Luscious Healthy Ends Challenge 2023

[Napp]

Tomorrow I’m getting my grays dyed and then a blow out and trim. I can’t wait to do a thorough inspection of my hair in the blown out state.

I wish my stylist could do blow outs like this woman. Hers are so sleek. When my stylist does it they come out very puffy.

Lazhane Hightower on Instagram: "Service | The returning experience I always say thank God for growth, because I really thought I knew what I was doing. She would tell me over and over but I would not listen. Now years later, while I’m blow drying

136K likes, 595 comments - hairbynay247 on April 26, 2023: "Service | The returning experience I always say thank God for growth, because I really thought I knew what I was doing. She would tell me over and over but I would not listen. Now years later, while I’m blow drying that’s all I hear...

www.instagram.com

Just remember more heat and tension would have to be applied to get it straight like that.

I remember when I worked at a Dominican salon and they would modify their blowdryers to get hotter than the hottest setting so that they could blow dry afro hair straight with no flat iron. It’s like yeah no flat iron was used but at what cost?

I’m not saying this lady modifies her blowdryer too but you really need to add a good amount of heat for that kind or smoothness and I know you are worried about possibly damaging your hair. Is it worth it for you?

 

[Chicoro]

Alright, I think I am starting to see the results of my changes. Photo taken after my Aphogee 2 Step Process this weekend, Sunday Nov 12th, 2023.

1. No wiry hairs sticking out the crown of my head or sticking out around the ponytail holder, very smooth hair.
2. Ponytail curls are tighter due to the treatment (Aphogee 2 puts texture into my ponytail making it look super curly).
3. I can see the improvement in my hair after the 10 months of clay washing and 3 treatments of Aphogee 2 Step.
4. My hair is thickening and I can see it around the hairline and at the top of my head. But it's hard to see it in these photos.
5. My hair is starting to look like it did when my hair was healthy and I was solidly on my successful healthy hair journey years ago.
6. No sticky, no Velcro ends!

The spots on the mirror are part of the mirror's style so I'm sorry they block out part of my photo. The light is not that great either and these are as clear as I can get the photos, taking them by myself.

 

[Chicoro]

Just remember more heat and tension would have to be applied to get it straight like that.

I remember when I worked at a Dominican salon and they would modify their blowdryers to get hotter than the hottest setting so that they could blow dry afro hair straight with no flat iron. It’s like yeah no flat iron was used but at what cost?

I’m not saying this lady modifies her blowdryer too but you really need to add a good amount of heat for that kind or smoothness and I know you are worried about possibly damaging your hair. Is it worth it for you?

Interesting! So some these Dominican salons modified their blowdryers?!!? !!!! I would have NEVER thought this. I know if you are saying this, it is true.

@Napp
Did you see a lot of people having damaged hair over time?

 

[Lylddlebit]

Ooo! Thank you for the visuals. I see you were stunting on 25 inch weaves back in 2022, as well! I love the length of your hair.Thank you for this detailed explanation!

I guess I need to get my skills on track because when I straighten 'bad ends' on my own head, this just serves to flatten and melt them. It's not a pretty sight at all.

No problem on the visual and thanks for the compliment. Now styling through it is a temporary band-aid with the promise of cutting off all bad ends by a firm deadline. There is also the stipulation that every mini-cut shows improvement and damage is not progressing, but it can be useful from time to time. It was the perfect time to start this regimen during COVID social distancing. It is the perfect time to conclude it since I stopped social distancing once the national emergency ended(lucky for me my ends were in decent shape around that same time). I wouldn't have held on to them if I couldn't have strengthened them temporarily or was not cutting off significant bits each haircut.

 

[GettingKinky]

Would she be offended if you showed her the Instagram video, as an example of what you would like to have done to your hair?

I’m not sure how she would take it. And I don’t know if she is skilled at blowouts or just at flat ironing

 

[GettingKinky]

Just remember more heat and tension would have to be applied to get it straight like that.

