HELP-The oven burned my hair

[nycutiepie]

I know this sounds crazy but it's true. My friend was making lasagna and he was having problems lighting my oven and I tried to help. I had the lighter in my hand and the gas was on and the next thing I know is flames.......shot straight up at me and must have singed (sp?) my hair. I was trying to be cute and had my ends exposed which I NEVER do, but he's new and I haven't sprung the haircult traits on him as yet. I usually ease them into it . Anyway, I didn't realize it at first because I was mostly concerned with the burning sensation on my fingers but when I ran in the bathroom, I had crispy little pieces falling out and that burnt hair smell. I actually started crying. It didn't seem like a lot but the front of my hair is noticeably thinner. My hair is thin to begin with and I can't afford to lose any more. I think it mostly caught my ends but I really can't tell because my hair hasn't been washed in a week and it's a HAM in a poofy bun with a clawclip on it. I feel like I was punished because I was supposed to relax this weekend and I didn't and now I feel like all my progress is probably down the drain .

Now here is my dilemma and I hope somebody can offer some help because even though it's just hair, I'm very depressed and don't know a thing about burnt hair. I need to relax because I'm breaking/shedding (over 16 weeks post). I moisturized and sealed my situation but it's still a HAM because I'm so far post and need to touchup or wash. Please give your opinion on the following:

Should I relax?

Assuming that I am going to relax the newgrowth only, should I coat the rest of my hair with something else to protect it? If so, what?

If I shouldn't relax, why not?

If I don't relax, what should I do because my hair is dirty and is a HAM?

Are there any products/ingredients that don't mix well with burnt hair (i.e., things I should stay away from)?

Are there any products/ingredients that can help burnt hair?

I know some of you must have fried yourselves with the curling iron at some point in the past, so pleeeeeeeeease give me some suggestions. Thanks in advance for any help ladies because I'm a wreck right about now.

Oh, the only good thing about this story is the fact that the lasagna was da bomb and he's a cutie that can cook .

 

[Mocha5]

(((Hugs))) I'm sooo sorry this happened to you. It'll grow back even longer and stronger than it was before. I would say trim it to make sure that all of the singed ends are off. Then I would conwash, then strengthen it with a protein treatment, thicken it with henna, and moisturize, moisturize, moisturize BEFORE relaxing. Sorry, mama, but I would go at least another 3-4 weeks before relaxing just to ensure that it's strong enough. But I'm no expert. Everything I have learned has been from the ladies on the board. Here's a link though:

http://malaysia.answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20070329161910AAibA0p

And you're not being punished. We learn from setbacks and they strengthen us.

 

[StrawberryQueen]

You should really wait on the relaxer, you might melt that burned hair right off. I have singed my hair on a hot comb, and after a few months (about 3) it was ok again. I had to really condition and baby it.

 

[Divalicious]

IMO, I don't think you should relax your hair at this time because your hair seems to be fragile at this point in time.

 

[crlsweetie912]

I would relax, but I would give it a week or two so you could baby it and get in a few deep conditioning treatments. I would put some porosity control over the burnt area to protect it just in case any relaxer got on the burnt part.

 

[tarheelgurl]

Oh man, I am so sorry that happened to you. If I were you I wouldn't relax right away.

 

[Lucie]

Why don't you wash your hair, so that you can accurately assess the situation?

I do not suggest you relax your hair after what you went through. Especially since it burned the front. Do you have a great stylist that can give you some tips?

 

[nycutiepie]

Thank you soooooooo much ladies. It seems like the consensus so far is NOT to relax. The only reason I want to relax is because I had already planned to since I'm having shedding/tangling issues. This is the longest I've ever stretched (16+) since I've only gone 12 weeks in the past. I lost a lot of hair during my last wash and I wasn't comfortable with that. My hair was in pretty good condition prior to this and I really think the burning occured mostly on the ends but I can't tell for sure since it's dirty and bunned. I'm curious to hear from someone that thinks I can relax safely although I think I may wait and just cut off some more ends and just wash/DC/moisturize. Please keep the suggestions coming because I'm a wreck.

 

[nycutiepie]

I see someone gave this thread one star which is kind of cruel considering the circumstances and the fact that I'm asking for help. Anyway, thanks again ladies and the link was helpful Mocha.

 

[StrawberryQueen]

I see someone gave this thread one star which is kind of cruel considering the circumstances and the fact that I'm asking for help. Anyway, thanks again ladies and the link was helpful Mocha.

It's ok, I gave you 5 stars.

 

[nycutiepie]

It's ok, I gave you 5 stars.

You are funny . I really didn't care....... I just thought it was cruel considering the situation but thanks girl and thanks for your suggestion too.

 

[Mocha5]

The star rating is soooo "high school"

 

[Junonia]

I would wait to relax and maybe go to stylist and get their opinion. I am sorry this happen to you.

 

[Ladyhenri]

Wow, i am sorry this happened to you...it sound horrific.
I would certainly not relax yet, but i would start doing different treatments on your hair straight away.
All the same, pls put your chin up. It could have been way worse(ie scarring on face or body + hospital). Your hair will grow back, thicker and stronger.
I think silky tresses mentioned once that she had some kind of fire accident when she was younger but her hair is stunning now.

This being said, have you noticed that many of the product we leave in our hair are highly flammable? Pls be carefull

 

[nycutiepie]

Thanks Henrietta. I took everyone's suggestion and I didn't relax and I'm glad. I had to cut about 2 inches off so I lost a lot of my progress but I have a new found love......Shikakai powder. I saw someone on the board mention it and I prepoo'd with a concoction of Shikakai, Elucence MBC, Amla, Vatika, JBCO and Oilive Oil and I hardly lost any hair and I'm 16+ weeks. I then shampoo'd and dc'd with Cathy Howse's protein conditioner mixed with JBCO and then rinsed with Porosity Control and my hair is stronger than ever. Thanks for everyone's suggestions!