Natural or Straight? Ideas needed from 4a/b ladies please...???

[Vintageglam]

So I have been reading a few of the threads on the LHCF as I am currently trying to decide on the best way of looking after my naturally fine 4a/b hair. It is currently 80% relaxed which I like as I it is easier to handle, but I find the trade-off has been strength .

I noticed that there seem to be differing views on which condition 4a/b hair thrives the best and I also have noticed of late a huge uptake with the BKT as a means of controlling curls and transitioning (although I am still terrified of the aldehydes used)....

Anyway I just wanted to find out how the 4a & 4b ladies on this board are wearing their hair and if they found it suited them and what challenges they are facing.

I have also included a Poll and a few questions below which I think we can all share our experiences through!


My questions are as follows:

1. How are you currently wearing you hair? (Please use the Poll to vote)
2. Has this helped your hair to thrive?
3. What are the advantages of this method and what are your challenges?
4. Finally what has been your biggest tip for managing your hair?


Many thanks in advance ladies !

 

[sheava]

So I have been reading a few of the threads on the LHCF as I am currently trying to decide on the best way of looking after my naturally fine 4a/b hair. It is currently 80% relaxed which I like as I it is easier to handle, but I find the trade-off has been strength .

I noticed that there seem to be differing views on which condition 4a/b hair thrives the best and I also have noticed of late a huge uptake with the BKT as a means of controlling curls and transitioning (although I am still terrified of the aldehydes used)....

Anyway I just wanted to find out how the 4a/b ladies on this board are wearing their hair and if they found it suited them and what challenges they are facing.

I have also included a Poll and a few questions below which I think we can all share our experiences through!


My questions are as follows:

1. How are you currently wearing you hair? (Please use the Poll to vote)
2.
Has this helped your hair to thrive?
3. What are the advantages of this method and what are your challenges?
4. Finally what has been your biggest tip for managing your hair?


Many thanks in advance ladies !

I am currently wearing my hair natural in twists and twist-outs.

I think the twists have helped my hair because it is a protective style.

Advantages: protective style, keeps me from putting my hands in my hair, and I can go 2 weeks without having to do my hair .
Disadvantages: my hair tends to get fuzzy

Ummmm, I would have to say taking my time and being patient when I am detangling.

 

[Keedah]

For the past year Ive been wearing my hair in protective styles under wigs and just started wearing it out again. Its grown a lot. I would cornroll it and take out, wash and condition every 2 weeks.

I would like to start straightening my hair on occasion since winter is here and I wont have to worry about humidity and sweating. I want to try a BKT too.

For me the less manipulation the better. Also taking my time to detangle, style and moisturize. I used to rip through my curls trying to do my hair as fast as possible. I have a habit of playing in my hair when its out which is why protective styles are a must for me. I cant leave my hair alone!

 

[trenise]

My hair is still very short, but longer than it's ever been. I'm 4b and relaxed with Profectiv. I can't recall if it's lye or no-lye. Keeping my hair moist has helped it to thrive. I use the Ovation line and that has strengthened my hair and made stretching the relaxers more do-able. Most days, I wear my hair clipped up in a claw or with a flexi8. I have drastically reduced my use of the hairdryer and curling iron. I seldom comb and usually brush just to keep it smooth. A few weeks ago I trimmed off some before LHCF damage and that has also helped stop some breaking.

 

[Fhrizzball]

I feel silly I posted in the duplicate thread...

1. How are you currently wearing you hair? (Please use the Poll to vote)
I'm natural and I've been wearing my hair in a braided bun style.

2. Has this helped your hair to thrive?
It's a protective style but not necessarily low-mani. But yep it has though I've only been doing this for a week so maybe it's too soon to tell.

3. What are the advantages of this method and what are your challenges?
I have to undo each braid to moisturize each night so If I'm not careful I get tangles since I don't detangle till wash day. However once the style is set I don't have to do anything in the morning besides spritz it with moisturizer and decorate it.

4. Finally what has been your biggest tip for managing your hair?
Do everything in sections and always moisturize. Be extra gentle when detangling and styling.

 

[ceebee3]

My questions are as follows:

1. How are you currently wearing you hair? (Please use the Poll to vote)
2. Has this helped your hair to thrive?
3. What are the advantages of this method and what are your challenges?
4. Finally what has been your biggest tip for managing your hair?


Many thanks in advance ladies !

I am 4a relaxed.

I don't think the relaxer helped my hair to thrive but my attention to the cleanliness and moisture protein balance of my hair is what helps.

