My 1st post, Carmel, Stretching & Breakage...

[Hairness]

Hi Everyone!
This is my very first post. Let first let me say, you ladies have got it going on!! Whether you’re relaxed, natural or texlaxed, have short hair, long hair or anything in between, you have really researched and discovered what’s best for your beautiful locks!! Congrats to all! :notworthy

As for me, I’ve been doing searches for what ails me. I’m relaxed and had been having trouble with hair loss at the temples (mainly my left temple). I did a Google search and discovered this forum. I tried Lucky’s Mom’s Carmel recipe last week. The thing that stood out for me the most was when it was time to detangle – had had no hair in the comb!! This is unheard of for me! Thank you Lucky’s Mom for sharing your recipe. I don’t think I washed well (I only washed once) because all week, every so often I had a faint soar smell waft up me.

I also learned about stretching here. At 6 weeks I would go get a touch up like clockwork. If I waited 7 weeks my hair would begin to shed. I’m happy to say, with the advice from this board; I’ve stretched for 10 weeks!! Again, unheard for me! I tried to soften my new growth with ORS Carrot Oil, but that became too greasy for me and caused a big fat pimple to form on my face (I welcome all pimple remedies). I switched to Jane Carter’s Solution, shampoo, Nourish & Shine and Nourishing Cream. I’ve used that for one week and it has helped my roots stay moisturized without “greasing up” the permed straight hair.

I wanted to stretch for 12 weeks so I would only have to perm 4 times a year but the shedding has started again and I feel my hairline will start at my earlobe if I don’t even out these textures. Also, it looks like I have some straight hair on top of a short afro right now.

For you ladies that have stretched longer than 10 weeks, please let me know how you did it without breakage and how do you style your straight hair on top of the new growth? Thanks in advance for any advice you give!!

Shedding in the USA

 

[ms.blue]

I'm natural but I relax my mom hair and I let her stretch for 4 months. She is really low maintenance. I wash and deep condition (moisturizing or protein) her hair every two weeks. Apply a leave-in and blow dry w/ heat protectant. A couple of days later she applies a moisturizer. Oil her scalp w/ coconut oil and wears her hair out or a ponytail. The key is to keep the hair moisturized and low manipulation to curb shedding and breakage.

 

[miss stress]

I strech for something like 16 weeks and my reggie is very low manipulation. The first week I wear my hair in pin curls, then for the next 10 or so weeks I either co-wash or wash and deep condition with heat, air dry or blow and wear my upa clip (love that thing its a total lifesaver) after that, I get a sew-in or some braids till its time to take them down, clarify do a heavy protein treatment and relax again

 

[exoticmommie]

For me, low manipulation, ie braid outs, buns, cowashing rather than shampooing, doing a DEEP conditioning treatment, at least once a week, has helped. Keeping the roots soft and moisturized is very important.

 

[KinkyGenius]

Pretty much the same as the other ladies suggested:

• Low manipulation (braid outs, flexirod sets, buns/ponytails)
• I use a spray moisturizer directly on my NG after about 10 weeks post
• Co-wash 1x week
• Overnight deep conditioning 2x a month
• Deep conditioning 2x a week
• Weekly light protein as a pre-poo

 

[Hairness]

Thank you so much for your responses! Right now I deep condition every week with ORS Cholesterol and pre-poo with Essential Oils. Could you explain the concept of "Co-washes"? Should I put conditioner in my hair and wash it out without shampooing it? Does that weigh anybody's hair down? Also, from reading another post, I might have over conditioned my hair with protein.

What's an "upa clip"?

I've never had a sew in or attached braids, I'm afraid they will take out my hair. I've done braid outs before but right now I'm afraid that will that will cause more breakage. When you do braid outs, do you braid your hair once or do you re-braid your hair at night? If not, how do you "save" the style until the next day? I realize these are basic questions but my biggest concern right now if my hairline and not losing anymore hair from that area.

Also, what products do you use and can you tell me if they are considered protein or moisturizing?

Thank you again.

