Is it really better

[preciouslove0x]

Some of you ladies have been in the game for a few years now. So my question... is it really better to stick to a regimen or not?? What are your thoughts??

 

[SherylsTresses]

It's easier for me to follow a strict regimen. That way I won't forget what has been done.

 

[beans4reezy]

I feel it's a combination of both. For example, things like DC'ing or moisturizing your hair should be done systematically, because your hair always needs it. However, when looking at a specific part of hair care such as your protien and moisture balance, this you should reevaluate constantly as some weeks your hair needs more protien than moisture.

 

[ceebee3]

I think you should always stick to what's been proven to work for you. Why mess up a good thing?

 

[nymane]

I said a little of both because I faithfully Wash and DC once a week, but depending on how my hair feels I'll incorporate more/less protein or moisture OR depending on how I feel I may co-wash in between, air dry or roller set etc...

 

[kim]

I tried to stick with a regimen but it just wasn't for me. I just do whatever, whenever and that's what works for me. The only thing I really stick to is not using alot of styling products. I mainly just use coconut oil or olive oil in my hair. My hair is BSL and is in pretty good condition.

 

[preciouslove0x]

thanks guys!!!

bump for more responses..

 

[SW2011]

I don't have a strict schedule as far as when I do things, but for the most part I stick to what works for me (styles, products, etc). Some days/weeks I'm lazy and don't feel like being bothered with hair...so I don't do anything to it but wash it and put it in a bun for the week. But for the most part, I listen to my hair and what it seems to need at the time that I feel like working with it.

 

[JenBenCal]

I voted a little bit of both. For the most part, I've been trying to stick to a set schedule so that my hair can become accustomed to it. However, I think there may be a time my hair needs things that I didn't plan for. If those times come, I will gladly change something to suit my hair's needs. I think a little bit of flexibility can only be beneficial in the end.

 

[vkb247]

I have a kinda reggie that works with my lifestyle and my hair. I don't have the discipline to remember the exact amount of hair products to use or plan exactly how and when everything is going to be done on a regular basis. Sometimes I am outside and sweating more than others and I am in or on the water as much as I can. So I can't always plan on when I will need to cowash again, when my hair will feel dirty, or when I can have enough time to treat my hair to my beloved henna. So my reggie is:


Cowash and moisturize every 3-4 days or whenever needed/possible use denman to clear in shower 95% of the time.
Moisturize and style (banana clip or puff usually) with coconut oil and conditioner or coconut oil, leave in and eco styler gel.
Moisten with water to restyle as needed.
Henna whenever I can. Henna gloss if desperate for time.
Put coconut oil in it before swimming, and cowashing, if I remember.
Try other drying techniques, styles, and products as the mood hits me.
Shampoo or use baking soda if I need to.

Do what works for your hair and fits well with your lifestyle.

 

[LovinLea]

i think the basics should be adhered to: deep condition every once in a while, clean your scalp every once in a while, moisturize and seal everyday. anything more fine tuned then that is extra so i don't think you need to be to strict about it.

if i was really strict about my regimen, i wouldn't enjoy it as much.

 

[BeautifulFlower]

I've posted reggies but I havent stuck to a reggie for longer than a couples months since I started 2 years ago. LOL! My products say the same but my reggie changes. It depends on the weather, my time & patience, how many weeks post I am, etc. One week I can wear my hair out, the next two weeks in a bun, and the next three in a weave. I like to switch it up.

 

[msa]

I voted a bit of both.

I do have a regimen of products and techniques that I know work for me. But I don't follow a strict timetable for anything. I wash my hair when I feel like it's dirty, I do my hair as often or as little as I want, I try not to let my hair dry out, and I choose my styles based on what I feel like doing that day (or week or month).

It works for me. A strict regimen would last for about a week with me and then I'd feel like a failure for not sticking to it.

 

[Lovestyr]

I have a strict rountinue that I stick to. It has been showing great results for me so I leave it as it is.

 

[Afrobuttafly]

I voted a little of both. The idea of a regimen, to me, is to maintain your hair through regular and repeated care. For example part of my regimen is to dc weekly. When I freestyle my haircare and do w/e my hair does not get the benefit it would if I had stuck to my regimen. HOWever... that is not to say that you have to be strictly tied to your regimen no matter what. Listening to your hair is a part of a healthy haircare regimen IMO. Sometimes you have to add a little extra step or skip a certain step if that's what your hair is showing you it needs. So I do not condone laziness and just completely going without regular maintenance via a regimen, but a detour here and there won't kill you. Hope this makes sense.

