Major breakage slowed down, but now what - Help please

[mstrublvr]

I have been reading through the threads for about 4 months now and you all have really helped me. I have learned (I think) the reason my hair brokeoff and how now to help it. And just want to say thank you all BEFORE I ask for more direct help

Breakage Problem So far:
I had my hair in braids for 2yrs (after a BC) til April 2010. I had a full head of virgin thick hair. Got a relaxer with new (recommended stylist). Hair started breaking off after a few months. She said it was my stress, water, vitamins and I needed to come in more. So I did all the above. Breakage continued. So after finding this forum I started thinking it was 1) the frequency of chemicals..she said 6wks was fine for relaxer/color but I realize now that it was wayyy too much on my hair. 2)Also, started thinking (again thanks to LHCF) that maybe the chemicals weren't being neutralized and washed out completely..not to mention she was giving me alot of protein, but not enough moisture. My hair just seemed hard and sad.

Present:
My hair is APL, but with alot of breakage throughout. I am doing a flexirod rollerset that gives me lotsa curls to hide the damage and it looks pretty cute too. I wash weekly and protein, dc, moisture. Every other day because I workout I cowash with moisturizing conditioner then use a leave-in. All products recommended here.

So my questions now are:
1. Will cutting it all off and starting over be any better than hiding it and letting the damage grow out? I noticed I get tangles and see little bits of hair with the flexirods, but not as much as before. Hair is sooo soft now and people comment on the shine, look and I get crazy compliments on the curls (sureee my hair is naturally curly..right I look dominican LOL) ..if only they knew what's under it all

2. Is it better to stretch as long as possible or keep the relaxing going, but less frequently? So far I haven't used a relaxer in 8wks, non-amnonia color rinse in 4wks..I have grays and they really age me. With color: wow you can't be 40! Without color..yeaa look the age and thensome.

3. Is there anything else I can do to help my hair? I eat pretty healthy now, water, vitamins, exercise..TRYING to stay stress free while working ft, school (finally getting BS degree) and dealing with a 17yr old son..right no stress lol

I am soo afraid of going to another stylist who will add to the damage and/or see the damage and get scissor happy too.

Suggestions? Prayers?

 

[NicWhite]

Maybe you will just have to patient. I am no expert but it seems that you are correcting the problem. It could be that the overprocessed pieces just can't hang on any longer. God job at getting a handle on the breakage and taking charge of your hair.

Maybe a light trim would not hurt. Are you able to trim your hair yourself?

ETA: BTW - to LHCF!!!

 

[IMFOCSD]

Hi!

I am no expert either but I think hiding your hair can help. I once went through a very embarassing moment with my hair. I would part my hair from ear to ear and the front was a long ponytail and the back half had hardly no hair hanging out of the ponytail. It was so bad that I would lay the back of my head on the couch and there would be little brokedn hairs all over the couch smh..I was very depressed. I did a protein treatment using aphogee treatment for damaged hair and after that I trimmed the back every month and and kept the top the same legnth it was. I deep conditioned with a reconstructer every week and kept my hair braided under a wig or geled up into a ponytail with curly/wavy weave. I started seeing improvement after the first month of hiding my hair and after the third month I was amazed...so yeah hiding your hair def works.

and also moisture, moisture and more moisture..at the time i was using ORS olive oil moisturizer and s-curl (which I still use)

 

[mstrublvr]

Thank you! I love this site.

I never trimmed myself..hmmm.

I was thinking this maybe a patience game too.
Sent from my ADR6300 using Long Hair Care Forum App

 

[mstrublvr]

Yep my longest, healthiest part is the front...I will never critize Donald Trump'comb over again. Aphoghee is what I am using and Nexus Humectress.

Sent from my ADR6300 using Long Hair Care Forum App

 

[mstrublvr]

Hi!

I am no expert either but I think hiding your hair can help. I once went through a very embarassing moment with my hair. I would part my hair from ear to ear and the front was a long ponytail and the back half had hardly no hair hanging out of the ponytail. It was so bad that I would lay the back of my head on the couch and there would be little brokedn hairs all over the couch smh..I was very depressed. I did a protein treatment using aphogee treatment for damaged hair and after that I trimmed the back every month and and kept the top the same legnth it was. I deep conditioned with a reconstructer every week and kept my hair braided under a wig or geled up into a ponytail with curly/wavy weave. I started seeing improvement after the first month of hiding my hair and after the third month I was amazed...so yeah hiding your hair def works.

and also moisture, moisture and more moisture..at the time i was using ORS olive oil moisturizer and s-curl (which I still use)

Ok I will get some ORS and s-curl too.

 

[IMFOCSD]

Thank you! I love this site.

I never trimmed myself..hmmm.

I was thinking this maybe a patience game too.
Sent from my ADR6300 using Long Hair Care Forum App

I remember when i first started trimming my own hair did research on line and looked at dialoges..and I used to get my hair done by one of the best stylists ever! When she trimmed my hair i would watch her every move in the mirror lol...she was the best at cutting/trimming hair. There are also lots of videos on youtube.

 

[IMFOCSD]

Yep my longest, healthiest part is the front...I will never critize Donald Trump'comb over again. Aphoghee is what I am using and Nexus Humectress.

Sent from my ADR6300 using Long Hair Care Forum App

I have never used nexxus products but i want to so bad lol.

 

[mstrublvr]

I remember when i first started trimming my own hair did research on line and looked at dialoges..and I used to get my hair done by one of the best stylists ever! When she trimmed my hair i would watch her every move in the mirror lol...she was the best at cutting/trimming hair. There are also lots of videos on youtube.

Rightttt youtube! That is where I first learned how to do a flexirod set.