I remember when I worked at a Dominican salon and they would modify their blowdryers to get hotter than the hottest setting so that they could blow dry afro hair straight with no flat iron. It’s like yeah no flat iron was used but at what cost?

I’m not saying this lady modifies her blowdryer too but you really need to add a good amount of heat for that kind or smoothness and I know you are worried about possibly damaging your hair. Is it worth it for you?

Good point. I don’t want smooth hair at the expense of heat damage. And given that I don’t think my stylist is a blow out queen I don’t want her to damage my hair trying to get those results. I feel like the stylist in the video mostly uses tension to get her results. Her clients (the ones she share) have beautiful hair and it seems like it reverts to curly without a problem.

 

[Chicoro]

I’m not sure how she would take it. And I don’t know if she is skilled at blowouts or just at flat ironing

Understood! Let us know how it goes, please.

 

[Lylddlebit]

Alright, I think I am starting to see the results of my changes. Photo taken after my Aphogee 2 Step Process this weekend, Sunday Nov 12th, 2023.

1. No wiry hairs sticking out the crown of my head or sticking out around the ponytail holder, very smooth hair.
2. Ponytail curls are tighter due to the treatment (Aphogee 2 puts texture into my ponytail making it look super curly).
3. I can see the improvement in my hair after the 10 months of clay washing and 3 treatments of Aphogee 2 Step.
4. My hair is thickening and I can see it around the hairline and at the top of my head. But it's hard to see it in these photos.
5. My hair is starting to look like it did when my hair was healthy and I was solidly on my successful healthy hair journey years ago.
6. No sticky, no Velcro ends!

View attachment 492653View attachment 492655

The spots on the mirror are part of the mirror's style so I'm sorry they block out part of my photo. The light is not that great either and these are as clear as I can get the photos, taking them by myself.

I definitely see the volume and moisture radiating from this photo.

 

[Lylddlebit]

Napp said:
Just remember more heat and tension would have to be applied to get it straight like that.

I remember when I worked at a Dominican salon and they would modify their blowdryers to get hotter than the hottest setting so that they could blow dry afro hair straight with no flat iron. It’s like yeah no flat iron was used but at what cost?

I’m not saying this lady modifies her blowdryer too but you really need to add a good amount of heat for that kind or smoothness and I know you are worried about possibly damaging your hair. Is it worth it for you?

You can roast a Thanksgiving turkey with those modified dryers
but I agree with your post. Good tension and decent heat are needed. Sometimes stylists can use medium heat and good tension on high-porosity hair to blow it out smoothly, but its porosity usually helps it to smooth with less heat(and it cannot tolerate high heat). Most healthy heads of hair will require moderate-high heat to enable the tension and the technique to smooth it out with minimum passes/manipulation. There is certainly a balance required. Then there are cheat codes like the Revair.

 

[Napp]

Interesting! So some these Dominican salons modified their blowdryers?!!? !!!! I would have NEVER thought this. I know if you are saying this, it is true.

@Napp
Did you see a lot of people having damaged hair over time?

I didn’t stay long enough to notice a trend. They were very toxic to work with. They hated that I wore my natural hair too.

 

[Napp]

LONG POST

I had a lot of thoughts I want to document.

I unlocked some new nuggets for maintaining my protective style:

During my nightly refresh, Adding a light layer of Giovanni direct leave in conditioner before gel gives my hair a superb level of moisture while adding to the impeccable hold of my gels. My hair was perfect even after walking for over an hour outside. When I run my hand over my waves they feel very supple and moisturized but still have hold. I’m in love!

In an effort to use what I have before buying something new, I’ve been experimenting with Sally’s GVP Paul Mitchell the conditioner. So far I really like it to moisturize my ends. My ends are very soft when I take down my bun and there is no oily residue on my hair scarf and pillow. Plus it smells great. It may become a staple as well. It is more moisturizing than the original brand name which I like.

These two may even replace my beloved Salerm 23 because they are cheaper, but the Salerm smells so good. I have a lot of it so I will try using it in different ways.

the Salerm and gel combo left my hair very stiff which meant good hold, but since using the Giovanni I now know I can get hold with more moisture as well. I really feel this is a game changer.

