Help! Hair won't hold ANY Moisture after Overprocessing...

[FutureMD]

I'm hoping that someone has some suggestions...I have overprocessed hair...it's densely packed but somewhat fine, and an impertinent hairdresser that I had never seen before decided to reapply relaxer all over.
It's been 3 weeks. No matter what I do, my hair is dry as a bone. Everything that worked before has no effect now. It is dull looking and if I put product on and wear a scarf, it will feel so-so for a couple of hours and then it will be bone dry AGAIN.
It is chipping off b/c of the dryness. I don't want to go through months of looking crazy if I lose too much hair.
I'm not at the stage where it is super tangly (I've been there, many years ago, another silly stylist overprocessed me to the point that my hair came out in her sink).
I've tried jojoba oil, coconut oil, I've done one protein treatment (I know that too much will break off hair). I've used Silicon Mix conditioner and sat under the dyer with it and Porosity Control.
The horrible salon gave me some Bumble and Bumble Damage Therapy, but it seemed to be worst of all.
I don't know what else to try. My ends are even worse than the rest of it...

 

[SleepyJean]

I'm hoping that someone has some suggestions...I have overprocessed hair...it's densely packed but somewhat fine, and an impertinent hairdresser that I had never seen before decided to reapply relaxer all over.
It's been 3 weeks. No matter what I do, my hair is dry as a bone. Everything that worked before has no effect now. It is dull looking and if I put product on and wear a scarf, it will feel so-so for a couple of hours and then it will be bone dry AGAIN.
It is chipping off b/c of the dryness. I don't want to go through months of looking crazy if I lose too much hair.
I'm not at the stage where it is super tangly (I've been there, many years ago, another silly stylist overprocessed me to the point that my hair came out in her sink).
I've tried jojoba oil, coconut oil, I've done one protein treatment (I know that too much will break off hair). I've used Silicon Mix conditioner and sat under the dyer with it and Porosity Control.
The horrible salon gave me some Bumble and Bumble Damage Therapy, but it seemed to be worst of all.
I don't know what else to try. My ends are even worse than the rest of it...

I would say fight it! Put lots of oil and fight the dryness over and over again. I would just be relentless. There are many people who have grown out their hair that I know with overprocessed ends, but I want more answers too.

bump bump bump...

 

[RubyWoo]

Which protein treatment did you use?

I would do a series of moisturizing deep conditioning treatments at least once a week with heat for at least 15-20min. Since you already did a protien treatment, it sounds like you need more moisture. Also, since your hair is overprocessed, it may take some time for your hair to feel 'normal' again. It also may not because it is over processed. Only time will tell. I personally love Mizani Moisturfuse, ORS Replenishing conditioner and Redken All Soft Heavy Cream. Check out the following thread for other Moisturizing Conditioners that are popular here.
Good luck!

http://www.longhaircareforum.com/showthread.php?t=91873

 

[FutureMD]

I used some Nexxus Emergencee...I have Aphogee, but since moisture has been such an issue, I decided to use the weaker of my protein products for now. If I can get some kind of moisture to hold, I might try the Aphogee in a couple of weeks.

Well, normally my hair is quite soft after a wash and condition. Normally, my hair would not need any product for several days after a proper relaxer. Neither of those things was true this time. And it's MUCH straighter than it was, and this stylist did apply relaxer on relaxer, and not just at the end as a comb thru.

I've just never experienced this level of dryness. I mean, normally I can deep condition and then coast on that moisture for a while. Now I deep condition and by the time my hair is dry (and that's airdrying), it's bone dry.

Daily application of things like Humectress or other cream based conditioners does not help. Application of things like jojoba oil does not help.

I would point out that all of those things are in my bathroom b/c they normally give me great results. It's like I suddenly have someone else's hair and it's not responding at all.

 

[EMJazzy]

Slather your hair with a deep moisturizing conditioner, put on a conditioning cap and sleep in it overnight. Try that every other day for about a week and see if it helps.

Stylists like you described is why I'm a DIY'er.

 

[DivaRox]

You may need to do porosity treatments since your hair is sucking up moisture and drying out even faster. Maybe some porosity control condishes or acv rinses to assist your cuticle with drawing in.

