I'm done lurking! I've seen the light!

[Nappy_in_the_City]

My hair is in an official crisis!! I signed up with LHCF a LONG time ago but maybe visited twice. Recently I'm in dire need of solutions to get my hair in it's best condition, I just recently had a birthday but kinda felt down because my hair wasn't as fabulous as I would have liked. I have 4a/b mess, I choose to wear it natural since 2007. I mostly just wash and go but lately more hair is ending up in the comb, it's uber dry, I have no curl definition, period and I'm not that good at styling. My hair is basically just there!
What brought me back to LHCF? I didn't know where to start so I was researching salons to see if I can atleast start with clipping any split ends/ dead hair. I visited one salon in Atlanta and left feeling pretty good about my consultation, the stylist recommended steam treatments. When I got home I jumped on the internet to search hair steam therapy and steamers. I ended up here and haven't really left the forums since Saturday and just got subscription today.

If you ladies could recommend any place to start based on the information above. It's going to take me a while to learn the lingo and I noticed most of the challenges have all ready started, but I would greatly appreciate any point in the right direction.

 

[msa]

You should definitely start with deep conditioning (and steam treatments if you want). Check out the "home grown steam treatment" that you can do without a steamer. The lhcf search works pretty well now so that's a good way to find your answers. Also, check out the newbie manual in my siggy, you'll get some great advice from the natural threads.

Anyway, start with dcing at least once a week. And for the time being try to wear a style that doesn't require your ends to be exposed (ex: buns, pinned up, wig).

 

[Sapphire_chic]

welcome!! make sure you take your time to detangle and do it gently, preferable starting off with a wide toothed comb. weekly deep conditioning may help with your dryness issues too. happy hair growing

 

[darlingdiva]

Welcome aboard!!!

Co-signing w/ Msa. Be sure to check about the search feature. There's a wealth of information on this board.

 

[Nappy_in_the_City]

Thanks for the post to the newbie manual. I will definitely check those out.
I do want to add that I'm not COMPLETELY new, I was natural from 2003-2007, my hair was in amazing condition. I also frequented a natural hair care forum. I ended up straightening my hair 3 times and I thought my natural curl pattern died. I permed it and in 2 months cut all my hair off again.
But I still feel like I am starting from scratch. I got all this hair on my head but it's just there, it's not healthy. I know a thing or two from the other forums but that was years ago and I've seen other methods on that are new to me, just wondering if they'd be beneficial to my hair.

 

[fyb87]

This forum is very informative.

 

[Nappy_in_the_City]

There's a wealth of information on this board.

That's why I thought the paid subscription was justified.

I think ( and I could be wrong) the best place to start is trimming my hair

 

[MummysGirl]

Welcome! You've already been given very good advice, HHG!!!!

 

[flowinlocks]

Welcome to the forum!!

 

[BrooklynSouth]

Welcome aboard. I agree with deep conditioning and often. Leave-ins and oil sealing are going to help with moisture and moisture retention. The stickies are a great place to start, especially moisture/protein balancing.

 

[Nappy_in_the_City]

Thanks. There is so much information on here, I can see where my paychecks will be going! Ok, I don't follow the trends too much but I feel like I am starting from scratch and am looking at all suggestions.

 

[Nappy_in_the_City]

So I have just booked my first hair appointment since getting my hair chopped off in 2007. I all ready know what they want to do: wash, steam treatment, trim my ends and probably flat iron.

I'm just so exciting about getting the ends trimmed and the steam condition I can hardly sit still. My concern is about the care after the salon. I've been looking into hairveda...

Is there anything I should do prior to my appointment? I was reading on a protein treatment because I highly doubt they are going to do it there and if they do it'll be an extra $20!