This passed wash day I tried to wear my hair in two braids instead of my signature bun. My hair was so wet it never dried, it left a funny profile shape and overall did not look as polished as my bun. I will not make that mistake again. It’s a donut bun for life it seems lol

Another thing I changed was to start wearing a satin scarf instead of a durag. The durag was leaving a line in my bun which was annoying me. So far it’s ok. Idk if I will switch back to the durag but right now the scarf is working too.

I am also switching my donut bun to the satin ones again. I have a bigger size that I’m wearing and since I’m not using anything oily on my ends the satin does bleed and ruin my scarf or pillows. I keep switching between covered and uncovered bun makers but since my ends have been drying out by the end of the day without the satin, I’m hoping the covering helps keep them more moist. The bigger bun maker also stretches out my ends more so I’ve noticed much less tangling after daily moisturizing after a week.


I don’t know if I’ll have the time to straighten by the end of this year either. I am trying to bun for 6 straight months and then do a length check. The difference between my new growth and ends is so apparent there are just styles I cannot do until I’m ready to big chop, The bun is the only quick and reliable style that has allowed me to transition for so long. I am no longer tired of it because I love how neat it looks all day and I don’t have to do much effort to look put together. It’s definitely my life line.

Every time I try to do a different style I get so frustrated but I just have to wait until I get the length I want as a natural before I cut these ends off. Also I feel like my ends are like training wheels to help me know how to keep them as full as possible. so when I’m fully natural I can maintain my ends thickness. It is hard but I can stick to this transition for as long as it takes.

Im looking forward to next years thread. I’m really going militant on these ends! I want to see if I can get to full BSL for the first time in my life.

 

[Lylddlebit]

LONG POST

I had a lot of thoughts I want to document.

I unlocked some new nuggets for maintaining my protective style:

During my nightly refresh, Adding a light layer of Giovanni direct leave in conditioner before gel gives my hair a superb level of moisture while adding to the impeccable hold of my gels. My hair was perfect even after walking for over an hour outside. When I run my hand over my waves they feel very supple and moisturized but still have hold. I’m in love!

In an effort to use what I have before buying something new, I’ve been experimenting with Sally’s GVP Paul Mitchell the conditioner. So far I really like it to moisturize my ends. My ends are very soft when I take down my bun and there is no oily residue on my hair scarf and pillow. Plus it smells great. It may become a staple as well. It is more moisturizing than the original brand name which I like.

These two may even replace my beloved Salerm 23 because they are cheaper, but the Salerm smells so good. I have a lot of it so I will try using it in different ways.

the Salerm and gel combo left my hair very stiff which meant good hold, but since using the Giovanni I now know I can get hold with more moisture as well. I really feel this is a game changer.

This passed wash day I tried to wear my hair in two braids instead of my signature bun. My hair was so wet it never dried, it left a funny profile shape and overall did not look as polished as my bun. I will not make that mistake again. It’s a donut bun for life it seems lol

Another thing I changed was to start wearing a satin scarf instead of a durag. The durag was leaving a line in my bun which was annoying me. So far it’s ok. Idk if I will switch back to the durag but right now the scarf is working too.

I am also switching my donut bun to the satin ones again. I have a bigger size that I’m wearing and since I’m not using anything oily on my ends the satin does bleed and ruin my scarf or pillows. I keep switching between covered and uncovered bun makers but since my ends have been drying out by the end of the day without the satin, I’m hoping the covering helps keep them more moist. The bigger bun maker also stretches out my ends more so I’ve noticed much less tangling after daily moisturizing after a week.


I don’t know if I’ll have the time to straighten by the end of this year either. I am trying to bun for 6 straight months and then do a length check. The difference between my new growth and ends is so apparent there are just styles I cannot do until I’m ready to big chop, The bun is the only quick and reliable style that has allowed me to transition for so long. I am no longer tired of it because I love how neat it looks all day and I don’t have to do much effort to look put together. It’s definitely my life line.