My relaxed hair does not revert quickly like natural hair and I don't have to use heat for straight styles.

My biggest tip is just deep conditioning every week and taking care of the ends of my hair.

 

[prospurr4]

My questions are as follows:

1. How are you currently wearing you hair?
I'm 4b texlaxed MBL and wear my hair 50% down, 50% up.

2. Has this helped your hair to thrive?
Yes, my hair is better than it's ever been.

3. What are the advantages of this method and what are your challenges?
Well, I like natural-looking and straight-looking styles, and being texlaxed allows me to achieve both. Right now, I have no challenges...my hair and I are getting along just fine.

4. Finally what has been your biggest tip for managing your hair?
Stretching my texlax touchups to 3 months and low manipulation (washing once a week), and then leaving my hair alone.

 

[Desarae]

1. How are you currently wearing you hair? Relaxed, LYE

2. Has this helped your hair to thrive? Less tangles than natural, less dryness than no-lye

3. What are the advantages of this method and what are your challenges?
Advantages: For me I can wear my hair (straight) without using direct heat.
Challenges: Balancing protien and moisture, and a with a relaxer you hair is at a more weakened state than natural.

4. Finally what has been your biggest tip for managing your hair?

Detangle gently, low to no heat, clean frequently, low manipulation.

 

[Nonie]

I'm not 4A/B but 4B but with fine hair but I'ma intrude on your discussion anyway.

1. How are you currently wearing you hair? (Please use the Poll to vote)

Couldn't pick any as none applies to me. I'm natural and in extension braids.

2. Has this helped your hair to thrive?

Yes it has. When I'm serious and sticking to my regimen (washing twice a week, DCing once a week, baggying nightly) I really do see progress. I went from this in Feb 2007 to this after a press in June 2008 coz I was on a serious mission to undo the setback a BC by a stylist caused when she took me from shoulder length to that Feb 2007 cut within minutes.

3. What are the advantages of this method and what are your challenges?

The upside is I don't have to spend hours on my hair once I put the braids in for months. Everything from washing to styling takes minutes to do, so hair becomes the last thing I worry about. The downside is I can get very lazy and complacent. Ever since I put my braids in in April, I've just sort of put my regimen up on a shelf too. If I baggy, it's once in a blue moon. I don't wash my hair twice a week like I should coz I just can't seem to be bothered. And I still don't use moisturizers so my hair has to be in very poor condition now with my reduced washing and no bagging. So braids while such a help in a low mani regi (<--a very good thing for fine hair) can be a downfall if you take the "break" as far as I have taken it. (I know Msa will be meeting me on PM side with a good "tongue lashing" so I'ma regret posting this on the forum. Maybe if I add that I'm taking a day off to focus on my hair she will go easy on me. )

4. Finally what has been your biggest tip for managing your hair?

Getting familiar with it and understanding what it needs and not trying to make it behave like anyone else's. Learning to handle it with care and discovering that patience pays, whether in waiting for it to grow or getting it into the state you want it to be (eg detangled, styled, out of braids or twists etc). Make time to do your hair when you know you won't be rushed and really give it the TLC it deserves. It'll thank you.

 

[msa]

(I know Msa will be meeting me on PM side with a good "tongue lashing" so I'ma regret posting this on the forum. Maybe if I add that I'm taking a day off to focus on my hair she will go easy on me. )

You already know. I was sitting here like . But I understand...I have to force myself to do my hair lately. Otherwise, I'll lose what little progress I've had.


To answer the questions...
1. I wear my hair lots of different ways: wet bun, braidouts, french braids, pinned/bunned up braidouts. Right now I'm planning to change my regimen and start blowdrying on cool after every wash to make life easier.

2. Yes my regimen has helped my hair to thrive, even though I don't always do what I should.

3. Umm, I can't really think of advantages aside from healthy hair (from regular conditioning) and retention. My only challenges are laziness and inconsistency. Really, if you can treat your hair well CONSISTENTLY you'll see progress.

4. My biggest tip is to be gentle with your hair whenever you're handling it and take your time (especially when detangling). Also, keep your ends stretched to avoid single strand knots (which lead to trimming and/or breakage).

 

[Lucky's Mom]

So I have been reading a few of the threads on the LHCF as I am currently trying to decide on the best way of looking after my naturally fine 4a/b hair. It is currently 80% relaxed which I like as I it is easier to handle, but I find the trade-off has been strength .

I noticed that there seem to be differing views on which condition 4a/b hair thrives the best and I also have noticed of late a huge uptake with the BKT as a means of controlling curls and transitioning (although I am still terrified of the aldehydes used)....

