Am I kidding myself with the heat? and is it time to relax again?

[CB1731]

Basically, my hair is a mess with a bunch of different textures going on. I have almost 5 months of new growth, texlaxed, frizzy under processed hair and bone straight relaxed ends. I've been co-washing (which I love btw) and DCing once a week. I started SHEDDING LIKE CRAZY about a week ago and having some slight breakage too. Now, I do not know if I am shedding because I had a baby 5 months ago, if it's my natural time to shed, or if I'm doing something wrong. I decided to straighten my hair on Friday and as soon as I did, the shedding and breakage stopped. My hair feels great. At first, I thought it was best if I just wash my hair, moisturize and put in a bun, but my hair is a mess. I feel I can care for it better while it's straight. Can the breakage and shedding mean that it's time to relax? I don't feel I NEED to right now because my new growth is crazy soft and manageable, almost like my texlaxed parts. I was hoping I could stretch it until Christmas when I go home so my mom could do it for me.

Also, is it unrealistic to use the flat iron every OTHER week and still retain? To think I used to use the thing DAILY, even on dirty hair and not think twice about it. Anyway, I figured I would wear it straight for a week (I would do light workouts this week) and then the next week do cowashes and throw in a bun (This week would be more intense workouts) Is this too much drama for my hair? Anyone use heat and still retaining??

I am trying to learn to roller set but I am just awful. I'd be using a blow dryer on low and then flat ironing. I am going to try to air dry in twists or something but I've never done that so I am not sure how that will go. If using heat this often is not an issue, I think I may transition.

OK Sorry this is so long and all over the place but any advice is appreciated!

 

[JuiceMobsta]

How do you know for sure that the shedding stopped? Flat ironing your hair would not stop the shedding. Are you sure it wasnt breakage at the different demarcation lines in your hair?

And when were you noticing the shedding, during combing or wash days?

 

[CB1731]

I noticed the hairs when I washed and normally I get maybe 1 or 2 hairs on my comb when I detangle but I was getting a ton. Also, when I would run my hands along my hair through out the day(yeah I know I need to stop touching) , a bunch of hairs would be in my hands and they were long with the bulb at the end. Now that my hair is straight and I run my fingers through it, only like 1 or 2 hairs are in my hands instead of a bunch. I guess it could be breakage. Does breakage have the bulb at the end sometimes? I'm pretty clueless with this.

 

[JuiceMobsta]

I noticed the hairs when I washed and normally I get maybe 1 or 2 hairs on my comb when I detangle but I was getting a ton. Also, when I would run my hands along my hair through out the day(yeah I know I need to stop touching) , a bunch of hairs would be in my hands and they were long with the bulb at the end. Now that my hair is straight and I run my fingers through it, only like 1 or 2 hairs are in my hands instead of a bunch. I guess it could be breakage. Does breakage have the bulb at the end sometimes? I'm pretty clueless with this.

Well 1 or 2 hairs is nothing, so if you started to get more than one or two then thats still probably not a bad thing. Losing up to 100 hairs a day is supposed to be the norm. If the bulb is on the end then that means it is a shed hair. When you were detangling it was probably a mixture of shed and broken hairs.

I think that one reason why you may find less shed hairs while your hair is straight is because your hair is straight. Straight shed hairs can easily slide out and fall out of your hair(can fall out without you knowing). Curly shed hairs are likely to get trapped in your hair(caught on other hairs) and they need to be removed by gentle pulling or combing. That is why you notice more shed hairs on your comb/fingers when your hair is not straight.

 

[CB1731]

That makes sense! Thanks

 

[JuiceMobsta]

That makes sense! Thanks

No prob!

If you ever think your shedding is out of control you can take garlic capsules or do a DC that has garlic or a prepoo with garlic.

Also keep an eye on your protein/moisture levels because all of the different textures in your hair may each require different amounts of protein/moisture. This may help with any breakage you might be having.

 

[CoffeeBrown]

I see you co wash, it may be that you need to occasionally cleanse your scalp with a clarifying shampoo once or twice a month to keep it healthy. Do you already do this?

