Natural 4bs how do you trim etc.? **Pics**

[Fine 4s]

Got a trim yesterday from the same woman I went to over a year ago.
Her number got deleted from my phone. Boop!

Questions:

What length am I now? I know as someone who's been here this long, I should know better than to ask that Q. I suspect MBL now? Is it realistic to aim for WL at the end of the year 2013?

I suffer a lot of breakage and I'm not sure what to do about it. I always have curled up pieces the size of a pencil over the shower stall (pic included).
I'm unsure whether I need protein or moisture. When my hair is wet, it can stretch and not snap so quickly. But when dry, it's all snap crackle pop easily. I read from someone that her hair had to stay wet w/ product in it in order to stay moisturized. Or maybe I need to trim more? So many possible problems that I don't know what solution to implement or try to...

How should I trim my hair going forward? How often?

I tagged several of you ladies because of some tips I read in the past from you. Hope you can help pllllease!

Pics:

The one with the stripped shirt is before the trim with the Stimulations DC in the hair.
Hair texture with no product and dry. My hair strands are very fine, wiry and brittle with no real definition. The nape is not as kinky as the rest of my hair. The front is what the majority of my hair is like.
The others are post trim length checks.

I just used the Cantu oil and twisted my hair and wow...my ends feel DRY.
So I wet the twists a little and put some coconut oil on them, put the ends in a plastic bag and off to bed. We'll see how my ends feel in the am.
This confirms that when my hair is dry it needs a water based product and not oil. Water was no where near that ingredients list.

SherylsTresses
Carrie A
lbellin
luckiestdestiny
regina07
kellistarr
Allandra
Nonie
glamazon386
westNDNbeauty
mEmYSELFaNDj
chebaby
princessnad
*~*Afrolicious*~*

 

[glamazon386]

I may not be of much help but I straighten and then clip the raggedy pieces off the ends. Anything I can see through goes. I only do it maybe once a year.

 

[Fine 4s]

Thank you Glam! I need all the help I can get. So down

 

[Danewshe]

I straighten roughly every 4 months and then trim my ends. But if I feel my ends are getting bad inbetween, I will dust with my hair in twists when neccessary. I only started trimming last year though and my hair is so much better for it.

 

[Fhrizzball]

Only some parts of my hair is 4b but I either do small twists and trim off the end where it feels rough for the section to be twisted or rollerset and trim that way.

How is your porosity by the way?

 

[bunnie82]

if ur not gonna straighten then twist and clip!

 

[westNDNbeauty]

I will stretch my hair with heat and trim layer by layer. If I'm too lazy I will snip my twists. I used to think the most accurate trim would be on flat ironed hair but I straightened once or twice a year and have found that my hair didn't need a trim after trimming while in it's textured state.

 

[Fine 4s]

Only some parts of my hair is 4b but I either do small twists and trim off the end where it feels rough for the section to be twisted or rollerset and trim that way.

How is your porosity by the way?

I don't know. My hair when in plaits dries quickly but sometimes the middle of my buns are still moist days after. I wasn't consistent with Roux Porosity Control plus it didn't make it easier that I couldn't find the darn thing easily. Do you have specific questions to help me determine my porosity @Fhrizzball?

 

[SherylsTresses]

Fine 4s
I really hope your hair returns to its healthiest state. I enjoy seeing your progress pics.

What length am I now? I suspect MBL now?
Yes! (after revisiting your pics)

Is it realistic to aim for WL at the end of the year 2013?
Certainly...!!!

Or maybe I need to trim more?
If breakage persists, I would trim as needed

How should I trim my hair going forward?
Natural - I suggest following Naptural85's trimming method
Straightened - I would get a professional trim from a stylist that I absolutely trust

How often?
Not sure. I'm hoping you can keep your length

Hope this helps.

