Mega-Tek/OCT Challenge November 2008

[anon123]

Okay, I think I'm officially defeated. No change. Of course the hair is parted differently, but the way I part the hair seems to have more impact than this growth aid. Shoot, the way I parted for these shots, it looks worse than before, but I don't think it actually is. I don't think there's been any change in the 5 weeks since I started. My conclusion: ineffective.

Left temple Oct 1st


Left temple Nov 4th


Right temple Oct 1st


Right temple Nov 4th

 

[kenzi]

Although I didn't join the challenge. I have been using a mixture of MT and Ovation, I use it at least three times a week sort of like a hair grease and I leave it in (this is my 3rd or 4th week). I have found that garlic shampoo and alter ego garlic conditioner w/ added SAA keeps my hair from shedding. However, I really can't tell if there is a significant change in the thickness or length of my hair because it's six months and counting since I had a touch up.

 

[hervirtue]

Ladies, I am just floored when it comes to OCT and MT. I have been using it FAITHFULLY both day and night (lately, I've been using MT and night and OCT in the morning). My hair is getting so thick that it's unbelievable !!! As a natural, what I am noticing with my hair is that as I use it (I only wash on the weekends and I'm "trying" to at least rinse during the week) my hair starts to shrink which makes it appear as if it's not growing and not working. But I swear, each time I do re-do my twists my hair is thicker and thicker. I LOVE THIS STUFF, BUT I HATE HAVING TO REDO MY HAIR TWICE A WEEK. I dang sho ain't got time for that.

@Mwedzi, don't give up. I'm noticing that my sides are taking there time filling in but I TRULY believe it's working.

 

[Iluvsmuhgrass]

is it breakage or shedding? im experiencing shedding. this happens when im about 1 month post.

It's breakage. Little bits of hair all over. No white bulbs.

Hi ILMG,

How are you using it? Are you doing any deep conditioning?

Over night on my scalp only. Yep doing lots of DCing and cowashing.

 

[MsMontoute]

Hi Ladies,
Glad to see everyone's great progress so far!!! Congrats! and keep up the good work!!!
For all of the girls that are struggling with the shedding with the MT, I would definitely say to keep the faith and try changes in your co-washing schedule (maybe more often) and/or maybe add a garlic shampoo to your mix…I have heard great results with this for the shedding, also consider how long with leave in the MT (overnight or couple of days) and whether you use it raw or mix with oil. I think if you give any of these changes a shot, you will see a difference.

Ok, so I am now on about Week 3 of my MT mix with oil (using grapeseed currently) and I have to say that my edges definitely are filling in, both in the back (nape) and in the front (hairline). AND it is growing in my baby matching bald spots on each side of my head above my ear. I only took back pictures of my hair to following the length so I won’t have a visual comparison from the beginning but I will take pictures now and see what the improvement is over the next 8 weeks from today through my next relaxer. Additionally, I would say that my hair seems thicker and stronger since using the MT. I am currently on a cowash, 2 nights of application of MT and co-wash again, cycle repeats! Also, I usually suffer from a touch of dry scalp but I haven’t seen many flakes lately which is good, I do get a little bit of itching but I think that it is also because I am dancing three nights at the end of the week now and I think the sweat in bumping and grinding with everything else in my hair and it is making it itch…

I will have update pictures to share in December after the next relaxer to see what we are working with…Its funny because for the first time last night, I was on my way home and my hair kept falling out so I decided to put a clip in… I was tickled pink when I realized that I had legit little ponytail that feel thick…You couldn’t tell me nothin!! :trampolin

Happy Growing!!

 

[JustKiya]

I'm experiencing breakage. Are you guys experiencing that?erplexed What should I do?

Take a step back, and look at your entire regimen. What are you DC'ing with? Are you using more/less heat? Has the weather changed where you are - the heat come on? That might require more/a different sort of moisture. How much MT are you using? How often are you clarifying? What kind of leave-in are you using?

Okay, I think I'm officially defeated. No change. Of course the hair is parted differently, but the way I part the hair seems to have more impact than this growth aid. Shoot, the way I parted for these shots, it looks worse than before, but I don't think it actually is. I don't think there's been any change in the 5 weeks since I started. My conclusion: ineffective.

Left temple Oct 1st to Nov 4th


Right temple Oct 1st to Nov 4th

Urm, I can see a difference - and I can't believe you think it looks WORSE!

Left Temple - when you started, you could see through your hair, straight to your scalp in areas. Now, it's a solid mass of hair - not all the way to the edge of your hairline, but there's no scalpiness.

The right temple hasn't progressed as far forward, but there is still a change - the scalpiness doesn't extend as far back into your hair - in the first picture, it went almost back to your ear - now it's just in front of your sideburns.

You have progressed!!! Am I crazy, or does anyone else see it too?

