1 year comparison pics.....what is wrong with this picture?

[Impresaria]

[image]

[/image]
[image]

[/image]
Okay...I am taking a deep breath here because if there was anytime that I have ever needed encouragement from you ladies it is now. I am having a major pity party and you are all invited!! I just can't help it. The first picture is last Sept 29, 2003. The second picture is this morning. Most of the damage has happened in the last 4 months. I had been gradually cutting off the colored ends because it was too difficult for me to manage the dryness and breakage. I moved from a mild climate in central California to the high desert and my hair, skin, scalp has suffered greatly from the arid climate and the hard, hard, water. My hair has been coming out in my hands, not from shedding, from breakage! I made the mistake of changing from no-lye to lye, thinking that I would rather have a dry scalp than dry hair /images/graemlins/crazy.gif, I know, it's crazy. I am trying to love my hair...but it's not loving me back. The surge has stopped working. So, what am I doing right...I couldn't tell you cause the tried and true ain't working. To make this whole thing worse, I went out and bought a fall. When my husband came home from work and seen me with it on, he couldn't stop gushing about how cute it looked, and how he wants my hair that long....blah freaking blah blah blah....it kinda hurt....well it REALLY hurt. But that's another story. I KNOW that I can grow my hair long, I was well on my way last year, but the setbacks this year have been very depressing. I need to re-vamp my regime to combat this dryness and hard water, I plan on installing a full house water filter this weekend. But besides that, I don't know where to start.

 

[Impresaria]

Sorry about that second pic being so big....can't figure out have to fix it.

 

[ms_kenesha]

I would invest in a humidifier since you're in such a dry place. Also, maybe get braids for a while so you won't have to "see" your hair, just make sure that you keep it moisturized while it's in braids.

 

[Lorraine]

SpicedTee,
Is the larger photo before or after?

 

[Impresaria]

The larger picture is after, as of this morning.....the first picture was last year.

 

[Faith]

Maybe it's the Surge. My ends started breaking when I started using it on my ends??? How do you wear your hair day to day? And do youuse heat? If yes..how often?

 

[CharUK]

I don't really have any words of wisdom, I'm still trying to find out about my own hair, but I wish you the best of luck.

I know how stressful it is when your hair is misbehaving.

xx

 

[Impresaria]

Okay, I fixed the second pic. I plan on purchasing a humidifier, thanks for the advice ms. kenesha. I think that the humidifier and the water filter will do a lot for putting moisture back in my hair. I was thinking of doing a mild protein treatment, like Ion Keratin Reconstructor, but I am afraid the protein may cause more breakage. I have to admit that I have been using heat once a week on my hair. I threw away my blowdryer yesterday. I threw it on the concrete in the garage to make sure that it was broken...I know, sounds wild, but desperate times call for desperate measures.

 

[Bklynqueen]

Hello! I'm so sorry to hear about your hair woes! Beleive me, I've had too many to count! The only thing I would suggest that you try is Dr. Miracle's growth creme- found on this site: http://store.goldenmartbeautysupply.com/drmifitfo.html

This knocks Surge any day- at least for me. I had no hair on my temples after pregnancy and Surge did not work. I tried Dr. Miracle last week- I kid you not, why I have an 1 1/2 inch of hair on what was my balding temples? /images/graemlins/smile.gif You actually feel the tingling of the creme as it absorbs in your scalp. Also, for more growth, wash once or twice a week ( a conditoner wash maybe- if you haven't done so ) and maybe moisturize your hair with virgin olive oil. Now may be the time to experiment with braids, either use Human hair or kanakolon ( which for some reason, grows hair real well- at least in my experience). I really, really hope that if you do decide to take this advice, that it works for you. Please let me know if you purchase the Dr. Miracle hair line and let me know how it works for you. Good luck!!! /images/graemlins/laugh.gif

 

[dannie]

I'm just now getting off work, you know gotta be up and out. But I do want to re-read your post and offer you some advice. Could you post your daily regime, like products, so on? I'll respond when I get home. I'm sure some other ladies could offer some better advice if you posted a daily break down of what you do to your hair. If you already did, I'm sorry but I scanned thru the post.

 

[AudraChanell]

I am sorry to hear of your troubles. I'd keep my hair very moisturized and thats it. I wouldnt put any more protein in my hair for a while if I were you.

 

[Impresaria]

Good idea, dannie 19, I forgot to tell you what I use. I am such a product junkie that I have more than I could ever use, but this is what I use now to simplify my regime.

