Hi there,
Welcome to the forum. Sorry you are joining us under such unfortunate circumstances.
With color damage the hair's primary problem is first that it has been severly weakened. Second it will have trouble retaining moisture. The priority if the problems should be conceptualized in that order.
Therefore - if your hair is still falling out I recommend doing a one time "emergency" breakage arresting treatment - a concentrated protein formula that will strengthen the hair and help stop it from breaking so quickly and so easily. Aphogee or Nexxus Emergencee are two options for a conditioner of this kind. It is IMPERATIVE with these treatments that you follow the instructions on the packaging to the LETTER. Do not manipulate the hair while it's on AT ALL, let it dry completely, and rinse the hair thouroughly with water for anywhere from 5-10 minutes. The rinsing time is very important. It may seem excessive, but it's better to be safe than sorry. Leaving any amount of this conditioner in the hair could damage it irreparably. It can work wonders on damaged hair, but it is a double edged sword and must be used with caution. It should be followed immediately with a good moisturizing conditioner. I like Pantene Daily Moisture Renewal, Herbal Essences Intensive Blends Conditioning Balm, and Dudley's Moisturizing Conditioner. There are others. Ask any member for recommendations and you'll get a different list /images/graemlins/smile.gif that's the beauty of this forum. Find a member with a hair type similar to yours and who seems to like the kinds of products you do (looks like you found one in Beana /images/graemlins/wink.gif ) and compare notes.....The ORS could be a fine choice - but some find it has too much protein to use on a regular basis....but find a good one before you do this treatment and use it immediately after....
Let me re-iterate - this should be done ONE time only. These treatments are strong and aren't meant for regular use.
Regular maintenance of colored hair should then be a routine balance of moisture and protein - with an emphasis on protein. I would select a creamy protein conditioner, followed by a moisturizing conditioner on at least a weekly basis ( I do bi-weekly washes, conditioning and rollersettings) for about a month.
Then I would use the moisturising formula more regularly and use the creamy protein conditioner (Keraphix, Dudley's Hair Rebuilder, Motions CPR, and HI PRO PAC are all examples - again, there are others that wi;; do as well) only once every two or three weeks.
The idea is to repair the hair - build it back up with protein to strengthen it from the damage it suffered with a good concentrated protein treatment followed by a moisturizing treatment to counteract the sometimes drying effect of protein. Then use protein in a milder form regularly (always followed by a moisturizing and detangling formula) for a while to build some strength into the hair and help it regain it's ability to retain moisture. Then do moisturizing treatments to keep the hair pliable, healthy and shiny while it grows and you cut the damaged ends off. If you are looking to regain thickness you should cut a half inch relatively often - with every relaxer or every other relaxer....
This should put you on the path to recovery before you know it.