I really think hairline progress is hard, because it can be SO subtle that it takes a while before you are really like - urm, hey! It's not that long, but I've got more coverage!

I think it worked.

 

[charmtreese]

Okay, I think I'm officially defeated. No change. Of course the hair is parted differently, but the way I part the hair seems to have more impact than this growth aid. Shoot, the way I parted for these shots, it looks worse than before, but I don't think it actually is. I don't think there's been any change in the 5 weeks since I started. My conclusion: ineffective.

Left temple Oct 1st


Left temple Nov 4th


Right temple Oct 1st


Right temple Nov 4th

You're not alone! OCT did nothing for me either!!

 

[Geminigirl]

Take a step back, and look at your entire regimen. What are you DC'ing with? Are you using more/less heat? Has the weather changed where you are - the heat come on? That might require more/a different sort of moisture. How much MT are you using? How often are you clarifying? What kind of leave-in are you using?



Urm, I can see a difference - and I can't believe you think it looks WORSE!

Left Temple - when you started, you could see through your hair, straight to your scalp in areas. Now, it's a solid mass of hair - not all the way to the edge of your hairline, but there's no scalpiness.

The right temple hasn't progressed as far forward, but there is still a change - the scalpiness doesn't extend as far back into your hair - in the first picture, it went almost back to your ear - now it's just in front of your sideburns.

You have progressed!!! Am I crazy, or does anyone else see it too?

I really think hairline progress is hard, because it can be SO subtle that it takes a while before you are really like - urm, hey! It's not that long, but I've got more coverage!

I think it worked.

i see it too. great progress M.

 

[nuggetrock]

Mwedzi..I see the progress too...esp on the left! Keep the faith!

JustKiya...that fizzie/salt in condish is the BEEESSSST! My crunchy ends are no more..you are definitely one of my inspirations in this forum!

And since I have been using MT since Oct 10th (in braids with syn. ext) ...and have seen 1/2 inch of growth as of Oct 29th...I am officially joining this challenge!

I also got some OCT ( my PJism got the best of me )because I need more length than growth and the thickness the MT was giving me made me have to take down my TST in 3 weeks! Breaking my pockets with all these re-do's (is that a word?)! But it's worth it if it's because of growth.

I'll do progress pics after this set of braids comes out in Dec. Don't really know how since I took a poor quality pic before this set but I will figure it out.

I'll be doing OCT daily for this set of braids, to see which gives me better growth...OCT or MT

HHG!

 

[carmencan]

Hi all, I am a newby that just joined today (two minutes ago...I had to post)...

I am so excited as I have been using not only MT but OCT too.
I have been using the MT since September 17th and 2 weeks post relaxer.
OCT for about 3 weeks and I alternate or use OCT in back and MT in top and front. I apply GAs to scalp only and wash out in 1-2 days. No heat for the past 2 weeks so I don't know what's going on in there (SUPER thick). Just trying to see if I see a difference. I do braid-outs and plan to get relaxer on Saturday. I am a PJ for real and use NMT as well as Humecto like every day as a leave in. I also use Mango QT (not feeling it though).

Please add me to this challenge?...Is this the right place to request this? Will DSD see this?

 

[**Glamourlicious**]

Now that I have purchased OCT I see people saying it didn't work. LOL LAwd as much as I paid...this stuff better work.
I could be delirious...but it has only been a few weeks and i think I see a slight difference. We shall see the next time I straigthen. I am going to try to go as close to the end of Nov as possible. Then I will HAVE to take pics as it will be 6 months post BC for me.

Oh and my progress puff is NOTICABLY bigger. I will try to get some batteries for my cam tonight. I can atleast post that.

 

[carmencan]

Hi DSD...Please add me I just pd membership today and I am ready to play as I have my MT and OCT...Thx

 

[JaiRox]

Now that I have purchased OCT I see people saying it didn't work. LOL LAwd as much as I paid...this stuff better work.
I could be delirious...but it has only been a few weeks and i think I see a slight difference. We shall see the next time I straigthen. I am going to try to go as close to the end of Nov as possible. Then I will HAVE to take pics as it will be 6 months post BC for me.

Oh and my progress puff is NOTICABLY bigger. I will try to get some batteries for my cam tonight. I can atleast post that.

@ the bolded. I'm feeling the same way. I just ordered my OCT on Saturday and its been shipped so I'm just waiting for it to get here. I've been reading some of these posts like thinking that this better work im gonna lol

 

[Iluvsmuhgrass]

Take a step back, and look at your entire regimen. What are you DC'ing with? Are you using more/less heat? Has the weather changed where you are - the heat come on? That might require more/a different sort of moisture. How much MT are you using? How often are you clarifying? What kind of leave-in are you using?

