BC after 15 months

[Rei]

So after a long time, I finally BC'd. I only had a tiny bit of relaxed hair left anyway, so I just took scissors and snipped them off the ends of my braids at the moment. I can't say i'm in "BC shock" because my hair was always really short. I've never been past SL, even as a little girl (something must be wrong with me). Its been a hassle especially when some people I know bleach their hair and their hair still is longer than mine (probably not healthier but still if its growin, that means they must be retaining more than me! I've got to get my game up! ) Lately its been really dry (who am i kidding, its always dry), and I know I don't have the time this semester to baby it since classes are getting tougher (*is an engineer in college*) so I'm gonig to stick it in a weave (my first!) for a couple of months.

Well, here are some pics from my QUALITY camera. I really need to get a new one... They look a mess because 1. I suck at doing hair including my own, and 2. i spent all day today moving furniture in the snow, so excuse my tired face.

And the side, which is a mess:

My reactions...well my hair hasn't looked really good in a long time, so I'm kind of used to not having the beatiful braidouts that I see on a lot of other women on this board. I think the front part is heat damaged, because it still seems straighter than the rest. I thought I was a 4a with b mixed in, but now I'm pretty sure i'm a 4b with a little a mixed in the middle and my nape.

Also! I notice that like...around my middle part area, its a larger part than anywhere else on my head. I'm starting to wonder if it is a bald spot. Am I trippin? What do you guys think?

I mean...nowhere else parts so deep on my head. And that area's always supersensitive too.

Anyway, i wore this out today and the coconut oil on my hair SOLIDIFIED! I forgot to stop using it in the winter. I had my sister picking white stuff out of my hair saying "when's the last time you washed this!?" How embarassing. From now on its olive oil only erplexed

 

[msa]

Congrats on your BC, I love your hair!

I have a spot that's like your middle part, it's always more sensitive and it seems thinner there. I've been working on massaging it with oil nightly when I do my hair. I don't know if it's working but it does feel better.

Castor oil might be helpful since it's winter. I love castor oil and I only apply it to wet or damp hair and it works wonders. I use it every day for my bantu knot outs.

Also, braidouts have never worked for me. They did look better when I used cornrows instead of regular plaits so you may want to try that. Same with twistouts, looked better when I did flat twists instead of regular twists. Now I just do bantu knot outs, which I love because they give me a cute curly fro everyday. I'm a 4ab.

You know who I think has hair similar to yours? Minny. You may want to check her profile/fotki or pm her.

Anyway, what's your regimen? Maybe we can figure out why your hair is constantly dry. Dry hair --> breakage -->no retention. I have found that using olive oil by itself leaves my hair dry and greasy, and it doesn't absorb. I like coconut oil and castor way better.

 

[Fhrizzball]

Is that your natural eye color or colored contacts? Even so it's pretty hair and all. My braid outs never looks good so don't fret and lovely growth as well. It may work if you try cornrolling your hair or braid out. If you part your hair alot in the center that may explain why it appears to be a bald spot. Your hair gets 'trained' to lay a certain way so to speak. You might wanna try parting it in different styles. 'Grats on the bc and happy growing. What have you been using for you hair so far? Is it not moisturizing it as you would like?

 

[loulou82]

Congrats! I BC'd after 15 months too.

 

[LynnieB]

Another 15 month transitioner coming in to say:

CONGRATS AND WELCOME TO NATURALDOM!!

Rock it lady! You grew yourself a lovely, thick and healthy head of hair!

 

[Eisani]

Congrats Rei!! Yay, pics !!

 

[Twisties]

Congrats on your BC Rei!

I also can't really leave certain oils in my hair or it will get hard like you decribed. Oil rinses work better for me--it's a matter of trial and error with the oils.

I know you said you're short on time but maybe the Deep Conditioning Challenge might help with your dryness.

I am sure you will fine a routine that works for you as you read thru the board.

A good moisturining shampoo line that might work for you --try Biolage ULTRA Hydrating Shampoo and the ULTRA Hydrating Condition Balm. You can get it at Ulta, TradeSecrets, or a BSS that has a salon attached to it. Some local drugstores may carry it, but it's usually in a salon type Beauty Supply Store.