 

[camosil]

From my experience this is what I would do.
1. Prepoo with Aubrey's Honeysuckle Rose Moisturizing conditioner for dry brittle hair which is the state of your hair now. Maybe add some coconut or jojoba oil as well. Apply heat for 20mins.
2. Shampoo with Moisturizing shampoo
3. Do an oil rinse
4. Apply moisturizing conditioner
5. Rinse and apply a good leave in and seal with oil

I would suggest you do this every 2-3 days with the second one maybe being a CO Wash. If shampooing twice for the week then lather only once.

Try this for at least a week or two and see what happens.

Also moisturize and seal twice a day or since it dries out fast then three times a day. Make sure every thing is water based because water is the best moisturizer for your hair.

 

[Longhealthyhair]

Your hair is overprocessed so you need to put moisture back into it. One way of doing this is by using water-based products (i.e., carefree curl gold spray or s-curl) and avoiding protein-based products. After you moisturize, you should BAGGY Daily (put a plastic cap over your whole head). If you baggy everyday (at night, for example) you can get the moisture back into your hair. You should also deep condition every 3 days for the next 2 weeks with moisturizing conditioners. Try to avoid protein for awhile unless its breaking a great deal.

If you really want to verify that you need moisture, do a strand test. Take a strand of hair and pull it apart and see if it snaps immediately without stretching at all (thus your hair is to brittle and needs moisture) or if it extends really far without breaking at all (thus its too moisturized and needs protein).

Good luck...

 

[HoneyDew]

Would you ever consider trying Fermodyl? It is a leave in that is really great for helping problems like these.

The 619 is my favorite for moisture, but 233 and 619 extra strength may help you as well. I would suggest, on your wet hair after conditioning, apply 1/2 ampoule of the 619 and 1/2 ampoule of the 233 and then apply a creamy leave-in or moisturizer then dry/style as usual.

It really helps.

 

[curlcomplexity]

I'm hoping that someone has some suggestions...I have overprocessed hair...it's densely packed but somewhat fine, and an impertinent hairdresser that I had never seen before decided to reapply relaxer all over.
It's been 3 weeks. No matter what I do, my hair is dry as a bone. Everything that worked before has no effect now. It is dull looking and if I put product on and wear a scarf, it will feel so-so for a couple of hours and then it will be bone dry AGAIN.
It is chipping off b/c of the dryness. I don't want to go through months of looking crazy if I lose too much hair.
I'm not at the stage where it is super tangly (I've been there, many years ago, another silly stylist overprocessed me to the point that my hair came out in her sink).
I've tried jojoba oil, coconut oil, I've done one protein treatment (I know that too much will break off hair). I've used Silicon Mix conditioner and sat under the dyer with it and Porosity Control.
The horrible salon gave me some Bumble and Bumble Damage Therapy, but it seemed to be worst of all.
I don't know what else to try. My ends are even worse than the rest of it...

Did you only use the Silicon Mix as the protein Conditioner? That may not have been a strong enough protein. Over-processed hair not only lacks moisture, but the protein bonds are completely broken down which makes the hair weak. A stronger protein treatment will coat the hair w/ protein so that the hair would be stronger. Of course w/ a stronger protein treatment, you will need a moisturizing conditioner.
I would clarify, then use a stronger protein first (i.e. Aphogee, Joico K-Pak, even Aubrey's Organics GPB), rinse well and then use a moisturizing conditioner (ORS Replenishing Pak, AO's Honeysuckle Rose, Humecto, ORS Hair Mayo). Sit under the dryer for about 20-30 minutes so that it penetrates and then rinse w/ cool water. Apply a good leave-in and stay away from styles that require direct heat for awhile. After this, try prepooing w/ a protein conditionerand DC'ing w/ a moisturizing conditioner weekly so that you have a balance of the two. I really hope that this helps you!

 

[tiffers]

Oh man, that sucks! I would suggest daily co-washing in the morning and whole head baggying at night. Also dc at least once a week and carry around a small spray bottle filled with water and conditioner (or whatever you wanna use) and spritz your hair as needed during the day. Keep us updated on what your progress! Good luck!