 

[KinkyGenius]

As far as the braidout question, I use satin strips to do my braidouts. I followed a braidout tutorial by this Youtuber: www.youtube.com/user/ninapruitt and since I use a product that gives me a soft hold I can wear my braidouts for about 2-3 days without rebraiding which is fine because I co-wash on Wednesdays so the braidout lasts to when I need it to. I just slap on my satin bonnet at night and sleep!

My version of co-washing is kinda like deep conditioning and co-washing wrapped in one. I apply the conditioner on my dry hair and then put a shower cap on. I then workout for about 45 mins and "steam" the conditioner in my hair, I hop in the shower, add a bit more conditioner and work the conditioner in and then rinse it out.

 

[Geminigirl]

Pure natural tea tree oil always clears my pimples. You can find it in the vitamin section at wal mart for cheap. You can also use this in your hair and on skin. It really clears my face and makes it glow.

Oh and welcome!!

 

[KinkyGenius]

And figured I copy and paste this response of mine from another thread I posted in:

Clarifying/chelating poo (sulfate poo)
1. Elucence Volume Clarifying Shampoo
2. Elucence Moisture Acidifying Shampoo - w/ relaxer (acts as a neutralizing shampoo)

Moisturizing Poo (non-sulfate)
1. Elucence Moisture Benefits Shampoo - diluted

DC (a real dc..protein or non-protein)
1. Elucence Moisture Balancing Conditioner - mixed with avocado oil, JBCO and silk amino acids - MOISTURIZING

Co-washing Conditioner (moisture, non-protein)
1. Tresemme Naturals Nourishing Moisture Conditioner - MOISTURIZING

Protein Conditioner (heavy or light)
1. Aubrey Organics GPB - light protein
2. Elucence Extended Moisture Repair Treatment - medium/hard protein

Intensive Reconstructor/protein treatment (ex. emergencee)
1. Mizani Renew Strength Reconstructing Gelee - PROTEIN

Leave-in (protein or non)
1. Matrix Biolage Daily Leave In Tonic - MOISTURIZING
2. Aphogee Keratin & Green Tea Restructurizer - PROTEIN


Moisturizer (on wet or dry hair/ daily or not)
1. Bee Mine Luscious Balanced Cream Moisturizer

Oil
1. Avocado Oil - used in DCs
2. Camellia Seed Oil - used as a sealant

Serum/gels/other
SERUM: Elucence Silk Hydrating Elixir
GEL: Aloe Vera Gel
HEAT PROTECTANT: Nioxin Bliss Thermal Heat Protectant
TREATMENTS: Biolage Cera-Repair Hydratherapie Treatment vials - MOISTURIZING
RELAXER: Alter Ego Linange Shea Butter Relaxer (new relaxer)

 

[NIN4eva]

Thank you so much for your responses! Right now I deep condition every week with ORS Cholesterol and pre-poo with Essential Oils. Could you explain the concept of "Co-washes"? Should I put conditioner in my hair and wash it out without shampooing it? Does that weigh anybody's hair down? Also, from reading another post, I might have over conditioned my hair with protein.

What's an "upa clip"?

I've never had a sew in or attached braids, I'm afraid they will take out my hair. I've done braid outs before but right now I'm afraid that will that will cause more breakage. When you do braid outs, do you braid your hair once or do you re-braid your hair at night? If not, how do you "save" the style until the next day? I realize these are basic questions but my biggest concern right now if my hairline and not losing anymore hair from that area.

Also, what products do you use and can you tell me if they are considered protein or moisturizing?

Thank you again.

I'm a 3 month stretcher. I would stay away from sew-ins and attached braids if you're trying to retain relaxed length and go easy on your hairline and nape.

These guys have great braidout tutorials
http://zanandrob.com/2010/02/my-3-cornrow-braidout/

Twistout tutorials
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KtlAAGvQZ4k
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mRU3s5PCU8k

 

[Hairness]

Thank you, thank you!! ShyIntellect, I read one post, it's says our hair is dry and to moisturize...then I read another post that says our hair is fragile, use protein and it's difficult to know which is which if you're a newbie! Thank you for this list!

