Do You think My SO is on to something??? PLEASE READ!!!

[seraphim712]

I was talking to him this morning about my hair, and how I hate the fact that when it's in its natural state, it is always dirt dry and the curls always seem to tangle up with knots on the end of my hair. I usually wash my hair every other day and leave it as a wash n go. While it's wet, I try my best to add moisture and seal with oil on the ends, but nothing seems to help. I always seem to end up with air dried hair that's knotted at the ends. I said that I would start flat ironing my hair until I could find a better way to take care of it in its natural state.

He suggested that I only use heat once every three months from the flat iron and once every two weeks from a hair dryer. He thinks my hair reacts the way it does it can't handle the direct heat from the flat iron regardless of how many heat protecting products I use before hand. He also said that I should find a way to loosen up the curls a bit so that my hair can stay moisturized but at the same time won't break off due to tangling.

Do you think he's on to something???

Don't be scared to put your opinion, I'm all ears...

Which reminds me... I need to find some liquid silica. Does anyone know where I can purchase some?

 

[kittenz]

ITA with the part about loosing the curls to retain moisture. I read it somewhere on this site. Tight coils are the reason AA women hair drier hair the moisture can't seem to make it to the ends.

 

[gymfreak336]

I was talking to him this morning about my hair, and how I hate the fact that when it's in its natural state, it is always dirt dry and the curls always seem to tangle up with knots on the end of my hair. I usually wash my hair every other day and leave it as a wash n go. While it's wet, I try my best to add moisture and seal with oil on the ends, but nothing seems to help. I always seem to end up with air dried hair that's knotted at the ends. I said that I would start flat ironing my hair until I could find a better way to take care of it in its natural state.

He suggested that I only use heat once every three months from the flat iron and once every two weeks from a hair dryer. He thinks my hair reacts the way it does it can't handle the direct heat from the flat iron regardless of how many heat protecting products I use before hand. He also said that I should find a way to loosen up the curls a bit so that my hair can stay moisturized but at the same time won't break off due to tangling.

Do you think he's on to something???

Don't be scared to put your opinion, I'm all ears...

Which reminds me... I need to find some liquid silica. Does anyone know where I can purchase some?

I do think he is on to something. When I use heat, there is a certain cocktail of products that I have to use, otherwise total mess and even then there are limitations.

For liquid silica try eidon.

 

[Blackoutzangel05]

I believe that he may be right. It wouldn't hurt to try not using so much heat on your hair. My hair flourished without using all the heat protectants that I am reading about now. And when I used them on my transitioned hair it always seemed like my hair was very dry. I would slack off the heat for a while and see how that works.

 

[Poohbear]

ITA with the part about loosing the curls to retain moisture. I read it somewhere on this site. Tight coils are the reason AA women hair drier hair the moisture can't seem to make it to the ends.

Well not for me!!! My natural hair is pretty good at retaining moisture from root to ends. However, my tightly coiled hair is different than most naturals...it's not very porous, so maybe that's why I'm able to retain moisture well.

 

[cmw45]

IA with him and the other posters. I would try using less heat. My hair sure has loved me for it.

About the curl loosening...that sounds dangerously close to put a chemical in your hair...which I don't think will help with dryness, instead I recommend buttering your hair as soon as you finishing conditioning...when your hair is wet it is in it's looses state.

 

[seraphim712]

IA with him and the other posters. I would try using less heat. My hair sure has loved me for it.

About the curl loosening...that sounds dangerously close to put a chemical in your hair...which I don't think will help with dryness, instead I recommend buttering your hair as soon as you finishing conditioning...when your hair is wet it is in it's looses state.

I know what you mean, but I've been reading post about how MSM and silica can loosen your curls. They are not chemical relaxers but natural vitamin supplements that you can take in liquid for or mix into a drink(thank goodness). As for butter... I am so going to try avacodo butter after hearing so much rave about it. I think I will try buttering my hair while it's wet and see how that goes.

 

[hothair]

ITA with the part about loosing the curls to retain moisture. I read it somewhere on this site. Tight coils are the reason AA women hair drier hair the moisture can't seem to make it to the ends.

He MAY be on to something, recently after washing I don't immediately put products on my hair just put it in five or 6 plaits. When its dry i take it down section by section and then add my leave-ins and my hair stays nice and moisturised (even when dry) - I only started doing this cause the instructions on the afrodetangler said to apply twice....

ETA: so i thinke loosening the curl while drying would definitely help!

 

[seraphim712]

I believe that he may be right. It wouldn't hurt to try not using so much heat on your hair. My hair flourished without using all the heat protectants that I am reading about now. And when I used them on my transitioned hair it always seemed like my hair was very dry. I would slack off the heat for a while and see how that works.

Do you know of any good leave in products to use for a wash n go???

 

[PinkSkates]

Well, I press my hair once a month; (except during the summer months). and so far my hair is doing very well. When I want to see some length, but I don't want to press my hair, I will use my blow dryer and tension from my hand to semi-straighten my hair into a flowy afro. It's a lot earier to manage my natural hair when it's not 100% shruken. So I think your SO has a good point about loosening your natural curl. And you don't have use a man-made chemical to loosen your natural curl pattern; just a little heat and some patience works for me and my hair.

 

[natstar]

Well, I press my hair once a month; (except during the summer months). and so far my hair is doing very well. When I want to see some length, but I don't want to press my hair, I will use my blow dryer and tension from my hand to semi-straighten my hair into a flowy afro. It's a lot earier to manage my natural hair when it's not 100% shruken. So I think your SO has a good point about loosening your natural curl. And you don't have use a man-made chemical to loosen your natural curl pattern; just a little heat and some patience works for me and my hair.

I agree. I don't use heat that often but if the hair is stretched somewhat it does eliminate some knots and is easier to detangle come wash day. OP instead of using an oil-I wonder if you use a cream then an oil to seal your ends would that be better? I think your SO has a good point

 

[naturaline]

i use heat once evry 3/4 months. i only comb my hair when i wash it once a week (and its full of con) it keeps moist during the wk cus i keep adding alil water then mixed oils.

my hair does sometimes get little knots at the end too. you may have less if you wear less wash n' goes ( i dunno??) i usually like water n' goes too when the weaters warm but i do notice a few more tangles.

hth
xxx

 

[cmw45]

I know what you mean, but I've been reading post about how MSM and silica can loosen your curls. They are not chemical relaxers but natural vitamin supplements that you can take in liquid for or mix into a drink(thank goodness). As for butter... I am so going to try avacodo butter after hearing so much rave about it. I think I will try buttering my hair while it's wet and see how that goes.

You should also try whipped 100% shea butter...my hair loves it.

 

[Christa438]

I think it is good to cut down on heat as much as possible. There are ways to loosen up curls with certain products or indirect heat. maybe try those steam rollers? Also, a girl got a beautiful loose curl and way less shrinkage using Paul Mitchell's Super Skinny line I believe. I think another girl got less shrinkage and looser curls that hung beautifully using Frizz Ease serum. I also think these ladies liked to do CWs or WNGs. Have you considered a technique called banding? Putting bands down the length of your hair while wet may help it to dry with a much looser curl.

Good luck.

 

[Nice & Wavy]

Ok, are you qashing your hair with shampoo every other day or r u doing CW's?

If you r using shampoo....Stop! I don't think any shampoo, no matter what kind it is, will dry your hair out, period.

If you are CW, then maybe u need to look at what u r using...might be a time for a change.

Yes, I do believe that heat can/will hurt, but I try to look at my products first and decide the best way to use them.

HTH