Every time I try to do a different style I get so frustrated but I just have to wait until I get the length I want as a natural before I cut these ends off. Also I feel like my ends are like training wheels to help me know how to keep them as full as possible. so when I’m fully natural I can maintain my ends thickness. It is hard but I can stick to this transition for as long as it takes.

Im looking forward to next years thread. I’m really going militant on these ends! I want to see if I can get to full BSL for the first time in my life.

Great trend. You can get there!

 

[Chicoro]

LONG POST

I had a lot of thoughts I want to document.

I unlocked some new nuggets for maintaining my protective style:

During my nightly refresh, Adding a light layer of Giovanni direct leave in conditioner before gel gives my hair a superb level of moisture while adding to the impeccable hold of my gels. My hair was perfect even after walking for over an hour outside. When I run my hand over my waves they feel very supple and moisturized but still have hold. I’m in love!

In an effort to use what I have before buying something new, I’ve been experimenting with Sally’s GVP Paul Mitchell the conditioner. So far I really like it to moisturize my ends. My ends are very soft when I take down my bun and there is no oily residue on my hair scarf and pillow. Plus it smells great. It may become a staple as well. It is more moisturizing than the original brand name which I like.

These two may even replace my beloved Salerm 23 because they are cheaper, but the Salerm smells so good. I have a lot of it so I will try using it in different ways.

the Salerm and gel combo left my hair very stiff which meant good hold, but since using the Giovanni I now know I can get hold with more moisture as well. I really feel this is a game changer.

This passed wash day I tried to wear my hair in two braids instead of my signature bun. My hair was so wet it never dried, it left a funny profile shape and overall did not look as polished as my bun. I will not make that mistake again. It’s a donut bun for life it seems lol

Another thing I changed was to start wearing a satin scarf instead of a durag. The durag was leaving a line in my bun which was annoying me. So far it’s ok. Idk if I will switch back to the durag but right now the scarf is working too.

I am also switching my donut bun to the satin ones again. I have a bigger size that I’m wearing and since I’m not using anything oily on my ends the satin does bleed and ruin my scarf or pillows. I keep switching between covered and uncovered bun makers but since my ends have been drying out by the end of the day without the satin, I’m hoping the covering helps keep them more moist. The bigger bun maker also stretches out my ends more so I’ve noticed much less tangling after daily moisturizing after a week.


I don’t know if I’ll have the time to straighten by the end of this year either. I am trying to bun for 6 straight months and then do a length check. The difference between my new growth and ends is so apparent there are just styles I cannot do until I’m ready to big chop, The bun is the only quick and reliable style that has allowed me to transition for so long. I am no longer tired of it because I love how neat it looks all day and I don’t have to do much effort to look put together. It’s definitely my life line.

Every time I try to do a different style I get so frustrated but I just have to wait until I get the length I want as a natural before I cut these ends off. Also I feel like my ends are like training wheels to help me know how to keep them as full as possible. so when I’m fully natural I can maintain my ends thickness. It is hard but I can stick to this transition for as long as it takes.

Im looking forward to next years thread. I’m really going militant on these ends! I want to see if I can get to full BSL for the first time in my life.

Great analysis performed and excellent conclusions drawn!

 

[keranikki]

Alright, I think I am starting to see the results of my changes. Photo taken after my Aphogee 2 Step Process this weekend, Sunday Nov 12th, 2023.

1. No wiry hairs sticking out the crown of my head or sticking out around the ponytail holder, very smooth hair.
2. Ponytail curls are tighter due to the treatment (Aphogee 2 puts texture into my ponytail making it look super curly).
3. I can see the improvement in my hair after the 10 months of clay washing and 3 treatments of Aphogee 2 Step.
4. My hair is thickening and I can see it around the hairline and at the top of my head. But it's hard to see it in these photos.
5. My hair is starting to look like it did when my hair was healthy and I was solidly on my successful healthy hair journey years ago.
6. No sticky, no Velcro ends!

View attachment 492653View attachment 492655

The spots on the mirror are part of the mirror's style so I'm sorry they block out part of my photo. The light is not that great either and these are as clear as I can get the photos, taking them by myself.

