Gell hair for retention

[trynagrow]

This is interesting. I never considered that gel could be used to help w/retention. I've always hear regular use of gel referred to negatively. I may have to give it a try w/my twist outs and see if it helps.

I always thought this refered to the majority of gels which were drying and bad (with bad ingredients). So perhaps there are a few that would be good, I dk. I don't see how aloe vera gel would be considered in that as it isn't really like normal gel.

 

[katblack]

I use gel throughout my hair and I believe that it has helped me to retain growth. I use gels with moisturizing properties on top of a heavy moisture layer to smooth my coarse and frizzy strands. The gel acts like a sealant.

My hair is very picky about oils, castor oil is the only one that my hair seems to love and I always use it along with conditioner under my gel.

A good gel to me is moisturizing, water based, has good healthy ingredients, and is heavy enough to combat the frizz.

yeah, that's the same way i feel.

 

[katblack]

I use gel daily and haven't noticed any problems retaining length.

How do you usually use the gel? I guess I mean how is it being applied to your hair?

 

[katblack]

How does gel help retain length? I'm scratching my head over that one.

Well many things can help to retain length; 'help' being the key word. For me, it creates a barrier over my hair that prevents the environment from damaging it. Also, since my hair is styled with the gel, I don't have to manipulate it, even the application is low manipulation because I only use my hands to spread it on.
It won't work for everyone, and to be honest, it wouldn't even be desirable to everyone.HTH

 

[katblack]

I used gel and spritz to grow my hair out when relaxed. I went from a little past shoulder length to BSL in about 11-12 months (in one school year). What I would do is wash and DC my hair, and I would use Ecostyler gel (level 7) to either slick my hair back into a bun, or rollerset it. I would sometimes use spritz for extra hold. I never manipulated my hair while gelled- EVER! To remove the product I would put conditioner on my hair under running water in the shower. Only until the product had broken down would I continue to wash and manipulate my hair.

My hair styles would last a week. I've found that for me, the key is not to let the hold wear off on it's own- this is when I begin to experience dryness or splits from using gel. I also relaxed very infrequently, maybe 1-3x a year. This regimen worked pretty well when transitioning and natural too. Also, I wouldn't recommend this if your hair is protein sensitive. My hair loves protein, both relaxed and natural, and the protein-based gel helped to strengthen my fine hair.

I'm glad that this worked for you.

 

[JJamiah]

I used the black Eco Styler Gel when my hair was APL I continue and it grew to MBL/WL to put on my phony ponies it allowed me to keep my hair like that for a week or two sometimes. I love it and I am actually going to mix this in for the summer this year to keep my hair out of my face and in place.

 

[B_Phlyy]

I haven't personally used gel to retain my length, but I do know it works for some people. My mom (who is natural) had a major setback earlier this year and lost about 3 inches of hair. I told her to maybe try some protective styles and the one she picked was a gelled bun.

Basically, she just uses gel (whatever I have on hand as I supply the hair products for my house) from root to tip and lightly brushes her hair into her bun. She has been doing this about 3-4 times a week for 2 months and she's already retained about 2 1/2 inches of growth.

 

[katblack]

I haven't personally used gel to retain my length, but I do know it works for some people. My mom (who is natural) had a major setback earlier this year and lost about 3 inches of hair. I told her to maybe try some protective styles and the one she picked was a gelled bun.

Basically, she just uses gel (whatever I have on hand as I supply the hair products for my house) from root to tip and lightly brushes her hair into her bun. She has been doing this about 3-4 times a week for 2 months and she's already retained about 2 1/2 inches of growth.

That's amazing! Iwish I could get those results. It's almost as if your moms hair just tried to get right back to where it used to be before the set back.

 

[ParagonTresses]

How do you usually use the gel? I guess I mean how is it being applied to your hair?

After my daily cowash I apply conditioner(WEN or Elucence MBC) and then gel (Ecostyler, LA or Proclaim), in 5 sections [2 in the front, 2 in the back and 1 at the crown(my most frizz prone area)] from root to tip.

