How do I "listen" to my hair?

[VeryBecoming]

I've purchased some new products and still have my old ones. And I have a few questions...

How do I know what's working for me?
-I know that seems like a no brainer but I really don't know.

When do I give up on a product?

How do you all know when something is working for you?

TIA.

 

[simone103]

This may not be the best explanation. But honestly, I knew a product was working for me when I noticed more length. My hair used to be dry as hell, but when I changed the relaxer I was using and used products geared specifically for moisture my hair started improving. The best thing to do is use products that others have used that have the same hair type as you.

 

[CoCoGirl821]

I understand your plight. It is hard to know exactly what is working for your hair, because nothing happens over night. I would say if it improves a specific problem you are having, then that product is perfect for you. For example, if you are shedding like crazy, and notice after using a specific product (for a period of time) that your shedding has dramatically decreased your shedding, BINGO!!! Give it some time, you will hear what your hair is saying.

 

[naturallylovely]

I understand where you're coming from, because I don't have any staples....don't know how I will "know" when I've found them either....

 

[PinkAngel]

I would say, be consistent with products and see how your hair feels afterwards. When I began my journey I pre-pooed faithfully for the first 3-4 mos, then I stopped. I noticed my hair was always moisturized while pre-pooing so i just started back last week. Now I know this is something my hair likes b/c I can moisturize every other day now & my hair will hold that moisture.

I know it's hard to tell, but what helped me was keeping a calendar & writing down what I did, what products I used & how my hair felt afterwards. I would record all types of things like, if it was a good wash day or not, if my hair was tangled, dry, oily, flat etc.

To sum it up...be consistent & record your results so you'll have something to refer back to. HTH

 

[DKO]

As a newbie, I'm glad you asked that question. There is a lot of information regarding products on this site and I wondered the same thing. Right now, I am experimenting with some of the most raved about products like jojoba oil, NTM, and Elasta QP Mango Butter Moisturizer and so far my hair is loving it!!! Thanks ladies for the info!

 

[VeryBecoming]

Thanks for the replies...

I guess all this information is just a bit overwhelming, all the product raves, success stories etc.. I'm not sure where to start.
I don't even know if my hair is healthy or not.

 

[sunshinebeautiful]

Yeah, I definitely feel you. I'm a newbie who's working on finding a regimen that works for me. I experience a serious case of PJ-ism from wanting to try out all of the products I hear about to see which ones work best on my hair.

I would say to give each product a try or two (unless it seriously makes your hair hard or tangly or dry, then toss it) to see how it affects your hair. For example, I tried out the Garnier Long & Strong products and after a few weeks my hair actually felt stronger, with less breakage than before. And I had an "a-ha" moment IMMEDIATELY after my first use of Keracare Humecto. My hair has never been so soft and moisturized, so this one is a definite keeper.

I guess my overall point is to make small changes in your regimen to see if the product is really working for you, rather than making a bunch of big changes all at once to determine what is actually causing the change. Hope this makes sense.

 

[metalkitty]

I would say, be consistent with products and see how your hair feels afterwards. When I began my journey I pre-pooed faithfully for the first 3-4 mos, then I stopped. I noticed my hair was always moisturized while pre-pooing so i just started back last week. Now I know this is something my hair likes b/c I can moisturize every other day now & my hair will hold that moisture.

I know it's hard to tell, but what helped me was keeping a calendar & writing down what I did, what products I used & how my hair felt afterwards. I would record all types of things like, if it was a good wash day or not, if my hair was tangled, dry, oily, flat etc.

To sum it up...be consistent & record your results so you'll have something to refer back to. HTH

I agree with the part about recording what you did and how your hair responded, whenever I do this it's much easier to zero in and correct problem areas with fine tuning...

 

[douglala]

Yeah, I definitely feel you. I'm a newbie who's working on finding a regimen that works for me. I experience a serious case of PJ-ism from wanting to try out all of the products I hear about to see which ones work best on my hair.

I would say to give each product a try or two (unless it seriously makes your hair hard or tangly or dry, then toss it) to see how it affects your hair. For example, I tried out the Garnier Long & Strong products and after a few weeks my hair actually felt stronger, with less breakage than before. And I had an "a-ha" moment IMMEDIATELY after my first use of Keracare Humecto. My hair has never been so soft and moisturized, so this one is a definite keeper.

I guess my overall point is to make small changes in your regimen to see if the product is really working for you, rather than making a bunch of big changes all at once to determine what is actually causing the change. Hope this makes sense.

Yep. Try and introduce one new product at a time. If you use 3 new products during one wash it will be hard to determine how your hair liked each one.

What I try and do also is use one shampoo and conditioner consistently for a few weeks to see how my hair really responds to it. Then I'll switch to a different poo and conditioner and compare it too the first....etc.....

But it CAN be overwhelming. Just don't try to do everything at once....

And keep a log/journal like someone else said...

 

[ritzbitz78]

I have been here at LHCF for a little over 2 months

I went on a PJ binge also to try new products. Try to find the thread about Hair Twins... Then find people who have similar hair and look at what they use and try those products. (private message them and ask them about their experience) Look at there hair albums and progress..

Have you figured out your hair type?

Look back at the history of your hair. Have you been trying to grow it and had no success? What are the reasons why?

How much heat have you been using?

If you look at 30 hair ends under a microscope, what percentage are split?

When you comb through your hair do pieces fall off?

To get/retain length there are basically only two things you can do: make hair grow faster at the root, and/or prevent breakage from your hair ends.

So focus on meeting goals in either or both areas.

It takes time... but the journey is so fun...

 

[e$h]

I would say, be consistent with products and see how your hair feels afterwards. When I began my journey I pre-pooed faithfully for the first 3-4 mos, then I stopped. I noticed my hair was always moisturized while pre-pooing so i just started back last week. Now I know this is something my hair likes b/c I can moisturize every other day now & my hair will hold that moisture.

I know it's hard to tell, but what helped me was keeping a calendar & writing down what I did, what products I used & how my hair felt afterwards. I would record all types of things like, if it was a good wash day or not, if my hair was tangled, dry, oily, flat etc.

To sum it up...be consistent & record your results so you'll have something to refer back to. HTH

Msshic is not lying about her keeping track of what happened with her washes. Check out her fotki album. She wrote everything down faithfully. BTW, I love your hair Msshic.

 

[a_ caribbean_dream]

Everything takes time and patience- Don't be so quick to jump on a product or method that may work for a group or particular person. I agree with Ritzbitz, defintely find a hair twin, then document everything you do.

 

[gn1g]

Good question.

 

[Proudpiscean]

I agree this is a great question, I'm still trying to find what my hair likes too!

 

[sareca]

To mean listening means analyzing instead of random applying product. My procedure goes something like...

• Is it breaking?
  • Is the hair also mushy when wet?
    • If it is mushy and the broken hairs are short (< less 1 inches) then I use Nexxus KeraPhix (light protein).
    • If it is mushy and the broken hairs are long (> 4 inches) I use Nexxus Emergencee (heavy protein)
  • If it is not mushy when wet, but is it hard when dry then DC with moisturize.
  • If it's not mushy or hard, but still breaking short hairs then prepoo w/ amla overnight. It's probably just dry.
    • If it is still breaking after poo'g (and allowing it to dry) then clarify. Something might be keeping the prepoo (or condish) from reaching the hair.
    • If it is still breaking then dust it. The ends might just need to go.

I rarely have problems after dusting, but the next step is a cut. I start with (.5 - 1 in).