Growing out my Teenie Weenie TWA! Help!!

[Satya_R]

So, I cut my hair late last year and was really happy with it for a while. But now I miss my long hair .

Anyhoo, I've been having trouble keeping it moisturized after a terrible experience with Henna - it dried my hair out something fearsome and completely ruined my texture. What would you ladies suggest that would keep my hair balanced & soft without creating a lot of buildup on my scalp?

I've been having terrible scalp issues after the henna; dandruff, sores, itchiness.
I'm really bummed and missing my hair, I'm having dreams of my night pineapples and high buns and braidouts :sigh:

Help me y'all!

 

[FoxxyLocs]

You'll probably get better responses if you tell us what you normally do to your hair and what products you use.

 

[Natty_Virgo]

What is your regi?

What kind of henna did you use?

 

[MrsJaiDiva]

It sounds like you may have had an alergic reaction to henna, because that's not a standard response. Except for the dryness...you're supposed to follow up with a good moisture DC.

I'd say first you need to baby your scalp. Neem oil is amazing for fixing scalp issues, but it stinks like the devil. You can put 2tbs in a moisture, sulfate free shampoo, with a few drops of tea tree oil, and you should feel some relief fairly quickly. Focus on health, and length will follow.

 

[BlaqBella]

Are you deep conditioning regularly?

 

[DarkJoy]

Yes. Need to know your regi and the type of henna you used would be helpful in general.

 

[Satya_R]

I used Karishma Henna that I bought from a local Indian market. May not have been the freshest?...

As far as a regimen goes, I really don't have one. I sporadically co-wash when my hair is feeling dry with cheapie Suave condish. I wash with cheapie suave when my hair/scalp is feeling dirty. And i'll use a little bit of Africa's best oil after washing.

I've been bad and thrown my reggie to the wayside, as I have less that a 1/4 inch of hair :S. Thanks for all the responses

 

[Evolving78]

when i had a twa such as yours, all i did was cowash daily, use Giovanni Direct leave-in, or Kid's Organic Shea Butter detangling lotion for moisture and to make my coils pop. sometimes i would cowash and just use Fantasia IC gel Olive (green)

try cowashing daily and using a moisturizer. you don't even need anything to use to seal with right now. wait for all of that when you get more length.

 

[FoxxyLocs]

I don't have a problem with cheapie products. I used Suave as a staple until recently. I would suggest trying a sulfate free shampoo though. Suave shampoo was very drying to my hair. Alternatively, you could try adding oil to the shampoo to cut down on the drying effect.

Also, neem powder is an effective alternative to neem oil and it doesn't have the smell.

 

[My Friend]

I'm not so sure it was the henna. I'm think lack of regi before and after your henna may have caused this problem.

 

[Mz.MoMo5235]

I had a terribly bad allergic reaction to the devil skala and what I had to do for about a month was do scalp massages with a mix of tea tree oil an evoo and allergy pills!!!

Any way, I'm a fellow baldy too and right now what I do is water rinse my hair every day. Once or twice a week I use head and shoulders to combat any scalp issues followed by EH HH cond and then I rub some CD milk or CD healthy hair butter. A little goes a long way and since I only do water rinses in between poos I dont apply the product daily.

I miss my hair too sometimes lol

 

[Tiye]

I'm not so sure it was the henna. I'm think lack of regi before and after your henna may have caused this problem.

^^ This. I'd suggest switching to gentler products and use a moisturizing leave in conditioner. Oil alone doesn't work for everyone and it won't work for most if you're looking to play up texture aka define curls/coils. I'm guessing your regular pattern will come back with the right leave in conditioner.

Some people use things like apple cider vinegar, rosemary tea or baking soda for dandruff. Or go to a health food store and ask someone to recommend a sulfate free shampoo that's good for dandruff.

 

[SimJam]

Just to chime in and agree with the ladies who suggested you address the scalp issues (may even need to see a dermatologist) because if your scalp is not healthy it will affect your hair.

also with 1/4 inch of hair, really all you need to do is cowash and moisturize -seal if u need to

 

[prettybyrd]

Hi Satya_R!

Even with short hair you want to establish a regimen. Today's short hair will be tomorrow's ends brushing against your shoulder, or the back of a wool sweater. Keep them as healthy and moisturized as possible.

In order to take care of your hair, you don't have to use expensive products. Start with your Suave and Africa's best oil, just making sure that your hair is moisturized and sealed regularly will work wonders on your hair.

I have 3 inches of hair all the way around, and right now I rinse my hair daily and co-wash 2-3 days a week. After I get out of the shower, I add about a tablespoon of Apricot Kernel oil throughout my hair, and then add a bit of b.a.s.k. Palm Tapioca Deluxe Hair Cream on top. On weekends I DC with protein and moisture as needed, and follow the GHE (green house effect) using JBCO (Jamaican Black Castor Oil) most days after work.

I know how much you miss your hair, because I miss mine. The good thing is that your hair will be back to the length it was before you know it, only it will be so much healthier.

HHJ!

 

[MzSwift]

Sound advice from the ladies.

IA that "watering" your hair daily may help and you don't need expensive products. Either cowash or just water rinse. Be careful of the protein though b/c your may respond with even more dryness. Find a good moisturizing leave in (I use Suave as well) and seal with a light oil (grapeseed is a good one).

I think the shorter lengths tend to dry out more because the hair is always out and exposed to the elements (sun, wind, dry air). I wore a bonnet or satin skull cap around the house instead of leaving it out and my moisture level increased. It also began to feel softer once I was able to braid it after moisturizing and sealing.

GL!

 

[bluediamond0829]

I washed my hair last night, deep conditioned with a heating cap, then rinsed and sprayed some spray that had some coconut oil on it and then before it dried moisturized with some shea butter cream---my curls were so popping(I was supposed to blow dry it--because I wear half wigs)


I'm back short and natural also and my hair is very dry also...

 

[MrsJaiDiva]

I cannot say enough about co-cleansing vs shampooing or cowashing, as a way to clean your hair and retain moisture. Using co-cleansers like Wen, Deva-Curl No Poo, Ren, etc, gives my hair so much moisture, that if I don't use my MT to DC weekly I'd have moisture overload. These do so much to clean the scalp and keep it healthy, which I need because I have Bad dandruff otherwise. I'd say try this as a way to keep the hair moist as well.

 

[Satya_R]

@ My Friend, at the time I had an overly complicated reggie. I dc'ed once a week, used only Terressentials every other day, wet every day and sealed with Castor Oil.

After Henna my scalp just went crazy, and my hair started hating me. I've gotten it cut a couple of times and it's better now but the residual scalp issues are really affecting my hair. I'll def. try the neem oil and work on establishing a regimen.

I've used Aubrey Organics Honeysuckle Rose for the past three years before I chopped and my hair loooved it, not so much anymore. Not much moisturization and the buildup on my scalp is horrendous. I'm looking for a condish that won't contribute to my scalp issues and will give me that silky soft feeling I once had.

Thank you for the input everyone, I really appreciate it

 

[reeko43]

I think you have gotten some great suggestions. Just wanted to add avj or avg for the scalp issues. It is not expensive and very effective/soothing for dandruff, dry scalp etc.