creating a regimen

[username]

I would like to start taking care of my hair but don't know where to start. As of right now, there is nothing that I do with my hair with any regularity, and I have no idea how often certain treatments are usually done. I am supposing that I would like to work in deep conditioning, hot oil treatments, once/week washings and regular trims. How do I create a beginning regimen?

Thanks for any ideas!

(I need to set up my profile cause I keep forgetting to mention that I am natural and don't know what other specs yall need to answer these questions easier.)

 

[adrienne0914]

it's really hard to tell you what you should be doing because we all do stuff differently. for instance, some people deep condition once a week, some every time they wash, some hardly ever. same goes for hot oil treatments and pretty much everything else. no matter what you do, i think consistency is more important than frequency.

first you should decide what your hair needs. so let's start with these questions:

<ul type="square"> [*]what products are you using?
[*] do you have any particular issues with your hair (dryness, breakage, etc.)? [/list]
let us know! /images/graemlins/smile.gif

adrienne

 

[username]

Thanks, Adrienne, for being willing to help!

Products? Well, I usually just use whatever shampoo and conditioner are on sale. In the past, that has meant suave mostly. I picked the shampoo based on scent and conditioner based on consistency (I like thicker). When I feel like splurging, I love Nature's Gate's tea tree oil conditioner!!

I don't wash very often these days. I probably use shampoo once every couple weeks. I rinse and condition my hair every night in the shower. This is where I brush it also. Lately I have been puting it in 7 or 8 twists, wrapping my head and going to bed like that. When I think of it, I use some olive oil or sweet almond oil as well.

I have been natural for about 10 years. I probably get my hair trimmed once a year or even less (I know!!!) and occassionally I will use some sort of deep conditioner and a bonnet-type hair dryer just for kicks.

Thanks for any help!

 

[username]

OOpss. I forgot to mention issues I have with my hair...

I feel like the hair at my temples is thinner since I had my baby. This may or may not be my imagination. I know my ends are probably a mess. I am sure they have not been trimmed in over a year. Um, and I have always wondered about my dry scalp. I don't know what constitutes actual dandruff and what is just due to the weather. Other than that, I would love to learn some ways to wear my hair out without all the shrinkage. It seems a shame to grow your hair long only to have it shrink up to above the shoulders anyway!

 

[Lucia]

Try doing a search of regimes and look over what different things we all do here. It will take a little while to get it right, but it's worth it.
hth

 

[vevster]

</font><blockquote><font class="small">In reply to:</font><hr />
I feel like the hair at my temples is thinner since I had my baby.

[/ QUOTE ]

This is not your imagination: I have a sister and cousin going through the same thing.

 

[SVT]

Hi username and congratulations on your new baby!

In reading this thread and another where you described your hair, it seems like you want a routine that:

1. thickens thinning temples
2. moisturizes dry hair
3. moisturizes dry scalp
4. decreases shrinkage
5. is not complicated

Some stuff I noticed about your current routine:

1. conditioner wash with Suave
2. use regular shampoo every couple of weeks
3. brush wet, conditioned hair
4. trim sporadically
5. use sweet almond or olive oil to combat drying effects of winter weather
6. style hair in two braids

Hmmmm....

Let me help you out with the dry hair and dry scalp.

I do conditioner washes too, about 3-5 times weekly with Suave Tropical Coconut. My dry hair and scalp problems have improved immensely since giving up traditional shampooing in October!

My conditioner washes differ from yours in that I use a mixture of baking soda and water or I use diluted Johnsons Baby shampoo if I think I need a deep cleanse. Some other ladies prefer a mix of lemon juice and conditioner to cleanse their hair and/or scalp. The main point of these shampoo alternatives is that they are much less drying to your hair and scalp than full strength shampoo but clean just as well.

After "washing", I use Elucence Moisture Balancing conditioner. I like it's ability to soften my hair and allow me to easily comb through my wet hair (this type of conditioning effect is sometimes called "slip"). I also like this conditioner because I can still feel it effects even after a couple of days without doing a conditioner wash. I'm searching for a cheap and readily available alternative though because I can only buy Elucence online. No salon in my area carries it.

I noticed you wrote that you brush your conditioner through your hair. I don't think I could ever brush my wet hair no matter what brand of conditioner or type of brush I used. I'm scared too many strands would be ripped out of my head. Eeeeek! Instead, I use a wide tooth, seamless, plastic comb to work the Elucence through my hair. Have you tried using a similar comb on your wet hair? How does your hair feel after you brush it while wet? Have you noticed a lot of shedding while brushing?

My next step after combing/detangling with Elucence is to put a conditioning cap on and leave on overnight if I'm going to bed then squeeze out any excess in the morning and style. If I'm going some place, I go ahead and style my hair in the shower using the mirror and other tools I've positioned on the shelf of my shower caddy. I'm pitiful! /images/graemlins/tongue.gif

Notice I don't rinse any of my final conditioner out. This has been one of the changes I've made and I think leaving more of the conditioner in has helped. I towel blot and/or blow dry my finished style on cool to eliminate the drippies or excess conditioner residue.

<font color="green">Hold on a sec...must...breathe...must...stretch...fingers (I'm not used to typing this many words. Long time hairboard surfers can testify to this.) /images/graemlins/grin.gif</font color>

You wrote that you like to use oils to help with dryness. Are you applying these oils on wet or dry hair? Sometimes, I smooth a little olive oil on my wet hair after applying my Elucence. It helps to hold the moisture in my hair and reduces my frizzies slightly. If I were to apply it to dry hair, the oil would act as a barrier to moisture and create the problem I'm trying to get rid of. Also, because I apply my olive oil to wet hair, my hair doesn't feel greasy. I like having touchable hair! /images/graemlins/laugh.gif

Okaaaay. I'm gonna let you marinate on what I've posted so far, username. There's more stuff I want to add and more questions I want to ask you but it's late and I don't want to write an incoherent post.

