Difficult to control 4B hair

[spoilt1]

Ladies you have got to help me please. I am 4B, very coarse and relaxed. I have always had problems getting my hair to lay down. I wrap it, deep condition it, moisturize, etc. to try to achieve the style that I like which is bone straight but it doesn't even have to be bone staight just as long as it frames my face. I've used heavy moisturizers that weight it down too much and light ones that moisturize it but keep it looking dry. I use a clarifying shampoo once a month and I do an Aphogee treatment also once a month. I just recently started using salon products recommended to help in smoothing the cuticle. I wash once weekly and deep condition also once weekly. This has helped significantly but it still just juts out from the sides of my head. I comb it down how I want it and then poof in minutes I have this shoulder length mushroom which is not what I want. Would my hair type have something to do with it? I am desperate if you have any suggestions. TIA.

 

[Tene]

Maybe your hair is porous, maybe you should try some porosity control. Also Biolage smoothing line is good for smoothing your hair. If your hair is coarse or dry maybe you could try co washes. Also one thing that help my hair lay down was carol's daughter healthy hair butter but it might me too heavy for you. But one good cream I've been using is Qhemet Biologics Amla and Olive Heavy Cream. They also have one called sidr butter that might not be too heavy for your hair. It keeps your hair soft, moisturized and with shine. Also another thing I use to keep my hair down is tying it down with a scarf or using IC Fanstasia Gel with Sparkelites.

 

[onepraying]

Ladies you have got to help me please. I am 4B, very coarse and relaxed. I have always had problems getting my hair to lay down. I wrap it, deep condition it, moisturize, etc. to try to achieve the style that I like which is bone straight but it doesn't even have to be bone staight just as long as it frames my face. I've used heavy moisturizers that weight it down too much and light ones that moisturize it but keep it looking dry. I use a clarifying shampoo once a month and I do an Aphogee treatment also once a month. I just recently started using salon products recommended to help in smoothing the cuticle. I wash once weekly and deep condition also once weekly. This has helped significantly but it still just juts out from the sides of my head. I comb it down how I want it and then poof in minutes I have this shoulder length mushroom which is not what I want. Would my hair type have something to do with it? I am desperate if you have any suggestions. TIA.

Couple questions: Why are you using the heavy duty Aphogee treatment once a month? Do you have serious breakage? Why clarify once a month? Are you using a lot of products with cones(coating type ingredients)(well....for smoothing your hair down you probably are..okay, scratch that one...) What relaxer are you using?

KMS and ION has a straight hair lines. You may want to consider using a whole line dedicated to straightening and smoothing hair.

 

[ThickHair]

That sounds like my hair, all I wanted was a nice wrap, laying down hair style. Once I found out that it was almost next to impossible I changed my hairstyle to make use of the fullness of my hair. Next, I decided to go natural and did the BC, now big poufy hair is not a problem any more. I can't believe that I spent years trying to make my hair do something that was not possible. I know natural hair may not be for you but I just wanted to give you some options.

Woman would kill to have big, thick hair that does not lay down, be careful what you wish for.

 

[newslady]

i'm a 4B/Z - i know that hair type may not technically exist, but that's the best way to describe my hair.

i sympathize with your efforts to get it to lay down.
it may also be your relaxer.
what type and strength are you using?
i know a lot of ladies here DON'T use SUPER strangth relaxers but that's what's best for me.
you may want to consider it, but i wouldn't recommend self-relaxing if you use super.

 

[SignatureBeauty]

That is how my daughters hair was, I tried everything and her hair would still poof, her relaxers didn't even show, you couldn't even tell she had one, so I said to Hell with this, her hair must be telling me something, so I just let it do it's thang by growing out naturally and I must say that it is still poofy but it lays down with minimal products and looks so much healthier.

not saying go natural lol!!!
good luck!

 

[saqqara]

Hair that isn't relaxed until it's bone straight is healthier. ITA with the op who suggested you invest in a line of products designed to smooth and straighten hair.

 

[spoilt1]

Thanks so much for all your advice. To answer the question about what relaxer I use it is Mizani. I don't do it myself but I guess that I am being just too judgmental of my hair. Like someone said before that you couldn't tell that their daughter had gotten a perm that is how it is for me all the time. I was so upset the last time I got one I figured that I may as well go natural but I just really like the straight styles. But I just have to realize that I will always have this thick, coarse head of of hair that most people are trying to achieve. Thanks ladies I just needed some hair therapy.

 

[kandegirl]

I know where you are coming from. I have thick, 4a/b hair but I have been able to maintain a nice wrap. Just make sure you incorporate hot oil treatments in your regimen. This really helps and I use to do it after I shampooed by hair. I also found out greasing (yes greasing) my scalp while my hair was still wet helped. Then I just wet wrap my hair with dilluted Lottabody (no mousse or foaming lotions- not heavy enough) and let it fully dry under a hooded dryer. Then just flat iron the top layer with some heat protectant and you're ready to roll. I hope this helps.

