Mega-Tek/OCT Challenge November 2008

[constance]

I was faithfully using MT every other day in Oct, but slacked off to 1x a wk in Nov. I'm back on schedule now and see a little growth. Since I'm a newbie and never monitored my hair month to month, it's difficult to know if MT is accelerating my growth. However, EVOO has virtually eliminated end-breakage so I'm just hoping for the average 1/2 inch a month.

 

[jamaicalovely]

I was faithfully using MT every other day in Oct, but slacked off to 1x a wk in Nov. I'm back on schedule now and see a little growth. Since I'm a newbie and never monitored my hair month to month, it's difficult to know if MT is accelerating my growth. However, EVOO has virtually eliminated end-breakage so I'm just hoping for the average 1/2 inch a month.

Keep the bottle in your nightstand. Trust me.

Girl, I slacked off for a couple days one week. My hair was like . Since then if I miss my nightly application, my hair wakes me up in the middle of the night like a baby saying its hungry .

DH thinks I'm crazy. In his sleepy voice, he'll say "Feeding your hair again?"

 

[hervirtue]

Hey ladies, so it's been a little over a month since I started using MT/OCT and at first my hair growth and thickness was crazy. Now it seems that I haven't been getting any growth at all and I dare say it but I think my edges are starting to look worse than when I started . Now I completely understand when some of you have said it doesn't appear to be working on your edges. I was putting my MT mix (MT, JBCO and Hairveda's Asha Omega) on every night and was putting my OCT on every morning. I noticed this weekend that my hair was feeling VERY dry and brittle which may be attributed to the fact that I can't co-wash on deep condition more than once a week and I get the protein is starting to catch up with me. I know it's still too early for me to get too bent out of shape over the lack of progress over the last two weeks so I'm going to keep on using my products I'll just use them every other day instead of every day and hopefully the dryness/brittleness will cease.

I'm definitely a little depressed about this right now erplexed.

 

[january noir]

Hey ladies, so it's been a little over a month since I started using MT/OCT and at first my hair growth and thickness was crazy. Now it seems that I haven't been getting any growth at all and I dare say it but I think my edges are starting to look worse than when I started . Now I completely understand when some of you have said it doesn't appear to be working on your edges. I was putting my MT mix (MT, JBCO and Hairveda's Asha Omega) on every night and was putting my OCT on every morning. I noticed this weekend that my hair was feeling VERY dry and brittle which may be attributed to the fact that I can't co-wash on deep condition more than once a week and I get the protein is starting to catch up with me. I know it's still too early for me to get too bent out of shape over the lack of progress over the last two weeks so I'm going to keep on using my products I'll just use them every other day instead of every day and hopefully the dryness/brittleness will cease.

I'm definitely a little depressed about this right now erplexed.

Hang in there. May I suggest that Cell Therapy and Mega-Tek prefer to work on their own to get the best results. Don't use it in conjunction with the Hairveda Asha Omega for a while to see if you get better results. It could be block the absorption of the Cell Therapy. The product works better when the scalp is fresh and clean. And you may be manipulating your hair more. Are you relaxed or natural?

More importantly, remember that this time of year when the heat is on, our home and work environments are more drying to our hair and skin. Improve your environment at home using a humidifier or steam up your bathroom and sit in it or enjoy a steamy shower. Also drink more water.

I'm sure your hair is growing. It's like a watched pot. It will never "boil" as long as you watch. You won't see much improvement until at least 3-4 months of consistent use.

 

[sqzbly1908]

Hi Hervirtue!!!

Please don't be discouraged. I think it is still a little early in the game. It sounds like you may need some additional deep conditioning (moisturizing) to offset the protein. I would try using a moisturizing deep condish overnight 3-4 times a week and maybe using either the MT or OCT 1-2 times a week versus everyday. When using that much protein you have to make sure your hair is just a moisturized.

I have used MT for about 2 months but I use it as a deep condish, rinse, then follow up with a moisturizing deep condish. I have not had any problem and I love how my edges and nape are improving.

HTH!!!