 

[KnottyGurl]

subbing...love this thread I actually just used some IC Fantasia on my hair before reading this thread. After my DC, I put hair butter and oil, then gelled each section before braiding it for a braidout. I'm waiting to see how it turns out. One thing I can say is that my hair is not hard and crunchy as expected. It's actually very soft and my waves are more pronounced.

 

[KnottyGurl]

Okay, I like! My hair is soft and fluffy and the curls are definitely defined. This is encouraging me to continue with braidouts/twistouts. I've been trying for the last 5 days to get my braidout like it was the first time I tried it last week, with no luck. I had to wear puffs.

Between this and youtube tutes, I think I'll actually enjoy transitioning this time instead of enduring it.

 

[MrsIQ]

Now that I think back on it my hair grew to it longest length pre-LHCF when I was using gel to hold my hair down while I phony ponied! I would wash it once a week and gel it up again. I'll use FOTE Aloe Vera this time and see what I get this summer.

 

[softblackcotton]

I just starting using Eco Styler Gel with Olive Oil to define my 4b Curls. Curls I NEVER knew I had in my life! Though the shrinkage was about 70%, but the tiny curls are really, really cute. My hair went from 2" from APL stretched to 3-4" TWA. Oh well! It's cute!When using gel to define 4b curls, you have to come to terms that major shrinkage is ok. These past two weeks, I have gotten the most compliments on my hair that I haven't gotten in a LONG while. I moisturize daily with S-Curl and the curls get really soft and pliable without losing the definition. The curls last about a week before they start getting really frizzy, maybe because I work out daily. I do believe it helps a lot with retention because I don't have to comb/brush or any manipulation except fluffing up in the morning. I don't have to worry of stretching, heat straigtening, or blowing out to show my real length. When I wash/deep cond/detangled last week I only lost a quarter-sized worth of hair down from a almost two handfuls like before. I recommend.

 

[B_Phlyy]

That's amazing! Iwish I could get those results. It's almost as if your moms hair just tried to get right back to where it used to be before the set back.

That's what I said too. My mom is a fast grower (and she seems to be having a warm weather growth spurt), but her hair breaks at the slightest gust of strong wind so retaining is really hard for her. I'm really glad the gel thing is working for her because I know she was a little down because so much of her hair had fallen out.

 

[AHeadOfCoils]

Meee!! Before I discovered the boards, I was co-washing and applying gel (eco or prostyle)to my entire length of hair daily. This method took me from literally NO-1 inch of hair(hallie berry cut) to SL in less than a year. I was co-washing and didn't even know it. I would saturate my hair with conditioner nightly and then rinse the next day. lol

 

[VioletWylde]

Pre LHCF I used a mixture of gel and conditioner (don't beat me). I would wash, DC and apply the mixture root to tip. I'd bun and only smooth it by hand until the next wash and DC (weekly). I retained quite a bit of length. For me I think it was just not manipulating my hair. I lose a lot of strands that way.

 

[Uber]

I never started using gel to retain length, infact I thought the aloe vera would cause my hair to break as it is a protein. As some people on this thread have mentioned I have come to think that the gel has helped my hair to retain moisture.

 

[katblack]

ParagonTresses, that's how I do my gel application. I put a conditioner underneath and then the gel over top in sections.

 

[katblack]

I just starting using Eco Styler Gel with Olive Oil to define my 4b Curls. Curls I NEVER knew I had in my life! Though the shrinkage was about 70%, but the tiny curls are really, really cute. My hair went from 2" from APL stretched to 3-4" TWA. Oh well! It's cute!When using gel to define 4b curls, you have to come to terms that major shrinkage is ok. These past two weeks, I have gotten the most compliments on my hair that I haven't gotten in a LONG while. I moisturize daily with S-Curl and the curls get really soft and pliable without losing the definition. The curls last about a week before they start getting really frizzy, maybe because I work out daily. I do believe it helps a lot with retention because I don't have to comb/brush or any manipulation except fluffing up in the morning. I don't have to worry of stretching, heat straigtening, or blowing out to show my real length. When I wash/deep cond/detangled last week I only lost a quarter-sized worth of hair down from a almost two handfuls like before. I recommend.

