Does anyone have 4b hair that is not dry?

[drasgrl]

I just wondered about this. Is dryness inherent to 4b hair or is something just wrong with me?

Yes it is. It has something to do with the shape of the hair folicle and the natural oils not being able to get as far down as someone with straight hair.

 

[Lucky's Mom]

I wuvs you too just like that!

Why Do I love you? You are smart, and make me laugh.....

 

[Lucky's Mom]

Yes it is. It has something to do with the shape of the hair folicle and the natural oils not being able to get as far down as someone with straight hair.

Agreed. But this is indicative to most Curly locks. Curly hair can tend to be drier that straight hair... and hence the moisture needs... be it water, etc...

 

[MrsMe]

I have 4a hair and it tends to get dry in two areas: at the roots and at the ends. I just realized that as I was reading the replies and tried to figure out why I always felt like my hair was dry. I've just switched to a new shampoo and conditioner (Aubrey Organics' Island Naturals) so I can't really say whether it is the perfect combination for me, but I feel that it will work. I also moisturize once to twice a week with CD's Healthy Hair Butter. I refresh my curls in the morning with a quarter-sized drop of Hair Milk or spray Tui Jojoba and Shea Butter Hair Sheen.
But something puzzles me... Many of you say that they DC, co-wash, or wash their hair more than once a week and I'm wondering when you find the time to do that?!?!?! I can barely do the once a week wash within 2-3 hrs + conditioning....

 

[Nonie]

Why Do I love you? You are smart, and make me laugh.....

Can you stop hijacking the thread and let's keep these sweet nothings private. Don't be telling all the whys and whatnots of our love to e'rybody and der mommas nah! What's wrong with you?

 

[Nonie]

I have 4a hair and it tends to get dry in two areas: at the roots and at the ends. I just realized that as I was reading the replies and tried to figure out why I always felt like my hair was dry. I've just switched to a new shampoo and conditioner (Aubrey Organics' Island Naturals) so I can't really say whether it is the perfect combination for me, but I feel that it will work. I also moisturize once to twice a week with CD's Healthy Hair Butter. I refresh my curls in the morning with a quarter-sized drop of Hair Milk or spray Tui Jojoba and Shea Butter Hair Sheen.
But something puzzles me... Many of you say that they DC, co-wash, or wash their hair more than once a week and I'm wondering when you find the time to do that?!?!?! I can barely do the once a week wash within 2-3 hrs + conditioning....

My mid-week wash doesn't take long. I am always in twists so I just wet head then apply shampoo to scalp. Massage it in well to clean. Rinse under shower head while squeezing twists as shampoo runs through them. Then once rinsed, I smooth conditioner from about an inch from the base of my twists to the ends and squeeze them to help it penetrate. I let them hang so condition can drip to ends where it's most needed. Put on a plastic cap and wash the rest of my body. Then rinse off conditioner. Lately, I've been too lazy to wash a basin and dunk my head in ACV solution during this midweek wash so I just grab my gallon container mix my ACV/EO/water solution and pour it over my head while massaging my scalp with the other hand. Done. Washing my hair is one of the most relaxing things of the week. I don't have the hassle of detangling because I keep my hair twisted and only ever undo to finger comb when it is dry or damp from a baggy. Never during a wash. And I rarely ever have all my hair out. I finger comb twist by twist as I redo them more firmly.

 

[sunshinelady]

I don't think my hair has ever been moisturized since I've been natural. No matter what I've done to it. Like wet straw.

 

[Nonie]

I don't think my hair has ever been moisturized since I've been natural. No matter what I've done to it. Like wet straw.

Why do you say that? What do you use on it? Has it ever felt soft? As Msa said, sometimes doing so much is the problem. I personally had never seen the ringlets in my hair until I stopped doing too much to it. And as long as I DC and baggy, it stays soft. To some, sticky hair is moisturized hair. To me, soft hair is moisturized hair. So perhaps if you share what it is you do to your hair, someone might see what it is that makes it feel hard and therefore dry.

 

[MrsMe]

My mid-week wash doesn't take long. I am always in twists so I just wet head then apply shampoo to scalp. Massage it in well to clean. Rinse under shower head while squeezing twists as shampoo runs through them. Then once rinsed, I smooth conditioner from about an inch from the base of my twists to the ends and squeeze them to help it penetrate. I let them hang so condition can drip to ends where it's most needed. Put on a plastic cap and wash the rest of my body. Then rinse off conditioner. Lately, I've been too lazy to wash a basin and dunk my head in ACV solution during this midweek wash so I just grab my gallon container mix my ACV/EO/water solution and pour it over my head while massaging my scalp with the other hand. Done. Washing my hair is one of the most relaxing things of the week. I don't have the hassle of detangling because I keep my hair twisted and only ever undo to finger comb when it is dry or damp from a baggy. Never during a wash. And I rarely ever have all my hair out. I finger comb twist by twist as I redo them more firmly.