Your curls are Poppin’!!!!

 

[GettingKinky]

I have so many broken hairs around my hairline. It’s been this way my entire life even when I was a little kid and my mom did my hair. I used to think it was from pulling my hair back, and maybe it is.

I think I need to go for an extended period of time without wearing a bun/puff/ponytail and see how that hair does. I need to learn to flat twist so I can do something different with that hair when I’m having a bad hair day.

 

[Chicoro]

I have so many broken hairs around my hairline. It’s been this way my entire life even when I was a little kid and my mom did my hair. I used to think it was from pulling my hair back, and maybe it is.

I think I need to go for an extended period of time without wearing a bun/puff/ponytail and see how that hair does. I need to learn to flat twist so I can do something different with that hair when I’m having a bad hair day.

Here are some of my thoughts regarding your situation.

Fragility:
This sounds to me like perhaps the hair around your hairline is either a slightly different texture from the rest of your head, or that it is more fragile in texture than the rest of your head. I state this because you mentioned the hairline breakage has been with you since you were little.

Dye/Coloring:
If you are using any dye or coloring around the perimeter or even within the hair, this also creates more vulnerability on the hair strand.

Protein/Fortification:
The hair at the hairline receives a beating from the face being cleansed and cared for on a daily basis, meaning that hair gets wet constantly when the face is washed. Creams and face products touch this hair, too. And this hair is probably touched more than hair at the crown, for example. This translates into a lot of wear and tear or weathering of the hair at the hairline. Perhaps you may want to consider to put in a weekly protein leave in, specifically targeting the front edges. I like Aphogee Green Tea Keratin Leave In. I re-started putting in the Aphogee Green Tea Keratin, or an equivalent product, after every wash and conditioning session, starting in August 2023. I am seeing a difference.

 

[GettingKinky]

Thanks @Chicoro

I do get my hair dyed every ~8 weeks but that’s all of my roots not just my hairline.

I like the idea of using protein to fortify my hairline. I use a protein conditioner every week on my ends, I guess my hairline needs the same care. I will also look into the Aphogee leave-in

 

[Chicoro]

Thanks @Chicoro

I do get my hair dyed every ~8 weeks but that’s all of my roots not just my hairline.

I like the idea of using protein to fortify my hairline. I use a protein conditioner every week on my ends, I guess my hairline needs the same care. I will also look into the Aphogee leave-in

Your are welcome. Good luck! Keep us posted. Also, I'm sure some of our other LHCF sisters in this thread are going to come through with some suggestions, too!

 

[Mapleoats]

Im going to blow out and trim my hair this weekend, then do another trim when I press my hair for my birthday/length check in december.

I think by the end of the year I'll cut off about 2 inches. I have a lot of splits/dead ends that I need to part ways with.

given I plan to cut so much, I don't think I'll make WL at the end of this year, but I am okay with that. I am manifesting it for next year. I feel really excited for my hair journey in 2024.

 

[Napp]

In an effort to streamline my daily regimen I am no longer going to take down my bun and moisturize my ends daily. I think it may be too much manipulation.

Here is my nightly routine with the baggy:

1. Spray liquid keratin leave in
2. Apply leave in cream for moisture
3. Apply Base Gel for smoothing
4. Apply Topper gel for hold
5. Spray liquid keratin leave in on ends
6. Apply moisturizing cream to ends
7. Seal with grease
8. Form bun
9. Apply baggy
10. Tie down with scarf

So i want to stop reforming the bun every day and just slick the top like @Chicoro. I think this will lead to less breakage for me. I think i will only do this full regimen once or twice a week and keep the bun in for 2 weeks vs one

So my new daily regimen will look more like this

1. Spray liquid keratin leave in
2. Apply leave in cream for moisture
3. Apply Base Gel for smoothing
4. Apply Topper gel for hold
5. Spray liquid keratin leave in on ends
6. Apply moisturizing cream to ends
7. Seal with grease
8. Form bun
9. Apply baggy
10. Tie down with scarf

I will experiment with this until the end of the year and see how much hair i lose when i wash. I feel like wash day ball of hair is too big for once week so i am trying to lower the manipulation. Plus I just want to spend less time on my hair.

