how can I help my dry ends?!? (kinda sorta long... sorry!)

[jmacharry]

Good evening ladies! I am new to this forum, although I have been lurking for a VERY LONG TIME and I have to say that I have learned sooooo much from you guys!! Thanks for sharing all of your knowledge!

I have relaxed hair, and for the past year almost I have had problems with dry, brittle ends. As a result, I wear my hair in sew ins for most of the time because my hair grows sooooo much and will be so soft... but my ends are always so dry and brittle! I have tried different relaxers, and I only use Creme of Nature Moisturizing shampoo and Nourish Conditioner. I use Neutrogena Triple Moisture as a leave-in and I seal with Keracare Essential oils for the hair. I've tried co-washing more often and eliminating protein products from my regimen, but NOTHING seems to work! My hair was past my shoulders (finally!!) but I recently cut about 2 inches off because my ends were so bad, and that day my hair was so soft and bouncy.... but the next day it went back to being the same.

I'm so frustrated because my hair grows but I can never enjoy the progress because my ends are always dry and they either break off or I cut them. I've been doing research and reading threads but now I have soooo many products that I am confused on what to use. I've been thinking of doing the baggy method, but I do prefer to wear my hair down because I do work in a corporate setting so i would like any advice from relaxed ladies who wear their hair down on how they seal their ends without weighing it down. Also, after my cut my hair is too short for a bun. PLEASE HELP!! i would appreciate any advice on what to do... I will be putting in another install in a few weeks, so any advice on how to care for my ends with a sew in would be great too. Thanks!

 

[jmacharry]

also... when i wash my hair, my roots are smooth (recently got a relaxer) but the length of my hair is curly/wavy... almost like i have a texturizer. i'm thinking of combing my relaxer all the way through to the ends next time... although i love my texture, maybe this will help with straightening my hair and put relief on my ends??? lol i am so confused... thanks for your help!

 

[jmacharry]

...bump....

 

[Sade']

Oh PLEASE don't do that. Do not comb that relaxer down to the ends. My old stylist did that to me one time because my ends were SO brittle and they only got worse. If your ends are dry u need moisture then u need to seal with oil. I would recommend getting the ORS Shea Butter for moisture, some unrefined coconut oil to seal and mend ur ends and Taaliah Waajid Protective Mist as a detangler and moisturizer and a good leave in conditioner...NTM is good and work the products from your roots to the ends; focusing on your ends. U might have to sacrifice your looks for a while. I would def do this for a week at least before u get the sew in. If you can make a ponytail just do that then baggy over night AND get a fake bun to cover it during the day.

Here is a link for cocnut oil use: http://www.livestrong.com/article/23594-use-coconut-oil-hair-conditioner/

HTH

 

[jmacharry]

Oh PLEASE don't do that. Do not comb that relaxer down to the ends. My old stylist did that to me one time because my ends were SO brittle and they only got worse. If your ends are dry u need moisture then u need to seal with oil. I would recommend getting the ORS Shea Butter for moisture, some unrefined coconut oil to seal and mend ur ends and Taaliah Waajid Protective Mist as a detangler and moisturizer and a good leave in conditioner...NTM is good and work the products from your roots to the ends; focusing on your ends. U might have to sacrifice your looks for a while. I would def do this for a week at least before u get the sew in. If you can make a ponytail just do that then baggy over night AND get a fake bun to cover it during the day.

Here is a link for cocnut oil use: http://www.livestrong.com/article/23594-use-coconut-oil-hair-conditioner/

HTH

Thank you so much! I've been seeing a lot of users talk about shea butter so i will definitely give it a try. So would I use the shea butter on my damp hair, seal it with the coconut oil, then add the taalijah waajid protective mist and NTM? ... or would that be too many products to use at one time?

Again, thanks for your response!

 

[Sade']

Thank you so much! I've been seeing a lot of users talk about shea butter so i will definitely give it a try. So would I use the shea butter on my damp hair, seal it with the coconut oil, then add the taalijah waajid protective mist and NTM? ... or would that be too many products to use at one time?

Again, thanks for your response!

NP check this out...this is what I do in this exact order...

http://www.longhaircareforum.com/showthread.php?t=433714&page=4

 

[Sade']

I recently added the unrefined coconut oil for better shine, conditioning and moisture. I oil my scalp and seal my ends with it.