Hey ladies, so it's been a little over a month since I started using MT/OCT and at first my hair growth and thickness was crazy. Now it seems that I haven't been getting any growth at all and I dare say it but I think my edges are starting to look worse than when I started . Now I completely understand when some of you have said it doesn't appear to be working on your edges. I was putting my MT mix (MT, JBCO and Hairveda's Asha Omega) on every night and was putting my OCT on every morning. I noticed this weekend that my hair was feeling VERY dry and brittle which may be attributed to the fact that I can't co-wash on deep condition more than once a week and I get the protein is starting to catch up with me. I know it's still too early for me to get too bent out of shape over the lack of progress over the last two weeks so I'm going to keep on using my products I'll just use them every other day instead of every day and hopefully the dryness/brittleness will cease.

I'm definitely a little depressed about this right now erplexed.

 

[sqzbly1908]

Hang in there. May I suggest that Cell Therapy and Mega-Tek prefer to work on their own to get the best results. Don't use it in conjunction with the Hairveda Asha Omega for a while to see if you get better results. It could be block the absorption of the Cell Therapy. The product works better when the scalp is fresh and clean. And you may be manipulating your hair more. Are you relaxed or natural?

More importantly, remember that this time of year when the heat is on, our home and work environments are more drying to our hair and skin. Improve your environment at home using a humidifier or steam up your bathroom and sit in it or enjoy a steamy shower. Also drink more water.

I'm sure your hair is growing. It's like a watched pot. It will never "boil" as long as you watch. You won't see much improvement until at least 3-4 months of consistent use.

Everything she said!!! Very good advice!

 

[Iluvsmuhgrass]

Just to give a heads up (not sure if I did this before) I use MT and it causes breakage for me due to protein overload? (I have some shedding but that's been curbed with Garlic tabs)....

To solve the moisture issue I've been using......Hawaiian Silky 14 in 1. IT is AWESOME! I love this stuff. I even air dried with it. This is awesome. Give it a try.

 

[JustKiya]

Hey ladies, so it's been a little over a month since I started using MT/OCT and at first my hair growth and thickness was crazy. Now it seems that I haven't been getting any growth at all and I dare say it but I think my edges are starting to look worse than when I started . Now I completely understand when some of you have said it doesn't appear to be working on your edges. I was putting my MT mix (MT, JBCO and Hairveda's Asha Omega) on every night and was putting my OCT on every morning. I noticed this weekend that my hair was feeling VERY dry and brittle which may be attributed to the fact that I can't co-wash on deep condition more than once a week and I get the protein is starting to catch up with me. I know it's still too early for me to get too bent out of shape over the lack of progress over the last two weeks so I'm going to keep on using my products I'll just use them every other day instead of every day and hopefully the dryness/brittleness will cease.

I'm definitely a little depressed about this right now erplexed.

Hi Hervirtue!!!

Please don't be discouraged. I think it is still a little early in the game. It sounds like you may need some additional deep conditioning (moisturizing) to offset the protein. I would try using a moisturizing deep condish overnight 3-4 times a week and maybe using either the MT or OCT 1-2 times a week versus everyday. When using that much protein you have to make sure your hair is just a moisturized.

I have used MT for about 2 months but I use it as a deep condish, rinse, then follow up with a moisturizing deep condish. I have not had any problem and I love how my edges and nape are improving.

HTH!!!

I totally second what sqzbly has said - using MT daily - twice daily, really, since you do the OCT In the morning - might just have pushed your hair to the breaking point. Can you squeeze in even one overnight DC, midweek? Otherwise, reducing your use to alternating days might be your best bet.

As far as hairlines - I don't know. Ever since Mwedzi posted her pictures, I've been keeping a close eye on my hairline, and while it's fuller than it was before, I'm not sure if it's getting any fuller. I've been pondering it, and I believe that I read somewhere that the hair along your hairline naturally has a shorter terminal length, because the skin changes from 'scalp' skin to 'face' skin there, and thus the follicles react differently.

With that in mind, I'm wondering if, since the MT/OCT accelerates the growth rate, if we are pushing our hairlines through it's growth/shed cycle much faster - and when it looks thin, it's because it's shedding? Hrm. I don't know. It's a thought I've had. Don't know how to work that, though, so that one could insure that the hairline stayed at it's maximum fullness.

