow dryer on high.
But now I can offer some useful advice since this is my second time transitioning and in terms of styling what has helped me the most is the Sedu( and pressing comb) for straight hair and braidouts for natural hairstyles.
For the line of demarcation I do a reconstructor every 3 weeks( I have yet to do a hard protein treatment, many to though)
Use good products with good ingredients, no silicones, petroleum


elly,mineral oil, lanolin.
Deep conditioning is very important, I use Aubrey's Honey Suckle rose conditioner
Moisturizing..when natural I do this by co washing and then using a leave in conditioner and sealing for straight hair, I use a light mist.
No sulfate unless clarifying.
The fact that I always wear my hair in a braidout and redo my braid outs everynight causes me to never have tangles. I only comb once a week.

Thanks for the advice oneya, i've been using pantene relaxed and naturals, it seems to make the hair more moisturised. i have also been flat ironing once a week - i know this isnt good, but i cant do braid outs or twist outs, mt twists look awful cause my relaxed ends are so bone straight. i will try using products with less sulfates and petrolatum in it. just started using mega tek to speed up the transition, hopefully this helps with breakage

keep it coming ladies!!!

 

[RENIBELL]

The first time I transitioned I was 13 and it got really rough when I was 17 when I tex-laxed( the only reason why I last so long so because I only had 3 relaxers). I never wore any natural hairstyles..so trying to keep it straight was getting difficult because I did not have the right tools.lol. The second it got difficult was January 2007 because I had the right tools such as the Chi but I caused heat damage( dryness, thinning), also from going the the salon(something I never did) and them using the blow dryer on high.
But now I can offer some useful advice since this is my second time transitioning and in terms of styling what has helped me the most is the Sedu( and pressing comb) for straight hair and braidouts for natural hairstyles.
For the line of demarcation I do a reconstructor every 3 weeks( I have yet to do a hard protein treatment, many to though)
Use good products with good ingredients, no silicones, petroleum jelly,mineral oil, lanolin.
Deep conditioning is very important, I use Aubrey's Honey Suckle rose conditioner
Moisturizing..when natural I do this by co washing and then using a leave in conditioner and sealing for straight hair, I use a light mist.
No sulfate unless clarifying.
The fact that I always wear my hair in a braidout and redo my braid outs everynight causes me to never have tangles. I only comb once a week.

you transitioned for 17months???

 

[RENIBELL]

I think it is most difficult from bone straight relaxers, although I have had trouble transitioning from tex-laxed, I don't have as nearly as much trouble as others, which is why I haven't done the big chop. Those going from bone straight have an entirely difficult texture to deal with.

yep, i think youre right, and i dont want to big chop , my relaxed ends are too bone straight, anyone transitioned with bone straight relaxed ends and no big chop???

 

[LiberianGirl]

i tries the washinh in sections thing, but it didnt work for me , my hair got even more tangled when i tried to take out the sections, i also wash my hair by bending over the bath tub, is this more damaging? just seems like my hair is becoming a problem

I would think washing your hair that way would cause more tangles. Try washing your hair in the shower and detangling your hair with LOTS of conditioner. Have you used any protein treatments?

 

[RENIBELL]

I would think washing your hair that way would cause more tangles. Try washing your hair in the shower and detangling your hair with LOTS of conditioner. Have you used any protein treatments?

i've used nexxus emergencee and now mega tek for protein treatments, i guess they work, but the whole transitioning thing break hair anyway doesnt it? whats a good conditioner for detangling transitioning hair? i notice my nexxus humectress doesnt work that well to detangle my transitioning hair

 

[Chromia]

I would think washing your hair that way would cause more tangles. Try washing your hair in the shower and detangling your hair with LOTS of conditioner. Have you used any protein treatments?

I agree.

When you use Pantene R&N do you DC with the mask? That really helped to get rid of my tangles when I used it.

I have bone straight relaxed ends and I'm not going to BC.