 

[Fhrizzball]

Well I know for me apple cider vinegar rinses help but you have to make sure the ratio is right for your hair. I do the water test where you put product free hair in water to see if it floats or sinks. Also if you run your fingers up and down your strands if the cuticles feel rough, strawlike or lifted then chances are you have high porosity.

I seal my ends with a heavy oil (castor oil/JBCO mixed with a lighter oil) and that helps me retain product in my hair more. Do you do any treatments in your hair? Maybe you should up the intensity of those. What do you usually do to your hair?

 

[Fine 4s]

@Fine4s
I really hope your hair returns to its healthiest state. I enjoy seeing your progress pics.

What length am I now? I suspect MBL now?
Grazing MBL to me

Is it realistic to aim for WL at the end of the year 2013?
Certainly...!!!

Or maybe I need to trim more?
If breakage persists, I would trim as needed

How should I trim my hair going forward?
Natural - I suggest following Naptural85's trimming method
Straightened - I would get a professional trim from a stylist that I absolutely trust

How often?
Not sure. I'm hoping you can keep your length

Hope this helps.

Thank you so much for all your responses!

 

[Fine 4s]

Fhrizzball

Also if you run your fingers up and down your strands if the cuticles feel rough, strawlike or lifted then chances are you have high porosity.

The delicate strands seem fine but a little bumpy because of the kinks I suspect?

I seal my ends with a heavy oil (castor oil/JBCO mixed with a lighter oil) and that helps me retain product in my hair more.

I haven't been sealing much actually.

Do you do any treatments in your hair? Maybe you should up the intensity of those. What do you usually do to your hair?

Co-wash weekly, DC weekly and mainly bun hair with whatever product available and I don't usually mess with it until wash day. During that week I know it's dry but my thinking is, since it's in a protective style and not manipulated, who cares if it's not moisturized?

 

[luckiestdestiny]

What length am I now? I suspect MBL now?
Yes I believe so. Congrats

Is it realistic to aim for WL at the end of the year 2013
Yes. Seems like you have some problems so I'd recommend protective styling within an inch of your life just to make certain you get there if this is what you really want. I recommend 80%-100% of the time. Find a way to braid it up and let it go. That's what I do. Others bun, etc. Do what you need to do.

Or maybe I need to trim more?
You need to trim if you're seeing tons of splits, etc. If it's just breakage because hair is dry, etc then you're going to have to do what you can to balance it first then focus on trimming. In your case it may be a moisture problem. I make sure to infuse moisture in my hair at every wash. I leave hair in conditioner and oil the night before a wash. Then follow up on wash day with ORS replenishing pack for strength (but mild) and with moisturizing elements). For the night before wash day:

Get a conditioner like silk elements thing and mix with oil like coconut or argan and put in hair like a relaxer from root to tip and braid it up, and put on a headscarf for the night done.

On wash day:
Next day wash it out. If you use shampoo focus it on the roots and take some more conditioner to do the rest. The final rinse is a moisturizing co wash before your deep conditioner. That means use a conditioner with moisturizing elements like you would use a shampoo normally. After it's out this is where ORS comes in. Use the ORS pak, follow the directions, and leave it on for the allotted time. After you've followed the direction on the ORS replenishing pak, Rinse it out. Do not use ORS every wash (I don't recommend for me. It's better to just use moisturizing conditioners for me but to each their own).

How should I trim my hair going forward?
Accoring to it's NEED. If you don't see splits, then you don't need to trim as much. If your hair is already damaged trim away until it is not anymore. I think 1/8 of an inch to 1/4 of an inch every couple months or month is enough. In other words with that in mind, if you cut say every four months you know to apply this rule and cut about as much as needed which will be about half an inch or one inch. Versus if you cut every two months then you'd get 1/4 to 1/2 an inch clipped (depending on how fast your hair grows and also how your ends look)

However keep in mind that rule changes if you have damaged hair and need to cut more. Look at your ends and let them tell you what they need.

In my case I had layers to grow out and with my length that takes forever so I had to keep chopping away more than normal.