ETA: I also have sensitive crown area that was damage by relaxers years ago. I will always have to baby the area. I went to a dermatologist for a while for treament and then I used Nioxin Follicle Booster and now Ovation Cell Therapy on that area and those two items have helped.

Good Luck with your journey.

 

[Rei]

Congrats on your BC, I love your hair!

I have a spot that's like your middle part, it's always more sensitive and it seems thinner there. I've been working on massaging it with oil nightly when I do my hair. I don't know if it's working but it does feel better.

Castor oil might be helpful since it's winter. I love castor oil and I only apply it to wet or damp hair and it works wonders. I use it every day for my bantu knot outs.

Also, braidouts have never worked for me. They did look better when I used cornrows instead of regular plaits so you may want to try that. Same with twistouts, looked better when I did flat twists instead of regular twists. Now I just do bantu knot outs, which I love because they give me a cute curly fro everyday. I'm a 4ab.

You know who I think has hair similar to yours? Minny. You may want to check her profile/fotki or pm her.

Anyway, what's your regimen? Maybe we can figure out why your hair is constantly dry. Dry hair --> breakage -->no retention. I have found that using olive oil by itself leaves my hair dry and greasy, and it doesn't absorb. I like coconut oil and castor way better.

Thanks~ It wasn't always like this, that middle part Its making me worried. Do you think tea tree oil would help? I'm going to buy some EO's tomorrow and see if I can make an concoction. I've tried castor oil, and I wasn't too impressed, but my hair is rarely impressed at anything, so I did not re-buy when I ran out. Maybe I should repurchase.

As for the cornrows, I usually do them that way, but I wanted a "bang" so I decided to do a sort of cornrow/plait hybrid this time. haha It didn't really work. Maybe I should try bantu knot outs. they've never really done anything for me in the past, but i'll try anything twice My regimen is DC once a week with AO HSR (not really impressed with it so far), and cowash every 3 days with Aussie Moist (gives amazing slip, I find). Then I detangle and braid, and shove it in a silk cap and put on a wig or a hat 99.9 of the time. Its hard because if I wash it less, it gets dry and tangly, but if I wash it more, I feel like I'm manipulating it too much with all the detangling.
Thanks for sharing the fotki rec, I'll go check her out!

 

[Rei]

Is that your natural eye color or colored contacts? Even so it's pretty hair and all. My braid outs never looks good so don't fret and lovely growth as well. It may work if you try cornrolling your hair or braid out. If you part your hair alot in the center that may explain why it appears to be a bald spot. Your hair gets 'trained' to lay a certain way so to speak. You might wanna try parting it in different styles. 'Grats on the bc and happy growing. What have you been using for you hair so far? Is it not moisturizing it as you would like?

Thank you!

Oh no they're contacts. They're not really mine either xD; I ran out so I had to borrow from my sister's pack, since we're the exact same prescription.

I don't think the part has been trained, because I usually cornrow straight back most of the time. And even when I was relaxed, I had a side part. It worries me I will try rubbing some EOs on it, maybe it will fill in. I'm too young for bald spots!

I've tried a lot of conditioners from AoHSR (what I'm currently using, and my hair is not amused), Aussie moist, HE HH, NTM, Aveda damage remedy, Joico, and redken. None of them has my hair really impressed, but I'm still looking! I also use a sheabutter/coconut oil/gylcerin whipped mix, and that works sometimes, sometimes my hair is not impressed, the same way. I have a feeling the problem is internal. I also usually also have really dry skin, so I'm trying to drink more water lately.

 

[BostonMaria]

Congratulations!!!
I laughed at the coconut comment. Same here girl! I can't use coconut oil anymore except for pre-poo. Try castor oil or jojoba oil (much lighter).

 

[Rei]

Another 15 month transitioner coming in to say:

CONGRATS AND WELCOME TO NATURALDOM!!

Rock it lady! You grew yourself a lovely, thick and healthy head of hair!

yay thanks! My hair hopes it can grow up to be as long as yours someday

 

[Rei]

Congrats on your BC Rei!

I also can't really leave certain oils in my hair or it will get hard like you decribed. Oil rinses work better for me--it's a matter of trial and error with the oils.

I know you said you're short on time but maybe the Deep Conditioning Challenge might help with your dryness.