I can't wash my hair in twists because I end up with so much tangle that I end up losing a handful of hair or I just have trim it all together. And I've been going back to the gym, so I'm gonna have to wash more often if I don't want sweat and salt to damage my hair... How in the world am I going to do that??? erplexed

 

[Nonie]

I can't wash my hair in twists because I end up with so much tangle that I end up losing a handful of hair or I just have trim it all together. And I've been going back to the gym, so I'm gonna have to wash more often if I don't want sweat and salt to damage my hair... How in the world am I going to do that??? erplexed

How about washing in big braids? It still takes a while but there are less tangles. You would have to undo each to comb through during the shampooing and then during the conditioning. And during the rinse, letting the running water help keep the strands easy to comb. Then braid it damp and don't mess with it till it's dry. I think some people apply products before braiding. I am reading that castor oil on damp hair works well so if you don't already have a staple, maybe try that?

 

[Hairsofab]

I don't think my hair has ever been moisturized since I've been natural. No matter what I've done to it. Like wet straw.

Have you tried the Hawaiin Silky 14-1? I've been natural for about 20 months, and I never had soft hair, not matter how much I deep conditioned. I had tried tons of different moisturizers, and also using water and sealing with oil. Nothing made my hair feel moisturized as Hawaiin Silky does. I know I sound like a commercial but seriously. I got this last week from Sally's and it is my best hair discovery in a long time.

 

[MrsMe]

How about washing in big braids? It still takes a while but there are less tangles. You would have to undo each to comb through during the shampooing and then during the conditioning. And during the rinse, letting the running water help keep the strands easy to comb. Then braid it damp and don't mess with it till it's dry. I think some people apply products before braiding. I am reading that castor oil on damp hair works well so if you don't already have a staple, maybe try that?

I don't get a lot of tangle with braids, so I'll definitely try that... THANKS A LOT!!!! :hug: I usually apply some of CD's Lisa's Hair Elixir to my ends if I notice that they are dry while I put on the flexirods, but I think the oil's gone rancid... It has a bad smell to begin with but now it's just gross
I'll try the castor oil, or even better, I'll try mix of oils (peppermint, jojoba, olive, castor and vitamin E oil).

 

[tuffCOOKiE]

Personally I think there is something to this. I am experimenting with washing more often. Whenever my hair feels really dry instead of slathering a bunch of moisturizer in my hair I wash it. I do think it is VERY important to find the right poo and con though because washing too frequently with the wrong poo and con for you can be BAD. Joico Moisture Recovery is pH balanced and moisturizes my hair VERY well so I can wash more often and it actually helps my hair instead of hurting it. Since I've been washing more my natural 4b(transitioning) new growth is softer and the comb moves through it almost effortlessly. I can actually run my fingers through my scalp without getting my fingers stuck!

But before I started washing frequently I used Lacio (still do sometimes) and it softens and moisturizes my hair without me having to apply it daily. It also works very well on dry hair. I hate when I moisturize wet hair and when it dries it's hard and crunchy. Oils and butters never worked for me. Co washes may work I have not tried it for more than a month and suffered from terrible build up so I stopped, I LOVE a clean scalp.

I've actually tried this (cowashing w Joico Moisture REcovery) and my hair started shedding something terrible. I believe becasue my hair was lacking protein. Did this happen to you? I loved Joico MR but, as soon as my hair dried, my hair would be hard and crunchy.. I;m starting to believe this is just how my hair is

I'm 4b and my hair is coarse so it makes my hair journey harder. also not enough water, poor diet, and the winter weather can make the hair very dry.

I agree. I have type 4b hair. No wave pattern, easy to straighten, bulky. I've decided to transition becasue my relaxed hair is so dry. I've written multiple threads on this because.. I just dn't know what to do.. Maybe I need to accept that maybe this is just how my hair is. I'm never really going to get the hair I want due to natural limitations.. its so sad.

My problem is that as soon as my hair dries, it's so so 'crunchy' (it seriously feels like Velcro). I can't airdry, I have to rollerset.. I can't use glycerin and I can't cowash often.. I'm tired of these roadblocks buuutt .. what can I do?

 

[locabouthair]

I agree. I have type 4b hair. No wave pattern, easy to straighten, bulky. I've decided to transition becasue my relaxed hair is so dry. I've written multiple threads on this because.. I just dn't know what to do.. Maybe I need to accept that maybe this is just how my hair is. I'm never really going to get the hair I want due to natural limitations.. its so sad.

My problem is that as soon as my hair dries, it's so so 'crunchy' (it seriously feels like Velcro). I can't airdry, I have to rollerset.. I can't use glycerin and I can't cowash often.. I'm tired of these roadblocks buuutt .. what can I do?

yeah I remember you posting about it. I definitely feel your pain. Your hair is very pretty though..