Straightened -
I recommend straightening it so you can really see how the ends are doing. Curly hair can easily hide damage. When you straighten you'll see if those ends are dry, brittle, etc. Just don't use high heat.


Also how to cut:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xw76mmh4o8Y

Easiest way.


I should also mention I'm fine haired, dense mostly 4a but suspect 4b in the crown (completely different pattern)

 

[Carrie A]

Hello. Your hair is very nice BTW. Always looks healthy in your siggies.

You look MBL to me and WL is a reasonable goal for 2013.

IMO there's no right or wrong way to trim. Many ladies have gotten good results from infrequent trims. This worked fine for me initially, but I have, like you experienced more breakage of late and as you can see my hemline is see through. So this year I'm switching to dusting every 21/2 to three months. Also I need to keep my hair detangled as much as possible. Right now I'm wearing a braided bun. I did the porosity test by putting a strand of hair in a glass of water. It never sank. I think this means I might benefit from steam conditioning but IDK. I soak in the tub nightly so I just leave conditioner on and let the tub steam do it's thing. I plan to add more whey protein conditioning to my regimen.

HTH!

 

[Nonie]

Fine 4s you look MBL to me too.

How to trim, I only know one way: having hair in many tiny braids or twists and snipping off the ends. If you have another way that works for you, use that. I don't think there's any right or wrong way. Just make sure you use sharp scissors and take off about the same amount from all the ends.

How often, that's also a question that is not easy to answer. The gurus from whom I learned my haircare believed in dusting every 6-8 weeks. There has to be a reason that is the number that was chosen. So I follow that guideline. The thing is, if you wait to long to dust, you allow your strands to wear out more meaning there is a chance you will have breakage or that when you dust you won't remove the whole damage. That's why I would rather do it sooner so I take off less hair and still get the damage out than wait for long to where I may end up not removing all of it if I don't snip off a big chunk.

As for protein/moisture balance, I don't know much about that because I always use reconstructors so that my moisture/protein comes to my hair at the same time. So I never have to try to balance the protein or moisture. I just know mushy hair means you need protein and stiff, hard, brittle hair means you need moisture. I just don't know this from my own experience. It's what I've read. I've never had mushy hair. But dry hair I've had and I simply just wash my hair if that happens (that means I also condition it and I get soft hair again). Maybe you should avoid pure protein and use reconstructors. I also don't know anything about the product you've posted (I hate shea butter on my hair and because I do (made my hair hard) I have avoided anything that has it in it. I even tried a blend of shea butter and essential oils and hated it. I think S Curl is the best moisturizer under the sun and it's all I use (but only when my hair is loose) and so can't really give any advice on moisturizers coz I speak no other tongue and not everyone understands my language.

 

[cami88]

I am 4b and in desperate need of a trim. But there is nooooo way I am taking a pair of scissors to my own head. I have to go to the salon to get trims. You ladies are brave!

 

[Fine 4s]

What length am I now? I suspect MBL now?
Yes I believe so. Congrats

Is it realistic to aim for WL at the end of the year 2013
Yes. Seems like you have some problems so I'd recommend protective styling within an inch of your life just to make certain you get there if this is what you really want. I recommend 80%-100% of the time. Find a way to braid it up and let it go. That's what I do. Others bun, etc. Do what you need to do.

Or maybe I need to trim more?
You need to trim if you're seeing tons of splits, etc. If it's just breakage because hair is dry, etc then you're going to have to do what you can to balance it first then focus on trimming. In your case it may be a moisture problem. I make sure to infuse moisture in my hair at every wash. I leave hair in conditioner and oil the night before a wash. Then follow up on wash day with ORS replenishing pack for strength (but mild) and with moisturizing elements). For the night before wash day:

Get a conditioner like silk elements thing and mix with oil like coconut or argan and put in hair like a relaxer from root to tip and braid it up, and put on a headscarf for the night done.