I am sure you will fine a routine that works for you as you read thru the board.

A good moisturining shampoo line that might work for you --try Biolage ULTRA Hydrating Shampoo and the ULTRA Hydrating Condition Balm. You can get it at Ulta, TradeSecrets, or a BSS that has a salon attached to it. Some local drugstores may carry it, but it's usually in a salon type Beauty Supply Store.


ETA: I also have sensitive crown area that was damage by relaxers years ago. I will always have to baby the area. I went to a dermatologist for a while for treament and then I used Nioxin Follicle Booster and now Ovation Cell Therapy on that area and those two items have helped.

Good Luck with your journey.

Thanks! I'll have to look out for that. I don't really have an Ulta or a tradesecrets near me, but I'll see if some of the BSS's around center city have them. Hopefully it can help.

I also have a part of my scalp that used to always get burns when I would relax it, but this isn't even that part, its near the front. I'm hoping my hair is just thin in that area. Maybe I should take a page from your book and see a dermatologist as well. I can't really afford OCT, plus I'm worried about the protein level (since my dryness issue). I'll look for Nioxin follicle booster. Do you find that in a normal BSS or is it a specialty product?

 

[msa]

Thanks~ It wasn't always like this, that middle part Its making me worried. Do you think tea tree oil would help? I'm going to buy some EO's tomorrow and see if I can make an concoction. I've tried castor oil, and I wasn't too impressed, but my hair is rarely impressed at anything, so I did not re-buy when I ran out. Maybe I should repurchase.

As for the cornrows, I usually do them that way, but I wanted a "bang" so I decided to do a sort of cornrow/plait hybrid this time. haha It didn't really work. Maybe I should try bantu knot outs. they've never really done anything for me in the past, but i'll try anything twice My regimen is DC once a week with AO HSR (not really impressed with it so far), and cowash every 3 days with Aussie Moist (gives amazing slip, I find). Then I detangle and braid, and shove it in a silk cap and put on a wig or a hat 99.9 of the time. Its hard because if I wash it less, it gets dry and tangly, but if I wash it more, I feel like I'm manipulating it too much with all the detangling.
Thanks for sharing the fotki rec, I'll go check her out!

I know that Nonie has posted a thread about the EO mix that helped her recover from a bald spot. I don't remember what it was called so just check her statistics for the threads she's started and it should be there somewhere. I don't know too much about EO's. I just try not to manipulate the area too much aside from massaging it.

Can you cowash without taking your braids out? When I was wearing wigs for a few months I would rinse my celie braids every day and then put on some castor oil. And that was it before I put on my wig. That way I didn't have to detangle every day. If your hair is detangled well before you braid, you should be able to cowash with the braids in. Just make sure you rinse well. This way you get to avoid so much manipulation.

I like bantu knot outs because it helps me stretch my hair out. But, I am a mix of 4a and 4b but I'm not a true 4b like you are. In fact, you look like you're probably a "Cnapp". You may want to check out their forum...I think it's called Cnappymenow or something like that, you can google it. Other Cnapps might be able to help you figure out what will work.

I think the main issue is that you need a good deep conditioner and moisturizer. A DC is basically the foundation you build your hairs moisture on so if the DC is lacking, then everything else probably will as well. Have you ever tried the caramel treatment? It's a homemade DC that lots of people love and it's all natural (honey, black strap molasses, olive oil, acv, cornstarch, and wheat germ oil). That may be a good place to start. Here's the thread:
http://longhaircareforum.com/showthread.php?t=126629
If you do use it, suggest following the original recipe that SamanthaJones posted just so you can get a good gauge on how it works. Then add stuff later if you feel it's necessary.

As far as moisturizers, I use water as my only moisturizer and then castor oil to "seal". I use coconut oil when detangling because it makes it easier. But your hair is different than mine so I'm not too sure about that. You may want to pm Mwedzi because I think her hair is similar to yours as well.

Hope this helps!


Eta: I just saw your post about drinking water. You must do that! Especially since you have dry skin, your hair is probably prone to being dry as well.

 

[Rei]

Congratulations!!!
I laughed at the coconut comment. Same here girl! I can't use coconut oil anymore except for pre-poo. Try castor oil or jojoba oil (much lighter).

