HELP, big bald spot, frustrated newbie in Paris

[kimbaparis]

I am a newbie. I have 4B fine strands but thick hair (lots of it). An American in Paris. I have been reading and watching the long hair care forum from afar. It's been helping a a lot. I took my hair out of braids and got a relaxer at the Phyto salon. (Yes there is a Phytorelaxer salon in Paris. They only relax. Nothing else.) I've been following all of the rules, moisture, protein, co-wash, even had my mom send MTG from the U.S. I also take hair vitamins andd drink lots of water and I work out 4 times a week. I stretched to 9 weeks and after my second relaxer my hair started breaking. I did an Aphoghee treatment as I did the first time but still breakage. Now I have a huge broken spot in the middle left of my 5-inch wavy afro. I am so sad. I think either I didn't rinse out the Aphoghee or she overlapped. I am so frustrated and want to get a protective weave. After 6 years I am sick of braids. Can anyone reccommend a really good salon in NYC? I would like movie star quality weave (Joy Bryant like). How long does that last and cost?
I am very sad. I worked so hard at it. I have always had such trouble with my hair. That's why its only 6 inches long after all that time in braids. I just want it to be pretty for once.

 

[january noir]

I am a newbie. I have 4B fine strands but thick hair (lots of it). An American in Paris. I have been reading and watching the long hair care forum from afar. It's been helping a a lot. I took my hair out of braids and got a relaxer at the Phyto salon. (Yes there is a Phytorelaxer salon in Paris. They only relax. Nothing else.) I've been following all of the rules, moisture, protein, co-wash, even had my mom send MTG from the U.S. I also take hair vitamins andd drink lots of water and I work out 4 times a week. I stretched to 9 weeks and after my second relaxer my hair started breaking. I did an Aphoghee treatment as I did the first time but still breakage. Now I have a huge broken spot in the middle left of my 5-inch wavy afro. I am so sad. I think either I didn't rinse out the Aphoghee or she overlapped. I am so frustrated and want to get a protective weave. After 6 years I am sick of braids. Can anyone reccommend a really good salon in NYC? I would like movie star quality weave (Joy Bryant like). How long does that last and cost?
I am very sad. I worked so hard at it. I have always had such trouble with my hair. That's why its only 6 inches long after all that time in braids. I just want it to be pretty for once.

Hi Kimbaparis,

I am a newbie to this site as well. Welcome! I've always wanted to live in Paris, but still here in New Jersey! LOL!

I feel you...one question for you. Do you manipulate your hair alot? I have learned that the key to "healthy" hair is to keep your hands out of it! My observation over the years has been people who manipulate (pull, tug, touch and finger their strands consciously or unconsciouly make the situation worse).

Find a stylist who is as much a fanatic about having healthy hair versus a stylist who wants to style your hair without regard to the stress your hair can take.

Another observation...braids are not always the most protective style depending on your hair. If you have had good results with braids then you continue to braid.

And last, but not least...Have patience - troubled areas need to respond to a treatment.

Good Luck and hang in there! It does get better...

Hugz,
January Noir

 

[Je Ne Sais Quoi]

I don't really have much advice besides continuing to massage that area and give it extra tlc. I just wanted to let you know I understand your frustration and to tell you that with time and patience (which I don't have myself ) it will get better. Do you think the repeated braid wearing had something to do with the breakage too?

 

[kimbaparis]

thanks so much for your support. it had broken off from the braids which is one reason i put them back in after the first time i tried to wear my own hair.
i babied it in the braids for a year. i took them out every 8 weeks, and it seemed to grow. the first phytorelaxer was great--no breakage, just some shedding. second time it was like my hair was straw. and i have been taking such good care of it. i do admit that i can't stop touching it. but i only touch it with love. i am thinking about getting a weave and waiting for it to grow in again. i think that spot is just fragile and i may have to wrap it in a warm blanket of conditioner/moisturizer daily. but i still havent found that right moisture protein mix. i am trying but each day i seem to get closer to the point of bad hair.

 

[Allandra]

Hi Kim,

I don't live in NYC, but there are a lot of ladies on this board that do. Hopefully, some of them will chime in on this thread and give you some good salon recommendations. Did you also visit the salon forum on this board? There's some info there as well.

 

[january noir]

Hi Kimbaparis,

I had a spot too. I have very fragile hair and every part of my hair grew around the spot and the spot stayed. Boy was I depressed. After about a year or so with babying my hair and keeping my fingers away from the spot it MAGICALLY grew in and today you would never know that I had a problem.

Some of us have many types of hair on our heads (spongy in some sections, wavy in others, etc.) and makes haircare frustrating at best.

Moisture for me was the key ... my stylist would tell me all the time to eat right, get proper rest and tie my hair up in a silk or satin scarf at night. Pin your hair up when can (gently of course) and you will see a difference after awhile. Protective care (minimum heat, gentle combouts, pincurling and no-stress styles) are a must. Even weaves when not done or cared for properly will cause your hair to break. What helps too is finding a "GREAT" wig or two that you can throw on when you need to go out in public when your hair ain't acting right! Have it cut and styled to your face and it can be such a FASHION statement!

Again, search for a good haircare stylist - mine would also say "I can see what you can't!" and build a relationship. Having a good haircare specialist is akin to having a good doctor, lawyer and jeweler!

I love the hair photos I see on this forum and I get so jealous when I see the LUSH, THICK heads sometime. I have thin hair (genetics), but the most important thing I remember is be your OWN personal BEST! HEALTHY hair is first, LENGTH second...

Keep your "head" up!

Hugz,
January Noir

 

[kimbaparis]

Hi Kimbaparis,

I had a spot too. I have very fragile hair and every part of my hair grew around the spot and the spot stayed. Boy was I depressed. After about a year or so with babying my hair and keeping my fingers away from the spot it MAGICALLY grew in and today you would never know that I had a problem.

Some of us have many types of hair on our heads (spongy in some sections, wavy in others, etc.) and makes haircare frustrating at best.

Moisture for me was the key ... my stylist would tell me all the time to eat right, get proper rest and tie my hair up in a silk or satin scarf at night. Pin your hair up when can (gently of course) and you will see a difference after awhile. Protective care (minimum heat, gentle combouts, pincurling and no-stress styles) are a must. Even weaves when not done or cared for properly will cause your hair to break. What helps too is finding a "GREAT" wig or two that you can throw on when you need to go out in public when your hair ain't acting right! Have it cut and styled to your face and it can be such a FASHION statement!

Again, search for a good haircare stylist - mine would also say "I can see what you can't!" and build a relationship. Having a good haircare specialist is akin to having a good doctor, lawyer and jeweler!

I love the hair photos I see on this forum and I get so jealous when I see the LUSH, THICK heads sometime. I have thin hair (genetics), but the most important thing I remember is be your OWN personal BEST! HEALTHY hair is first, LENGTH second...

Keep your "head" up!

Hugz,
January Noir

thank you for the support jannoir. i am going to be a moisture freak for the next few months. 2x a week deep condition and no touching! except for the massage. maybe that and the MTG will do it. i don't know why i am so loathe to try a wig. i have bad memories of my mother having an "at home" look and an outdoors look. i can work a head wrap though. i may have to go down to the fabric store and get some pretty material.