I was in the mood to answer questions so...here goes:
I have some!
Shedding is normal and good, right? So why do people want to stop it by taking garlic and so forth? Aren't you slowing new growth by stopping shedding?
How do you pronounce CHI? (Like "CHee"? Or say the letters like "C-H-I?")
I do not for the life of me understand why people get so freaked out about shedding.
It is a normal part of the strand's life cycle. It grows, rests, then sheds. If you're getting more than 100 strands a day or bald patches then maybe you should start to worry. But I see people posting tiny little balls of hair talking about my hair is shedding sooooo much...um no. That is normal. Please stop.
And you can't truly stop it. At some point that strand is going to shed. It may stay on your head a couple days or a week longer...but it will come out at some point.
Here's my Dumb Question(s) too....They are kinda silly REALLY, but I like clarification...some are true/false type questions.
It's better to co-wash with a cheapie condish like suave, VO5, white rain?
Is one try good enough to figure a product is not for you?
EVOO is good for Hot Oil treatments?
What is a Hot oil treatment for again?
Combing wet hair is no no?
What about combing wet w/ conditioner? With good slip?
Are there any nice cones?
What else besides Hairveda and Aubrey has no sulfates or cones?
Is it a big deal if I use the whole egg when doing a protein treatment or do I only use the white or yolk? I heard different ways people do egg.
1) I either rinse with water or cowash with coconut milk so I can't really answer that. Before hair boards I used to cowash (didn't even know it) with Neutrogena Triple Moisture hair mask every other day...my hair was nice and soft then. I don't see any problem with cowashing with a good DC. I don't believe the cheap products do much and I think they actually hurt you in the long run.
2) One time isn't really enough IMO. I think you need to use something consistently over time to see if it works, especially if it's a DC because those effects are cumulative.
3) Ppl use EVOO for hot oil treatments so I'm sure it'd be fine.
4)I don't actually do hot oil treatments so I don't know how they're supposed to work.
5)You can comb wet hair if that works for you. Hair is fragile when wet because it stretches more, so be gentle.
6) You can comb with conditioner if that works for you. Just depends on your hair.
7) I don't use cones. There is a thread around here somewhere about all the cones or you can just google them and see what they do.
8)Giovanni and Oyin(oyinhandmade.com) both have no sulfates and cones. You have to be careful with natural shampoos though because they usually contain C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate...which is basically a natural surfactant like a sulfate and can be more harsh. Castile soap or a baking soda rinse are good shampoo alternatives.
how long should I wait to transition? And what products will I need to put in my hair once I am natural?
Transitioning is a personal thing so I guess you should start when you're ready and then transition as long as you feel comfortable. Some people don't mind having a TWA and some people like to wait until they have enough hair for a ponytail, especially because shrinkage is going to make your hair appear shorter than it actually is.
Once you're natural it will really depend on your hair. You'll still need to DC and moisturize. I think you should start out as basic as possible and then build from there. For example, my regimen right now consists of washing with a baking soda rinse when I feel like it, DCing with the caramel treatment, and rinsing with water every day and adding castor oil. It would be different if I used heat or dyed my hair.
This question will go down in the Guiness Book of World Records of Dumb Questions:
How do you know what products "work" for your hair? I read comments like, "My hair loves xoxo..." or "That DC did nothing for me..."
How can I tell if my hair likes a product?
Umm that's a really subjective question. I just like for my hair to feel soft and not snap too easily. As long as products accomplish that I'm good. You just have to decide what defines "working" for you. If something leaves your hair obviously dry, greasy, hard, brittle, or super tangled then you may want to reevaluate.
I still don't understand how to perform a:
1. Baking Soda rinse.
2. ACV rinse.
HELP!!!
Basically the same with different measurements. For my baking soda rinse I use about a palmful (not heaping) and put it in about 16oz of warm water. Pour over hair (using a water bottle) focusing on scalp. Massage vigorously (because this is my shampoo) and rinse. ACV rinse...make sure you dilute. Start with a 1/4 cup of ACV to 3 cups of water. I'd say pour over clean, DC'd hair, let it sit for a bit and then rinse. Just do what works best for you.
Okay i have 2 dumb questions..... I just finished reading the thread on porosity the missing step. Dumb question #1: When am I supposed to do this?after the shampoo ? or after I condition? What about those days when I cond. wash?
Dumb question # 2:I have stretched out of a relaxer for 56 weeks now, I did not Big Chop I'm trimming as needed. Am I still a stretcher ? or am I a transitioner? And why does my hair still act like new growth as it grows? ( thank the good lord for the Natural Relaxer cause Man *@!***)
1. I use ACV and I do it after I've washed and DC'd. I personally don't feel like it's something that needs to be done every single day. But you could do it after you cowash if you feel like it's necessary.
2. If you still have relaxed ends that you're planning to get rid of at some point, then you're a transitioner.
What do you mean about your hair acting like new growth as it grows? It's all the same hair. The way it acts when it comes out of your scalp is the same way it's going to act when it's longer. It's characteristics aren't suddenly going to change. If you're natural hair is dry then up your DC'ing. If it's hard to comb, then use a wide tooth comb or consider not combing at all and just using your fingers.
).
Thanks alot. I don't mind you posting links to other threads it's just a pain trying to sift for the most info packed posts from the search results. 
, I'm glad you were able to figure it out!!!
