Help with transitioning

[kjames001]

Ladies I need help! I am currently 6 months into my transition and I am getting very discouraged. I would ideally like to transition for atleast a year before I BC. However i am running into severe issues when I wash. I recently had a sew in for about 1 month and i think overall it was a good decision... until wash day. I took out the braids no problem. but once i washed tangle city and major breakage.
I know that this can be avoided since there are so many members here that seem to make it pass the 6 month mark and maintain healthy looking hair. So my question would be

1. How/what is the best way to wash the hair.
I know people talk about washing in braids, but how do you do this and avoid product buildup?
2. what are some good moisturizing products that are not just oily?
3. Do you think braiding the hair (i.e conrows, kinky twist, individuals) are good alternatives


Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. I am determined to get to my natural hair through a successful transition.

 

[beans4reezy]

1. How/what is the best way to wash the hair.
Wash in braids, section by section.

• Make 4 - 5 large braids or your can simply section each section of the hair with a barrette.
• Rinse your hair
• Then starting in sections, unbraid or unclip section one. Wash gently and detangle under running water, rinse, then clip your hair back up or rebraid.
• Keep doing this section by section until your entire head has been cleaned.

This will greatly reduce any tangling you may have experienced. At this stage of the game, you should really wash in sections.

3. Do you think braiding the hair (i.e conrows, kinky twist, individuals) are good alternatives
Absolutely. You are dealing with two textures now, so your hair is more susceptible breakage. With braids, you aren't manipulating your hair, so these styles would work great towards reducing breakage during your time of transition. Plus, if you dont want to deal with the day to day care of transitioning hair, these are great alternatives.

This is a hard road, but please don't get discouraged. Patience will get you there; you're halfway there already

 

[Ronnieaj]

What did you do to detangle the hair prior to washing? When I was transitioning (which I only did for 7 months because I'm an impatient B****), it was imperative that I use some sort of cheap conditioner to moisturize the roots, detangle all of the hair prior to washing, and then put the hair in braids to wash, deep condition, etc. I wore braid outs during my transition because it became easier to deal with my hair curly than to try and straighten the roots, and I'm not a weave/wig/extension wearer.

I like Herbal Essences Long-Term Relationship Leave in conditioner, Giovanni Direct Leave In, and Cantu Shea Butter Leave in as moisturizers. None of them are greasy IMO. HTH!

 

[knt1229]

I am 26 weeks post. My type 4 hair is soft and easy to manage. Haven't had any problems managing my hair so far. Listed below are the things that have helped me.

A detangling comb. They aren't expensive and they greatly reduce breakage. Also, combing/detangling hair before washing and again while conditioner is in the hair helps greatly.

I co-wash once a week.

I shampoo once a week as well. On shampoo day, I do a hot oil treatment (pre-poo). Then I shampoo, use rinse out conditioner, then I deep condition with a protein deep conditioner and follow that with a moisturizing deep conditioner.

After I wash or co-wash my hair, I use Cantu Shea Butter Leave In and seal with Coconut and Castor oil mixed. Coconut/Castor oil makes my hair soft and easier to manage. My hair is not oily or greasy.

I roller set and airdry. I have braided and airdryed as well with no problems.

I finger comb to style but I comb my hair once a day usually at night before bed. I use a wide tooth comb.

Combing may not work for everybody but if I don't comb my hair at least once a day I wouldn't be able to get a comb thru it. This way I can run my fingers thru my hair without hitting any snags and I don't have to worry about unneccessary breakage from mats and tangles.

 

[Anew]

I have learned I have to detangle before I wash after taking down braids. I get my spray bottle filled with water, part my hair in 3 sections, spritz my hair until damp and with my shower comb gently detangle.

 

[BlondeByDesire]

I'm too running in to frustration ... on wash day I use the sink which I know is a big no no, but I can't stand the thought of jumping in and out of the shower.

When I do co-washes twice a week - I have no problem.

 

[kjames001]

Thanks so much for the helpful tips
Beans thanks for the breakdown on washing with braids. It makes more sense to me
Ronnieaj and knt1229 thanks for the product shoutout. It seems alot of people like the cantu line so i will give that a try as well. Also with the suggestions i think i will finally give the conwashs a try.

One other question for those that use braids in the process. What is the best way to wash braids (i.e like you would your regular hair) or would it be more so spritzing and rinsing?

 

[Anew]

I'm too running in to frustration ... on wash day I use the sink which I know is a big no no, but I can't stand the thought of jumping in and out of the shower.

When I do co-washes twice a week - I have no problem.

Why do you jump in and out? Is it to DC?

 

[Anew]

Thanks so much for the helpful tips
Beans thanks for the breakdown on washing with braids. It makes more sense to me
Ronnieaj and knt1229 thanks for the product shoutout. It seems alot of people like the cantu line so i will give that a try as well. Also with the suggestions i think i will finally give the conwashs a try.

One other question for those that use braids in the process. What is the best way to wash braids (i.e like you would your regular hair) or would it be more so spritzing and rinsing?

I braid my hair in 3 sections, one in the back and one on the left and right side of my head. When I wash and condition in the shower, I take one braid down, wash, rinse, condition and braid up again. Then go on the other sections and do the same. After the last braid, I go to the first one and rinse out the conditioner and once that's all out braid it up again. It sounds like a lot but it really doesn't take too long to do

 

[FindingMe]

I wash in the shower under running water, but for me the 6 month period you are in now was the hardest of my transition.

Try chicoro's tutorials on how she washes her hair. Takes a little time, but your hair will prolly thank you for it...http://public.fotki.com/Chicoro123/hair-care/tutorials/ (make sure you read in order of the steps she has posted)

 

[kurlyque]

Honestly, I never wanted to wash my hair in braids. Before my BC I always stretched out my styles. I know it may sound weird to some ppl, but my hair never stunk and stay moisturizd.

After reading tons of reviews and tutorials I would suggest spritzing with diluted shampoo/condish. You want to concentrate on ur roots and I'm not sure if you will truly benefit from washing and entire head of weave(if you mean braids w/o extensions then sure go for it). There are some great videos on youtube with tutorials about washing in braids and twists.

 

[MoniintheMiddle]

What others have said about detangling PRIOR to shampooing is critical. I am 7 months post and this step has saved me a lot of heartache. I saturate my hair (when i take my updo down) with ORS Hair Mayonnaise from root to tip. Leave it on for 15-20 minutes then shampoo. The longer i stretch i have found that I can only use certain shampoos...others are too drying and makes my hair too rough!