Thank you also NIN4eva! What a great site! I'll have to wait a few weeks to try a braid out. I got my hair relaxed yesterday because that was the only day that fit into both of our schedules. I'm happy and sad...sad because I have a total loss of texture and body! I thought my hair was getting thicker and healthier with 10 weeks of new growth in it! Now, I see how thin my hair is...if I pull it back in a ponytail, I'd look bald! LOL! The only good thing about this is that I see the length and my hair is sitting just on the top of my shoulders (I wouldn't let her cut AT ALL!!) I'm going to look into texlaxing because I miss the texture, body and fullness.

BTW, should I use a moisturizing conditioner or a protein conditioner when I wash my hair this weekend?

Thanks.

 

[MaryJane3000]

ALWAYS use a protein conditioner followed by a moisturizing conditioner at most 7 days after you get a touch-up. Your hair was stripped of protein during the relaxer process and essentially damaged. SO you need to repair the bonds and put some protein back in. Hydrolyzed human keratin is in my opinion the best protein immediately following a relaxer. Just make sure you use a good deep moisturizing conditioner afterwards. Otherwise you can go into protein overload and your hair will break off.

 

[Hairness]

Thanks JMJ. Another question, should the protein conditioner be a pre-poo and then shampoo and condition with a moisturizing conditioner? (or) Should I condition with the protein conditioner, rinse it out and then put in a moisturizing conditioner right afterwards? I usually pre-poo with essential oils, can I add that to my protein conditioner?

Thank you also to Gemini for the pimple remedy!

 

[JJamiah]

Hello I am a four Month Stretcher. I always put in a deep protein treatment and deep Condition the week before I relax. Post week I put in a Moderate to mild protein.

I wash weekly with Hair One Olive Oil and deep condition with one of my favorites in my stash either under the steamer or under a self heating conditioning cap.

I add protein to my hair as needed to keep down any breakage.

I wear my hair mostly up off my neck into a clip.

I relax, Cut, Color once ever four months

Welcome Hairness

 

[Aireen]

Welcome to the board!

I have been stretching and my last stretch was actually a little longer than 12 weeks, I was aiming for 12 but then wanted to go towards 16. I wrote down the exact time I relaxed but I can't find the paper.
Anyway, what helped me a lot was putting lavender oil on my new growth, that helped detangle my hair so it wouldn't clump up, make knots, and begin to break. Oil in general works so if you already have a favourite oil or would just like to use a cheaper oil, just use that. However, lavender oil REALLY helped it was the best for my hair. I just love it.
Also, I always use really moisturizing shampoos and conditioners and just bun my hair and leave it alone until the next wash. Since you're doing the first two, I'd say just bun your hair loosely between washing until you want to relax.
I know some people like straight styles and they flat iron/press their hair along with the roots, personally, I don't do that since I like to keep my roots as healthy as I can keep them since they're already going to be chemically altered by relaxer. So to me that's just damage on top of damage.

This all helps ME in the long run. Hope I helped you with a little of my knowledge.

 

[Hairness]

Thank you everyone for your suggestions! I hate to be a real rookie about this....I'm going to wash my hair for the first time after my relaxer. Should I DC with a protein conditioner, rinse it out and then DC again right afterwards with a moisturizing conditioner? Or should I use the protein conditioner as a pre-poo and then use the moisturizing conditioner as a DC after I shampoo?

Sorry for the newbie questions...my hair is paper thin right now and I just want to do all I can to keep it on my head.

 

[prospurr4]

Thank you everyone for your suggestions! I hate to be a real rookie about this....I'm going to wash my hair for the first time after my relaxer. Should I DC with a protein conditioner, rinse it out and then DC again right afterwards with a moisturizing conditioner? Or should I use the protein conditioner as a pre-poo and then use the moisturizing conditioner as a DC after I shampoo?

Sorry for the newbie questions...my hair is paper thin right now and I just want to do all I can to keep it on my head.

Welcome Hairness! I would DC with a protein conditioner, followed by the moisturizing conditioner. I hope you get some of your fullness back, because I understand about the "paper thin" hair; that's why I looove texlaxing.

 

[Hairness]

Thanks Prospurr4. I'll do both one right after the other. I'll see if my hairdresser does texlaxing. If not, I'll find someone who does. I'm just hating how my hair looks right now. I don't want to do a bone straight relaxer again!