Anyway I just wanted to find out how the 4a & 4b ladies on this board are wearing their hair and if they found it suited them and what challenges they are facing.

I have also included a Poll and a few questions below which I think we can all share our experiences through!


My questions are as follows:

1. How are you currently wearing you hair? (Please use the Poll to vote)
2. Has this helped your hair to thrive?
3. What are the advantages of this method and what are your challenges?
4. Finally what has been your biggest tip for managing your hair?


Many thanks in advance ladies !

1. How are you currently wearing you hair? (Please use the Poll to vote)
My hair is natural... fine dense strands. I currently wear the braids that are in my siggy pic.........

2. Has this helped your hair to thrive?

Yes. Relaxers - badly done, killed my hair.
3. What are the advantages of this method and what are your challenges?

Advantages..... I don't ever sit in a shop... I consider Black Beauty Shops the back door to hell, so I am grateful for that. I know how to handle my hair. No one else knows it better..... I have learned the secrets to my hair's success..... challenges???? oh - well - I guess there can be lots of those..... I became a PJ - until I knew how to work it...... Now - not a problem.
4. Finally what has been your biggest tip for managing your hair?

Moisture and protein is a natural girl's friend.

 

[cocoaluv]

. I went from this in Feb 2007 to this after a press in June 2008 coz I was on a serious mission to undo the setback a BC by a stylist caused when she took me from shoulder length to that Feb 2007 cut within minutes.

Whaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaat?!?!?!?!

Ok Nonie can I please have a DETAILED regi please ma'am?

I have been transitioning since May/June and today I was on the verge of either Bc'ing my hair or running to the dominicans for a relaxer. I am very confused and could use all the help I can get

 

[Nonie]

Whaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaat?!?!?!?!

Ok Nonie can I please have a DETAILED regi please ma'am?

I have been transitioning since May/June and today I was on the verge of either Bc'ing my hair or running to the dominicans for a relaxer. I am very confused and could use all the help I can get

My regi was based on that of Brenda (www.blackwomenrejoice.com) although I misunderstood one part of it and thought applying products as leave-ins wasn't supposed to be part of the plan. I also don't keep a dusting schedule as I did back when I first heard of her (2001) but do it when I think of it.

Anyway, I do my own braids and once I put them in, I keep them in forever, except for redoing one at at time as time allows, usually while watching some TV show or movie.

The regi involved washing my hair whenever it felt dry, which was really twice a week or every three days and that means using shampoo. I would wet my head and then apply shampoo directly to my scalp and massage to clean. During the rinse, I'd squeeze it through my braids to clean with the diluted shampoo. Since I washed often and don't use products, one shampoo was enough as the suds would be clean and white.

I would then apply conditioner skipping the inch or so closest to my scalp. I'd apply to a few braids at a time the way you would apply relaxer using fingers to smooth it to the end of my hair. I'd braid the few that were now covered w/ condish together to get them out of the way while I worked on another set. Once my hair was covered in conditioner, I'd wear a cap while I showered or wear a cap and sit under a dryer to DC. (I DC'd once a week on weekends.) BTW, I'm not fussy about what shampoo or conditioner I used. For strength, I have Nexxus Emergencee and Aubrey Organics GPB. For moisture I have a bunch of conditioners from CVS. If it says it'll moisturize, then I get it. I like Trader Joe's too and AO HSR. I really didn't have a schedule on what I used to DC. It was mostly the protein products but I might also follow with a moisturizing DC or just throw in a CW mid-week.

I always completed my wash by dunking my head in a solution of 1/4 cup ACV in a basin of water (about 2 gallons), with 20 drops of rosemary essential oil and 20 of lavender essential oil ...and massaging to my heart's content. I would then towel dry and cornrow for a braidout or wrap for a straight look or just let them be for a casual wavy ends do.

I would redo the hairline as soon as it needed redoing coz when it gets loose, it hurts and the weight of the extension hair could rip yours out. Sometimes I'd take the extensions out along my hair line and wear bangs in twists to relieve my hairline of the strain of carrying extension hair.

As time allowed, I'd start from the back and redo the braids one at time snipping off about 1/4 inch as a precaution to prevent split ends. Brenda's schedule was 6-8 weeks IIRC, but I wasn't as strict about that as I used to be when I first found her regimen (2001). I'd just dust as I thought of it or whenever I redid a braid. I'd know which braids had not been snipped either because the base was loose or the ends just felt thin or pointy instead of having a blunt finish. Brenda's advice is to use the sharpest scissors on earth so I keep a pair just for my hair. As you can see in that pic, I'd gone a little too long w/o snipping hence that end had to be snipped after the press.

