HAIR FALLING OUT!!!!

[tash3278]

Hi everyone,

i'm new to the forum and desperately need your help! About 8 weeks ago I got a bad relaxer and my hair has been falling out from the root! I've been using Nioxin but since my hair needs to be relaxed its shedding even more. My question is -

Should I get a relaxer this weekend and cut it so it looks somewhat fuller and start a serious hair growth regime (vitamins, protein reconstructors, the works)

OR

wait another week and get a protein treatment?

I'm scared of relaxing it this week because I almost cried at the salon so much hair came out! My hair was doing great but now its dangerously thin and dry. I appreciate any tips/suggestions!

 

[naturalgurl]

Me personally, I would lay off the lye(or no lye) for a minute. Get some garlic and cut it up. Put about 2 to 3 tablespoons of distilled water over it and nuke in microwave for about 30 seconds. Put that water in a nice condish and DC(cover with cap and sit for at least 30 minutes). This helps stop shedding. I would do a moisturizing DC before I'd do a protein. This is just my two cents, let's see what other choices you have. Hope you stop this in it's tracks!

 

[It~Can~Grow]

I'd definitely recommend holding OFF on the relaxer and deep condition your hair (with heat) for another couple of weeks.

I'd also suggest giving your hair a break and maybe bunning to keep it protected while you baby it back to health.

What type of regimen have you been using since the relaxer? I'm sure the experts will want to know what type of products you've used since..

 

[It~Can~Grow]

Me personally, I would lay off the lye(or no lye) for a minute. Get some garlic and cut it up. Put about 2 to 3 tablespoons of distilled water over it and nuke in microwave for about 30 seconds. Put that water in a nice condish and DC(cover with cap and sit for at least 30 minutes). This helps stop shedding. I would do a moisturizing DC before I'd do a protein. This is just my two cents, let's see what other choices you have. Hope you stop this in it's tracks!

Yes, what she said.

 

[Jadore_tay]

personally, when i had this problem and i used nioxin i experienced more hair breaking. try using a shampoo with garlic in it for sure and like the others said DC. good luck!

 

[chebaby]

im sorry to hear this. im am no by any means an expert but i would do a protein treatment like aphogee or joico and then do a moisturizing conditioning treatment with heat for atleast 45 minutes. then i would get a night time treatment that you could use for atleast a week. i know the mizani night time treatment worked for me the first time i used it

 

[BroadstreetBully]

I agree with the ladies above me. Rest your hair. Also, a good protein treatment might help stop some of the breakage at the demarcation line. Like another poster said, try bunning. Or even a wig, but use a wig cap if you do. You're going to have to baby it back to health.

 

[Rapunzel*]

Hi everyone,

i'm new to the forum and desperately need your help! About 8 weeks ago I got a bad relaxer and my hair has been falling out from the root! I've been using Nioxin but since my hair needs to be relaxed its shedding even more. My question is -

Should I get a relaxer this weekend and cut it so it looks somewhat fuller and start a serious hair growth regime (vitamins, protein reconstructors, the works)

OR

wait another week and get a protein treatment?

I'm scared of relaxing it this week because I almost cried at the salon so much hair came out! My hair was doing great but now its dangerously thin and dry. I appreciate any tips/suggestions!

no ones hair needs a relaxer

but i would try what the other ladies suggested and stay away from hot irons/flat irons/curling irons etc. and try roller setting your hair to avoid heat

the worst thing you could do is go back and get another relaxer wait another 3 weeks and baby your scalp and ends with olive or carrot oil cream

 

[HisBestFriend]

You and I are in the very same boat. I would strongly discourage you from relaxing, that will only make matters worse. When I was in a denial/deal with it stage, I tried for a month to do everything and anything I could think of. Garlic shampoos to stop the breaking/shedding, deep conditioners protein and moisturizing and NOTHING helped at all.

Eventually, I came to terms with my hair and the gigantic bald spot that I have. Now I have a sew in which I intend to keep for the next year.

 

[Jazala]

Did the relaxer burn your scalp? Maybe you need to see a Doctor about it before doing anything else that could make it worse.

 

[Blessed_Angel]

im sorry to hear this. im am no by any means an expert but i would do a protein treatment like aphogee or joico and then do a moisturizing conditioning treatment with heat for atleast 45 minutes. then i would get a night time treatment that you could use for atleast a week. i know the mizani night time treatment worked for me the first time i used it

I second that. Or you could use (Nexxus) Emergencee which is supposed to stop breakage for "hopelessly damaged breaking hair". Also, try to get a clarifying poo in case you need to remove any build-up (I love Kenra Clarifying and Chelating poo).