 

[aquajoyice]

It is great to have a regimen that works for you but you'll find that throughout your journey your hair's needs will change. You have to allow yourself to be flexible when it comes to your hair. Because what worked for me in the beginning of my journey doesn't work for me now. And the longer your hair gets the more adjustments you'll make to fit the needs of your hair.

In the beginning of my hair journey I wasn't stretching my relaxers longer than 8 weeks so that in itself caused for a different regimen. I'm all about moisture and deep conditioning whereas before I could get away without doing all that on a consistent basis.

 

[tocktick]

Imo, it is best to have a basic regimen that you know how to successful adapt. If you have a basic regimen in place then it will be easy to adapt as you'll know what products will work best when your hair requires them.

I adapt mine when it gets drier (winter weather), longer or is in braids. For example, I already had a trusted DC, oils etc in place and it was simply a matter of using more when my hair gained length or was dry in winter. I think there will be times where you find that some techniques or products may suit your hair better than the old ones but once you find a solid regimen a total overhaul seems a bit much.

 

[mzcris]

yes i believe sticking to a regimen is better for my hair. i've been at this for a while now and i still write down what cond i used or what i tried new or what i should not use again...that way i wont forget....

 

[darlingdiva]

I voted a little bit of both. I generally follow the same regimen & use the same products b/c it works for me. However, I do assess my hair before I began to wash it.

-Do I need to use a clarifying poo or my regular poo?
-AO GPB or Aphogee 2-min?
-Follow up w/ KBB deep condish or not?

In the summer, I use my leave-in mixture w/ KBB hair oil. In the winter, I use JC leave-in w/ JC Hair nourishing cream. The seasons determine what I do with my hair too.

 

[IDareT'sHair]

I Pretty Much Stick to the Same Regimen, although the Products may vary. For Me, It only changes when I get Deep into A Stretch.

Deep into the Stretch, I begin incorporating a lot more Products with Protein to keep the NG/Line of Demarcation Strong. I also make sure I have my Moisture Levels Up while using a considerable amount of protein.

Other than that, I pretty much stick to a regimen, which I will write out what I am using closer to my weekly wash day.

 

[Lanea87]

I do a little of both.

 

[discodumpling]

A little of both. I don't freak out when I don't stick to my regi. However the benefits are easily seen with consistancy.

 

[LynnieB]

Mostly listen to what it needs and it happens to fit into a regular regimen.

Somethings never change; poo every 7-15 days, condition every time I wash it, cowash on rare occasions or after gardening in the yard, detangle w/conditioner before washing.

^ That never changes.

Products may change depending on if I feel it needs a bit of protein or more moisture or whether it's going to be heat styled or not. Usually I condition with a bit of both protein and moisturizing conditioners.

For me, it is better to keep things regular. It also helps prevent any potential problems down the road or a little problem becoming a big one.

 

[preciouslove0x]

wow great reasons. never thought of it that way

 

[brucebettye]

I need to stick to my regiman. When I don't I end up with breakage. I am not super strict, but I need to always do the basics like moisturize my hair everyday.

 

[remilaku]

I picked a little of both. I have always wanted a routien and I am glad that I have one. My routien is to keep me from doing to many things to my hair to often. I get out of hand with my hair and I will wash it every day. Not good for me. Or my scalp. I try now to listen to my hair. If it feels dry, I will oil it. If not, I will leave it alone. I keep things on a routien like, protein. I never know when I need it. I just know that I do. My hair is much stronger and much better because of it. Also washing, I try to keep that on a routien too. I went from every day to 2 weeks. That is progress. I feel the less I wash my hair, the better. That is only my hair though.

 

[2themax]

For me, both has worked for me: A strict regimen and sometimes breaking the routine up.

After sticking with a strict regimen for awhile, my scalp becomes accustomed to it and doesn't react to it as fast or as well. That's why I break it up and then go back to it later.

 

[SEMO]

I think for me, it has helped to have a steady line up of products that I use, but I don't use them on a set schedule. I try to give my hair what it needs day by day, based on products I have found to work for me.

 

[Chaosbutterfly]

I think it's best to do a little bit of both.
I don't really have a weekly regimen as much as I have a situational regimen. So when I notice that my hair needs protein, I have a certain set of products I use and things that I do on that wash day. Or if I notice that I need to clarify, I have a clarifying regimen that I follow. So when it is time to wash, I feel my hair and see which regimen I should use for that day. I find that by doing this, I can be consistent and flexible at the same time.

There are some things that I do without fail, like moisturizing and sealing my ends, baggying, and DCing at least once a week. And I rollerset with all my washes. But for the most part, I prefer to listen to my hair and not the calendar.

 

[Highly Favored8]

Strict however, I do go with the flow of my hair.