 

[blacksapphire]

Oh PLEASE don't do that. Do not comb that relaxer down to the ends. My old stylist did that to me one time because my ends were SO brittle and they only got worse. If your ends are dry u need moisture then u need to seal with oil. I would recommend getting the ORS Shea Butter for moisture, some unrefined coconut oil to seal and mend ur ends and Taaliah Waajid Protective Mist as a detangler and moisturizer and a good leave in conditioner...NTM is good and work the products from your roots to the ends; focusing on your ends. U might have to sacrifice your looks for a while. I would def do this for a week at least before u get the sew in. If you can make a ponytail just do that then baggy over night AND get a fake bun to cover it during the day.

Here is a link for cocnut oil use: http://www.livestrong.com/article/23594-use-coconut-oil-hair-conditioner/

HTH

I agree with this...also you should check to see if your hair needs to be clarified...maybe product build-up on your hair is preventing your hair from absorbing moisture, then check your porosity. If both are on point then it's probably a product you're using that doesn't agree w/ your hair

 

[Nice Lady]

I personally had this problem.....
(a) Clarify your hair.
(b) Step up moisture game in terms of conditioning hair 2x a week with a very, very quality moisturizing conditioner combined with honey and olive oil with deep conditioning for 30-45 minutes.
(c) Rollersetting--my frizzy ends disappeared because I just dusted and they kept looking crazy...

 

[jahzyira]

Sounds like you could use some ceramides. It helps with breakage and dry hair issues and makes your hair more healthy and shiny. If you dont have any in your product selection maybe you could incorporate some Biolage Cera Repair, kerastase, or Redken. You'll def notice results after the first use.

 

[Salsarisma]

Something in your staple of products is not working for your hair type. Have you tried doing a pre-poo to see if that helps. I suggest switching moisturizers and seeing if that helps. Usually the relaxer is not the problem causing dry ends. Coconut oil is great for sealing and strenghtening hair.

HTH! Good luck. Let us know how it's going.

 

[Supervixen]

I'm not relaxed anymore, but I think most of us here can identify with your problem. I have a few suggestions, HTH:

#1. Don't let your stylist ever take the relaxer down to the ends again....PLEASE.
#2. Your issue may be with porosity. The Porosity Control shampoo or conditioner can get that in check.
#3. I just tried the BEST deep conditioning method that has really made a HUGE difference with my hair. I used a bunch of moisturizing conditioners, honey and EVOO and applied it thick and heavy like a relaxer to dry hair. I covered it with a conditioning cap and let it sit. Rinsed it, shampoo'd and then did an instant conditioner. By the time I flat ironed, my hair was and still is the softest I've ever been able to get it at home.
Here are the YouTube videos that example.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NegFfvnthBg
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bY-4VYxBh3A
WestNDNbeauty on LHCF used this, and here are her results (pics included) http://www.longhaircareforum.com/showthread.php?t=431336

 

[Geminigirl]

I have this same problem. My hair is super smooth and shiny but those ends are rough and scraggly. I am going to def step my DC game up using the Patchouli? method once I take my braids out.

 

[sharifeh]

Those with scraggly frizzy ends, how do you dry your hair after washing? sometimes air drying can leave your ends looking not very nice.
when you DC do you slather a whole bunch of conditioner and oil on your ends? that helps me a lot.

 

[Chaosbutterfly]

Do you do anything to regulate your porosity? If your ends are always dry and rough, no matter how hard you moisturize and seal, it just may be that they are too porous to hold any moisture.
And when you condition your hair, give some extra to your ends. They are the oldest parts of your hair, so they need a little extra care.
I definitely do NOT recommend that you comb your relaxer to your ends. It makes them feel and look good for all of a week, and then they start breaking off and end up worse than before.

 

[Jazzlyric]

Do you do anything to regulate your porosity? If your ends are always dry and rough, no matter how hard you moisturize and seal, it just may be that they are too porous to hold any moisture.
And when you condition your hair, give some extra to your ends. They are the oldest parts of your hair, so they need a little extra care.
I definitely do NOT recommend that you comb your relaxer to your ends. It makes them feel and look good for all of a week, and then they start breaking off and end up worse than before.

I agree . I had dry tangly ends for months . I lost some of my length and I was going to cut I few inches more until I tried porosity control . After about three uses my ends were soft and retaining moisture again.