Best to you

 

[tash3278]

Thanks everyone for your responses! I guess I will wait another 3 weeks! Does anyone know of any relaxer alternatives that are not as damaging but will get my hair straight? Btw, I went to a dermatologist today and she recommended to stop relaxing all together but I don't think she knows too much about relaxers or black hair too much...

 

[LunadeMiel]

Thanks everyone for your responses! I guess I will wait another 3 weeks! Does anyone know of any relaxer alternatives that are not as damaging but will get my hair straight? Btw, I went to a dermatologist today and she recommended to stop relaxing all together but I don't think she knows too much about relaxers or black hair too much...

If a doctor is recommending that you stop relaxing then I think you should consider listening...

Also, she isn't giving you hair advice, she is giving you health advice.

I think you should lay off the relaxer until your scalp completely heals. If your hair is falling out from the root than you may have some follicle damage.

 

[JLove74]

Thanks everyone for your responses! I guess I will wait another 3 weeks! Does anyone know of any relaxer alternatives that are not as damaging but will get my hair straight? Btw, I went to a dermatologist today and she recommended to stop relaxing all together but I don't think she knows too much about relaxers or black hair too much...

I agree TOTALLY. I'm sure as a dermatologist (black, white or whatever) they know the harm relaxers and chemicals in general can do to our scalp. Listen to her.

I'm sure there are a few woman on the board, including myself that at some point had scalp burns. If not properly taken care of and given time to heal, can turn much worse. Just take this time to baby your hair and get a good regimen.

 

[tash3278]

You guys are 100% right but the natural look is so expensive and hard to maintain for me right now...I just want my hair to be straight and a relaxer is the only way (unless you guys have some other products because at this point I'm desperate!) I am definitely going to hold off on relaxers for a few weeks and see if the breakage stops. I'm also going to find a new hairdresser - I have been going to a Dominican salon and a lot of them apply the relaxer to your scalp and not just the new growth! I never thought it was an issue until now...

You guys are a HUGE help - I was on my way to getting a relaxer this weekend - I probably would have gone bald!

If anyone else has any other suggestions/tips PLEASE share! This forum is a great idea!

 

[AtlantaJJ]

Did the relaxer burn your scalp? Maybe you need to see a Doctor about it before doing anything else that could make it worse.

I agree with this, if your hair is falling out at the roots especially. I would go because you could have follicle damage.... I would see a dermatologist.

 

[AtlantaJJ]

I agree TOTALLY. I'm sure as a dermatologist (black, white or whatever) they know the harm relaxers and chemicals in general can do to our scalp. Listen to her.

I'm sure there are a few woman on the board, including myself that at some point had scalp burns. If not properly taken care of and given time to heal, can turn much worse. Just take this time to baby your hair and get a good regimen.

Listen to JLove, error on the side of caution. You can do some serious damage to your scalp and sometimes that can not be fixed.

 

[tash3278]

Do any of you guys have a good regimen that could help for this type of thing? I bought a B complex vitamin, Biotin, a multivitamin, and Nourishair. I'm going to buy some castor oil for my scalp as well....

I guess I'm going to have to bear with looking bad for a while but I don't want to risk doing more damage.

The dermatologist wasn't very helpful at all - she basically told me that most black women will end up bald by the time their middle aged (which at the rate I'm going will probably be true :-(

 

[JLove74]

You guys are 100% right but the natural look is so expensive and hard to maintain for me right now...I just want my hair to be straight and a relaxer is the only way (unless you guys have some other products because at this point I'm desperate!) I am definitely going to hold off on relaxers for a few weeks and see if the breakage stops. I'm also going to find a new hairdresser - I have been going to a Dominican salon and a lot of them apply the relaxer to your scalp and not just the new growth! I never thought it was an issue until now...

You guys are a HUGE help - I was on my way to getting a relaxer this weekend - I probably would have gone bald!

If anyone else has any other suggestions/tips PLEASE share! This forum is a great idea!

Natural hair is no more expensive to take care of than relaxed, IMO. Think about it this way - currently your hair and scalp are in a very fragile state, if you get another relaxer too soon you could run the risk of more damage, thus more trips to the dermatologist & more money with co-pays, medication, tests, etc.

But if you stretch or even decide to go natural, you will have no choice but to baby your hair. That doesn't mean more expensive products. If you currently go to the Dominican Salon, just get a wash and set (with DC), forget the blowout and let the curls fall where they may. Moisturize your scalp and hair and seal. Wrap at night and you're good to go.

think about long term savings and health of your hair instead of thinking that a having relaxer is cheaper.

