Low Porosity Support Thread

[faithVA]

I haven't nailed my regimen but I have made some progress. I found a shampoo that I like that moisturizes. That's a first step.

Within the past 2 months I have started using reconstructors with Keratin. This has helped tremendously. Using protein treatments without keratin have not worked well with my hair. I think the proper schedule for me is to use it within 3 to 5 days after coloring my hair and then every 3 weeks between color treatments.

Still playing around with LOC. Using a leave-in with glycerin or KCKT works as a good first step. Playing around with sunflower oil or apricot oil for the 2nd step.

I am still trying to figure out if I do better with a cream that has glycerin or without. So working on this step.

One of the things that has really helped, is once I rinse out my DC, I don't touch it. I put on a plastic cap and then put my t-shirt over that. Once the drips stop, I sit under my heat cap for 15 minutes to allow the water to absorb into my strands. My hair is more hydrated. Now I just need to master sealing it in.

Still a ways to go but it's getting better.

 

[suns4i6e]

My hair is on auto-pilot. I follow my standard routine of protein then baking soda DC (every 1-2 weeks). I co-wash or sulfate free poo every few days and give my hair time to absorb leave in, moisturizer, then apply styler. Smooth sailing. My lo-po hair has never been a liability to me.

 

[mg1979]

Using a Demi permanent dye really helped until the dye wore off. I've found Curl Junkie products work best for me right now. We'll see if it still works in the summer months.

Sent from my iPhone using LHCF

 

[faithVA]

Using a Demi permanent dye really helped until the dye wore off. I've found Curl Junkie products work best for me right now. We'll see if it still works in the summer months.

Sent from my iPhone using LHCF

curl junkie huh? thanks mg1979

 

[blackeyes31626]

The dew, j&b and bsp really keep my hair moisturized, juicy and shrunken.

My hair was breaking earlier in the year b/c I stopped doing protein tmts. I was so used to avoiding protein I forgot about doing tmts. None of my products contain proteins so I experienced a lot of breakage...major set back. Anyway, I did a henna/indigo tmt and the breakage stopped.

I really would like to wear my hair stretched out but glycerin is the only thing that moisturizes my hair and it will not stay stretched with that stuff.

I have given up on finding a good dc. I'll just stick w/ the avocado mask.

 

[caliscurls]

Here's what's been helping me:

- Sticking to products that don't contains sulfates, cones, or proteins
- using a reconstructor or protein treatment every 2-3 months only. In between I may use a conditioner with protein if my hair feels like it needs it - but only when it's showing the symptoms
- using the loc method** - water, oil mix, qb burdock root cream or curls soufflé
- using porosity control** conditioner as needed
- using Roux 213 as my leave in ** after co-washing - every time
- pre-poo with EVCOO with EVOO in it

For the oil I've refrained from experimenting and have been sticking to what works for me and lighter oils. I think the consistency is helping. I use:
- wild hair growth oil (with scalp messages after a shower steam)
- daily sealer mix: jojoba oil, apricot oil, rosemary oil, lavender oil, argon oil, almond oil, a very small amount of JBCO

 

[Evolving78]

i need to wash my hair with a sulfate shampoo and follow with a moisturizing one. the only thing i have right now is my chelating shampoo and Roux Porosity shampoo. my hair just feels hard or coated right now. i think when using protein, after so long you need a sulfate.

 

[faithVA]

shortdub78;18291275[/USER]]i need to wash my hair with a sulfate shampoo and follow with a moisturizing one. the only thing i have right now is my chelating shampoo and Roux Porosity shampoo. my hair just feels hard or coated right now. i think when using protein, after so long you need a sulfate.

I found the 4 Naturals Extra Moist Detangling Shampoo to be quite moisturizing.

I have just recently started using protein. Are you finding this with all proteins or just certain types. I am sticking with keratin protein treatments. I notice when I use other types of protein they tend to stay more on the surface of my hair vs. penetrating the strand like keratin. I will pay attention to see if I notice a coated feeling though.

 

[caliscurls]

i need to wash my hair with a sulfate shampoo and follow with a moisturizing one. the only thing i have right now is my chelating shampoo and Roux Porosity shampoo. my hair just feels hard or coated right now. i think when using protein, after so long you need a sulfate.

shortdub78 I switched to the Roux PC shampoo as well a while back for when I need to get squeaky clean. Right now I'm watering it down, targeting the scalp, and then pulling through my hair. So far so good.