 

[Miss*Tress]

Did you only use the Silicon Mix as the protein Conditioner? That may not have been a strong enough protein. Over-processed hair not only lacks moisture, but the protein bonds are completely broken down which makes the hair weak. A stronger protein treatment will coat the hair w/ protein so that the hair would be stronger. Of course w/ a stronger protein treatment, you will need a moisturizing conditioner.
I would clarify, then use a stronger protein first (i.e. Aphogee, Joico K-Pak, even Aubrey's Organics GPB), rinse well and then use a moisturizing conditioner (ORS Replenishing Pak, AO's Honeysuckle Rose, Humecto, ORS Hair Mayo). Sit under the dryer for about 20-30 minutes so that it penetrates and then rinse w/ cool water. Apply a good leave-in and stay away from styles that require direct heat for awhile. After this, try prepooing w/ a protein conditionerand DC'ing w/ a moisturizing conditioner weekly so that you have a balance of the two. I really hope that this helps you!

I just want to reiterate qtslim83's post. She has given you some excellent advice.

Overprocessed hair is weakened hair because the protein bonds have been broken down too far. You'll have to use protein and moisture in tandem until the overprocessed length grows out. Also get micro trims every 3-4 months or so until the damaged hair is entirely gone.

I've been in the same situation as you and it took a year of protective styles, trims, and no heat for me to achieve a healthy basis for longer hair. I was just past shoulder length when my woes started.

 

[Brownie518]

Would you ever consider trying Fermodyl? It is a leave in that is really great for helping problems like these.

The 619 is my favorite for moisture, but 233 and 619 extra strength may help you as well. I would suggest, on your wet hair after conditioning, apply 1/2 ampoule of the 619 and 1/2 ampoule of the 233 and then apply a creamy leave-in or moisturizer then dry/style as usual.

It really helps.

The 619 definitely helped me thru my recent bad dry spell. I couldn't moisturize my hair for anything. I started using ORS packs, Aveda Brilliant conditioner, and Design Essentials Super Moisturizing conditioner for DC's with heat. I did it every three days. If I needed protein, I used Redken Deep Fuel. I have always done oil rinses and I kept that up, using Castor oil and amla oil. I made sure to use my most moisturizing poo, Elucence MB. I also increased my cowashes. My hair has never felt better. This rough patch led me to a better understanding of my hair and its needs. Oh, and Dove Sheer Moisture Replenishing Mist really helped a lot, too.

 

[FutureMD]

Thanks so much for all of the information...thank goodness I do have most of the things that you mentioned, although I think I have more protein conditioners than moisturizing ones...just read about that Aubrey...I'll have to get some b/c as I rifled through my stuff I realized I didn't have a straight moisturing conditioner.

I mixed extra jojoba oil with Silicon Mix for my latest wash (in progress), and I slept in it, so I'll need to finish up now.

Nexxus Emergencee is the protein that I'd used so far. I have the Aphogee but felt I needed to get the moisture to hold before I went there.

Just wondering, and you can post a link b/c I'm sure that it's been discussed elsewhere...what exactly do you mean about the baggies and the co-washes? And what is "ACV"

I'll start spritzing while I'm out too...I've been applying stuff and putting on my scarf when home...it hadn't occured to me to spray product on during the day, which is clearly now necessary.

Irony or ironies, I was a do-it-yourselfer for ages and gradually got back into the salon habit in the past 2 years...at first just for cutting, and then since Jan. with my relaxers. I had 2 great stylists, one in Chicago and one in Detroit, and they had me lightly relaxed to great results. I lived in Detroit for ages, and I visited Chicago frequently, and there it's a lot easier to find a good stylist. In Detroit, I salon hopped for years to good results.

I did a big chop last July and this past March that took me above APL (which shocked me at first but seeing how great it looked got me over that really fast) but my hair is right now rapidly approaching BSL(and that was with two healthy trims) ...it just didn't take a long time to grow out, there was no breakage and the ends were thick and easy to keep moisturized, so I'm really mad that one willful stylist took all of that away.

Oh well, it will grow back, but it just requires a LOT more time than before. So much easier to keep moisture in it when it was lightly relaxed.

I love my hair's texture and volume way more than length. So getting that back is my main priority. My final goal wasn't super long...I really just wanted to keep that texture that I had, plus another few inches max. I'll be happy when my hair starts waving up again. I'm a big hair girl...