On wash day:
Next day wash it out. If you use shampoo focus it on the roots and take some more conditioner to do the rest. The final rinse is a moisturizing co wash before your deep conditioner. That means use a conditioner with moisturizing elements like you would use a shampoo normally. After it's out this is where ORS comes in. Use the ORS pak, follow the directions, and leave it on for the allotted time. After you've followed the direction on the ORS replenishing pak, Rinse it out. Do not use ORS every wash (I don't recommend for me. It's better to just use moisturizing conditioners for me but to each their own).

How should I trim my hair going forward?
Accoring to it's NEED. If you don't see splits, then you don't need to trim as much. If your hair is already damaged trim away until it is not anymore. I think 1/8 of an inch to 1/4 of an inch every couple months or month is enough. In other words with that in mind, if you cut say every four months you know to apply this rule and cut about as much as needed which will be about half an inch or one inch. Versus if you cut every two months then you'd get 1/4 to 1/2 an inch clipped (depending on how fast your hair grows and also how your ends look)

However keep in mind that rule changes if you have damaged hair and need to cut more. Look at your ends and let them tell you what they need.

In my case I had layers to grow out and with my length that takes forever so I had to keep chopping away more than normal.


Straightened -
I recommend straightening it so you can really see how the ends are doing. Curly hair can easily hide damage. When you straighten you'll see if those ends are dry, brittle, etc. Just don't use high heat.


Also how to cut:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xw76mmh4o8Y

Easiest way.


I should also mention I'm fine haired, dense mostly 4a but suspect 4b in the crown (completely different pattern)

luckiestdestiny
Thank you so much for your feedback. Unfortunately (and maybe it's a fine haired thing) but at the beginning of my journey, all i did was twists and buns was a special style for me. Twists out also on special occasions. So I hear ya. I hate having to twist as often but I'll do it...Not only has my heat damage made my hair strands thinner but also eventually made it easy for my hair to break.
I have tons of DCs to use up but your ORS plan sounds good. Is the 2 minute ApHogee the same as the ORS pak?

Hello. Your hair is very nice BTW. Always looks healthy in your siggies.

You look MBL to me and WL is a reasonable goal for 2013.

IMO there's no right or wrong way to trim. Many ladies have gotten good results from infrequent trims. This worked fine for me initially, but I have, like you experienced more breakage of late and as you can see my hemline is see through. So this year I'm switching to dusting every 21/2 to three months. Also I need to keep my hair detangled as much as possible. Right now I'm wearing a braided bun. I did the porosity test by putting a strand of hair in a glass of water. It never sank. I think this means I might benefit from steam conditioning but IDK. I soak in the tub nightly so I just leave conditioner on and let the tub steam do it's thing. I plan to add more whey protein conditioning to my regimen.

HTH!

It sounds like dusting is a common suggestion so instead of trimming in June, maybe I'll snip again myself in April or May. Thanks!

Fine 4s you look MBL to me too.

How to trim, I only know one way: having hair in many tiny braids or twists and snipping off the ends. If you have another way that works for you, use that. I don't think there's any right or wrong way. Just make sure you use sharp scissors and take off about the same amount from all the ends.

How often, that's also a question that is not easy to answer. The gurus from whom I learned my haircare believed in dusting every 6-8 weeks. There has to be a reason that is the number that was chosen. So I follow that guideline. The thing is, if you wait to long to dust, you allow your strands to wear out more meaning there is a chance you will have breakage or that when you dust you won't remove the whole damage. That's why I would rather do it sooner so I take off less hair and still get the damage out than wait for long to where I may end up not removing all of it if I don't snip off a big chunk.