 

[LongCurlyLocks]

Here's my check in for this month.

http://public.fotki.com/GrowinLongLocks/hair-progress-2008/

 

[hervirtue]

Thanks so much for the encouragement ladies, I really appreciate it . I'm natural and I have about 3-4in. of hair that I typically wear in twists and if I put any amount of water or manipulate my hair is gets really, really fuzzy and looks crazy. I think I'm going to have to figure something out though so I can do a mid week dc, maybe on Thursdays and then on Fridays I could wear a twist out so my hair won't look so bad for work on Fridays.

JN, you may have a point to the Asha Omega. I'm almost out of my MT mix so I won't put any more in the new mix and I'll see how that works.

I'll let everyone know in a week or so if my hair is improving any. Thanks again!

 

[Chameleonchick]

I'm now using mega tek every night on my edges and 2x a week for the rest of my head.

 

[SelfStyled]

Ok- who is gonna post first? Tomorrow is December.

ETA: Progress pictures!

 

[Faith]

I want to join the next challenge, for my edges.

 

[jamaicalovely]

Ok- who is gonna post first? Tomorrow is December.

ETA: Progress pictures!

Yeah, I can't wait to see some pics. I posted yesterday that I updated my fotki.

 

[LaidBak]

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

Before I got my MT and OCT I started taking garlic tabs. That significantly reduced my shedding (or breakage, not sure what the difference is). But 13 days into OCT/MT I am shedding all over again. I can't touch a comb to my head without losing a bunch of hair.
I am scared!
My hair is really silky as I condition it, but as it air dries it gets hard and tangly (?!). I haven't used heat on it since I started with OCT/MT. I don't manipulate it at all, I'm too afraid of combing out all my hair! I am combing the boards now for any advice that may have been posted on this. Help!

 

[yodie]

You should try fish oil pills. Really helps sebum on the scalp and hair.

Before I got my MT and OCT I started taking garlic tabs. That significantly reduced my shedding (or breakage, not sure what the difference is). But 13 days into OCT/MT I am shedding all over again. I can't touch a comb to my head without losing a bunch of hair.
I am scared!
My hair is really silky as I condition it, but as it air dries it gets hard and tangly (?!). I haven't used heat on it since I started with OCT/MT. I don't manipulate it at all, I'm too afraid of combing out all my hair! I am combing the boards now for any advice that may have been posted on this. Help!

 

[JustKiya]

Before I got my MT and OCT I started taking garlic tabs. That significantly reduced my shedding (or breakage, not sure what the difference is). But 13 days into OCT/MT I am shedding all over again. I can't touch a comb to my head without losing a bunch of hair.
I am scared!
My hair is really silky as I condition it, but as it air dries it gets hard and tangly (?!). I haven't used heat on it since I started with OCT/MT. I don't manipulate it at all, I'm too afraid of combing out all my hair! I am combing the boards now for any advice that may have been posted on this. Help!

Sounds like too much protein - what DC's are you using, and how often?

 

[LaidBak]

To all the ladies experiencing shedding/breakage I recommend using Alter Ego Nourishing Garlic Conditioner. I have been dc 2x's a week with this and I have had little to NO shedding. This dc is the truth!!! I also reccomend moisturizing and sealing your hair & ends at least once a day.

eta: i have been using MT since July!

'Bout to order some right now. I can't afford to lose any more hairs.

 

[LaidBak]

Sounds like too much protein - what DC's are you using, and how often?

I don't guess I DC at all. I've only been at this a short time but here is what I do:
-wash, OCT for 2 hours, condition twice, use detangling spray, cry as I comb and lose hair, panic, let it partially air dry, apply mango butter and almond oil, then gently coax it back into a wet bun or a ponytail. After its more dry I apply a mix of MT/almond oil all over my scalp. I do this about every third day. What am I doing wrong?

 

[LaidBak]

You should try fish oil pills. Really helps sebum on the scalp and hair.

Oddly enough, I've been taking those for years. I read that they would help my acne.

 

[balancegoals2009]

There are few ladies who are wearing wigs and weaves. I think jamaicalovely is wearing a wig and putting MT/OCT on her braids. Check out her fotki.

I am wearing braids , and I am putig MT on my scaple and using leave in Motiurizer daily. I w take them down in January. I just put them in a week ago , al I am washin weekl.