I'll come back to this thread tomorrow. In the meantime, check out out these other popular haircare sites:

Nappturality's Women on the Web

www.nappturality.com

MotownGrl

www.naturallycurly.com

 

[pebbles]

</font><blockquote><font class="small">In reply to:</font><hr />
Hold on a sec...must...breathe...must...stretch...fingers (I'm not used to typing this many words. Long time hairboard surfers can testify to this.)

[/ QUOTE ]
Yes, That's very true. I was surprised to see that was you, SVT. /images/graemlins/grin.gif Excellent advice. I've been wanting to try the conditioner only washes, but I've been too chicken to try. Besides, my regular routine is working so well for me, I don't really need to change it. /images/graemlins/smile.gif I think I will take the dive though come January.

 

[username]

Thanks so much, SVT! Like you said, I need a minute to let that soak in. I am on the way out of the house to go do the holiday thing with my folks, so I will have to come back to this tonight!

I really appreciate all your help!

 

[nita4]

Good information SVT.
I've been researching conditioner washes and I had heard you could use baking soda to help clean the scalp ... thanks for confirming. I want to make sure my hair gets clean because I use shea butter. Please explain to me how I should use the baking soda with the conditioner??

 

[SVT]

</font><blockquote><font class="small">In reply to:</font><hr />
Poster: nita4
Subject: Re: creating a regimen
Please explain to me how I should use the baking soda with the conditioner??

[/ QUOTE ]

I like to fill my 2 oz. spray bottle with a mix of spring water and about 1/2 of 1/2 (1/4?) teaspoon of baking soda. I'm still experimenting with the amounts.

I wet my hair under the shower then finger part, spray and add conditioner. Or I might apply conditioner first then spray. I know other people like to have just one container filled with a mix of conditioner/baking soda/water.

There are other alternatives too:

apple cider vinegar/water
lemon juice/conditioner
brown sugar/conditioner

I haven't tried these but I think Valleygirl has tried the brown sugar/conditioner scrub.

 

[SVT]

P.S.

I've sprayed the mixture onto my hair as well as my scalp. I haven't noticed anything weird but I prefer concentrating it on my scalp and using diluted shampoo on my hair.

 

[nita4]

Ohhh, you are diluting your baking soda with water??? I thought that maybe you were just mixing with conditioner, applying to the scalp and massaging in. Okay, I'll dilute. Hey, I just spent 20 minutes in Walmart buying Suave Tropical Coconut Conditioner on Christmas Eve, I'm serious. I'm trying this on Christmas morning. Be blessed and have a good one.

 

[SVT]

I hope you get great results tomorrow Nita!

 

[username]

Okay, let me answer some of these questions you asked, SVT...

How does your hair feel after you brush it while wet? Have you noticed a lot of shedding while brushing?

I used to notice a lot cause I wouldn't necessarily detangle very carefully and by the next time I brushed there would be plenty of yanking. Now, I have been detangling carefully and putting my hair in twists so the next time it's much easier to get through- nowhere near as much shedding. I know I need to pick up another brush or comb, but I haven't had the slightest clue how to pick an appropriate one.


My next step after combing/detangling with Elucence is to put a conditioning cap on and leave on overnight if I'm going to bed

do you leave it loose?


You wrote that you like to use oils to help with dryness. Are you applying these oils on wet or dry hair?
wet

I need to go check out the links you posted...

 

[SVT]

Hi username!

I think you should definately invest in a wide tooth seamless comb and use it to detangle your hair starting from the ends working your way toward the roots.

When I put a plastic cap on my head, I leave it loose. I'm too lazy to braid or even single twist my hair before hand. Sad, sad, sad. This is something I need to work on because I get these itty bitty knots on the ends of my strands. Leaving my hair loose might be a contributor.

I was reading sassygirl125's post and it reminded me that hard water is a cause of dry hair also. Lots of people have installed shower filters and noticed a change in the condition of their hair. This might be something for you to investigate later.

I forgot to ask, what conditioner are you using right now and how much do you like it?

 

[username]

I picked up Pantene's Smooth and Sleek (sleek and smooth?) after reading here about it. I have to say I am sorta disappointed in it, though. I guess I was expecting it to comb my hair for me (I was particularly intrigued by the great "slip" everyone was raving about). It works just fine but no better IMO than any of the cheap-o Suave conditioners I'd been using.

Do I have to go to a beauty supply store to find a good comb or do they have them at Walmart and such places?

 

[SVT]

</font><blockquote><font class="small">In reply to:</font><hr />
Poster: username
Subject: Re: creating a regimen
Do I have to go to a beauty supply store to find a good comb or do they have them at Walmart and such places?

[/ QUOTE ]

I bought my comb at a non-Sally's beauty supply store but Sally's carries a comb that looks a lot like mine. Walmart-type stores might sell them, but I haven't noticed.

<font color="green"> Here is a type of detangling comb people have raved about:</font color>

<font color="green">Notice the wide spaced teeth and not a seam in sight to snag your hair.</font color>

My comb is seamless and has more teeth but they are not as widely spaced as the above example. It does the job though. /images/graemlins/tongue.gif <font color="green"> </font color>

 

[username]

Thanks for the picture! That was not what I was envisioning, so I am very glad to have the visual clue.

So, do you never use anything finer than that comb?

 

[daviine]

I don't know if I got a bad comb or what but I bought that comb from tenderheaded.com and when I used it I kept hearing snags. I got scared and stopped using it. To this day, I have no idea where it is. I was so disappointed, but ike I said, maybe I got THE bad comb in the warehouse.