Help...in braids...post trauma...need fresh start!

[Ladibug]

Hello,
I met a young lady with beautiful natural hair and she told me about this site (actually, she said she was addicted to it ) I spent about 5 hours reading the first visit.... I am catching up slowly on the lingo..but I am still trying to learn the hard and fast "hair rules" like conditioning rinses, supplements (I am trying the carrot juice and take a few supplements here and there)...I have braids currently (the first time ever, no relaxer since last September....but I am AWFUL with my natural hair....can't blow it straight, in tears from frustation, because I cannot manage it let alone style it...which makes me dependent upon hairdressers who cut it and do what they want. My hair does better when I am very fussy about what they can and cannot do, and when I don't let anyone touch it. I am not sure of what I am going to do with my hair when the braids come down. I had been pressing it, but don't like that much heat in my hair. HELP!!!
Can you send this to the group for suggestions for products to help me manage my hair in the inbetween phase, 2/3 relaxed, 1/3 my natural kinky ???type 4B hair. I love the shiny, silky look that many of you have.
I would like to wear my hair mostly straight, but with the natural thickness and body that I had when younger (unfortunately, it had a mind of its own then and I had no styling expertise)
Thanks!

PS - My hair seems to grow slowly and will need a major trim probably... any suggestions for encouraging hair growth? I am taking this very seriously and taking notes. Thanks

Questions (I always wondered about):
Any truth to anesthesia being very bad on the hair?
Does hair have a "set" length that it does not grow past?


New member = Ladibug

 

[jainygirl]

welcome to LHCF

now i know you will get tons of great advice, but all i wanna say is "no" i absolutely do not believe in the whole "set length" thing.....just because i dont see how the body would just stop growing hair..ya know ....

see ya on the boards -- jainygirl

 

[Vanessa22]

Welcome to LHCF!!! Any advice? Patience is the key!!! Learn to be patient and you'll be proud! Good luck!

 

[Chanteuse]

Hello,
Just curious, are you trying to transition to all natural hair or do you plan on relaxing again?

Cholesterol conditioner is great when you have a lot of new growth. If you have a bonnet dryer, sit under it w/ the cholesterol in your hair for about 10 min and then detangle/ comb through your hair (in sections) under the shower head. Your new growth will be easy to comb through (in the shower) and you should be able to wet style it easier as well.

As far as wearing your hair straight w/ a lot of new growth, personally I don't think that's a good idea - especially as the weather gets hotter. It takes more effort to get it straight and keep it straight (constantly using the flat iron to restraighten and using a pressing comb that much is worse IMO). I think that curly/natural looking styles are better for day to day wear when you have diffrent textures b/c you can camaflauge the new growth easier. HTH (hope that helps) and welcome aboard!

 

[msvaye]

Hello,
I was in the same boat as you are now. What I did was trimmed my hair, kept my hair in braids and moisturized everyday. I wear my hair natural (braid outs, twists, puffs). But I got the understanding that you wanted to wear straight styles which you can do also with natural hair (think Queen Latifah - pressed natural hair). But until you make a decision, I would recommend that you trim your hair if needed and possibly get it braided and moisturized until you are certain about which direction you want to take. With all the information on this site you can't go wrong!!

Wishing you the best!!

 

[NapturalGlory]

oh you're *transitioning*... no wonder!!! have you tried braid outs? braid your hair in about 10 sections and leave overnight. undo the next day to loosen and stretch out your hair.

good luck!

 

[greAtness333]

Welcome Ladibug!

You'll find a lot of help and info on this board. Someone asked this b4, but do you plan to relax after the braid or transition? If you plan on relaxing the key is to keep your new growth soft in order to manage both textures. A good conditioner and shea butter will help do the trick. I think you should get a trim when you take your braids out so that any breakage doesn't con't. up the hair shaft. How long is your hair? You could do braidouts to help conceal the new growth. Stay away from heat and wear protective styles.

Happy hair growing!

 

[Ladibug]

Thank you so much for your welcome!

Your hair is beautiful...so is your little one.
What is the obgai process? Anyway, any suggestions you have are welcomed....gotta get up to speed with the pics and posting stuff.
How often do you relax your hair and with what relaxer?

Ladibug

 

[Ladibug]

Hello,
Thank you so much for your reply. I am hoping to manage my natural hair and occasionally wear it straight (with lots of body). I would rather get into the bend of my own natural curl/kink and grow really strong natural hair. I am going to definitely try the cholesterol....Thanks!
How do you wear your hair?

 

[Ladibug]

Hello,
Thank you so much for taking the time to write. What did you use to moisturize your braids daily? I spray them occasionally, and I am starting to wonder what I could do to make it stronger. Any product suggestions?

 

[Ladibug]

Hello,
Thanks for the message. I am going to try the natural route first. I was so happy to reach this far with no relaxer on my scalp and then I began to shy away from the pressing comb. My hair was just about chin length and has never been below my shoulder blades really. I would like to have a natural thickness to my hair and know that it is not being damaged by my styling. I am going to take heed of the summertime warning of heat styling to keep straight. I am going to look for a shea butter conditioning spray for my braids for now and will let you guys know how the first wash goes with the cholesterol. Thanks!!!!