Shampoo
Ion Hard Water Shampoo
Pantene Smooth and Sleek Shampoo

Conditioners
Ion Hard Water Conditioner
Pantene Smooth and Sleek Conditioner
Lustrasilk Carrot Creme Deep Conditioner

Hair and Scalp Treatments
ORS Dry Scalp Relief Oil
Profective Anti-Breakage Strengthener and Anti-Thinning Stimulant
B&B Castor Oil
Surge Revitalizer 14
Woojee Cream
Ion Keratin Reconstructor

My basic regime:
Wah hair twice a week, once with Pantene, another time with the hard water shampoo. I use the companion conditioner when I shampoo. I deep condition once a week when I use the hard water shampoo with the Lustrasilk conditioner. I cover my head with a plastic cap for 30 min. or more, then detangle and rinse. While my hair is still damp, I massage the ORS Dry scalp relief oil into my scalp. I them carefully pull my hair into a ouchless band and let it airdry. After my hair dries, I apply a little of the Profective Anti-breakage for a little sheen. Then a spray on heat protectant and use a ceramic flat iron to shape into a bob. At night I apply Surge Revitalizer and Profevtiv Anti-Thinning on the nape and hairline (recovering from too tight cornrow disaster). The second time I wash I roller set intead of flat iron. Once a month I throw in the Ion Reconstructor for about 10 minutes and deep condition for an hour under my bonnet dryer. That's pretty much it. And it used to work for me in the past, but now my products don't seem to perform as they used to.

 

[Faith]

Can you wear it in a more protective style? Are you sure the band isn't causing breakage? Can you get away from using the heat 1x/week?

 

[Falon]

(((Hug))) First let me say that you are still beautiful regardless of the length of your hair. I know we are all here to grow our hair and get it healthy but don't lose sight of the fact that it is still only hair and will not make or break you as a person.


Now...remember that you had to get rid of all of that dyed hair so that has definitely slowed your progress down as you have had to cut it out gradually.

Now, that the dyed hair is gone...you need to get a solid consistent hair routine down. I won't recommend specific products since we live in completely different climates and our heads may not respond to the same thing...but generally speaking. The basics of a good regimine for relaxed hair are as follows: A gentle shampoo...something for dry or damaged hair. You need two kinds of conditioners: One to add strength during deep conditioning (protein based)and one to moisturize and soften. You need to eliminate or minimize your use of heat whenever possible. Try braids, twist outs...braid outs...buns...phony ponies etc....since you have a fall why not try Sherrylove's baggie method (she has fabulous super long hair..I also believe Andrienne uses that method as well and she is at waist)Or do a once a week rollerset and no matter what promise yourself that you will not touch heat again for that week. Cut back on the trimming...I went six months w/o a trim and thought I would have to do a major one and when I finally got the nerve to go...she cut half an inch (that is what minimal heat will do for you).

You also need the occassional strong protein treatment...I use Aphogee but I know that a lot of our members swear by different brands. Lastly, minimize manipulation. I comb my hair in the AM as I am leaving the house and in the PM when I get home...if I have to wrap it or something like that....but for the most part I keep my hands and comb out of my hair.


That is really all their is to a good regimine. You can use the vitiamins and surge and all of that too...but those are the basics.

If this doesn't help I hope it at least makes you feel a bit better...your hair will grow..it takes time...all that old damaged hair simply had to go. Now you are at a point where the hair can grow out healthy.

 

[Impresaria]

Since it has gotten much shorter, I think I only have a couple of options for protective styles. I did try corn rows. They wrecked havoc on my hair line. I'm thinking maybe I should continue to do roller sets to avoid heat period. The second option is to weave it up. Maybe the problem is just an extreme lack of moisture. Maybe I need to start from the inside out though like remembering to take my vitamins and drinking more water.

 

[Mariaat40]

Sorry to hear about your hair woes SpicedTee. /images/graemlins/perplexed.gif Could you try making one of those shampoo washes a conditioner wash? Maybe that would help combat the dryness. And until you install the water filter (or if you find the water is still hard) you can try using distilled water instead. As, as the other ladies suggested, cut out the heat.

 

[itismehmmkay]

Here's my 5 cents: Go waaaaay back to basics.

-Chill out on trimming/cutting your hair.
-Wash only weekly or even every 2 weeks.
-Stick to just a few products for a while: one trusted shampoo, one deep conditioner, one protein treatment, some oils and/or grease

It sounds like lack of moisture is your main problem and frequent washing seems to be zapping this moisture.

Here are some products that I'm pretty bias to:

-Creame of Nature Shampoo

-Queen Helene Super Cholesterol (it's sold at Sally's; it's regular cholesterol with added protein; good deep conditioner for moisture and protein strengthening)

-Atlien's oil concoction of Wild Growth Oil, coconut oil, and castor oil for your scalp and hair.

Also, I bet it wouldn't hurt to try some Blue Magic grease (oops...LHCF nono /images/graemlins/look.gif). Maybe you could wash weekly, deep condition, use grease on hair and scalp, and wear that phony for about a month. Then see how things go afterwards.

Now, braids are good only if you've had success with them in the past. I only had good growth from braids when I was completely natural. When I was relaxed, the braids would just rip my hair out at the demarcation line. /images/graemlins/nono.gif

 

[Impresaria]

Distilled water....great idea Mariaat40. I sure could substitute a shampoo for a conditioner wash. Heck, I could substitute both of them. And Falon, thanks a million for the cyberhug and thank you all for the good advice. What I will do tonight is a conditioner wash, then roller set my hair. I will use no heat. I will not use the band at all. I will keep tying it up with a satin scarf at night. I will try to not to manipulate my hair. I think I can do this. I guess I was just momentarily off-balance. The pics kinda shocked me though. I didn't see how far off track I had become.