 

[The Sweetest B]

All the ladies here give good advice. I am a newbie as well and I have spent a lot of time reading and reading this forum. Did I say I spend a lot of time reading this forum. I know I will be hitting the owner up for my Doctorate degree in a few. Anywho, one of the places that have helped me the most is Sista Slicks articles and I would highly recommend you read them. They have great information to get you started on the right track with your journey. You can find them here
www.fotki.com/sistaslick

HTH

 

[luckiestdestiny]

my fix all for hair shedding is mahabringaraj oil. You can get a cheap one at www.myfasthairgrowth.com for like $5.99 I believe. All you need is a little. Massage a little into your scalp each day, and on the day before wash day, put it in your prepoo (if you use garlic oil, put this in with it. I've heard others use garlic to stop shedding), and other oils (coconut, etc), and coat the entire hair shaft. Then wash out. Hope that helps.

 

[Platinum]

You guys are 100% right but the natural look is so expensive and hard to maintain for me right now...I just want my hair to be straight and a relaxer is the only way (unless you guys have some other products because at this point I'm desperate!) I am definitely going to hold off on relaxers for a few weeks and see if the breakage stops. I'm also going to find a new hairdresser - I have been going to a Dominican salon and a lot of them apply the relaxer to your scalp and not just the new growth! I never thought it was an issue until now...

You guys are a HUGE help - I was on my way to getting a relaxer this weekend - I probably would have gone bald!

If anyone else has any other suggestions/tips PLEASE share! This forum is a great idea!

Hi there! Welcome to the site! I agree with the others. Please, please, please do not get another relaxer until you correct the damage to you hair and scalp. You may want to try some natural alternatives to relaxers:

http://www.longhaircareforum.com/showthread.php?t=167391&highlight=coconut+lime

http://www.longhaircareforum.com/showthread.php?t=12363&highlight=coconut+lime

http://www.longhaircareforum.com/showthread.php?t=197039&highlight=coconut+lime

I hope this helps.

 

[tash3278]

Since I'm such a newbie I need help with some of the terms - whats a "seal" and a "prepoo?" How long do ladies suggest stretching my relaxers? I always thought that would lead to more breakage but I'm definitely going to give it a try..

 

[tash3278]

Sorry to post again - but I just checked out the cocunut and lime method of stretching your relaxers - when would you apply the mixture?

Thanks everyone!!!

 

[EbonyHairedPrincess]

It sounds like you need to stop putting relaxers in your hair completely. Healthy hair requires a lifestyle change. Start using hairstyles that don't require straight/relaxed hair. Your hair needs a break and 3 weeks isn't enough time you need to stop for 3 months or longer. I stretch for 3 months. This way I don't get overlapping when I relax because my hair has grown out and 1.5 to 2 inches. The way I grew my hair out was to find no heat/low manipulation styles for my hair and condition washing daily for moisture. Once your hair is healthy then you can slowly experiment with products and methods to see what works with your hair.

 

[Miss*Tress]

It sounds like you need to stop putting relaxers in your hair completely. Healthy hair requires a lifestyle change. Start using hairstyles that don't require straight/relaxed hair. Your hair needs a break and 3 weeks isn't enough time you need to stop for 3 months or longer. I stretch for 3 months. This way I don't get overlapping when I relax because my hair has grown out and 1.5 to 2 inches. The way I grew my hair out was to find no heat/low manipulation styles for my hair and condition washing daily for moisture. Once your hair is healthy then you can slowly experiment with products and methods to see what works with your hair.

I was just coming to say the same thing about waiting three months. Try wearing braidouts and twistouts until your scalp recovers completely.

 

[d-rock]

no ones hair needs a relaxer

I was thinking the exact same thing.

 

[d-rock]

Since I'm such a newbie I need help with some of the terms - whats a "seal" and a "prepoo?" How long do ladies suggest stretching my relaxers? I always thought that would lead to more breakage but I'm definitely going to give it a try..

Pre-poo is a conditioning treatment before shampooing. Personally my pre-poo is this Irish Moss mixed with a few important oils and a ORS conditioner. I leave it in overnight.

As for sealing, I not sure how to explain it properly, so I'll let another lady do that.

 

[tash3278]

soooo...I've been reading about this cocunut milk and lime juice thing and I think I'm sold - my hair isn't very coarse so I hope this "prepoo" allows me to stretch my relaxers (or maybe go natural) until my hair regains its length and strength. But can someone define "sealing" for me? Is that wrapping a scarf around your hair? I know it may sound like a stupid question but i'm new to this...

You guys are SO helpful!

 

[JLove74]

Since I'm such a newbie I need help with some of the terms - whats a "seal" and a "prepoo?" How long do ladies suggest stretching my relaxers? I always thought that would lead to more breakage but I'm definitely going to give it a try..

sealing is used to seal in the moisture of your hair. For instance you wash and condish, so your hair is wet, you apply a leave in and then seal with an oil of some type, paying close attention to the ends. You can seal/baggy daily - apply a moisturizer, then oil and using a sandwich bag cover your ponytail. this helps tremendously with attaining moisture.