How do I M&S without over-manipulating?

[missbugg21]

Hey guys...

I have been experiencing some breakage lately and I'm ready to step my moisture game up some. I know that I need to moisturize and seal my ends at least 1-2 times a day, but I can't figure out how to do that without over-manipulating my hair.

Right now, I just M&S at night and I normally do it in sections while gently finger-combing my hair to remove shed hairs. Then I bun it up for the night. I feel like I might be over-manipulating my hair during this process and causing more breakage...

Any advice?

 

[claud-uk]

Depends how you wear your hair during the day/week I guess but you could try detangling once per week (on wash day) then just apply your M&S's from a spritz bottle to avoid touching your hair as much as possible? I think the breakage ought to be addressed though, how's your protein? Are the broken hairs all the same length, or different lengths? Same length indicates you need a trim, different lengths that protein may be needed. Hair looks awful healthy in your pic tho!

 

[Lylddlebit]

Only do it when you style/manipulate your hair normally. For example, I apply my moisturizers and oils when I am twisting or detangling my hair. During the week if I am wraping my hair thats a good time or if I have a bun in and and my hair pin comes out, I moisturize and seal during that time. For me I don't manipulate my hair just to moisturize or seal, but if I am going to manipulate anyway I just put a little moisturizer or oil on my hands/comb/brush for a "two in one"

 

[missbugg21]

Depends how you wear your hair during the day/week I guess but you could try detangling once per week (on wash day) then just apply your M&S's from a spritz bottle to avoid touching your hair as much as possible? I think the breakage ought to be addressed though, how's your protein? Are the broken hairs all the same length, or different lengths? Same length indicates you need a trim, different lengths that protein may be needed. Hair looks awful healthy in your pic tho!

claud-uk - Thanks! I just had a trim a few weeks ago, so I may just need a deep protein treatment. The breakage isn't bad, but I do see small, broken hairs fall when I manipulate my hair. I thought about starting weekly co-washes to help with moisture to see if that will help with the breakage I'm having.

 

[missbugg21]

Only do it when you style/manipulate your hair normally. For example, I apply my moisturizers and oils when I am twisting or detangling my hair. During the week if I am wraping my hair thats a good time or if I have a bun in and and my hair pin comes out, I moisturize and seal during that time. For me I don't manipulate my hair just to moisturize or seal, but if I am going to manipulate anyway I just put a little moisturizer or oil on my hands/comb/brush for a "two in one"

Lylddlebit - I like that idea, but I would only m/s every few days if that was the case. I just wasn't sure if that would be enough since others do it a few times per day. Since I noticed a small amount of breakage, I wondered if maybe I need to add more moisture which is what made me think I needed to do it more often.

Do you think weekly co-washes would help?

 

[melissa-bee]

Have you tried baggying?

 

[claud-uk]

Ooh, I'm a little confused now: so how often are you M&S at the moment? 1-2x per day should be more than enough - if you're still experiencing breakage then it can't be for lack of moisture. Throw some beaten egg on your hair for 5-10 mins then do a DC. You should hopefully notice less breakage when you rinse the DC out. Then as melissa-bee says, I'd try baggying or at least wrapping the ends in saran to lock in moisture. I wrap my ends 24/7 and count every one of those babies back home at night!

I hate this protein/moisture guessing game! I now just do an 80%:20% Moisturerotein ratio every week when I wash.

I don't think you'll find one lady on this board that doesn't agree with co-washing, either. 1x per week minimum, your hair will thank you. You could even adopt using a protein con for your co-wash and then moisture-moisture-moisture for the other 6 days.

 

[Ronnieaj]

Well, my hair is actually REALLY iffy about co-washing, has been for years. But also, not everyone's hair needs to be M/S every day. I only do it a few times of week, with a heavy sealant, and my hair stays fine for a few days.

 

[lamaria211]

missbugg21 M&S x2 a day is not over manipulation HIH disease is! Or wearing styles that are to stressful. If your hair is breaking I suggest u go to the search engine and type in hair breakage 101 there are tons of threads with a wealth of knowledge that can help you figure out why your hair is breaking and how to stop it. Hth

 

[missbugg21]

That's really good advice. I haven't tried baggying or co-washing, but I think that could only help. Do you have any recommendations for a good protein (instant) conditioner that can be used often for co-washes? I like to reserve my "good" conditioners for DC...

 

[lamaria211]

That's really good advice. I haven't tried baggying or co-washing, but I think that could only help. Do you have any recommendations for a good protein (instant) conditioner that can be used often for co-washes? I like to reserve my "good" conditioners for DC...

Aphogee 2min keratin treatment or AO GPB

 

[Lylddlebit]

Lylddlebit - I like that idea, but I would only m/s every few days if that was the case. I just wasn't sure if that would be enough since others do it a few times per day. Since I noticed a small amount of breakage, I wondered if maybe I need to add more moisture which is what made me think I needed to do it more often.

Do you think weekly co-washes would help?

Honestly, I do only moisturize and seal every few days and that works great for my hair. However, if you feel more comfortable moisturizing and sealing several times daily your certainly can. I do think co washes are a great idea. I also find that when I use a great conditioner and moisturizer the hair really does stay soft and moisturized for a few days at a time without using anything else. That's how I judge how great a moisturizer or conditioner is. I question if my hair still feels soft and moisturized 2-5 days later and when it does that product is a winner.