Ladies: West Indian humidity killed my hair, again!!!

[Mahalialee4]

Everytime I am in the W.I. I cannot do anything with my hair. I did not even try the molasses treatment. I think one of the main problems beside the unbelievable humidity is the low pressure in the shower. I do not know what I need to get the pressure hose spray that I like that takes the tangles out of my hair. Another thing, my hair does not bounce, blow in the breeze or brush through easily, probably due to the thickness. Each time I am just stuck with 2 braids or a bun because I cannot get a comb or brush through it. And the shrinkage is for Guiness Book of Records!!! I was wondering if several inches of my hair just fell off or something. In Canada my hair is totally different. When I returned home, soon as I hit TO, my hair changed overnight!!!back to its normal self. Also I was using Rachet on my hair down there and that contributed to the shrinkage but it also helped to smooth it back into a bun. Loved the trip. Just have to become hair smart for that part of the world. Anyone else experience this or notice a change when they go to different climates. Particularly those with natural hair? I noticed that in Mexico my hair was just so cooperative and easy to manage. All comments appreciated. bonjour

 

[jaded_faerie]

interesting thread. cant wait for responses

 

[FlowerHair]

This reminds me of when I was in Kenya! I couldn't comb my hair smooth for a ponytail and the shrinkage was crazy. Not so much the shrinkage, but more the... puffiness! It was like the hair was frizzier and puffier than usual, I liked it, but it wasn't behaving like I am used to. I do believe that humidity is good for the hair, but I wonder how women in those countries counteract humidity?

I wish I knew of a remedy, but I don't. I'll just go with the flow next time

 

[Cooyah]

my hair thrives much better at home in jamaica than anywhere else. i get to wash it in the "fresh" spring water (everyday now that i know it's not white to wash your everyday), the good sunshine keeps the highlights showing and the breeze blows it like no one's business. but when i went to england blah, i couldn't do anything with it other than brush it back, italy, hair went back to warm sunshiney days, ireland blah again, depends on where in the states i go, right now i'm in philly, it gets extra dry from the cold (i think) and down south it gets healthy from the sun again.

 

[mscounselor]

I agree with the humidity. I left Ft. Lauderdale with maxiglided hair that was beautiful. By the time I turned the corner out of Sangsters, my hair started to expand and revert.
All I know is my hair grows quicker and I need to do more protective styles while Im there. I did flat twists this time and took them out for new years. It expanded so much it looked even better.

 

[IrisDaVirus]

I totally understand because we definitely have humidity issues in St. Louis during the spring and summer. But I take it all in stride and deal with it accordingly. I actually like it when it's humid because my hair isn't nearly as dry and the rate of growth seems to be accelerated.

 

[Mahalialee4]

Well, in order to clarify a problem, I think you have to Clarify it! So I did, lol. I used Aloe Rid by Nexxus, 2 shampoos. Then I detangled with Mane and Tail (the new) Detangler. Then I air dried it with a scarf over night in a wrapped ponytail. The hair seemed so dry, and was shedding. So I saturated it section by section with good ole Wiildgrowth and combed and brushed it through. My hair was so silky, I had to take a deep breath and say..."now wait a minute"...before the clarify etc. my hair felt like velcro and was tripping me out. It looked like it had lost a lot of length!. The ends looked chewed up and jacked up and I was serious thinking "SCIZZORS!!!!). And you know that ain't right. So, I am glad I didn't. Anyway, I braided the saturated hair overnight in about 8 braids and when I took it down, nice sleek waves...oh yeqh...my hair was playing me, ladies....!!!! I could still comb through it, and it is not relaxed or texturized. But it feels like all the bulk is gone. I guess it will come back in time. My ends feel 85 % better. Now I have it in 2 braids, and will do another light Wildgrowth oiling from the scalp down and put it in a bun tonite. Whew...Halie was freaked I tell ya!!!lolo bonjour

 

[Mizani_Mrs]

un un girl....U don't want to deal with this problem....why don't you send me the tickets to the W.I. and i'll go for you. I can deal with the weather for you... LOL. Hey i'd say you are in a beautiful spot, so put your hair in a ponytail, apply moisturizers, and top with a cute drawstring...that way u can focus on your wonderful environment and not have to worry about babying your hair. Hmm i'm wondering if the saltwater/evaporation would have anything to do with it???

 

[Mahalialee4]

Mrs. Mizani: I'll think about it....I did...Nah!!!lol..But you could have a point about the salt evap thing...I hung out at the water's edge a lot. I think I will do some braids, wrap things next time. Also the water pressure there is not what I am used to. Just wants to tickle the hair, but I am not giving up. Thanks for the reply.

 

[Mizani_Mrs]

dang...i tried. Hey maybe your hair just wants to go on vacation as well. it's tired of 'behaving'....did ya eva think about dat?
Well I'm sure you will find out what's going on... keep up the good work!

Mrs. Mizani: I'll think about it....I did...Nah!!!lol..But you could have a point about the salt evap thing...I hung out at the water's edge a lot. I think I will do some braids, wrap things next time. Also the water pressure there is not what I am used to. Just wants to tickle the hair, but I am not giving up. Thanks for the reply.

 

[Mahalialee4]

Girl, you are a trip!!! I neva considered my hair was just misbehavin!" lol So here is an update:

I did the Wildgrowth thing and left it in for a couple of days and id another Aloe Rid Shampoo, Rinsed with warm White Grape Juice diluted, and then massaged Rachet juice into my scalp and spread it throughout my hair. Went under a plastic baggie for a couple of hours, rinsed it out and then sprayed it with the Mane and Tale Detangler, detangler, and did an overnite ponytail under a silk scarf. This afternoon i did the combout and Voila!!!


my hair is so thick, silky and feels strong...it has revived and then some. It has never looked better. It is fluffy and no knots or tangles. THE ENDS ARE SMOOTH AND NOT SHEDDING. I am so relieved, I tell you and I will not be trimming. There is a possibility that my hair was being weighed down by too much moisturizer products and not being clarified often enough and so it just matted when the heat and humidity hit it. bonjour