 

[Evolving78]

shortdub78 I switched to the Roux PC shampoo as well a while back for when I need to get squeaky clean. Right now I'm watering it down, targeting the scalp, and then pulling through my hair. So far so good.

i focus on the scalp too and i just let the suds run down. KiwiStyle really put me on to the shampoo and conditioner. the conditioner and treatment that comes in the little vials saved my hair after i had my mom put relaxer on my entire strands.

 

[caliscurls]

I found the 4 Naturals Extra Moist Detangling Shampoo to be quite moisturizing.

I have just recently started using protein. Are you finding this with all proteins or just certain types. I am sticking with keratin protein treatments. I notice when I use other types of protein they tend to stay more on the surface of my hair vs. penetrating the strand like keratin. I will pay attention to see if I notice a coated feeling though.

In my humble opinion the type of protein matters. Aphogee is just too much for me. Nexxus Emergencee and Joico K pak reconstructor seem to work very well for me. I need to do an ingredient check to see what the differentiator could be.

 

[caliscurls]

shortdub78 what type of protein are you using? As with faithVA I think the type of protein and how often you use it make a difference

 

[faithVA]

In my humble opinion the type of protein matters. Aphogee is just too much for me. Nexxus Emergencee and Joico K pak reconstructor seem to work very well for me. I need to do an ingredient check to see what the differentiator could be.

I know that keratin penetrates the strand. But I don't think all proteins penetrate the strand. I think some proteins lay on the surface. I could be wrong I'm still new to protein. But I was wondering if shortdub's hair was feeling coated due to non keratin protein.

I have found that I can use a keratin protein treatment every few weeks. If I use a non-keratin treatment, my hair tends to get brittle and break. But I am going to try Giovanni's Nutrafix which doesn't have keratin and see how that works.

 

[Evolving78]

shortdub78 what type of protein are you using? As with faithVA I think the type of protein and how often you use it make a difference

Aphogee 2 min. i tried to find Nexxus, but couldn't at the time i was in the stores. the Joico is too strong for me. the min i put it on, i have to rinse it out right away.

 

[Evolving78]

I know that keratin penetrates the strand. But I don't think all proteins penetrate the strand. I think some proteins lay on the surface. I could be wrong I'm still new to protein. But I was wondering if shortdub's hair was feeling coated due to non keratin protein.

I have found that I can use a keratin protein treatment every few weeks. If I use a non-keratin treatment, my hair tends to get brittle and break. But I am going to try Giovanni's Nutrafix which doesn't have keratin and see how that works.

i will have to look into that i know you were using the ION and i had my daughter and niece with me in Sally's. the girls were touching everything! i decided to just grab what was in my face. is that a keratin treatment?

 

[caliscurls]

I know that keratin penetrates the strand. But I don't think all proteins penetrate the strand. I think some proteins lay on the surface. I could be wrong I'm still new to protein. But I was wondering if shortdub's hair was feeling coated due to non keratin protein.

I have found that I can use a keratin protein treatment every few weeks. If I use a non-keratin treatment, my hair tends to get brittle and break. But I am going to try Giovanni's Nutrafix which doesn't have keratin and see how that works.

Aphogee 2 min. i tried to find Nexxus, but couldn't at the time i was in the stores. the Joico is too strong for me. the min i put it on, i have to rinse it out right away.

I think faithVA may be on to something. You may want to give keratin a try shortdub78.
faithVA what exactly are you using? I say this knowing I've banned myself in the short term from trying new products! But will give it a whirl when my ban lifts in the summer. nexxus emergencee is hard to find and i hate having to stock up on stuff.

 

[faithVA]

i will have to look into that i know you were using the ION and i had my daughter and niece with me in Sally's. the girls were touching everything! i decided to just grab what was in my face. is that a keratin treatment?

Yes, there is ION Reconstructor and ION Effective Care. I guess the Reconstructor is a bit stronger than the Effective Care. I've used both but can't tell the difference. They have sample sizes which I love.

I used the Aphogee 2 min once. But my hair shed so badly afterward that I got scared and never used it. It could have been coincidence. I didn't want to chance it.

