Aggie
Well-Known Member
Hi Ladies,
I just wanted to say the I am loving this challenge! (Thanks Aggie!) My hair feels so much healthier! HOWEVER I have a few concerns. I feel like washing and DC’ing twice a week is causing me to lose more hair because of all the manipulation and shedding. I’m still working out my reggie and I know it might be complicated figuring out the culprit. Here are some facts/observation that might help.
1. I can’t figure out if it is shedding or breakage b/c the hair is wet and I can’t tell if there is a white bulb. The hairs are pretty long so it might be shedding or breakage at the line of demarcation for my relaxer (10 wks into stretch)
2. I have always lost some hair on wash day, but I used to wash every 2 weeks so it didn’t bother me
3. I am using megatek on my scalp 5 days/wk and 5 minutes on the length of my hair every 2 weeks. So I am expecting some shedding but that’s ok b/c it’s a good sign and it’ll grow back. Also my hair loves protein so I don’t think it’s causing breakage.
4. I alternate between ORS replenishing conditioner and keracare humecto for my dc so I think my moisture/protein balance is fine.
5. I don’t do much to my hair after washing, I use ors hair lotion and seal with castor oil daily and wear a wig.
6. I tried cowashing instead of shampooing and it seemed to leave my hair coated and affected how well my dc worked. It also coated and irritated my scalp and aggravated my dandruff. I tried Abba Pure Moisture, TJ Nourish Spa and Tigi Moisuture Mnaiac and they all didn’t work.
7. I detangle gently when a conditioner with good slip is on my hair. I use a wide tooth comb and I still lose quite a few strands of hair.
Pls help me figure out if the shedding/breakage is normal or not.
TIA
Okay baby, I don't see where you have been clarifying your hair especially with all the cowashing. If you are using MT, that could still very well be the culprit for the shedding. Are you using any garlic poos/treatments or taking garlic supplements to curb the shedding? As for breakage from you demarcation line since you are 10 weeks post, yes that could also happen as well.
At this point, if you are not ready to relax your hair just yet, then try protective styling that does not require so much manipulation. My hair is in a sew in right now, but I am still DC'ing regularly (once a week to prevent dreading/matting). I always do some kind of protective styling when I am deep into my stretches. It really does help to control the amount of manipulation and stress on the new growth during a long stretch. HTH.