 

[hothair]

Sawwy about your hair. I think a lot of the ideas are really good but maybe you should start by neutralising your hair to bring the PH of your hair back to normal. ACV is Apple Cider Vinegar and is used by most (me included) to clarify and seal cuticles i dilute a cap with half an applicator bottle of water... but you may need to start with a proper neutralising shampoo I would say lather your hair with it and let it sit for 5-10 mins then follow with a DC (a balance of moisture and protein) hopefully it gets better, keep updated on what's up

 

[curlcomplexity]

I just want to reiterate qtslim83's post. She has given you some excellent advice.

Overprocessed hair is weakened hair because the protein bonds have been broken down too far. You'll have to use protein and moisture in tandem until the overprocessed length grows out. Also get micro trims every 3-4 months or so until the damaged hair is entirely gone.

I've been in the same situation as you and it took a year of protective styles, trims, and no heat for me to achieve a healthy basis for longer hair. I was just past shoulder length when my woes started.

Aww thanks!

 

[tiffers]

Just wondering, and you can post a link b/c I'm sure that it's been discussed elsewhere...what exactly do you mean about the baggies and the co-washes? And what is "ACV"

Co-washing is when you wash your hair with just conditioner, no shampoo. What I do is, when I get in the shower, I wet my hair, slather on V05 and finish washing myself off. After I'm done with my shower, I rinse out the conditioner

Baggying is just putting a little bit of moisturizer and oil on your hair and putting a shower cap on overnight. That's called whole head baggying. Or you could do a partial baggy by putting your hair in a ponyail and putting a sandwhich baggy (the kind w/ the zipper) over the ponytail

HTH!

 

[FutureMD]

Thanks so much for all of the advice...I'll keep trying. It's pretty scary...3 1/2 weeks since the disaster and my ends just won't hold...my ends looked freshly cut and thick and blunt when i went to the house of horrors passing as a salon, and now it looks like horrible.

There is no evidence of any texture at all to my hair. I washed and deep conditioned (sleeping in it overnight) and carefully set my hair. I used Lacio Lacio and jojoba oil. But when I combed it out, it was still shedding all over the place. My hair hasn't shed any in 6 months, and definitely didn't shed like this before.

I think the salon is going to be hearing from me again...they just don't need to offer relaxers if they aren't going to make sure that their people have a clue. They are all so ignorant. Their customer service rep was white and clueless and tried to say "oh, dryness is normal after a relaxer." Right, b/c everyone hair breaks off each time they comb it and requires constant application of product to remain totally dry. I can't believe that she tried to act like she knew anything about black hair.

Yeah, 4 hours since I took my rollers out (and I'm great at roller setting, learned how to do it in middle school, used end papers, keep my hair wet while doing it, etc.), and you'd never know that I had done all of that work.

 

[curlcomplexity]

Thanks so much for all of the advice...I'll keep trying. It's pretty scary...3 1/2 weeks since the disaster and my ends just won't hold...my ends looked freshly cut and thick and blunt when i went to the house of horrors passing as a salon, and now it looks like horrible.

There is no evidence of any texture at all to my hair. I washed and deep conditioned (sleeping in it overnight) and carefully set my hair. I used Lacio Lacio and jojoba oil. But when I combed it out, it was still shedding all over the place. My hair hasn't shed any in 6 months, and definitely didn't shed like this before.

I think the salon is going to be hearing from me again...they just don't need to offer relaxers if they aren't going to make sure that their people have a clue. They are all so ignorant. Their customer service rep was white and clueless and tried to say "oh, dryness is normal after a relaxer." Right, b/c everyone hair breaks off each time they comb it and requires constant application of product to remain totally dry. I can't believe that she tried to act like she knew anything about black hair.

Yeah, 4 hours since I took my rollers out (and I'm great at roller setting, learned how to do it in middle school, used end papers, keep my hair wet while doing it, etc.), and you'd never know that I had done all of that work.

(((HUGS))) Good luck, let us know if you need anymore assistance. BTW, I may have to holld @ you about rollersetting!

 

[peacelove]

I would also suggest, especially since you have fine hair, to clarify before you try your treatments next time. Good luck!

 

[sunshinebeautiful]

Co-signing on the need for more moisture. Try a real good deep conditioning with a moisturizing conditioner to get moisture back into your hair. Repeat a couple of times to see if it doesn't help.

 

[FutureMD]

Thanks so much for all of the advice and support, and if anyone has any rollersetting questions, I'd be more than happy to answer them...