4's, I need some support and suggestions!

[carrie]

4\'s, I need some support and suggestions!

I am feeling like Honey Rockette. I am hating this stuff on my head. I dare to even call hair anymore. Its sooooo dry, even though nothing in my regimine has changed.

I've been washing every 3 days with my Nexxus knock offs and wet wrapping. I dry wrap on nights I don't wash and alternate the direction each day. I've been using the Nioxin on my spot in the back every night.

I am comteplating braids. I look at Adriene'e hair journey and I am inspired (she's my hair hero /images/graemlins/grin.gif )
I would just cut it all off, but I look horrible with short hair, we can't all pull off the Halle Berry thing!

I just want it to grow. I am even starting to believe it just can't grow any longer. I looked at old pics and my hair has always been about this length. Of course my mother has been relaxing my head since I was 12, so who knows.

Just need some talking to...

Desperately Seeking Long Hair,
Carrie

 

[Guest]

Re: 4\'s, I need some support and suggestions!

Maybe you should try some new hairstyles. Maybe braids, cornrows, curls, twist outs, or just something different. I like wetting my hair and playing around with the texture, (though people have a problem with my hair, and it is REALLY starting to annoy me!!! /images/graemlins/mad.gif, but yet they are always asking me what I use in my hair, cuz they want hair growth and I am sick of mean comments!!! They think my hair is only supposed to be straight, plain, mediocre, and like theirs!!!!! /images/graemlins/mad.gif)

Okay, back to the subject! /images/graemlins/grin.gif Try using some different hair products. You say that your hair is dry, well, you have to find something that will moisturize it. I love Profectiv products. Maybe you should try their mega-moisturizer. They have a host of other products. I particularly love their "Break-Free." Try putting this on your hair when it is wet. Also, try some Castor Oil. This stuff is the best. Very thick, but that's just what my hair needs, considering that it has a permanent color in it and it is relaxed.

And always, stay excited about your hair! There are so many things that African-Americans can do to their hair! It shouldn't be too hard to run out of options. /images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[prettygrl]

Re: 4\'s, I need some support and suggestions!

Carrie--

have you tried doing a pre wash conditioning trmt? I use olive oil and that worked really well for me. Also, after I wash and rinse I put olive oil on my wet hair. Before you unwrap your hair do you put any oil on it?

 

[pebbles]

Re: 4\'s, I need some support and suggestions!

Hi Carrie,

Don't feel bad sweetie. Maybe what you need is to try some new products. I find that when I get in a rut and my hair is not responding the way I like, if I change products it starts to look like something again. /images/graemlins/smile.gif HTH

 

[AmilLion]

Re: 4\'s, I need some support and suggestions!

Ladies, after reading many posts, I've noticed many of us are hurdles with our hair NOW...the coldest month of the year next to Feb (at least here in ny)....could be weather related.

 

[JerseyGirl]

Re: 4\'s, I need some support and suggestions!

I agree with you AMilLion. I spoke to my old stylist about my daughter's hair (it was breaking and very dry) and she suggested a humidifer as well as other things. But I was amazed by this suggestion and she stated that the weather is very cold and dry and a number of her clients have been coming in with the same problem. This New York/Jersey weather is horrible. Regardless to how much it is snowing and raining there is absolutely no moisture.

I brought one for my daughter and in one week, I notice that her skin is not a dry as it use to be. She is not waking up in the morning with a stuffy nose or a headache either. I haven't noticed it on her hair yet but I will have to wait a while.

 

[NayNay]

Re: 4\'s, I need some support and suggestions!