 

[Healthb4Length]

I believe you should Keep it simple with your regime, you need to stay away from heat (u learned that lesson) and from chemicals too. I think that you should try braiding your hair for a while as someone mentioned before. Please check this site out www.growafrohairlong.com! Many members including myself have used this method to help our hair grow or at least be healthy. If you decide not to get braids then I think you should try protective styles like braidouts and twistouts or even buns. I think you should try a hardcore protein like Aphogee followed immediately by a shampoo and then by a moisturizing protein to put moisture back into your hair. I know you probably don't want to hear this but its gonna take some time to see good results and you may need to slowly clip off damaged ends or go all out and just trim it all off. I hope things get better for you and good luck!

 

[Jenai]

Try rollersetting the hair on wash day and then just putting the resulting curls into a satin cap at night and fingerstyling in the morning. That way you can go from a curly and coifed to free-flowing and wild curls to sexy waves gradually during the week.

When I was growing out a pixie cut, this really helped to retain length and avoid overmanipulation.

HTH

 

[fine_beauty]

No advice from me. I'm having my own hair tempest.
I wish you the very best and hope things turn around for the better for you.

 

[douglala]

It also looks like you are missing a moisturizer in your regimen. I also have very dry hair and I find that after washing using a water based moisturizer(water as the first ingredient) followed by some oil to seal in the moisture from the shower and moisturizer works wonders for me. It took a while for me to learn that oil does not moisturize it just SEALS in the moisture that is already there. The two products I use are the Nexus leave in, and the Aveda one. Sorry I cannot recall the names of them right now.

 

[KAddy]

Sorry about your hair woes. I can relate as my hair just recently started breaking. I am about to switch to a new shampoo and conditioner designed for dry and damaged hair. I think the other ladies have given you great advice. Just wanted to give you my support and wish you all the best.

ETA: I also think you made a good point by saying starting from the inside out. Drink more water, take your vitamins, and eat healthy.

 

[ElizaBlue]

I feel ya. What worked for me was the castor oil and daily wash/rinses.

But I will say Brklynqn has definitely peeked my interest with the Dr. Miracle. I think I'll give that a try.

 

[SUPER SWEET]

Sorry I know how you feel.... /images/graemlins/frown.gif
I suggest staying away from heat and too many products. I would clarify and try to start fresh again. I know that surge can be drying unless you wash your hair frequently. I had gotten a bad protein build up from that product. I now swear by CON poo and conditioner for dry hair.
Best wishes

 

[sassygirl125]

[ QUOTE ]

But I will say Brklynqn has definitely peeked my interest with the Dr. Miracle. I think I'll give that a try.

[/ QUOTE ]

This site lists the ingredients. I've seen these products at Sally's a few Asian bss. You can't miss the flashing red lights on the display case. /images/graemlins/look.gif The ingredients didn't impress me so I left them on the shelf. But the display cases are always empty. Maybe it's good stuff after all.

 

[aqualung]

Feel better, SpicedTee! Your hair is shorter because you cut the color out, but you should retain length better without it. Don't stop Surging or taking supplements.

In your position, I would wear braids until the hair was long enough for a bun. That way you could forego daily styling.

 

[honeisos]

You need Moisture ...moisture and More moisture!
don't fret and yr from now it will be a memory.. I know that the hardwear stores sell a water softner ask about it .

and keep your hair stick back with a headband (plastic) or get a phony pony... that way you dont do much with it ..
My hair loves moisture too

I have to wash my hair 2x a week . and love a silcone based gel or a creamy leave in I use canut shea soft

Motions CPR is a must or Neutragena triple moist.

make your own moisture spray.. with water(bottled) and the oils of you choice and a good leave in mixed together
when your hair feels dry spray it!
and I love (elasta QP feels like silk gel) .. it holds well and drys soft not hard at all which is very good for dry hair

Hope this helps /images/graemlins/kiss.gif

 

[Poohbear]

I was about to say congrats on your growth because I thought the first pic was the after pic. Im sorry for the setbacks you are having. How often do you wash, condition, and style your hair during the week??? If it's a lot, cut down on manipulation as much as possible. Good luck with your hair. Hope that helps. /images/graemlins/kiss.gif

 

[Impresaria]

Okay Ladies....I am a good student because I am listening very closely. Last night I done a conditioner only wash, then deep conditioned with Olive Oil. I then roller set on small magnetic rollers and let dry over night. So today I feel sooooo much better. I gave away my ceramic flat iron too. I am heading out to Home Depot to at least get a shower filter until I can shop around for the whole house water softener. That way I can start to benefit right away. I am heading out to find coconut oil, a moisturizing conditioner, a milder shampoo, and some cute little hair accessories. Thank God, I feel like there is some light at the end of this tunnel and it's not an oncoming train! Here is the pic I took this morning of the roller set.

[image]

[/image]