Every night I wore a plastic cap to bed. That and frequent washing is how I got my moisture. I think wearing my hair in cornrows also helped my ends and I'm hoping to go back to doing that after my day off dedicating to refocusing.

I don't use growth aids except to try to eat well and take a multivitamin, garlic, acidophilus and an EFA--a program I started years back when I had issues with systemic candida. I did try to jump on supplement bandwagons when I first joined the forum but I couldn't be consistent and even when I was, I didn't see any major improvement. I also tried using leave-ins when I first joined the forum but they didn't do much for me, and I hated the feel of product on my face and neck after almost 3 years of using none. Not trimming--a practice I found on the forum and in Cathy Howse's book--didn't work for me either. Prior to joining the forum, I'd transitioned using Brenda's regimen as I had understood it and following the trimming schedule and I had seen it work nicely and get me the longest hair I'd ever had in my life (9-11 inches) so after a year or so of trying different things, I went back to that simple regimen and it works for me.

It's just a shame that I drop the ball so often when I get to this "longest my hair has ever been" stage so I don't know if my hair can get any longer than that as I'm yet to apply myself to caring for my hair as I do when it's short to see how far it can go. erplexed

 

[cocoaluv]

Nonie Thanks so much

 

[Poohbear]

1. How are you currently wearing you hair? (Please use the Poll to vote)
Natural...sometimes blowdried &/or flat-ironed

2. Has this helped your hair to thrive?
Yes

3. What are the advantages of this method and what are your challenges?
Advantages: No relaxer touch-ups
Challenges: Shrinkage when I want to wear certain hair styles

4. Finally what has been your biggest tip for managing your hair?
Avoid excessive rough manipulation

 

[Eluv]

1. How are you currently wearing you hair?
• Natural, French rolls

2. Has this helped your hair to thrive?
• Yes, my hair is now longer and healthier than before.

3. What are the advantages of this method and what are your challenges?
Advantage
• No chemicals
• Breaking length barriers

Challenges
• Learning what work for my hair through trial and error
• Fear of trying new methods or products after a setback

4. Finally what has been your biggest tip for managing your hair?
• Hot oil Treatment w/EVO as a pre-poo before shampooing
• Detangle with conditioner and twist hair before rinsing out conditioner to avoid
detangling twice.
• DC once a week
• Moisturize twice a day

 

[honeybuni84]

1. How are you currently wearing you hair? (Please use the Poll to vote)
I am 4a super fine extraa shrinky.... I wear it natural, it depends usually a twist/braid out/fuzzy fro... Attempts to self straighten are failling miserably, and i may stop trying
2. Has this helped your hair to thrive? Yes it has, my hair is very fine and it isnt relaxed. I this was the main reason i saw lots of breakage..

As natural i have gone from super short to 2ins above APL in about 1 year. I has really helped me a lot.
3. What are the advantages of this method and what are your challenges?
Pros- more fullness when straight, i get to make a HUGE afro, healthier hair.
Cons- shrinkage and single knots
4. Finally what has been your biggest tip for managing your hair?

going more natural with what products i use. I have found my hair is really unhappy with sulfates and i have to eliminate them to get what i want. I also found that detangling every so often and moisturizing daily is a must for me.

 

[remnant]

My questions are as follows:

1. How are you currently wearing you hair? (Please use the Poll to vote)

natural
braids under wig

2. Has this helped your hair to thrive?

yes


3. What are the advantages of this method and what are your challenges?

Protecting hair not much manip


4. Finally what has been your biggest tip for managing your hair?

read my siggy

 

[lovegymnasts]

1. How are you currently wearing you hair? (Please use the Poll to vote)

Natural

2. Has this helped your hair to thrive?

Yes!
Yes!
Good Golly Miss Molly, YES!

3. What are the advantages of this method and what are your challenges?

Advantages

• no chemicals - I hate the process
• I stand out
• I love the way my hair looks and feels
• no dandruff - when I was relaxed I had horrific dandruff
• I don't fight with 2 textures
• my hair is healthy and the longest it has been in my entire life
• I get a lot of compliments

Disadvantages

• wash day takes 3 hours

4. Finally what has been your biggest tip for managing your hair?

• moisturizing every day
• protective styling and low manipulation styles (I love twists)
• washing in braids (makes detangling a breeze)
• water, natural oils, and conditioner are my hair's lovers
• deep conditioning is a must
• combing only on wash day

 

[Yoshi3329]

1. How are you currently wearing you hair? (Please use the Poll to vote)
I voted "other." I am transitioning in cornrows. Later, I'll be in a sew in.