 

[BlaqBella]

Oh PLEASE don't do that. Do not comb that relaxer down to the ends. My old stylist did that to me one time because my ends were SO brittle and they only got worse. If your ends are dry u need moisture then u need to seal with oil. I would recommend getting the ORS Shea Butter for moisture, some unrefined coconut oil to seal and mend ur ends and Taaliah Waajid Protective Mist as a detangler and moisturizer and a good leave in conditioner...NTM is good and work the products from your roots to the ends; focusing on your ends. U might have to sacrifice your looks for a while. I would def do this for a week at least before u get the sew in. If you can make a ponytail just do that then baggy over night AND get a fake bun to cover it during the day.

Here is a link for cocnut oil use: http://www.livestrong.com/article/23594-use-coconut-oil-hair-conditioner/

HTH

I was going to say most of what she said when i first read your origina post op! So ITA w/ the above.

 

[xcuzememiss]

I'd reccommend clarifying. A light reconstructor(so that your hair will be able to retain the moisture it recieves) like aphogee 2 min keratin recon. Then using a moisturizing deep condish with wheatgerm oil in it(wheatgerm has the ceramides that will help with nourishing those ends) and deff try to incorporate coconut oil in your regimen.
Let us know how it turns out.!

 

[Geminigirl]

I airdry usually. I am natural. So I more than likely am airdrying my hair. I have tried that porsity mess. How often should I use it? I didn't notice anything to right home about after using it. I will give it a try again. I am so scared when I finally straighten I am going to have to cut a lot of length. I know my hair is healthy those ends are just dry, and I need to nip it before they start splitting.

 

[jmacharry]

Thank you so much to everyone for your response!! I bought some clarifying shampoo today and I am also going to check the porosity. I really think that may be the problem... I'm going to do a search on good clarifying shampoos, but I just picked up V05 to used today. I'll let you guys know how it goes!!

 

[jmacharry]

so i just washed my hair with the VO5 kiwi lime clarifying shampoo... i was kind of worried because after i bought it i read some of the negative reviews and i was worried it wouldn't work, but i must say ladies it made my hair SQUEAKY clean :notworthy!!

I am now sitting under the dryer using NTM deep conditioning mask for a DC. I also bought the Roux Porosity Control shampoo and conditioning treatment, but after reading different threads it looks like no one really uses the shampoo, so I think I'm going to take it back...

Now my questions are:
1. am i supposed to use the PC before or after my conditioner/deep conditioner? today i will use it after because i'm obviously already under the dryer, but would like to know for future reference...

2. I am trying to fit megatek into my regimen... for my fellow "megatekers" should i use megatek before washing, before conditioning, after conditioning? and can i use it while using PC? tried to do a search but couldn't find the answer I was looking for...

THANKS ladies! I feel confident that I am on the road to recovery

 

[hillytmj]

The only time that I had consistently dry, frizzy ends that I always felt a need to cut was when my hair was underprocessed. I eventually got a corrective relaxer to fix the problem, but I still had to cut about 2 inches of ends that didn't survive the corrective. Now, my ends are in great shape, and my hair grew back very rapidly once the damaged ends were gone.

If underprocessed hair is not your problem, try incorporating baggying into your reggie. When I was dealing with underprocessed hair, I would moisturize/seal my ends, put my hair in a low ponytail, roll the ends and put a plastic shower cap over the ponytail. I would sleep like this, and my ends would be super moisturized whenever I took the cap off.

Best of luck to you; the right solution will come to you soon.

 

[Supervixen]

so i just washed my hair with the VO5 kiwi lime clarifying shampoo... i was kind of worried because after i bought it i read some of the negative reviews and i was worried it wouldn't work, but i must say ladies it made my hair SQUEAKY clean :notworthy!!

I am now sitting under the dryer using NTM deep conditioning mask for a DC. I also bought the Roux Porosity Control shampoo and conditioning treatment, but after reading different threads it looks like no one really uses the shampoo, so I think I'm going to take it back...

Now my questions are:
1. am i supposed to use the PC before or after my conditioner/deep conditioner? today i will use it after because i'm obviously already under the dryer, but would like to know for future reference...

2. I am trying to fit megatek into my regimen... for my fellow "megatekers" should i use megatek before washing, before conditioning, after conditioning? and can i use it while using PC? tried to do a search but couldn't find the answer I was looking for...

THANKS ladies! I feel confident that I am on the road to recovery

I use the shampoo. It works well, but I have never used the conditioner to compare.