It's official, I've given up on stretching!

[sj73]

Take a look at my siggie below to see why I feel this way. Each photo represents the condition of my hair (in order) after stretching 12 weeks (the one in the middle is after 16 weeks). The one farthest to the right is my most recent relaxer at 12 weeks. At first, the stretching was going well (hair was thicker than ever and I got compliments on the health of my hair). Then after that first (and last) 4 month stretch, it started going downhill FAST. The shedding was about as bad as shedding can get. I should have relaxed after I saw it happening again the most recent 12 weeks . The Alter Ego helped with the shedding, but not enough.

Starting now, I'm going to start watching my hair after I reach 6-8 weeks post relaxer. As soon as the bad shedding and breakage starts, I'm relaxing immediately. I'm also planning to go back to deep conditioning twice a week, instead of once a week to try to get my hair back in shape. My current reggie is shampoo and deep condition once a week. Hard protein every six weeks and moisturize and seal twice a day. I use Joico's moisturizing shampoo, Silk elements Mega Silk, Costco Kirkland and Aubrey Organics Honeysuckle Rose for moisturizing deep conditioners; and Phillip B Cream Rinse for protein deep conditioners. I also use Giovanni for a moisturizing leave-in and Philip B Lovin Leave-in for a protein leave in.

In the past, I flat ironed once a week for the first six weeks of my stretch and then did braidouts the remaining 6 weeks (fingercombing only!). If I make it past the first six weeks, I think I'm going to lay off of the braidouts too and just do pinups instead. I also plan to rollerset from now on instead of flatironing once a week. I have a Pibbs Kwik Dri to help with that.

Ya'll I'm just so upset now. My hair was going in the right direction. I was hoping to be BSL by December 2011. Doesn't seem like I'm going to make it. This is a BIG setback!!!

 

[prettypithy]

I'm sorry to learn of your setback. Your hair looks so nice in the first pic--you'll be on your way back to that in no time now that you know what works best for your hair. Good luck and hhg!

 

[hothair]

Wow that line of demarcation is no joke, sorry about that OP at least you know the problem and will be back on track in no time at all.

 

[ezina]

Sorry to hear about your setback. You'll get back on track right away!
This speaks a lot to me because I'm a long term stretcher and I always fear that I'll get a setback. Hasn't happened yet but I'm being extra vigilant about my ends and breakage, just in case.

Anyway, good luck on your HHJ and I hope you move on to a comeback, lol.

 

[NYDee]

Sorry about your setback. I went through that twice. I would have been close to bra strap or at least APL by now but twice in a row, December and May during two four stretches I had major setbacks. Now I'm at shoulder length, shorter than when I started. I cowash every other day now. This gives me a chance to catch things as they go wrong. My main issue was tangling and knots from taking down 3 weeks cornrows. I find that my hair gets matted whenever I leave cornrows in for more than a week. Now no more protective styling for me, just low manipulation. My hair needs to be combed every other day or it will get tangled. Braidouts are the only exception; my hair doesn't tangle with it even if I have it for a whole week. After all this, the lesson learnt is, listen to my hair.

I guess we have to go through this to learn. Don't stress, it will grow back soon.

 

[charmtreese]

Sorry to hear about your setback op. I feel you on not stretching as long. I'm growing my hair back out and this time around I will not be stretching no where near as long as I did the first time around.

 

[Curlybeauty]

At least the cause isn't a mystery.

HHG chica

You will be back in no time...

 

[bride91501]

I'm sorry to hear about your setback OP, but your comeback plan sounds GREAT, so I'm sure you'll be back to your starting pic before you know it.

In better news.....it looks like you've lost A LOT of weight since your starting pic, so clearly you're doing some things right you mind sharing that reggie too?

 

[Toy]

Sorry about your Setback...I hear you on the No stretching i cant stretch longer than 10 wks to many SSk and Tangles .. But You sound like you are on the right track to get where you want to be you will get pass this.

 

[omegachick31]

I don't have a relaxer but I wanted to thank you for sharing...it only adds to the proof that everything isn't suitable for everyone and you have to find what is right for you...Good luck

 

[lilyofthenile]

sorry to hear..

But I'm glad you have a plan in order to get back on track and that you also know what did it. Your hair looked great in the first pic, also in the other ones but I can see the loss of volume and length

 

[otegwu]

trust me streching isnt for every one, Ive realised its important to listen to my hair, if im loosing lots of strands and sheding...its time for a relaxer, if im at 2 weeks or 12...the aim of streching is to avoid overlapping relaxers..if you have enough regrowth then go ahead and do it, dont end up loosing lots of hair for the sake of pushing your hair a few more weeks

 

[sj73]

Thanks ladies. The encouragement really helps. I just wish I listened to my hair earlier. I kept thinking...shedding is normal, shedding is normal. It is normal, but what I was experiencing was far worse. I used the Alter Ego, but it kept coming back. I really do believe that I could have prevented this. Learn from me ladies!!

 

[sj73]

In better news.....it looks like you've lost A LOT of weight since your starting pic, so clearly you're doing some things right you mind sharing that reggie too?

You just made my day. Yes, I've lost about 15 pounds with the Weight Watchers Points Plus program. They have a great online program. I'm eating very healthy, which is why I don't understand the excessive shedding. Oh well!

 

[Highly Favored8]

Sorry to hear about your setback OP. I had that happened to me first time around when I stretched on my own. This time around I am exactly 6 months post with the help of my stylist. I am going back to natural with out the big chop and trims every 3 months. I know for me this time around it has been successful with the help of my stylist.