2. Has this helped your hair to thrive?
Yes, I've kept all the inches I've gain this year. Which is 3.

3. What are the advantages of this method and what are your challenges?
Advantages

• No knots and tangles
• All my growth, so far, has been retained.
• I can wash my hair any time.
• No more relaxer touch-ups. I never knew why I had to get them in the first place.

Disadvantages

• I can't play in my hair, but in retrospect, playing in it would lead to breakage.

4. Finally what has been your biggest tip for managing your hair?

• Moisturize as I see fit.
• Using a light protein so the demarcation line doesn't break. When I see fit.
• Low manipulation.
• Porosity control, to help hair keep moisture.
• Ceramides, to help hair keep moisture/protein balance, and for a protective barrier for my hair. I can go a day or two without moisturizing thanks to ceramides and porosity control.
• Sulfate-free Shampoo.

 

[*CherryPie*]

1. How are you currently wearing you hair? No-Lye relaxer.

2. Has this helped your hair to thrive? Yes. I have tried Lye, but it damaged my hair. It was Mild, but it was still too strong for my hair.

3. What are the advantages of this method and what are your challenges? My hair gets straight, but it's still soft and moisturized. I don't really have any challenges with No-Lye relaxer. But I AM still growing out my nape and edges from the Lye relaxer.

4. Finally what has been your biggest tip for managing your hair? Clarifying once a month, and keeping my hair moisturized daily.

 

[notlookingback06]

My questions are as follows:

1. How are you currently wearing you hair? (Please use the Poll to vote)
4a/4b, natural 2-strand twists and 2-strand twist outs
(I also voted)
2. Has this helped your hair to thrive?
Most definitely!

3. What are the advantages of this method and what are your challenges?
It's low manipulation in between weekly washings and it's a great protective style. I don't really have any challenges at this time. I've got a pretty good reggie going right now!

4. Finally what has been your biggest tip for managing your hair?
Proper amounts of moisture (my hair seems to constantly drink up the moisture), low manipulation and just simply being patient with the maintenance process.

 

[arosieworld]

1. How are you currently wearing you hair?Texlaxed wash and go. I wear it down on most days and on chore days its in a pony.
2. Has this helped your hair to thrive? Yes its made a huge difference in retention. I haven't seen a SSK since.
3. What are the advantages of this method and what are your challenges?
Advantages: (i'm still in the honeymoon stage so there are more of these)
Wash and go
No SSK's
Reduction in shrinkage
I was stuck a SL/CL-ish and now I feel like its growing again.
I can braid or twist my hair without fighting tangles before bed
Lye for some reason made it keep its moisture longer (weird)
I can pull my hair into a bun or pony without having to re-wet it
I am lazy and it's maintainable style.
Challenges:
Afraid of this protein moisture balance that everyone talks of
Afraid of when I will have to do a touch up
Afraid of the unknown because this is my 1st time texlaxed
4. Finally what has been your biggest tip for managing your hair? Moisture and DC's with honey it really has been a miracle worker in my hair. It has grown like crazy and retained its length and that is my only consistent thing I have gone from shaved to collar bone in 19 months I love honey so much I can't even tell you.

 

[BlackGeisha]

Fine strand 4b here

1. How are you currently wearing you hair? (Please use the Poll to vote)

I am relaxed and I also apply BKT treatments to my hair once a month sometimes every other month.

2. Has this helped your hair to thrive?

Relaxers can cause damage and I believe what allows my hair to thrive is the way I take care of my hair after a relaxer, what you would call maintenance. The BKT helps keep my hair strong and I love that swang you get with the treatment I have never been able to achieve it without it.

3. What are the advantages of this method and what are your challenges?

The advantages are a smoother look which I like, I like the BKT I think it helps reinforce the hair after a relaxer. My hair is not relaxed bone straight so I can do textured styles and people think my hair is natural or curly. With the BKT I can get my hair pin straight which I also love. I used to wear weaves to achieve this look and it feels good to be able to get this look with my own hair.

4. Finally what has been your biggest tip for managing your hair?

Keeping my hair moisturized.
Low manipulation, carefully manipulating the hair during styling.
Protecting the hair.
Limiting the use of heat to once per month.
Air Drying.