 

[Miss*Tress]

It sounds like your hair may be underprocessed. 4B or not, you should be able to get the smooth, sleek look you want. Maybe talk to your stylist about getting a corrective relaxer.

Plus if your hair is as coarse as you say, i.e. the strands are thick, you probably don't need to use the ApHogee so often, if at all.

Good luck and welcome to the board!

 

[FlyyGyrl]

I used to have this problem too. I am also a 4b. Once I started washing more often my hair became straighter and easier to manage. I would recommend that you try washing 2 or 3 times doing a deep with every wash and after about a month you will find your hair is more manageable. I used LeKlair cholesterol plus . After you get to that point I would scale back a bit on the deep conditioning. Also how exactly are you drying your hair? It could be your technique. Do you self relax? If so you may want to try blow drying the roots before you touch up. I tried that my last relaxer and I was actually able to get my hair straight with a Mizani mild for the first time ever.

 

[Isis]

Unless you have a lot of buildup each month on your hair, that's a lot of clarifying, IMO and can be very drying to the hair. 4b hair is already the driest hair so it doesn't help. I clarify about once or twice each year, if necessary.

I also agree with FlyyGyrl about washing more often. I wash 2 x each week and deep condition each time. I've been doing it this way for almost three years now, using Cathy Howse's method (she is a relaxed 4a/b and wears her hair straight). It really helps a lot!

Another thing I do is wear my hair to work with it's texture. I relax my hair only 50% with a mild relaxer so it is not straight. It really helps me to manage my hair which is mostly 4b.

I rely on wearing the silk or satin scarf to get my hair flatter to my head and wear it to bed, after awakening when my hair is worn down and in my car. It's crucial during the latter part of my relaxer stretching weeks and helps keep the new growth down. My hair is still "big" but not as big.

 

[*ElleB]

Have u ever tried a Dominican Blow out?
This will help. They work wonder with that round brush, and they can get it to frame your face.
Or a roller set, under the dryer and then wrap with out blowing out, and let the hair drop on its own. LOL, when I've done this, my hair literally slaps across my cheek, lol....

HTH

 

[spoilt1]

Thanks so much for all your suggestions. Now with the rollerset what kind of setting lotion do you use if you use any at all. Also, if I wanted to do a hot oil treatment would I do that before or after I shampoo and would I still deep condition? TIA

 

[Synthia]

I agree with the poster who recommended washing (condition washing) more times a week. I don't have thick hair, but when I began daily washing years ago (over a decade) my hair certainly was straighter and more malleable.

I don't agree with those questioning the use of Aphogee. Thick or not, all hair benefits from protein strengthening. I also don't think clarifying once a month is a problem. I assume you're getting enough moisture? YOu didn't mention your regular moisture routine and whether you do deep moisturizing treatments.

I would recommend the Frizz Ease line by John Freida (they have a range of products designed to straighten hair). Serums should be good. So should Thermasilk.


Lastly, you know Cathy Howse, who wrote that guide to ultimate black hair care, air dries and flat irons regularly. I wouldn't do it, but you might want to work a flat iron into your regular routine.

Good luck!

 

[*ElleB]

Thanks so much for all your suggestions. Now with the rollerset what kind of setting lotion do you use if you use any at all. Also, if I wanted to do a hot oil treatment would I do that before or after I shampoo and would I still deep condition? TIA

I don't really use setting lotion, I just go under the dryer. Usually, I get my hair washed, conditioned and rolled at the DOminican salon and then tell them to wrap, and not to blow it out. I've never used setting lotions and my hair comes out fine.

If you feel ur hair needs SUPER MOISTURE, then u can deep condition after the hot oil treatment, but otherwise, it would prolly be over kill.

 

[kandegirl]

Thanks so much for all your suggestions. Now with the rollerset what kind of setting lotion do you use if you use any at all. Also, if I wanted to do a hot oil treatment would I do that before or after I shampoo and would I still deep condition? TIA

I use dilutted Lottabody and some Neutrogena Triple Moisture Leave-in and oil on my ends before wet wrapping my hair. When I do a hot-oil treatment after I shampoo, I use it as another form of conditioning. I just shampoo (creme of nature) and use a TCB hot oil treatment. I do this every once in a while and it'll give you great shine.

.... I use Aphrogee every six weeks or so my self so just make sure you're deep conditioning(moisturizing) well (weekly). This really helped my hair.

 

[MizaniMami]

i am telling you, adding honey and evoo to Humectress to deep condition is the truth! It softens the hair like nobody's business. I forgot I had 4a/b hair for a minute!

 

[spoilt1]

MizaniMami your hair is gorgeous. What brand is the Humetress under?