Carrie,
I am sorry to hear about your dilemma and I do agree with AmilLion that the winter can be part of the problem. I too am frustrated with my hair (small pieces breaking again)and believe that it is due to dryness. This is what I am incorporating in my hair regimene: washing at least 2x per week, wearing hats on the head outside at ALL Times (cant be cute AND keep the hair) wear your satin bonnett or wrap up your hair even in the house (gas/electric heat is drying), if you have a humidifier run it in a room at least 3 times per week without your hair wrapped for a couple of hours, air dry your hair-use absolutely no heat at all, do a heavy mositurzing conditioner EVERY time you wash, don't let your hair brush against your clothes, and try to find a great moisturizer. I think I have FINALLY found one-KemiOyl Shea Butter and KemiOyl ProGro check out the Kemi posts. Use a leave in conditioner and moisturizer everyday emphasizing the new growth and the ends. Another thing I noticed in the summer when I used the Caruso steamer my hair was great-it adds a lot of moisture to the hair. I am going to start using that EVERYDAY from now on regardless of how I wear my hair. I think this should help some. Keep me informed of your progress too! Also if you work out everyday maybe you should do a condition wash EVERYDAY to add moisture back to your hair-sweat (salt) is very drying to the hair. Good luck and keep the chin up!

 

[Robin41]

Re: 4\'s, I need some support and suggestions!

Keep your chin up, Carrie. Have you tried protective styles? I like to keep mine pinned up, pulled back, ponytailed or whatever (especially now that it's winter) so I'm not looking at it everyday. Then when I do wear it out, I can't help but notice the growth. When you look at it all the time, you can't see the difference.

Hang in there, kiddo.

 

[Kitkat]

Re: 4\'s, I need some support and suggestions!

It sounds like you're doing the right things as far as shampooing. Do you deep condition also, and what do you use? Try using additional moisturizer on your hair. In the wintertime, I think our hair needs extra attention because it's so darned cold outside.

I have type 4 hair, and sometimes my hair feels extra extra dry. I can easily moisturize my hair 3x/day without it feeling greasy, which goes to show how much moisture it's soaking up.

I'm also fed up because I feel my hair has been at this length since the summer, when I removed my braids. /images/graemlins/mad.gif I am a big fan of braids, so if you're partial to this I say go for it. They definitely helped me get the length that I have now. I think another poster mentioned that, if you go this route, make sure your hair is nicely moisturized and keep it that way during the life of the braids. I'm dying to put them back in but I'm job hunting now, and you know how that goes . . . so, once I find something, I'll walk in after a few weeks with a head full of braids! Can't wait!!

Your hair probably looks better than you give it credit for! It's easy to get discouraged, but hang in there girl! We're all in this together!

 

[carrie]

Re: 4\'s, I need some support and suggestions!

Thanks guys for the support and encouragement. I went out and bought a few new items to play with. Pantene stuff - the Sleek and smooth shampoo and conditioner and the deep treatment. I also called my cousin and made an appointment for braids on the 20th.

Karonica - I so use the break free. I have been loving this item. I tried castor oil before but it was too heavy, but that was in the summer so I may revisit that item.

Robin - I do wear protective styles. Either ponytails or a 3/4 wig. I was feeling pretty good about it until this week. It just seems to have dried up. Plus I noticed new breakage around the front edges. I have NEVER had that before. The front and sides of my hair usually do the best.

I'm gonna hang in there...

 

[adrienne0914]

Re: 4\'s, I need some support and suggestions!

carrie, i definitely understand your frustration, but i agree with what everyone else is saying. it seems like the stuff you're using isn't working for you anymore. if you have favorite products, it's best to alternate every now and then if they become less effective.

and you know that i am OF COURSE going to encourage you to try the braids!! that was key for me. not only did they help me to eliminate heat from my regime. they also allowed me to grow my hair to a point where i could wear it up most of the time. even if you don't wear braids, i will also encourage you to try wearing it up vs. wrapping and wearing down. particularly at this time of year, you will get alot of breakage from cold weather and friction.

if you do wear it up, try to incorporate curl activator into your regime. that was another key thing for me. it really helps me to keep moisture in my hair unlike any other product that i've tried. and just when i think i have enough on it, i put a little more. between that and the protective styles, that is how i've been able to make significant progress.

my hair doesn't grow fast AT ALL. i've just been able to hang on to most of what i get. if you need anything, please email me (it's on my profile). i don't come to this board as much as i was since i've been having trouble getting in... /images/graemlins/frown.gif

adrienne

 

[BrightEyes]

Re: 4\'s, I need some support and suggestions!

