Can you bounce back from a major setback with out cutting?

[HersheyKiss0903]

I have been enjoying my thickness and finally starting to see some length thanks to protective styling. But this weekend when I washed, I lost a lot of hair in detangling. I really didn't do anything too differently other than the fact that I have about an inch of very course 4b new growth that I'm dealing with. The only reason I can guess is that I'm still trying to get the hang of this protein/moisture balance thing. So if I'm ever wrong about what my hair needs, I pay for it big time.

It might just be in my head. But now I feel like my ends look alot thinner and that I lost big progress in one big swoop. Has anyone bounced back after something like this?

 

[baglady215]

You're hair may look thin because of your new growth. This always happens to me. If your NG is very thick, it will make your relaxed hair look thin. Are you trying to stretch? When's the last time you relaxed? What are you using to detangle/moisturize your NG?

 

[HersheyKiss0903]

I never thought about it that way. I am about 7 wks post and my new growth is very thick from using Black Castor Oil and Odorless MTG. Thanks Baglady.

 

[andreab]

Yes.

I had a setback. I just made sure to wash once a week. I put my hair in a poneytail at night and roll the ends with a roller using Keracare setting lotion.

I need to update pictures but I am back on track.

 

[OneInAMillion]

If your NG is very thick, it will make your relaxed hair look thin. You're hair may look thin because of your new growth. This always happens to me. Are you trying to stretch? When's the last time you relaxed? What are you using to detangle/moisturize your NG?

ITA with the bold.

Just wanted to chime in and say that depending on the type of setback, you CAN bounce back without cutting. For example, in mid-2004, I was overprocessed with Affirm. I had a lot of damage, which was mainly thing scraggly hair and see through ends. The main thing that I did was stretch the relaxer for extended periods, from 4 months inching my way up to 6 months. I also started having my hair texturized which helped dramatically. By 2006, I was back on track with the thickness of my hair.

I never did a big trim, simply because I had always been used to hair that was shoulder length minimum. I was too scared to cut it shorter, so I protected my hair a lot and slowly trimmed away the thin ends. As of last summer, my hair was completely texturized and back to normal. It's also much longer than it's ever been.

Stretching for long periods is certainly not for everyone, but I think a key may be ensuring that your new growth is properly moisturized. Deep conditioning should be a priority. If you're doing that and see mass shedding, there's not problem with relaxing. Slowly work your way up with stretching...