Also you could probably try putting big twist and braids to help give you more length. With hair that long it's a shame not to wear it out sometimes.

 

[katblack]

That's what I said too. My mom is a fast grower (and she seems to be having a warm weather growth spurt), but her hair breaks at the slightest gust of strong wind so retaining is really hard for her. I'm really glad the gel thing is working for her because I know she was a little down because so much of her hair had fallen out.

That's good to hear, I just hate it when I realize I am not retaining.

 

[katblack]

I never started using gel to retain length, infact I thought the aloe vera would cause my hair to break as it is a protein. As some people on this thread have mentioned I have come to think that the gel has helped my hair to retain moisture.

Yes, I have noticed a trend that most of those that use gel and don't manipulate their hair are rewarded with consistent retention. I also think the moisture balance is another perk when using gel. Although I can't speak for everyone, especially those with protein sensitivity.

 

[SimJam]

So I hadnt even checked this thread when I saw it a couple weeks ago b/c well I thought it was craziness LOL sorry OP

BUT !!!!!

on Saturday I was bored and decided to try out 2 of the gells I have.
so I shingled half my hair with ecostyler olive oil and the other with IC fantasia olive oil. (BTW not much difference, 'cept that after 3 full days of rain, the ecostyler half has held up better)

anyhoo what Ive noticed is that I have

1. MUCH less ssk's if any
2. Its kept my hands out of my hair (Im always messing with my hair .... twirling and untwirling twists and some times I end up breaking my ends off)
3. Ive had my hair out for 3 days now and no tangles (well b/c everything is set into a curl, which had been smoothed out by my fingers during the shingling)
4. after day 2 I JUICED which fluffed out my hair a bit, but hay its juiced !!! and still pretty much set in a curl by the gel, so I still get the benefits of 1 - 3

only negative Ive come across is that its a bit dificult to apply my groth aid .... but ZI got it done.

so in the final anysis, gel may actually assist me in protective styling, hence retaining length. I hvnt done this long enough to make a definitive statement.

 

[Curlykale]

Yes, it helps me. I mix it every night to my conditioner when I moisturize and I find it prevents single strand knots.
The gel I use it homemade flaxseed gel (flax seeds boiled in spring water, there are some recipes on youtube) because I find it moisturizing / it helps me with shrinkage / can use it on dry hair / can never overdo it / for shine.

I just make sure the conditioner I use as a leave in has no protein, as the gel is midly proteic, and then I seal. I make it once a week and I keep it in the fridge.
I tried it on my mum's relaxed short hair (she is a 4c and she never moisturizes) before bed, on dry hair, and the morning after it was shiny and frizz free. I recommend it.

I make it just because Aloe doesn't agree with my hair (my hair hates humectants), otherwise aloe should do the trick.

 

[amina86]

I just ordered some Aloe Vera Gel and Glycerin...hopefully it's better than the regular brown gel sold in BSS's.

 

[brucebettye]

I use gel almost everyday in my hair. I don't know if this is helping me to retain length, but it helps to keep my hair off my shoulders because I have my hair up in a puff, updo, or bun. I have gone from ear length to almost apl and it does not do any harm to my hair. I use eco styler gel with olive oil now and that stuff can lay down some 6 months post relaxer edges very well without using a scarf or a brush. Also it helps my waves look nice when it drys.

 

[Poohbear]

I can see how gels help with retention if it's a curl activator gel. Curl activator gels are very moisturizing and keep your hair from breaking and drying out. I'm planning on using curl activator gel for length retention now.

 

[Forever in Bloom]

Bumping! I'm gonna try this when I do my rollersets