HELP - What's wrong with my HAIR?

[Lengthwanted]

HELP - What\'s wrong with my HAIR?

I don't know who to ask or who to go to in order to get a correct answer. This has never happened to me. I thought that I could rectify the problem but I may have misdiagnosed the problem because nothing is helping. I don't know if my hair was overprocessed, stripped by something or what.

This is the problem: My strands are thinning, meaning a strand appears to be spliting into two (not split ends though) but like a strand is stripped. Last night I did a roller set and as I was combing the ends with a fine tooth comb to get them straight b4 putting the roller in it I noticed so much of this happening (lots of hair in the comb). This began happenening after I got my second touchup at this salon. I think it may have started slightly after my first touchup at this salon but I did not know what was going on.

I diagnosed this as shedding and did the aphogee treatment. It worked the first time for about a week. Then the second time, nothing. Now I'm not sure if I need to cut (which I do not want to do) the damaged hair or what to do, who to ask or where to go. I was able to handle it up until this point since I was on the bun challenge and only did co washes and pulled back into a bun, but now I'm very concerned.

I want to get a touchup next week but I'm a little scared to get it done at this point... 16 weeks post relaxer.

Any suggestions, ideas?

 

[Nonie]

Re: HELP - What\'s wrong with my HAIR?

LW, read this chapter on hair damage (click NEXT PAGE to start reading). Split ends are the beginnings of the hair cuticle being worn out and if it's completely stripped then your hair will appear thinner and is considered damaged beyond repair. Overprocessing I believe can do this. What you described is how my hair looked before I decided to transition in braids and I know in my case overprocessing was to blame. According to the Pantene website I just gave a link to, once your hair cortex has been damaged, the only solution is to cut the hair.

Does your hair appear thin all the way down the strand or just part-way down? Coz you may only need to trim off the thin part. I'd also start taking B5 to help thicken the strands that you grow from now on.

Hugs,

 

[CocoaCure]

Re: HELP - What\'s wrong with my HAIR?

I noticed that you said you used the Aphogee treatment and that it worked for like a week, but not the second time? Did you use the Aphogee again a week later?? If so, this could be part of the problem! This stuff is a great product, but it's VERY VERY VERY VERY VERY VERY STRONG!!!!!! It's not to be used very close together AT ALL!!! Use it once, then moisturize the heck out of your hair like your life depends on it............then put it back into a bun to save it all the combing that you have to do to roller set. You want to build up all your strands and the Aphogee protein WILL do that, but if you use it too often it will have the opposite affect and break your hair wiht overprotein - similar to overprocessing. Basically it's like anything else in life - moderation is the key! Now when it comes to moisturizing - that's about the only thing we CAN overdo! Our hair is naturally dryer and if you have a relaxer (like me) then it's doubly, triply dry and this must be combated on a twice to three times daily basis like we're going to war! Hope this helps!!! Also I think this salon may be part of the problem! I would cease going there. It sounds like they're not neutralizing you properly! Also you should follow with a neutralizing shampoo when you don't trust the salon! I HATE salons! There are good ones out there, but they are few and far between! I leave my hair in my own loving, caring, trustworthy hands! Ask around to some people with hair you admire and check out their salons!! Or see the section on this board for a salon recommendation in your area!

 

[Lengthwanted]

Re: HELP - What\'s wrong with my HAIR?

thanks for the info. I have no idea how to diagnose it. I thought it was just shedding. Now I have no idea what is the problem - could be a combination of shedding, breaking, overprocessed hair.

I have been taken vitamins for awhile as indicated below. I just have to make the decision of what to do now/next.

Option 1: Touch-up new growth myself and then decide on how much needs to be cut.

Option 2: Go to Luisa's salon (recommended salon on the board) and ask about a corrective touchup. Get a trim/cut.

My hair is just about at my bra strap. I wouldn't know how much needs to be cut.

 

[Lengthwanted]

Re: HELP - What\'s wrong with my HAIR?

Thanks Cocoa. No I did not use the Aphogee back to back. I used it after a 4 week span. Believe I have not gone back and do not plan to go back to that salon. It was recommendation from a coworker. And I went a couple times for hairstyles and decided to let them do my touchup after they did a wonderful job on the hairdo's. It was apparently the wrong decision. As you can see I am 15 weeks post relaxer (and that was the one they put in) Since then I have been doing the bun challenge and doing daily co washes (believe me I was keeping it moisturized and miniminzing combing). When I decided to do this roller set last night I could really see the damage in my hair was not getting better even with moisturizing, protective styles and tlc.

I just need an expert to look at my hair and say what is the problem and how it can be solve.

 

[kenyana]

Re: HELP - What\'s wrong with my HAIR?

I'm so sorry this happened 2 u.
What relaxer did they use?
How long did they leave it in?
Are all the hair strands affected or just a particular part?

 

[Lengthwanted]

Re: HELP - What\'s wrong with my HAIR?

Me too. If I have to get my hair cut to my chin or above my shoulder I am going to be crying for a long time. It was an Action Exclusives perm. I've never heard of this perm and really know nothing about it. I was giving myself touchups prior to this with African Pride no-lye with no problems with my hair.

I don't remember how long they left it in. I thought they knew what they were doing so I was not on my guard like I should have been.

Yes, all the strands are affected.

 

[jd_bdfly]

Re: HELP - What\'s wrong with my HAIR?

Did they put the perm all through your hair or just on the newgrowth?

 

[Lengthwanted]

Re: HELP - What\'s wrong with my HAIR?

new growth only

 

[kenyana]

Re: HELP - What\'s wrong with my HAIR?

I've never heard of that relaxer and a google search didn't come up with any info on it either...
If not much else changed in ur regimen then we can safely assume that the new relaxer caused this problem.
I personally can't differentiate btwn overprocessed hair and underprocessed hair; the hair feels rough in either state. I'd ditch the small tooth comb ....

(its not helping at all) ... and seek expert advise; Judging from the raves she's getting, Louisa's seems like a good place to go for this.
I'd also go back to that house of hair horrors and find out what kind of chemical is in the relaxer they used. (lye? no lye? thio based?)
You could put up the name and location of the salon and see if anyone here has had a similar experience with them.