Discouraged

[jcdlox]

I just had a relaxer yesterday after 3 months in braids. I went to a new stylist who does a really good job but we both could tell that one side of my hair is thinner and has more damage than the other side. I'm not sure it its the braids or the result of previously wrapping my hair to the opposite side (which is more likely I guess). She also said my hair is dry which seems to be a constant battle. I have some breakage in the nape too. I've never had this much trouble with my hair despite doing so much more to treat it right than before (DC, protein, less heat, wrap nightly, etc.) Not sure what to do now...

 

[ms.blue]

Did you relax right after taking your braids out? Usually is best to wait about two weeks after taking out braids to have a relaxer done so the hair can rest & get back to normal w/ the help of dcing w/ protein & moisturizing conditioner.

 

[tricie]

Hi, jcdlox,

I totally understand where you are coming from; when I last got a relaxer, my hair seemed to be thinner on one side, and it was most likely from wrapping. Maybe you could tie your hair up in a scarf at night and then use hot rollers in the morning to give your hair a break from wrapping.

It's hard to find a moisture/protein balance, but what I did when I was still relaxing was to do Aphogee 2 minute reconstructor the first two washes after a relaxer, and then moisture and light protein in my DC.

I'm sure some other ladies will chime in and give their recommendations. Don't be discouraged because your hair can and will turn around for the better. HTH & HHG!

 

[tricie]

Did you relax right after taking your braids out? Usually is best to wait about two weeks after taking out braids to have a relaxer done so the hair can rest & get back to normal w/ the help of dcing w/ protein & moisturizing conditioner.

Ditto what ms.blue said!

 

[JFK]

Constant dry hair?...You may want to begin using some sort of porosity product and see if that helps (i.e. Roux Porosity Control).

 

[30something]

have you notice if the other side is another texture / hair type?
You said you using less heat.. what kind of heat and about how often are you using it?
What are you using to wrap your hair with? comb brush?

 

[jcdlox]

thank you ladies for your replies. I think its probably just wrapping in the same direction for a long time so I'm going to switch it up. I let my hair rest about a week and a half after the braids so I don't think it was the relaxer at all in fact it feels really good, just one side is thinner and has some breakage. I'll regroup, thanks for the encouraging words.

 

[locabouthair]

My left side broke off so badly, people would ask me about it. I started stretching that area and moisturizing it separately ever night and it's grown back It will get better.

Your hair looks healthy in your avi.

 

[Ms_CoCo37]

I'm so sorry to hear about your setback. I remember having several of my own. The most recent one was when my edges started thining (especially right in the front). I quickly figured out that it was due to wrapping.

That's when I decided to go natural, and just wear my hair in it's natural state. That seems to have helped me tremendously. I still wear my hair straight on occasion, but for now, I'm just trying to get it to optimum health.

Are you taking part in any challenges?

 

[cocoagirl]

instead of wrapping, try cross wrapping or doing pin curls. Everytime I have had braids, I have had major hair loss, I think my hair is too fragile for braids so I wont be wearing them anymore. Make sure you up your moisture if you say your hair is dry. Is the breakage in the nape due to a scarf or braids do you think? For a protective style instead of braids, you might want to try wigging it, cornrowing your hair underneath and moisturizing daily. Porosity control is a good suggestion.

 

[back2relaxed]

I understand where you are coming from. My hair was growing beautifully, i was at APL...until I got a sew in for 2 mos in December. I lost a lot of hair in the process of removing the weave. It didn't tangle or mat up, but my left side as well was a lot thinner and damaged afterwards. Once I got back to my stylist, we ended up cutting my hair into a NL bob. I actually love it now because I had been growing my hair out for 3 years, so this is a welcome hiatus. I plan to experiment this summer w/short braid/twistouts, and keep my hair this length before trying to grow it out until maybe September. But who knows maybe longer! It will be ok...

 

[taz007]

You may want to join the "Ceramide" club. Nothing EVER made my coarse, wiry hair soft until I tried Biolage Cerarepair Hydratherapie.

My hair's health, shine, and thickness has dramatically changed for the better since incorporating ceramides into my regime since, I believe, late November.

 

[jcdlox]

You may want to join the "Ceramide" club. Nothing EVER made my coarse, wiry hair soft until I tried Biolage Cerarepair Hydratherapie.

My hair's health, shine, and thickness has dramatically changed for the better since incorporating ceramides into my regime since, I believe, late November.

What products are you using exactly? I think I've been reading some of your threads on this and I'm curious.

Oh wait, I see in your post you said you use Biolage Cerarepair, how do you use it in your regimen?

 

[jcdlox]

My left side broke off so badly, people would ask me about it. I started stretching that area and moisturizing it separately ever night and it's grown back It will get better.

Your hair looks healthy in your avi.

thank you - that picture was taken last fall (pre-braids) and the side showing is the side that is now thin. So maybe it was the braids or too much manipulation between braids. I was wearing it curly using Carusos (which I love btw)

 

[peachykeen]

I soooo feel you on the discouragement tip. I have had to take a step away and do a proper assessment of my own hair. I think aside from going natural the best way to treat a thinning area is to spot treat and give that area more tlc. But...

KISS sounds like its in order here. Leave your hair alone! Stop trying out so much advice. I know I had to get to that point. Some of the things on the internet and magazines should be read for entertainment purposes only. The label should read DO NOT TRY THIS AT HOME.

One month I tried out all the "advice" and eneded up losing hair. Oh and people are adamant about you trying this or that. Go with sound advice, but also your own gut. If you are not using heat but twice a month than stopping heat usage will probably not change your life. If your hair is fine without wrapping it, then dont wrap it just cause suzyq said so and her hair is long.

 

[jcdlox]

I soooo feel you on the discouragement tip. I have had to take a step away and do a proper assessment of my own hair. I think aside from going natural the best way to treat a thinning area is to spot treat and give that area more tlc. But...

KISS sounds like its in order here. Leave your hair alone! Stop trying out so much advice. I know I had to get to that point. Some of the things on the internet and magazines should be read for entertainment purposes only. The label should read DO NOT TRY THIS AT HOME.

One month I tried out all the "advice" and eneded up losing hair. Oh and people are adamant about you trying this or that. Go with sound advice, but also your own gut. If you are not using heat but twice a month than stopping heat usage will probably not change your life. If your hair is fine without wrapping it, then dont wrap it just cause suzyq said so and her hair is long.

Peachykeen you are so right! I've tried braid outs, this product, that product etc. and it boils down to some simple things my hair needs. I think I will just baby that side, I will continue to wrap because I don't think that was the culprit, my hair was thicker on that side after wrapping for almost a year. I think it was the manipulation on that side doing the curly styles so I'll have to handle with care when and if I do that.

 

[taz007]

What products are you using exactly? I think I've been reading some of your threads on this and I'm curious.

Oh wait, I see in your post you said you use Biolage Cerarepair, how do you use it in your regimen?

The first time that I used it, I used it straight and steamed it in for 15 minutes. Now, I mix it into everything.

I add a few drops to my daily leave in, add one vial to my relaxers, mix 1/2 vial to my DC, etc ...