 

[sj73]

Sorry to hear about your setback OP. I had that happened to me first time around when I stretched on my own. This time around I am exactly 6 months post with the help of my stylist. I am going back to natural with out the big chop and trims every 3 months. I know for me this time around it has been successful with the help of my stylist.

What is your stylist doing to help?

 

[SuchaLady]

I know I cant stretch with my hair loose. Just cant happen. However I have been thinking about doing as stretch with my hair hidden. Have you ever thought about this?

 

[bride91501]

You just made my day. Yes, I've lost about 15 pounds with the Weight Watchers Points Plus program. They have a great online program. I'm eating very healthy, which is why I don't understand the excessive shedding. Oh well!

Well, I would have thought it was alot more than 15 lbs...you look GREAT! You're taking care of your body, so your hair is soon to follow. I'll be rooting for you!

 

[sj73]

I know I cant stretch with my hair loose. Just cant happen. However I have been thinking about doing as stretch with my hair hidden. Have you ever thought about this?[/QUOTE]

By hidden, do you mean wearing extensions or wigs? If so, no, I'm not a fan of wearing any of these. I have nothing against others who do, but I'm I don't like the look of wigs, extensions, etc.

Thanks though!

 

[sj73]

Well, I would have thought it was alot more than 15 lbs...you look GREAT! You're taking care of your body, so your hair is soon to follow. I'll be rooting for you!

You're so awesome. No, only 15 pounds off, but I was a size 10 before the 15 pounds came off, so losing those pounds made a big difference. Weight Watchers is truly a lifestyle change, not a diet. Thanks for the encouragement.

 

[DarkandLovely]

I can't believe my eyes . I'm sure you'll make a speedy recovery and your hair will be back to itself in no time.

 

[janeemat]

OP I came online to look for you to see how your stretch had gone this time. I remember your post about being scared to see the results. I truly understand how you feel. I'm watching my hair like a hawk after my 6 month stretch disaster. My plan forward is to stick around 12wks if my hair does not act a fool. I will be 11wks post Sat and so far this time my hair seem to be doing fine. I did a protein treatment this past Sat and will be relaxing at 11wks this Sat since 12 wks fall on the 4th of July weekend. You seem to have a good plan to get your hair back to a healthy state. I would also take some vitamins. Sorry about your setback.

 

[sj73]

I can't believe my eyes . I'm sure you'll make a speedy recovery and your hair will be back to itself in no time.

I know, I know. That's the same thing I thought. One thing about stretching, you really don't see all of the damage until the stretch is over. That's why I think it would be best for me to nurse my hair back with shorter stretches (8 weeks), so I can nip any further damage in the bud before it happens. I'm going to be careful with overlapping. I may intentionally underprocess my hair just enough to loosen the curls and soften the new growth.

 

[sj73]

OP I came online to look for you to see how your stretch had gone this time. I remember your post about being scared to see the results. I truly understand how you feel. I'm watching my hair like a hawk after my 6 month stretch disaster. My plan forward is to stick around 12wks if my hair does not act a fool. I will be 11wks post Sat and so far this time my hair seem to be doing fine. I did a protein treatment this past Sat and will be relaxing at 11wks this Sat since 12 wks fall on the 4th of July weekend. You seem to have a good plan to get your hair back to a healthy state. I would also take some vitamins. Sorry about your setback.

Thanks. If I don't make full BSL by December, I'm still hoping to make full APL.

 

[janeemat]

I know, I know. That's the same thing I thought. One thing about stretching, you really don't see all of the damage until the stretch is over. That's why I think it would be best for me to nurse my hair back with shorter stretches (8 weeks), so I can nip any further damage in the bud before it happens. I'm going to be careful with overlapping. I may intentionally underprocess my hair just enough to loosen the curls and soften the new growth.

I agree with the bold. You just talk yourself right through thinking it's normal to shed that amount of hair. I've been stretching 12 wks now for a few years, but my thickness is not there anymore. I'm also taking a closer look at the 12 wk stretches to see if I continue them.

 

[sj73]

I agree with the bold. You just talk yourself right through thinking it's normal to shed that amount of hair. I've been stretching 12 wks now for a few years, but my thickness is not there anymore. I'm also taking a closer look at the 12 wk stretches to see if I continue them.

Good luck with your decision. You still DO have a beautiful head of hair.

 

[TLC1020]

Omg, sorry to hear about your setback.. Stretching is not for everyone..Now you know how far not to stretch and to go ahead and relax. You will bounce back.. HHG

 

[mieshashair]

You're so awesome. No, only 15 pounds off, but I was a size 10 before the 15 pounds came off, so losing those pounds made a big difference. Weight Watchers is truly a lifestyle change, not a diet. Thanks for the encouragement.

I don't think stretching is for everyone the same thing happened to my hair when I started trying to stretch for long periods of time. This I went from early January to early June and my hair did not do anything but come out!

 

[mieshashair]

Good luck with your decision. You still DO have a beautiful head of hair.

I don't think stretching is for everyone the same thing happened to my hair when I started trying to stretch for long periods of time. This I went from early January to early June and my hair did not do anything but come out!

 

[sj73]

I don't think stretching is for everyone the same thing happened to my hair when I started trying to stretch for long periods of time. This I went from early January to early June and my hair did not do anything but come out!

Looks like you are succeeding in getting your hair back to a healthy state.