Damage, and I am not sure what to do

[Gemini350z]

I had a weave put in, it was a partial, I had basically tracks added for length and thickness. So my hair was left out between, but I believe the constant rubbing along my nape hair caused breakage. So my nape hair is about an inch or two in length, and considerably shorter then the rest of my hair. The state of my hair is better because I am taking care of it, but I believe my relaxed hair is just overprocessed, it is stick straight and very limp. It has no texture and breaks in mid strand. My stylist since I was 4 has old techniques and wants hair stick straight, and I feel this is something my hair cant handle anymore. I have been doing protein when needed, and cowashing for moisture as well as deep conditioning almost every other day.

At this point I am around 15 weeks post relaxer, if you were in my shoes would you just consider transitioning? Or should I just get a relaxer done by someone who actually does it the correct way, meaning no overlapping or keeping it on for more then the recommended time?

My boyfriends mothers hair is gorgeous she keeps it in a short style but its so healthy and full. She recommended me going to her stylist, because he only applies the relaxer to the roots and sets a timer while processing. He is very much versed in natural and healthy hair practices.

Let me know what you would recommend. Right now I am under the dryer I will flat iron and take pictures if it would be easier for you ladies to access the damage that way.

 

[Gemini350z]

bump...help

 

[naturalgurl]

If you like stylists, I would try the boyfriends' mothers' stylist since he is kind to hair. If I were you, I'd transiton. If you don't want to go natural, I would at least give my hair a break for a little longer, cut off the dead ends and start a new with the stylist on healthy hair. That's just my two cents.

 

[Gemini350z]

Thank you for your response.

Here are pictures if this helps:

 

[kandi1280]

I went through very similar damage. I would most definitely change stylists to one who is more gentle and understanding of your hair. Is your stretching causing more breakage than normal? If so then I would either relax it, or go natural.

Going foward you will just have to pay a little more attention to your nape when moisturizing and try not to manipulate it too much. It will grow back.

Best of luck!

 

[Gemini350z]

Thanks for the advice, bump for more responses...

 

[january noir]

You can nurse your hair back to health if you want to

Don't do anything rash just yet. Breathe first.

• Go to the other stylist and get a touch up stat!- be sure that he/she doesn't overprocess, leave some texture to your NG.
• Trim - you can slowly transistion to natural by trimming if you choose or continue to nurse your relaxed hair back to health.
• Condition and strengthen the hair. Mega-Tek Rebuilder or OVATION Maximizing System will help restore and strengthen your hair. These products are protein-based treatments. You'll need to use a good moisturizing conditioner (WEN, Nexxus Humectress, etc.) and keep hair moisturized as well.
• KISS - keep it simple, try not to manipulate your hair. Stay away from ponytail holders; use hair pins and hair ornaments to keep hair up.
• Make sure you use a silk scarf AND a silk pillowcase if you don't already.

 

[Gemini350z]

thank you so much for your reply i ordered mega-tek last night....

And I think i will transition to a texlax state rather then natural... Im not ready for being 100% natural yet...

 

[january noir]

thank you so much for your reply i ordered mega-tek last night....

And I think i will transition to a texlax state rather then natural... Im not ready for being 100% natural yet...

Good! I recommend that you read through the OVATION/Mega-Tek Challenge thread. Review the second post in that thread and it will give you all helpful, needed information to make sure you use the product so not to cause damage or breakage. You can do it! Those products do work.

Good Luck to you!

 

[locabouthair]

Thank you for your response.

Here are pictures if this helps:

My hair looks just like yours. My nape is broken up just like that and it was because the stylist didnt wash it out properly.

My suggestions: If you get a relaxer, ask them to relax the nape last or relax it every other touch up. Give it a break from the perm. I wont be relaxing my nape all year, or at least until it gets a good length. Also make sure you keep your nape moisturized to avoid breakage. Massaging can help also.

It would be great if you could find a stylist that only touches up the roots but there is something called relaxer run off, this is when the relaxer is being washed out and it touches the previously relaxed hair, this can lead to thin ends and overprocessing.

To avoid that, ask the stylist to coat your relaxed ends with conditioner, vaseline, or grease to prevent overprocessing.

HTH. Like I said, I'm going through the same thing. I have pics in my fotki of my damaged nape. It will take time but we'll get our hair healthy again