 

[Mapleoats]

Im going to blow out and trim my hair this weekend, then do another trim when I press my hair for my birthday/length check in december.

I think by the end of the year I'll cut off about 2 inches. I have a lot of splits/dead ends that I need to part ways with.

given I plan to cut so much, I don't think I'll make WL at the end of this year, but I am okay with that. I am manifesting it for next year. I feel really excited for my hair journey in 2024.

I've noticed very few SSK after my most recent trim. I always thought SSK were a fact of life for my hair, but now I know it's all about my hair care practices.

I've always been a stretched hair natural. So incorporating clay washes and using shampoo less was the major change that resulted in reduced SSK. That's just tells me shampooing was really tangling my hair.

The second change is keeping my hair twisted up more. Again, less opportunity for tangles.

now the next thing to remove from my hair is split ends. I always have them and just accepted them. Now I am on a mission to rid myself of split ends by the end of 2024!

 

[Mapleoats]

@Lylddlebit have you ever used henna in your hair?

 

[Lylddlebit]

I've noticed very few SSK after my most recent trim. I always thought SSK were a fact of life for my hair, but now I know it's all about my hair care practices.

I've always been a stretched hair natural. So incorporating clay washes and using shampoo less was the major change that resulted in reduced SSK. That's just tells me shampooing was really tangling my hair.

The second change is keeping my hair twisted up more. Again, less opportunity for tangles.

now the next thing to remove from my hair is split ends. I always have them and just accepted them. Now I am on a mission to rid myself of split ends by the end of 2024!

Absolutely! Your hair can be spit end and single strand knot free. Once you understand your hair, you can pinpoint hat yields splits and knots in it to get ahead of them and quickly remove them when they sneak in there.

 

[Lylddlebit]

@Lylddlebit have you ever used henna in your hair?

Henna is one popular practice/product I never tried. The messiness and preparation deterred me, plus I wasn't trying to dye my hair. I use Ayurvedic products and herbs from time to time but I have never tried henna or the other ones that can change my hair color and stain my good towels lol.

 

[Mapleoats]

Henna is one popular practice/product I never tried. The messiness and preparation deterred me, plus I wasn't trying to dye my hair. I use Ayurvedic products and herbs from time to time but I have never tried henna or the other ones that can change my hair color and stain my good towels lol.

Lol! I am curious but also deterred atm. I am looking for success stories from naturals who mostly wear their hair straight/stretched. I guess I'll keep looking then

 

[Lylddlebit]

Lol! I am curious but also deterred atm. I am looking for success stories from naturals who mostly wear their hair straight/stretched. I guess I'll keep looking then

you may like https://www.youtube.com/@milami./videos
Her hair and regimen have a lot of similarities to mine. Her use of henna is one difference.

 

[Chicoro]

Lol! I am curious but also deterred atm. I am looking for success stories from naturals who mostly wear their hair straight/stretched. I guess I'll keep looking then

You didn't ask me, but I would suggest you wait on incorporating the henna, specifically neutral henna which does not color the hair. Henna makes some people's hair flourish. For other people it can dry it out and create splits and breakage.

I think you are on track and may want to continue your process until you resolve your split ends challenge. Once you resolve that and see that your split ends are steadily decreasing, to the point of seeing almost none, then you may want to consider henna.

You know your hair better than I ever will. You resolved your frizz issue and your knots issue. Split ends are the last major issue from what I've seen you mention. Once you get this one down and clear, if you move onto henna and issues arrive, you will know exactly what caused the problem and how to solve it because you already have solved the major issues prior to incorporating the henna.

Henna may be a godsend for your hair. It may also possible set you back to square one. Whichever avenue you choose to undertake, I hope it turns out well for you and that it turns out how you want it to turn out for your hair.

 

[Chicoro]

In an effort to streamline my daily regimen I am no longer going to take down my bun and moisturize my ends daily. I think it may be too much manipulation.