I'm Dc'ing with a blend of conditioners (Humectin, LTR, and WEN), oils (evoo, castor, coconut), and honey. I don't use heat. I cowash with WEN (sometimes WEN mixed with oils.) It's getting cold but but I've upped my moisture (and co-washing) in order to balance it out. My leave in is glycerine & rosewater (or glycerin and hairveda spray) with a touch of WEN and sealing with Hairveda oils.

I didn't have any breakage until I added MT. So that's kinda the culprit right now. The first time I hit it straight just on the scalp and a little on the hair. The second time I blended it with a little evoo and applied it to the scalp only.

I had some Aphogee balancing conditioner so I tried that after the MT today. I'm marinating in some DC I whipped up so I'll let you know how it goes. I've been airdrying with a scarf and have not used any kind of heat. I was doing so well. It's not hellaciously bad, it's just that I went from no breakage and no shedding to little hairs all over. No bueno.

I should take pictures. I've only used it twice in the past week and I know there's no way I have new growth like this. I'm 3 weeks post and after I put it on my scalp last night it (slept in it) and got up to wash it out, I noticed about 1/2 of an inch. Now I noted that it was 1/4 of an inch when I started a week ago. (No I didn't sprout it over night lol but wow. If this stuff works like this....... I'm hooked)

I gotta get this figured out because it does me NO GOOD to have good growth and gained thickness of the fine strands if I can't get a grip on the breakage.

 

[JustKiya]

I'm Dc'ing with a blend of conditioners (Humectin, LTR, and WEN), oils (evoo, castor, coconut), and honey. I don't use heat. I cowash with WEN (sometimes WEN mixed with oils.) It's getting cold but but I've upped my moisture (and co-washing) in order to balance it out. My leave in is glycerine & rosewater (or glycerin and hairveda spray) with a touch of WEN and sealing with Hairveda oils.

I didn't have any breakage until I added MT. So that's kinda the culprit right now. The first time I hit it straight just on the scalp and a little on the hair. The second time I blended it with a little evoo and applied it to the scalp only.

I had some Aphogee balancing conditioner so I tried that after the MT today. I'm marinating in some DC I whipped up so I'll let you know how it goes. I've been airdrying with a scarf and have not used any kind of heat. I was doing so well. It's not hellaciously bad, it's just that I went from no breakage and no shedding to little hairs all over. No bueno.

I should take pictures. I've only used it twice in the past week and I know there's no way I have new growth like this. I'm 3 weeks post and after I put it on my scalp last night it (slept in it) and got up to wash it out, I noticed about 1/2 of an inch. Now I noted that it was 1/4 of an inch when I started a week ago. (No I didn't sprout it over night lol but wow. If this stuff works like this....... I'm hooked)

I gotta get this figured out because it does me NO GOOD to have good growth and gained thickness of the fine strands if I can't get a grip on the breakage.

So true, to the bolded.

Okay, let's see.

DC's:
Humectin
HE's Long Term Relationship
WEN

Do any of them have protein in them? I don't know those products off hand. I would suspect that the LTR might. I'd suggest adding in a Cream Rinse - either the Eqyss or the Ovation version for some extra moisture.

How often are you DC'ing?

Leave-Ins:
glycerine & rosewater (or glycerin and hairveda spray) with a touch of WEN and sealing with Hairveda oils

Hrm. Did you use the same thing last winter (assuming you've been into hair since then)? That sounds a little - lightweight, to me.

You say that you are co-washing more frequently. I noticed that for me (and it doesn't work like this for most people, it seems) the co-washing did not help my hair stay more moisturized - in fact, it seemed to dry it out more - just the 'cleansing' action of the conditioner and the water left my hair feeling parched instead of luscious...... so that might be something you want to double check, too.

I'm strongly suspecting that you've gone into protein overload, and that's what needs to be addressed, first. Do you have a hood/bonnet dryer? I'm thinking that a nice SamamthaJones Steam might do your hair good. If you don't, maybe DC'ing overnight a couple of times to get your hair back to right?

I'd stop with the MT until your hair is properly moisturized again, and once you add the MT, ramp up the moisture even more to balance that extra protein.



Good luck!!

 

[VirGoViXxEn]

how much r u selling it for and what oils are in it???

I totally hear you. I think I will give up MT too. It is too strong for my hair and I don't need thick, if I get anymore thickness.....
I would like to sell my MT, but it is mixed with oils, so I don't think anyone wants to buy it.

 

[Chameleonchick]

Um how long is a bottle of MT lasting yall?

 

[Blaque*Angel]

Okay, I think I'm officially defeated. No change. Of course the hair is parted differently, but the way I part the hair seems to have more impact than this growth aid. Shoot, the way I parted for these shots, it looks worse than before, but I don't think it actually is. I don't think there's been any change in the 5 weeks since I started. My conclusion: ineffective.

