My little Girls Major hair loss and Breakage

[kitten73]

I can't believe this is happening! Her hair was doing so well and all of a sudden, it bgean shedding and breaking. Well, I think the chlorine (she was taking swimming lessons for two months) may have been the major culprit. She is also not a fan of fruits or veggies. She is 8 years old and has no perm yet. I took her off the swim team for other reasons and I was using a clarifying shampoo after each practice. She wore TWO caps but of course her hair always got wet. I recently trimmed her hair, took off at least 2 inches and it is so much shorter now. I have been using Beautiful Beginnings Shampoo and Dr Miracles hair grease. I need a good protien treatment and shampoo for the breakage because what I have been using doesn't seem to be helping. I was told Nexxus Emergencee is only for chemically treated hair, seems like all the protein treatments are. Any of you Natural ladies or members with young children have any advice? Monday night I started applying DOO GRO anti itch grow oil to her scalp before bed and a stocking cap. Scarfs won't stay on her head.

 

[foxybrownsugar]

I dunno maybe she needs a good trim, deep conditioning 10-20 minutes ea week, or maybe it could be from cotton pillowcases try using silk or satin pillowcase, it could be from tight ponytails, rubbing the hair vigourously with towels. Look close to see her daily habits to see what it is.

 

[foxybrownsugar]

I forgot to say she may need a childrens supplement.

 

[SweetCaramel1]

bumping for more responses

 

[Synthia]

Forgive me, but you mentioned shampoo three times in your post.

That really stood out for me. Why are you shampooing her hair soo much, that seems extreme. To hear that you used clarifiying shampoo after EACH swim practice shocked me . Those poos are harsh, in my opinion, and not for everyday use. That along with the chlorine seems like a damaging combo.

But the past is the past, right now I think you should focus on conditioning (including deep conditioning) and moisturizing and washing without shampoo. Also, Keraphix should work well as a protein conditioner for natural hair.

I hope your little girl regains her growth. And if you have to use grease ... do you like the coconut oil variety?? Try not to use to much petroleum. A moisturizing leave-in may be even better.

My 2 cents.

 

[Isis]

Clarifying shampoo can be very drying to the hair also since it strips the hair. The chlorine is already stripping the hair.

Are you using anything to moisturize her hair? Someone on this thread a while back stressed the importance of putting a good moisturizer/conditioner in the hair before swimming in a pool with chlorine. The hair must be protected first.

 

[HairPhoenix]

I was checking out this site about split ends that is from another post and the site mentions a couple of things for protecting hair before swimming. There are also a few tips for preventing breakage that I need to apply to my little girl's hair. I thought you might find it interesting.

http://splitends.bebto.com/

 

[CandiceC]

I agree that too much clarifying shampoo is bad.

I noticed that you didn't mention that you needed a good conditioner. Please add a good conditioner to her regimen.

 

[lovelymissyoli]

Forgive me, but you mentioned shampoo three times in your post.

That really stood out for me. Why are you shampooing her hair soo much, that seems extreme. To hear that you used clarifiying shampoo after EACH swim practice shocked me . Those poos are harsh, in my opinion, and not for everyday use. That along with the chlorine seems like a damaging...

ITA. The main thing that stuck out in your post was shampoo. Shampoo is already harsh and drying, so adding that in addition to chlorine seems killer on her hair. Where's the moisture? Do you deep condition, or condition her hair for that matter? I think implementing moisture into taking care of her hair will really turn things around. HTH.

 

[kitten73]

wow, i didn't realize i could be harming it with the shampoo. i just thought since the chlorine needed to be washed out that i had to use the shampoo each time. i will con wash moe often and try to limit the shampoo to every 3 weeks. i have nexxus keraphix, i used it on her once so i will go back to that. i use the 10 en 1 too. the dr miracles probably has petroleum in it. do you know a good coconut grease? the only one i know is Palmers.

 

[kitten73]

well she isn't in swim anymore but as a moisturizer i have been using mango butter or Dark and Lovely Beautiful Beginnings moisturizer on the hair.