 

[Paradox]

you transitioned for 17months???

more like 3 years from 13 years old - 17 and now it has been two years from 17years old - 19...and on I will basically transition..until the tex-laxed hair just grow out. When I tex-laxed the second time I knew that it was not a permanent decision to continue tex-laxed just a one time thing, i just needed some help!

 

[Paradox]

Thanks for the advice oneya, i've been using pantene relaxed and naturals, it seems to make the hair more moisturised. i have also been flat ironing once a week - i know this isnt good, but i cant do braid outs or twist outs, mt twists look awful cause my relaxed ends are so bone straight. i will try using products with less sulfates and petrolatum in it. just started using mega tek to speed up the transition, hopefully this helps with breakage

keep it coming ladies!!!

I used to use the pantene relaxed and naturals..my advice stay away!
I do braid outs...but because my ends are so thin from being texlaxed I pinned them up...or use the butterfly clamp..so they remain hidden and moisturized.

 

[RENIBELL]

I agree.

When you use Pantene R&N do you DC with the mask? That really helped to get rid of my tangles when I used it.

I have bone straight relaxed ends and I'm not going to BC.

hi Elizabeth, glad i'm not the only one with bone straight ends, cant seem to get hold of the patene masks, live in england, but my sister in houston texas sends me down products, she cant seem to find this mask how far into your transition are you?

 

[RENIBELL]

I used to use the pantene relaxed and naturals..my advice stay away!
I do braid outs...but because my ends are so thin from being texlaxed I pinned them up...or use the butterfly clamp..so they remain hidden and moisturized.

what is wrong with the relaxed and naturals rage besides petrolatum and mineral oil, sometimes i feel these things are needed to tame our hairerplexed

 

[Paradox]

what is wrong with the relaxed and naturals rage besides petrolatum and mineral oil, sometimes i feel these things are needed to tame our hairerplexed

never mind. I just noticed a huge improvement from when I used to use these products and now that I used better products. It used to take FOREVER to even comb out my hair..and now it is like a piece of cake. I could give you some scientific info about all this, however I feel it is best if you experience it for yourself.

 

[RENIBELL]

never mind. I just noticed a huge improvement from when I used to use these products and now that I used better products. It used to take FOREVER to even comb out my hair..and now it is like a piece of cake. I could give you some scientific info about all this, however I feel it is best if you experience it for yourself.

Spill the beans please!!!!!i'm already struggling, and dont want all my hair to fall out, is aubrey organics quite good? what about jason? have you heard of that brand?

 

[Paradox]

Spill the beans please!!!!!i'm already struggling, and dont want all my hair to fall out, is aubrey organics quite good? what about jason? have you heard of that brand?

Well petroleum jelly and mineral oil supposedly are harmful..the main problem is that these products will feel great at first and then cause damage overtime. I use the Aubreys Honeysuckle Rose conditioner every week for natural hair styles or every two week with straightened hair.
To co wash with I use the Burt's Bee Brazil Nut and Raspberry More Moisture Conditioner, a cheaper brand is the Trader Joes Nourish Spa Conditioner.
I try not to use a shampoo with sulfate(unless I am clarifying)..at first I was using a giovanni shampoo and the Aveda's Brilliant shampoo but for now on I want to use diluted castile..i'll see how this goes
I use the giovanni direct leave in conditioner sealed with castor oil for my braid outs on wet hair..when i want protein or I can do my braid outs with the qhemetbiologics.com Alma and Olive Heavy cream and seal with coconut oil..only on wet hair.
I found a good heat protectant from giovanni, a straightening elixir gel, so I am happy about that.
Sometime if I am lazy or broke I will just simply rinse my hair and seal with an oil.
I really woudn't use Jasons and Aubrey's shampoo can be alittle drying.
I encourage you to look up harmful ingredients in hair products

 

[Chromia]

There have been a couple of threads where some ladies mentioned having trouble finding the Pantene R&N Mask. I know that I haven't been able to find any more since I took the last one off of the shelf at the store where I found it. I may order it from amazon.

I'm almost 11 months into my transition. On August 15 it will be exactly 11 months.