Here is my nightly routine with the baggy:

1. Spray liquid keratin leave in
2. Apply leave in cream for moisture
3. Apply Base Gel for smoothing
4. Apply Topper gel for hold
5. Spray liquid keratin leave in on ends
6. Apply moisturizing cream to ends
7. Seal with grease
8. Form bun
9. Apply baggy
10. Tie down with scarf

So i want to stop reforming the bun every day and just slick the top like @Chicoro. I think this will lead to less breakage for me. I think i will only do this full regimen once or twice a week and keep the bun in for 2 weeks vs one

So my new daily regimen will look more like this

1. Spray liquid keratin leave in
2. Apply leave in cream for moisture
3. Apply Base Gel for smoothing
4. Apply Topper gel for hold
5. Spray liquid keratin leave in on ends
6. Apply moisturizing cream to ends
7. Seal with grease
8. Form bun
9. Apply baggy
10. Tie down with scarf

I will experiment with this until the end of the year and see how much hair i lose when i wash. I feel like wash day ball of hair is too big for once week so i am trying to lower the manipulation. Plus I just want to spend less time on my hair.

I really like your routine. The only thing that may create an issue is using the liquid keratin every day. I see you have it in your regimen 2x per day. I am not sure which liquid keratin product you are using. Do you have the name and/or a picture of it to share? My suggestion is to try using the liquid keratin in the hair only 1x a day. Keratin can be very drying to the hair. It can also leave the hair strands coated and rough, but not always.

Because you are incorporating keratin in your process regularly, I would like to suggest that you check your hair every 3 days the FIRST Week. That way, if the keratin is having an adverse affect/impact on your hair, you can catch it early and nip it in the bud. If you leave your hair for two weeks with this new routine, or even longer, there are too many other factors that may arise and adversely or positively impact your hair, and it may be far more complicated for you to try to discern the source of the positive or negative impact.

After the first week of your new routine, perhaps during this week, week #2, you leave the bun for the week. Then, after the week is up, you take it down and examine the hair to ensure things are going as you would like.

Then, at the third week you for two weeks as you planned. That will take you up to four weeks, or one month.

Then after this fourth week, if all goes well with your new routine, then you go for one month. At the end, that will have you at eight (8) weeks into your new, modified routine. At these shorter intervals you can confirm definitively what is working and continue with it, and you can identify immediately what is not working and eradicate it or remove it from your routine before there are too many negative, impacts on the health and condition of your hair.

 

[Mapleoats]

You didn't ask me, but I would suggest you wait on incorporating the henna, specifically neutral henna which does not color the hair. Henna makes some people's hair flourish. For other people it can dry it out and create splits and breakage.

I think you are on track and may want to continue your process until you resolve your split ends challenge. Once you resolve that and see that your split ends are steadily decreasing, to the point of seeing almost none, then you may want to consider henna.

You know your hair better than I ever will. You resolved your frizz issue and your knots issue. Split ends are the last major issue from what I've seen you mention. Once you get this one down and clear, if you move onto henna and issues arrive, you will know exactly what caused the problem and how to solve it because you already have solved the major issues prior to incorporating the henna.

Henna may be a godsend for your hair. It may also possible set you back to square one. Whichever avenue you choose to undertake, I hope it turns out well for you and that it turns out how you want it to turn out for your hair.

That's a good point! From what I've seen with henna, people either absolutely love it and it's the best thing they did to their hair, or they hate it and claim it wrecked their hair lol. I am only researching right now what the potential benefits could be for me, and definitely would proceed cautiously and try to have my splits under control before giving it a try. For now it's just on the list of things that are piquing my interest but I am far from pulling the trigger on.

Strictly one thing at a time for me

 

[Mapleoats]

you may like https://www.youtube.com/@milami./videos
Her hair and regimen have a lot of similarities to mine. Her use of henna is one difference.

Thank you! I will take a look at her videos

i just scrolled through her channel and I am so excited to wash her videos, her routines seems very similar to mine as well.