Left temple Oct 1st


Left temple Nov 4th


Right temple Oct 1st


Right temple Nov 4th

you certainly do have more coverage on your after pics

 

[JustKiya]

Um how long is a bottle of MT lasting yall?

I started in March, and I just now emptied my first bottle (Nov 1st). Now, I think I use the least of anyone, so a better answer might be 3 months?

 

[Chameleonchick]

I started in March, and I just now emptied my first bottle (Nov 1st). Now, I think I use the least of anyone, so a better answer might be 3 months?

Oh wow, three months. I am too heavy handed with it. Maybe I should add stuff to it when I take these braids out.

 

[anon123]

Aw, you guys are so encouraging. but i really don't think it's getting better. I think what you're mistaking as filling in is the bedeebees smoothed out In the before pictures, my edges were curled up completely on dry hair instead of combed out and smoothed against the head on damp hair like in the after pics. In the left temple, the biggest balding spot seems to have gotten bigger, like there was a little tuft of hair there before and now that spot is just bare. But again, I think this may be because of the different states of my hair in the pics. This is why I wanted to take a picture with my hair in exactly the same state, but it didn't work out like that. I've taken about 4 sets of pictures and they all seem to be saying the same thing. I might give it another week and a half but I doubt I'll be taking it with me to S. Africa.

This is what I meant, if you click the pictures I added text and arrows to show the area I'm talking about:






Or am I the one tripping? Maybe I'll ask some of my non-hair friends.


Charmtreese, how long did you use it before you gave up?

 

[anomcasm]

Aw, you guys are so encouraging. but i really don't think it's getting better. I think what you're mistaking as filling in is the bedeebees smoothed out In the before pictures, my edges were curled up completely on dry hair instead of combed out and smoothed against the head on damp hair like in the after pics. In the left temple, the biggest balding spot seems to have gotten bigger, like there was a little tuft of hair there before and now that spot is just bare. But again, I think this may be because of the different states of my hair in the pics. This is why I wanted to take a picture with my hair in exactly the same state, but it didn't work out like that. I've taken about 4 sets of pictures and they all seem to be saying the same thing. I might give it another week and a half but I doubt I'll be taking it with me to S. Africa.

This is what I meant, if you click the pictures I added text and arrows to show the area I'm talking about:






Or am I the one tripping? Maybe I'll ask some of my non-hair friends.
*****

I see what looks like growth. I think you should try to give it another couple of months - edges are almost always hard to grow.

 

[carameldiva]

mwedzi,

Looks like growth to me, too. Don't give up. I think you will get there.

 

[phyl73]

So I get a message on my fokti commenting on my growth from using htese products for 5 1/2 weeks. I'm not sure how to take it. She wanted to know if the hair growth were human. Maybe I'm just tripping.

 

[Iluvsmuhgrass]

mwedzi I thought you got growth. When I looked at the last set it's hard to see because you're separating the hair and in the other one you're not.

 

[jamaicalovely]

Okay, I think I'm officially defeated. No change. Of course the hair is parted differently, but the way I part the hair seems to have more impact than this growth aid. Shoot, the way I parted for these shots, it looks worse than before, but I don't think it actually is. I don't think there's been any change in the 5 weeks since I started. My conclusion: ineffective.

Left temple Oct 1st


Left temple Nov 4th


Right temple Oct 1st


Right temple Nov 4th

Your edges filled in significantly! Look closely at your left temple.

 

[Mandy4610]

how much r u selling it for and what oils are in it???

I PMed you. I have a blend of oils in it. It castor, coconut, Olive etc. It an oil blend by Naturale.

 

[flowinlocks]

Urm, I can see a difference - and I can't believe you think it looks WORSE!

Left Temple - when you started, you could see through your hair, straight to your scalp in areas. Now, it's a solid mass of hair - not all the way to the edge of your hairline, but there's no scalpiness.

front of yThe right temple hasn't progressed as far forward, but there is still a change - the scalpiness doesn't extend as far back into your hair - in the first picture, it went almost back to your ear - now it's just in your sideburns.

You have progressed!!! Am I crazy, or does anyone else see it too?

I really think hairline progress is hard, because it can be SO subtle that it takes a while before you are really like - urm, hey! It's not that long, but I've got more coverage!

I think it worked. [/quote]


ITA, I see it too!!!

 

[Encore]

i been using MT for 3 weeks and here is my progress so far..im currently 8 weeks post and in the first picture i didn't comb it out and i had some very tightly coiled ng


Im sorry i hate this pic soo much i took it off. I will repost them on my big reveal in July

 

[monieluv]

i've always admired your progress and wonder what am i doing wrong. (and that goes for the other ladies in this forum)

Here are my progress pictures for the end of October.



May 13, 2008 and July 7, 2008

September 4, 2008

October 28, 2008