LOL@Karonica!

Lord, girl. You sounds just like me.

To be honest, I only think certain people have an issue with my hair. For the most part, people say that they like it. Folks that have issues with nappy hair usually have issues inside themselves, so don't take them seriously. /images/graemlins/smirk.gif

I do, however, feel that my hair gives me a whole new level of individuality. Someone once said that natural hair is like your own fingerprint. There is nothing exactly like it.

 

[sweetcocoa]

Re: 4\'s, I need some support and suggestions!

Carrie, I have to agree with the others...the weather is definitley doing it's thing. I was just saying in another post how dry my hair was feeling lately...so I'm re-evaluating my regime. Some of the stuff that was too heavy in the summer seem to be just what I need right now(such as castor oil). Adrienne's S-Curl and baggie (then using a ponytail) sounds like a good one. Also try less manipulation. That's what I'm trying to do. I did that last winter and it seemed to help. Don't get discouraged...you're not alone on this one.

 

[elliot]

Re: 4\'s, I need some support and suggestions!

Carrie,

I completely understand. My hair was a nappy dry mess last month. However, I recently started spraying Nioxin's Bliss in it throughout the day and it seems a little more manageable. I also put a little Kiehl's silk cream throughout it too. I then slap it in a ponytail and rollout with my head held high.

Do not be discouraged, there are far too many "experts" on this board who can give you good advice and inspire you too! Lastly, consider using Jojoba oil daily.

El

 

[nijilah]

Re: 4\'s, I need some support and suggestions!

Along with many of the others, my hair, especially the ends, turned so dry about a month or two ago. Several things helped me:
1. deep conditioning after every wash for 40-60 minutes either with LeKair's Cholesterol with Aloe, Redken's Heavy Cream, IC Deep Penetrating Cream, or Coconut Oil

2. Every night (and this is really where I started to see the difference), I spritz my hair with a leave-in - I have tons that I am trying to use up. After the leave-in, I part my hair in 4 sections, apply SweetCocoa's Hair butter focusing on mainly the last 3 inches of my hair, and then plait my hair in 4 plaits. When I wake up, my hair is soft and moisturized.

*You don't need all of the ingrediants to the hair butter to make it work. I don't have the aloe vera oil. I get the other ingrediants from the natural health store and/or the Indian/Pakistan stores.

3. Less manipulation. I finger comb my hair except when I do the Aphogee Protein treatment every 2 months. When I do the protein treatment, I comb my hair while I have the follow-up moisturizing conditioner on my hair.

 

[beana3]

Re: 4\'s, I need some support and suggestions!

hi carrie, i have a suggestion for you. (Assuming that you already own these products) I would try mixing equal parts of WGO and ORS carrot oil and using it as a daily hairdress. I rub mine together in my hand and apply, it has worked wonders!! (this is actually londondiva's tip)
It seems liek you run into problems when your hair is dry (meaning not wet). My hair feels and looks quite nice after i've deep conditioned, but when it dries, it leaves much to be desired /images/graemlins/shocked.gif. One of the things that has helped my hair maintain its rich appearance while dry is the tip above. if you try it let me know how it turns out.

 

[carrie]

Re: 4\'s, I need some support and suggestions!

Just wanted to give you guys an update. I switched up the products. I pretreated with olive oil and washed with Pantene's sleek and smooth and conditioned with their deep treatment (which funny - has the same exact ingredients as their conditioner for damaged/dry hair). I folloew Adrienne's example with the activator and used some castor oil. I did that Monday night and washed and conditioned again last night. It looks pretty good. I've been wearing it in a bun. I plan on braiding on the 20th.

My sweetie pointed out another factor that could be contributing to the dryness. I haven't been taking my EFA's.