 

[Curlykale]

I second coffeebrown's question: sometimes I got shedding from applying oils and conditioners to my scalp and not clarifying. my scalp usually was either itchy or almost sore, it felt "stressed out" in both occasions. my scalp very clearly says what it wants without being too nice. LOL

maybe the fact that you interrupted your frequent co-washing in order to maintain your straight hair could be a reason for the improvement? (just an idea, not sure about it).

 

[CB1731]

No prob!

If you ever think your shedding is out of control you can take garlic capsules or do a DC that has garlic or a prepoo with garlic.

Also keep an eye on your protein/moisture levels because all of the different textures in your hair may each require different amounts of protein/moisture. This may help with any breakage you might be having.

I will definitely try the garlic pills. thanks!

I see you co wash, it may be that you need to occasionally cleanse your scalp with a clarifying shampoo once or twice a month to keep it healthy. Do you already do this?

Yes, I clarified 3 weeks ago so it may be time to do it again. I will do it my next wash!

I second coffeebrown's question: sometimes I got shedding from applying oils and conditioners to my scalp and not clarifying. my scalp usually was either itchy or almost sore, it felt "stressed out" in both occasions. my scalp very clearly says what it wants without being too nice. LOL

maybe the fact that you interrupted your frequent co-washing in order to maintain your straight hair could be a reason for the improvement? (just an idea, not sure about it).

I am a little itchy come to think of it.

 

[ms.blue]

Have you talk to your doctor since the shedding could be from giving birth? Usually a woman will shed a lot after giving birth b/c the hormones levels are starting to get back to normal. Shed hairs have a bulb attached to the hair and breakage doesn't. Losing 1-2 hairs after you comb is nothing to be worried about. Also since you have so many different textures, try stretch the hair with twist, braids, rollersets or a light blowdry so the hair won't tangle so much.

**like the other posters said, keep up with your protein and moisture levels to minimize breakage.

 

[CB1731]

Have you talk to your doctor since the shedding could be from giving birth? Usually a woman will shed a lot after giving birth b/c the hormones levels are starting to get back to normal. Shed hairs have a bulb attached to the hair and breakage doesn't. Losing 1-2 hairs after you comb is nothing to be worried about. Also since you have so many different textures, try stretch the hair with twist, braids, rollersets or a light blowdry so the hair won't tangle so much.

**like the other posters said, keep up with your protein and moisture levels to minimize breakage.

I haven't talked to my dr about it. I practically lost my whole hairline after my first pregnancy so I bet that's why I am shedding. It just seems kinda late to start since I gave birth 5 months ago but it's probably what it is.

I didn't explain myself very well with the hairs lost during detangling. What I meant to say is, I WAS getting only 1 or 2 hairs when I detangled, up until about a week ago. I then started to lose a TON of hair when I detangled and when I just touched my hair throughout the day but now that my hair is straight, I'm not losing the hair that I was while it was curly or so I thought before Chelz explained to me that I probably am still losing but I am not noticing it now.

Anyway, I will clarify my and see what happens. If I still continue to shed like crazy after my next wash then I will do the garlic thing because it's kind of embarassing to bun when I barely have a hairline left!! Thanks for the help!! Love this place!

 

[LadyRaider]

What were you doing to get it as long as it is in your siggy? That seems to be working well.

 

[CB1731]

What were you doing to get it as long as it is in your siggy? That seems to be working well.

I've been at this length for YEARS. The hair in my siggy is dry, damaged and breaking off. My hair used to be about MBL, thick and beautiful but I dyed it blonde (or should I say copper lol) right after a relaxer about 11 years ago and my hair fell out. It was awful. I had to get it cut above my shoulders with layers. It's grown a little but I've been stuck and this length ever since. I had no clue how to take care of my hair. I can't tell you how many times I've put a relaxer all the way through and not just the new growth. I don't know how I have any hair at all.

 

[curlycrocheter]

My hair definitely does better with moderate heat usage. I flat iron my hair once every 3-4 weeks. If I go longer than that, the SSKs have an orgy and break out all over my ends. As long as you use healthy practices, then I don't see any reason that heat usage can't be incorporated into your routine.