As for protein/moisture balance, I don't know much about that because I always use reconstructors so that my moisture/protein comes to my hair at the same time. So I never have to try to balance the protein or moisture. I just know mushy hair means you need protein and stiff, hard, brittle hair means you need moisture. I just don't know this from my own experience. It's what I've read. I've never had mushy hair. But dry hair I've had and I simply just wash my hair if that happens (that means I also condition it and I get soft hair again). Maybe you should avoid pure protein and use reconstructors. I also don't know anything about the product you've posted (I hate shea butter on my hair and because I do (made my hair hard) I have avoided anything that has it in it. I even tried a blend of shea butter and essential oils and hated it. I think S Curl is the best moisturizer under the sun and it's all I use (but only when my hair is loose) and so can't really give any advice on moisturizers coz I speak no other tongue and not everyone understands my language.

Nonie
Can you suggest a reconstructor? I thought the hard core proteins were reconstructors. Well, I feel a little hopeful....thanks ladies!

 

[Fine 4s]

I am 4b and in desperate need of a trim. But there is nooooo way I am taking a pair of scissors to my own head. I have to go to the salon to get trims. You ladies are brave!

I just want to squeeeeeeze those little cheeks and kiss kiss kiss....too cute!

 

[luckiestdestiny]

luckiestdestiny
Thank you so much for your feedback. Unfortunately (and maybe it's a fine haired thing) but at the beginning of my journey, all i did was twists and buns was a special style for me. Twists out also on special occasions. So I hear ya. I hate having to twist as often but I'll do it...Not only has my heat damage made my hair strands thinner but also eventually made it easy for my hair to break.
I have tons of DCs to use up but your ORS plan sounds good. Is the 2 minute ApHogee the same as the Ors
[

I actually have fine hair which is why I keep it in braids for long periods of time instead of manipulating daily. Low manip is a must for me. My hair appears thick but it is just very dense: tons of fine strands per area. Twists don't work for me but if they do for you Ithink you should go for it. Everyone should do what works for them.

Ors is not like aphogee to me at all. My hair hates aphogee but loves ors. Aphogee is too much protein for me but ors seems to keep my hair stron.g and moist. I also like the ors product: hair masque intense treatment. It says for heat or color damaged hair of which mine has neither, but it has such intense moisture,slip, and strength that I just love it. It is also a product that you use every once and a while. I am mentioning products that I hope can help whip your hair into shape w/o cutting it off and to stop that breakage. It seems to me that is your first problem before assessing the damage and seeing if you have to cut more.

 

[luckiestdestiny]

I am 4b and in desperate need of a trim. But there is nooooo way I am taking a pair of scissors to my own head. I have to go to the salon to get trims. You ladies are brave!

No ma'am cheers to you! You truly are the brave one. I hyperventilate every time I think of letting a hairstylist cut my hair. I am not saying I won't do it for a cut or shaping which is once in a blue moon ....but if I want a trim instead of a cut the scissors are safer in my hands.

The ponytail trim requires a ponytail combed straight on (straighten hair first) and a few bands (silicone rubber bands) down the hair or to move that ponytail holder to keep it straight. Once lined up it's a straight across cut. One snip and even all across plus I can gauge how much I want to cut and know I will get an exact result.

If I only want a half of an inch or an inch that is exactly what I get. Versus the surprise extra inch cut or having to guard them like a hawk while they cut it. I am also in charge when I search and destroy which is easy peasy (and something most if not all hairstylists do not do).

 

[virtuenow]

I would add a daily moisture spritz n seal. Our hair needs daily moisture contact. For clipping, I do 1/8- 1/4in every 8 weeks. I am tring to maintain thick & healthy, snag-free ends. You have made WSL before- judging from previous pictures- so I know you can do it again

Eta: btw I trim on small twists usually, snipping off the tiniest bit since my coils ate 1:8in circumference. But yesterday I trimmed on air dried, stretched hair. I just stretched out each piece and clipped tiny bit. **important** I stretched out some of the clippings to make sure I'm trimming no more than 1/4in. When u trim shrunken hair, it can sometimes be deceiving-- especially if ur tightly coiled.
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