 

[kitten73]

Thank you so much, I am book marking it. She will want to go back on the swim team in the summer so I will need this info

 

[pretty-girl#1]

I'm sorry for your daughter's hair. When I go swimming, instead of a swim cap I wet my hair before I get in the pool and I put conditioner in it! I love to swim and I never had any chlorine related damages associated with frequent swimming because of the pre conditioning and wetness. It's also embarrasing having to wear a swim cap, they're usually unattractive

 

[~*~ShopAholic~*~]

When I first read your post I knew the extra shampooing was because you were trying to wash out the chlorine, shampooing may not be too much but the kind of shampoo your using may be too much/harsh. They do make shampoo for swimmers, maybe you should look into that and find one that is moisturizing also. If you can't find one, Nexxus clarifying poo Aloe Rid is very gentle and moisturizing, or you can at least dillute the poo your using and follow behind the first wash w/a moisturizing poo like Cream of Nature, very moisturing. Wild Growth Oil is excellent also you only need a few drops, and Come Back Hair Cream by Liz & Daughters is petroleum and mineral oil free and it's excellent for oiling the hair and scalp but also aids in hair growth. Pre-poo's are excellent also b4 shampooing, just warm up some EVOO and apply it to the hair w/a cap for 10-15 min (you can use a dryer also if you like). Don't worry her hair will bounce back in no time. My daughter hair was extra dry at one time and them pre-poo's and deep conditions w/every wash day bounced her hair right back, now I only have to moisturize her hair once a wk and oil her scalp every 3 days when she's in braids. HTH's

wow, i didn't realize i could be harming it with the shampoo. i just thought since the chlorine needed to be washed out that i had to use the shampoo each time. i will con wash moe often and try to limit the shampoo to every 3 weeks. i have nexxus keraphix, i used it on her once so i will go back to that. i use the 10 en 1 too. the dr miracles probably has petroleum in it. do you know a good coconut grease? the only one i know is Palmers.

 

[Growingitlong]

What kind of clarifying shampoo did you use? Was it a chelating shampoo? It might be that if the shampoo was not a chelating shampoo, the chlorine may still be on the hair. Check that out.

 

[Healthb4Length]

Yeah, like everyone said you were shampooing too much. And a Clarifying shampoo is very drying. If you ever decide on letting your daughters take swim lessons again, you should invest in a swimmers shampoo, you can find them at Vitamin Shoppe stores also prior to her going in the pool you should put on a conditioner on her hair. This will act as a buffer so that the chlorine doesn't damage her fragile hair.

 

[camellia]

I agree with the other ladies about using a good moisturizing conditioner. Redken All Soft and Nexxus Humectress are both wonderful.

Also, Nexxus Emergencee is not just for chemically treated hair. I use it once a month and I am completely natural. It strengths my hair and keeps it from shedding.

 

[hrtbndr21]

I grew up swimming in chorine pools all my life. I think maybe cutting back on the washing to once a week with a mild shampoo. The clarifying 'poo may bee too rough on her hair our hair tends to be a little dry anyway. Just rinse with water after a swim, find a leave in conditioner that you like and get a good moisturizer to oil her hair and scalp. You may also think about putting her hair in protective style like cornrows when she is going to be swimming a lot to protect her hair from the latex of the swimming cap they can sometimes pull out hair if it's just loose or purchase one of those spandex or silicone caps they're supposed to be easier to get off and on. During swim season sometimes my hair would grow like crazy I guess from keeping in moisturized and adding the leave in every night, which was more that I would usually do during the rest of the year. Hope this helps.

 

[brown_eyes]

also, when she does go swimming you may try wetting her hair beforehand that way it will not absorb as much of the pool water.

 

[blueabyss333]

I don't want to reiterate what the other ladies said because that's the perfect advice. However, I did want to mention one thing. A swimming cap keeps hair out of the way, not keeping the hair from getting wet. HTH.