HELP! I think I stretched too long!

[Kamilah]

...anyone have any suggestions on how to get rid of this MATTING?!?! Wet or dry? Should I put some oil on it? I have that IMPOSSIBLE 4a hair that wants to lock up even after a fresh relaxer! I havent been combing it...just fingering parting it to oil my scalp every night...and I was fine until my last wash this weekend. Now I'm locking like a mug

 

[LionQueen]

Try A LOT of a cheapie conditioner (or any one that gives you good "slip") You may need to add some type of oil, jojoba, olive, carrot, etc to the conditioner to get better "slip".

I've used Suave Milk and Honey to detangle.

Totally saturate your hair with the conditioner, you want your hair "juicy". =)

Keep yourself calm, and be patient (so you don't end up ripping your hair out - the "hair locking" has you anxious, you just want your hair to be back "right" - but TAKE YOUR TIME)

DO SMALL SECTIONS AT A TIME, don't try to comb through a whole side of your head.

Detangle starting from your ends using a wide toothed comb ( I use a Jilbere Shower comb or a Plastic K-Cutter/long toothed pick), continuing up the length of hair to the roots. Twist or braid each section after you've detangled it to keep it "in line" =).

Relax, and take your time.

It sounds like you haven't totally detangled your hair in a while. DON'T STRESS too much about shed hair. We're supposed to normally shed up to 100 hairs daily, if you haven't detangled in a while, these will get twisted up in your hair. When you DO finally comb through, it seems like you're losing a lot of hair.

And "listen" while you're combing out. If you're hearing a lot of "snapping", "juice" your section up with more conditioner, maybe make your section smaller, and TAKE YOUR TIME. =)

You CAN get it untangled!

Hope this helps!!

 

[deontaer]

Yeah, the main thing is to take your time. I experianced hellafied matting a couple years ago after taking my braids out and washing my hair without combing it first (my young and dumb days ) It took 3 days and 2 friends to help me detangle my hair, but I was able to do it. Just relax, relate, release. Pop in a good movie and get a really good detangling conditioner. I'd get something that softens the hair a little, like Elasta QP's Intense conditioner...or even the breakage control serum. The serum has saved my fine, easily tangled hair on many occasions, but only after I packed it on and sat under the dryer for about 20 -30 min

 

[janeemat]

...anyone have any suggestions on how to get rid of this MATTING?!?! Wet or dry? Should I put some oil on it? I have that IMPOSSIBLE 4a hair that wants to lock up even after a fresh relaxer! I havent been combing it...just fingering parting it to oil my scalp every night...and I was fine until my last wash this weekend. Now I'm locking like a mug

How long did you stretch this time? Was this your first stretch? I just stretched 12wks and I really have not had a problem detangling. Of course I detangle under running water, add lots of leave ins and proceed to roller set. Hat's off to whoever suggested detangling under running water. As the other ladies said, part in small sections and take your time. I'm sure that you will get them out.

 

[amwcah]

I agree with the other ladies. RELAX!!! You can detangle it!! Put lots of conditioner on your hair and let it sit over night if possible. If you have coconut oil, EVOO, and almond oil add these to your conditioners for softness and detangling. Keep us posted!

 

[KiniKakes]

Try A LOT of a cheapie conditioner (or any one that gives you good "slip") You may need to add some type of oil, jojoba, olive, carrot, etc to the conditioner to get better "slip".

I've used Suave Milk and Honey to detangle.

Totally saturate your hair with the conditioner, you want your hair "juicy". =)

Keep yourself calm, and be patient (so you don't end up ripping your hair out - the "hair locking" has you anxious, you just want your hair to be back "right" - but TAKE YOUR TIME)

DO SMALL SECTIONS AT A TIME, don't try to comb through a whole side of your head.

Detangle starting from your ends using a wide toothed comb ( I use a Jilbere Shower comb or a Plastic K-Cutter/long toothed pick), continuing up the length of hair to the roots. Twist or braid each section after you've detangled it to keep it "in line" =).

Relax, and take your time.

It sounds like you haven't totally detangled your hair in a while. DON'T STRESS too much about shed hair. We're supposed to normally shed up to 100 hairs daily, if you haven't detangled in a while, these will get twisted up in your hair. When you DO finally comb through, it seems like you're losing a lot of hair.

And "listen" while you're combing out. If you're hearing a lot of "snapping", "juice" your section up with more conditioner, maybe make your section smaller, and TAKE YOUR TIME. =)

You CAN get it untangled!

Hope this helps!!

Yes, I agree with this completely!!!!

 

[Leonora]

Gurlllll, let me jump right on in.

I am a 3c/4a and 1/3 of my hair in the back is 4a - it would be way back there - I am currently 3 mos into a 4 mo relaxer stretch. My hair was matting so bad that I could hear it breaking-off whenever I tried unsuccessfully to comb it. I spent so much time searching for a remedy on the LHCF board last week that I missed a whole day.

Anyway, I used the protein/moisturizer combo treatment (protein treatment for 1 hr or more followed by moisturizer for as long as I could), rinsed it out in the shower, then I added some frizz ease and voila!

Use whatever slip agent works best for you but I just started using Frizz Ease (Thanks Sylver2 for the rec!) and it works nicely for me.

Try it - it might just make you a very happy women. Good luck!

 

[glamazon386]

Put some conditioner in it over night and try detangling in the morning. That should help.

 

[Avin'sMom2010]

I have 4a hair in the back also what works for me is conditioner washing everyday this keeps it from matting, if I go longer than a day that section of my hair will lock and mat.

 

[Kamilah]

Thanks so much ladies!

I didn't even DEAL with it today...just slapped some more vatika on it and braided the ends up for the night like always. Tomorrow night I'm going in for the challenge. I'll pick up some coconut oil and some frizz ease (serum?) tomorrow before I get started. I'm about 11 wks post I think (last relaxer 12/15) and I usually have breakage at week 7 like clockwork. When I didn't get it this time, I kept going. About two weeks ago I started having a bit of shedding, but no matting which is the second reason I don't usually stretch.

This past weekend I applied the henna, hoping to sort of release the curl from my roots to make this stretch go by a bit easier. I don't know if the henna itself was the problem, but the day after I rinsed it out I noticed the matting had started in a small portion of my hair. Maybe it's because I didn't feel around for it, but now I feel it all over. EEK!

I had been using silicon mix, as well as a ton of other stuff (my hair is abnormally strawlike and dry under natural conditions) ...so it's time for me to clarify. Should I do that before I put all this conditoner in? Do I apply the conditioner to dry hair?

Thanks SO MUCH in advance yall! I'll check for replies and let you know what happened on Friday! Hopefully my lil head of hair can make it thru this!

 

[nelli711]

IMO, I don't think you should clarify first. Doing that may make it worse. I would put the conditioner on dry hair and let it soak in and soften up your strands.

 

[Divine Inspiration]

When I had the same problem, ACV rinses were the only thing that helped.