 

[jrae]

I don't guess I DC at all. I've only been at this a short time but here is what I do:
-wash, OCT for 2 hours, condition twice, use detangling spray, cry as I comb and lose hair, panic, let it partially air dry, apply mango butter and almond oil, then gently coax it back into a wet bun or a ponytail. After its more dry I apply a mix of MT/almond oil all over my scalp. I do this about every third day. What am I doing wrong?

Cherezr, OCT on the length of your hair? For many ladies, including myself, that produces tangles and hard hair - especially if you're leaving it on for two hours. Also, make sure you are using a good moisturizing conditioner.

Also, some ladies are reporting that the coffee rinse results in less/no shedding.

 

[JustKiya]

I don't guess I DC at all. I've only been at this a short time but here is what I do:
-wash, OCT for 2 hours, condition twice, use detangling spray, cry as I comb and lose hair, panic, let it partially air dry, apply mango butter and almond oil, then gently coax it back into a wet bun or a ponytail. After its more dry I apply a mix of MT/almond oil all over my scalp. I do this about every third day. What am I doing wrong?

You're putting OCT on the length of your hair every three days? Stop, please. That's WAY too much protein on your hair - and for two hours?
And you aren't using a moisturizing DC, either? Yeah, you might need to stop using MT and OCT altogether, and get your hair moisturized again....

 

[MyAngelEyez~C~U]

Ok- who is gonna post first? Tomorrow is December.

ETA: Progress pictures!

I'll be posting mine in 2-3 weeks after I take my braids down...

 

[LaidBak]

You're putting OCT on the length of your hair every three days? ...

Cherezr, OCT on the length of your hair? .

Yes, on the length...but on your advice I will stop doing that. I just read a bunch of posts on oil rinsing. I will stick to co-washing and oil rinsing until I get some softness back. I am going to get some garlic conditioner too for the shedding. Thank you so much for your help!

Oh...one more ?tion. Is it still OK to apply either OCT or MT mixed with oil to my scalp every other night? I put it on my temples every night because I am thin there. Its 1 part oil, 3 parts OCT (or MT).

 

[flowinlocks]

Deleting.........

 

[JustKiya]

Yes, on the length...but on your advice I will stop doing that. I just read a bunch of posts on oil rinsing. I will stick to co-washing and oil rinsing until I get some softness back. I am going to get some garlic conditioner too for the shedding. Thank you so much for your help!

Oh...one more ?tion. Is it still OK to apply either OCT or MT mixed with oil to my scalp every other night? I put it on my temples every night because I am thin there. Its 1 part oil, 3 parts OCT (or MT).

Honestly, I'd stop all together, and focus on getting your moisture back to par. You need to deep condition - not cowash, not oil rinse, DC. With moisture. Repeatedly. I'd suggest several overnights, too.

Please, don't mess with over proteinated hair - the longer you take to get it fully moisturized, the more breakage you will see - it's a wicked walk to a setback.

 

[LaidBak]

Honestly, I'd stop all together, and focus on getting your moisture back to par. You need to deep condition - not cowash, not oil rinse, DC. With moisture. Repeatedly. I'd suggest several overnights, too.

Please, don't mess with over proteinated hair - the longer you take to get it fully moisturized, the more breakage you will see - it's a wicked walk to a setback.

Oh dear!!! OK then, DCing it is! **backing away from the OCT bottle***

 

[flowinlocks]

Before I got my MT and OCT I started taking garlic tabs. That significantly reduced my shedding (or breakage, not sure what the difference is). But 13 days into OCT/MT I am shedding all over again. I can't touch a comb to my head without losing a bunch of hair.
I am scared!
My hair is really silky as I condition it, but as it air dries it gets hard and tangly (?!). I haven't used heat on it since I started with OCT/MT. I don't manipulate it at all, I'm too afraid of combing out all my hair! I am combing the boards now for any advice that may have been posted on this. Help!

OOPS!!! Sorry, just catching up!!. Deleting last post!!!

 

[STLCoverGirl]

I started using consistently Nov.1, and straightened today and have got at least one inch of growth this month. I am not officially in the challenge, because I am too supersticious to join challenges(weird, I know). I have noticed a huge improvement in thickness as well, I'm a believer.