I'm going to give castor oil another go, since its heavier (my hair usually laughs at lighter oils, I just really wanted it to like coconut oil since lots of people here rave about it)

I'm just glad my sister told me about it! I would have been walking around with a head full of crud

 

[LiberianGirl]

Congrats...welcome to the natural side.

 

[~*~ShopAholic~*~]

There's a Trade Secret at the Franklin Mills and Springfield Mall, but Target carries it too. I was gonna say try DC with the Aussie with some EVOO and honey added to it and see if that helps with moisture. Also that Silken Child moisturizer is the bomb for a daily moisturizer and that's if you have to apply it that often it's very moisturizing. You may want to clarify also b4 trying anything new and then use Roux Porosity Control to help you absorb your next DC and stuff better.

Thanks! I'll have to look out for that. I don't really have an Ulta or a tradesecrets near me, but I'll see if some of the BSS's around center city have them. Hopefully it can help.

I also have a part of my scalp that used to always get burns when I would relax it, but this isn't even that part, its near the front. I'm hoping my hair is just thin in that area. Maybe I should take a page from your book and see a dermatologist as well. I can't really afford OCT, plus I'm worried about the protein level (since my dryness issue). I'll look for Nioxin follicle booster. Do you find that in a normal BSS or is it a specialty product?

 

[Twisties]

Thanks! I'll have to look out for that. I don't really have an Ulta or a tradesecrets near me, but I'll see if some of the BSS's around center city have them. Hopefully it can help.

I also have a part of my scalp that used to always get burns when I would relax it, but this isn't even that part, its near the front. I'm hoping my hair is just thin in that area. Maybe I should take a page from your book and see a dermatologist as well. I can't really afford OCT, plus I'm worried about the protein level (since my dryness issue). I'll look for Nioxin follicle booster. Do you find that in a normal BSS or is it a specialty product?

The derm could really help, there's lots of help here on the forum too.

This is a link where you can purchase Nioxin products for a good price:
http://sn2000.com/catalog/hair-care-nioxin-products-c-1_9.html?gclid=CIHJrKi6hZgCFQUWGgod0G4PDA
Nioxin is usaually sold in salons or BSS's with salons attached. There are lots of sites that you can get it online. Drugstore.com sells it also.

Yes. Ovation is expensive --I understand.

Shea Butter made my hair really, really hard. I don't use it anymore. Plus it turned out I was allergic to it-started itching...oh well.

If all else fails and you are not anti-petroleum...try old fashion grease. Nature's Blessings, Blue Coconut or something like that. They work for me--but it is not a "natural" product. Sometimes you have to use what works.

Blessings...

 

[kriolagirl]

Congrats on your BC! my hair was really dry the first few weeks after I BC'd. Deep conditioning twice a week with heat made the difference

 

[HeavenlySkies]

Well, here are some pics from my QUALITY camera. I really need to get a new one...

Congrats...Err that's the same camera I use and the quality is EXCELLENT when I take pictures I think you need to tweak your settings...​

 

[LongCurlz]

Congrats! I cannot wait to BC

 

[stardust1222]

Well in opion it don't look like a bald spot. But I do love your texture girl and worry with proper care I'm true believer that your hair will be as long as your friends in no time. :woohoo:Just never watch a pot that boils. But it do looks healthy.

 

[~~HoneyComb~~]

Congratulations on your BC!!!!

 

[naturalpride]

Congrats, keep us posted on your progress

 

[NikStarrr]

Congrats!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Rei]

Congrats on your BC! my hair was really dry the first few weeks after I BC'd. Deep conditioning twice a week with heat made the difference

Yeah lately I have been skipping the heat when I dc out of laziness. I did it today and my hair felt softer I'm going to re-incorporate this into my regimen

 

[Rei]

Congrats...Err that's the same camera I use and the quality is EXCELLENT when I take pictures I think you need to tweak your settings...​

what settings do you have yours on? mine is pretty much always on auto, its always been like this

 

[HeavenlySkies]

what settings do you have yours on? mine is pretty much always on auto, its always been like this

You can put it on auto but turn on the rose on the left button.​

 

[cocomama]

WOW! Lady you got alot of growth for just 15 mths Your hair looks beautiful!!!