 

[Paradox]

There have been a couple of threads where some ladies mentioned having trouble finding the Pantene R&N Mask. I know that I haven't been able to find any more since I took the last one off of the shelf at the store where I found it. I may order it from amazon.

I'm almost 11 months into my transition. On August 15 it will be exactly 11 months.

even walmart stopped carrying it?

 

[Nuelle]

It's getting rough right about now...only 5 months post. I've been cowashing a lot lately, pretty much ever 2 days, and it seems like my ng is starting to lock up...I'm still trying to figure things out.

 

[Chromia]

even walmart stopped carrying it?

The Wal-Mart I went to last month didn't have it. I could tell they weren't planning on getting any - there wasn't an empty space on the shelf for it. They did have other Pantene R&N products, though. There are 2 other Wal-Marts in my area that I haven't checked, though. The one I bought last month was from Target.

 

[Paradox]

The Wal-Mart I went to last month didn't have it. I could tell they weren't planning on getting any - there wasn't an empty space on the shelf for it. They did have other Pantene R&N products, though. There are 2 other Wal-Marts in my area that I haven't checked, though. The one I bought last month was from Target.

wow! if walmart doesn't even have it I don't know what to say!

 

[Eisani]

It was smooth sailing for me up until I straightened last week. I just really got my hair back on track and tangle-free. I'm currently 8.5 mos post texlax, and I do think it's easier *for most* to transition from texlaxed instead of bone straight. At this point I can't tell my natural hair from my texlaxed, except for the last 1.5-2" maybe. I don't plan on straightening again any time soon, I think my hair was confused. I poo once/wk and CW 3-4 days/wk w/a moisturizing conditioner and use some as a leave in and seal w/jbco or something. I'll detangle every few days in the shower w/my shower comb and follow behind it w/my Denman. Right now I'm liking Aussie Moist, Tresemme Smooth & Silky, Giovanni Smooth as Silk Deeper Conditioner, 11 en 1, and V05 Raspberry and Champagne Kiss for moisture and detangling. I alternate other things, but these items I will always keep in stock. Moisturizing DC's should be your best friend right about now, as well as oil prepoos. If you need protein, so be it, but I'd go extra hard on the moisture to help maintain the different textures.

 

[OneShinyface]

If you're having trouble finding the Pantene R&N Mask, try the Pro-V Restoratives Time Renewal Replenishing Mask. Gives much slip and in some stores, it's a bit cheaper than the R&N (is that a hidden racism thing or what ) and is often on sale. Helps me when I'm many weeks post relaxer.

 

[loulou82]

Month 3 and 8 were the WORST, especially 8. I had to do something fast so I got kinky twists for 7 weeks. It really helped me out. I'm switching it up for the rest of the year and rocking cornrows.

 

[Mook's hair]

I am transitioning from bone straight hair. Well, there were some accidental under processed areas too but mostly all bone straight.
I think i was going insane from months 7 to 11 now I'm almost at month 16 and everything is working out well for me now.

It was around month 7 when I had to adjust my habits and products from the routines I used when relaxed or stretching and learn/create some new practices and discover other products to help myself.

One thing that eased the drama was Silicon Mix (the dominican conditioner)
I also started to like the Kid Organics Detangling lotion.

But the best thing for me was not washing or cowashing my hair bent over the sink or tub.

I learned to wash and detangle while in the bathtub laying on my back with my hair under the water. I would do half of the hair at a time and then rinse with the hand held shower nozzle.

my fotki album documents my struggles and some of my solutions. if you're interested. the link is in my sig.

Oh...and if air drying is giving you problems...DON'T do it! I know I was having fits of rage trying to figure out how to air dry. Then I realized that lightly blow drying was a better plan for my transitioning hair and for my over-all sanity.

 

[loulou82]

I'm going to try Mooks way and lightly blow dry my hair before getting my cornrows. My stylist blowdried my hair today on medium high heat and no hair came out. I'm very encouraged by that .

If I weren't so lazy I'd trade my Pantene Mask in the exchange forum. I used it once and it didn't agree with my hair at ALL.