I'm using the 4 Naturals Reconstructor now which seems good. But I'm still trying to figure out a protein regimen. I'm still doing a lot of guesswork and trial and error.

 

[MaraWithLove]

Hmm, I have no idea if it has anything to do with my hair's porosity. But, lately I've found that co-washing or wetting my hair and adding tresseme naturals, then putting Nubian heritage's deep conditioner over as a kind of sealant has been working well!

 

[faithVA]

Hmm, I have no idea if it has anything to do with my hair's porosity. But, lately I've found that co-washing or wetting my hair and adding tresseme naturals, then putting Nubian heritage's deep conditioner over as a kind of sealant has been working well!

My hair seems to like the creams as well. How have you been wearing your hair?

 

[MaraWithLove]

^^Thanks for the reminders, I'm probably due for a pt. Think my last one was in February. Using light protein once in a while is good for my hair, but I can't do anything strong.

 

[MaraWithLove]

faithVA Since cutting my hair, I've mostly just been wearing it in a wash and go. I'm back to my trusty puff now and I recently stretched it with cornrows. I'm considering braiding it, just for a little while. How about you?

Also, for low porosity ladies, how do you keep moisture in your hair while it's in a stretched state? I'm so used to wetting my hair often that it seems like my hair is Sahara dry once I wear it stretched.

 

[faithVA]

Today my hair is moisturized but unfortunately I have done so much junk to my hair I don't know which of the things helped This weekend I will have to try to duplicate it.

After rinsing the DC, I baggied for 15 min under a heat cap
I used As I Am Leave-In
Added a layer Farasues Hair Fertilizer
Added a layer of Nubian Heritage Growth and Strength Masque
I think I put Qhemet Alma Nourishing Pomade on my ends
I think I let it dry a bit and then put on a layer of almond oil
I spritzed it with Komaza Vitamin Reign
Then I twisted it with 4 Naturals Stretch Cream

Maybe I do need all of those layers.

 

[faithVA]

faithVA Since cutting my hair, I've mostly just been wearing it in a wash and go. I'm back to my trusty puff now and I recently stretched it with cornrows. I'm considering braiding it, just for a little while. How about you?

Also, for low porosity ladies, how do you keep moisture in your hair while it's in a stretched state? I'm so used to wetting my hair often that it seems like my hair is Sahara dry once I wear it stretched.

It seems like it is taking forever to get any length. Right now I'm all over the place with styles. I have been bouncing between twist outs, finger coils, bantu knot outs, flat twist outs and roller sets. Its annoying

I have thought about installing some twist extensions but I'm still practicing. I just ordered 2 half wigs. I am hoping one of them works so I can just put my hair away.

 

[MaraWithLove]

Lol, well at least you're experimenting! I'm just sticking to simple stuff haha. I can't do a smooth rollerset to save my life!

I'm actually thinking of installing some crochet braids and leaving them in for a little while. Haha, I have a cute wig for bad-hair-no-time days.

 

[faithVA]

Lol, well at least you're experimenting! I'm just sticking to simple stuff haha. I can't do a smooth rollerset to save my life!

I'm actually thinking of installing some crochet braids and leaving them in for a little while. Haha, I have a cute wig for bad-hair-no-time days.

I want simple. I really do. But my hair likes to live a complex life.

 

[faithVA]

I hate when I get a mention and there is no mention in the thread

 

[MaraWithLove]

Well, one thing is for certain: doing treatments on my hair (with a baggy over top) while working out = good way to get moisture in my hair. Not that others haven't stated such before.

 

[Bublin]

I've been using waaaay too much product.
For the past 2 weeks I've been putting my hair on a diet and there is a difference.

Today I washed and only applied my leave-in and then put in large twists. No moisturiser and no oil to seal.

Lo and Behold my hair is almost fully dry in 2 hours later. This is setting on soaking wet hair.

It has dried extremely soft and non greasy.

The real test is what it will look like when I undo the twists tomorrow and then I'll have to decide how I will moisturise until my next wash.

Trial and Error.

 

[Lavendar]

Subbing....due to 9 mos. natural, 4a/3c I guess, very fine, lo-po, and struggling with the temperature and humidity change.

 

[caliscurls]

Any low porosity and protein sensitive folks using Silk Dreams products successfully? If so let me know which ones, thanks!