Need serious help regarding my hair's future...

[metalkitty]

Okay, some of you might know how bad my hair's doing if you read my 'Holy tornado...' thread it goes into morbid detail about my hair's crummy state and my current regimen. Anyways, I'm also at a time in my life when I need big changes in my life regarding my hair and other things. The only thing is I really don't want my hair to be shorter than chin length.

Anyway there's two or three things that I was considering doing to my hair. The first one is mandatory, nursing my hair back to health via silky dreds for six months, not without rebraiding of course.

The hard part is figuring out what I want to do after the extensions come out I could either A) cut off the relaxed ends and start flat ironing to style (the thing is I'd really want to lighten part if not all of my hair and use a semi color) , B) Relax with Phyto and continueing what I do now, minus the mega stretching which is why my hair's messed up now.

Which one sounds like it would be healthier for my hair in the long run? If I wear my hair 'natural' but also flat iron regularly and have color in it would it be healthier than relaxing (which thins my hair) and coloring? Keep in mind I used to wear my hair pressed most of my life and it was it's longest, healthiest and strongest although I didn't wash or use heat often. Please help me ladies, I'm feeling so lost right now.

 

[Lucia]

You may want to do a search on natural hair and texturized and relaxed and get as much info and tips of this board that you can before making a drastic decision. But I think braids or dreds are an excellent way to grow your hair out. In the meantime reasearch your options. hth

 

[metalkitty]

Thanks, Lucia, I definately need to do more research . I mostly wish for my hair to be in the healthiest state it can be while coloring, which doesn't seem to damage my hair much anyway. At least not as much as the relaxers I've used. I think a bigger question may be whats worse pressing natural hair weekly/ bi weekly or wearing a relaxer.

 

[caligirl]

Thanks, Lucia, I definately need to do more research . I mostly wish for my hair to be in the healthiest state it can be while coloring, which doesn't seem to damage my hair much anyway. At least not as much as the relaxers I've used. I think a bigger question may be whats worse pressing natural hair weekly/ bi weekly or wearing a relaxer.

I used to get my hair pressed and it was very healthy, but I got it done in a salon every 3 weeks. If you're going to do your hair at home, probably use a ceramic flat iron. When my hair was done in the salon the stylist blowdried, pressed, and curled my hair, all with the marcel irons, but she was a pro!

 

[metalkitty]

I used to get my hair pressed and it was very healthy, but I got it done in a salon every 3 weeks. If you're going to do your hair at home, probably use a ceramic flat iron. When my hair was done in the salon the stylist blowdried, pressed, and curled my hair, all with the marcel irons, but she was a pro!

Thats pretty much what my hair dresser used to do when I was natural. But I am scurred of flat irons, I'll pay top dollar for the best. I have a maxiglide but it rips too much hair out or I don't use it properly. I like options.

 

[caligirl]

Thats pretty much what my hair dresser used to do when I was natural. But I am scurred of flat irons, I'll pay top dollar for the best. I have a maxiglide but it rips too much hair out or I don't use it properly. I like options.

I use an FHI ceramic flat iron that I got on ebay. You can adjust the temp. I use it on 370 degrees. I've never had any problems with it burning my hair or tearing it out. It justs doesn't give the really straight press I'm used to from the marcel pressing combs.

 

[Poohbear]

Okay, some of you might know how bad my hair's doing if you read my 'Holy tornado...' thread it goes into morbid detail about my hair's crummy state and my current regimen. Anyways, I'm also at a time in my life when I need big changes in my life regarding my hair and other things. The only thing is I really don't want my hair to be shorter than chin length.

Anyway there's two or three things that I was considering doing to my hair. The first one is mandatory, nursing my hair back to health via silky dreds for six months, not without rebraiding of course.

The hard part is figuring out what I want to do after the extensions come out I could either A) cut off the relaxed ends and start flat ironing to style (the thing is I'd really want to lighten part if not all of my hair and use a semi color) , B) Relax with Phyto and continueing what I do now, minus the mega stretching which is why my hair's messed up now.

Which one sounds like it would be healthier for my hair in the long run? If I wear my hair 'natural' but also flat iron regularly and have color in it would it be healthier than relaxing (which thins my hair) and coloring? Keep in mind I used to wear my hair pressed most of my life and it was it's longest, healthiest and strongest although I didn't wash or use heat often. Please help me ladies, I'm feeling so lost right now.

Okay, you said the mandatory thing you want to do is to nurse your hair back to health...

First of all, have you ever had dred extensions? Do you know how to properly take care of your hair with extensions for six months? Six months is a long time without rebraiding. Do more research on that before jumping right into doing it because extensions can damage hair also.

If you want to do the BC after wearing extensions, you shouldn't go right back to pressing/flat-ironing and hair coloring. I know you said you pressed your hair for most of your life and it was strong, but things can happen. Plus, that's not going to help nurse your hair back to health...

If you continue to relax, you should try using less products on your hair. You may not have had success with stretching your touch-up times because when you stretch, you allow healthy thick hair grow in, then after getting a touch-up, you're left with thinner ends. I think if you continue stretching your relaxers (anywhere from 2-4 months). You'll eventually get rid of the thin ends by trimming them as you go, then in the long run, you'll be left with thick relaxed hair that's stronger than before. Did you see what I'm saying? Plus, it's less chemical application throughout the year.

HTH!

 

[ClassicChic]

Okay, some of you might know how bad my hair's doing if you read my 'Holy tornado...' thread it goes into morbid detail about my hair's crummy state and my current regimen. Anyways, I'm also at a time in my life when I need big changes in my life regarding my hair and other things. The only thing is I really don't want my hair to be shorter than chin length.

Anyway there's two or three things that I was considering doing to my hair. The first one is mandatory, nursing my hair back to health via silky dreds for six months, not without rebraiding of course.

The hard part is figuring out what I want to do after the extensions come out I could either A) cut off the relaxed ends and start flat ironing to style (the thing is I'd really want to lighten part if not all of my hair and use a semi color) , B) Relax with Phyto and continueing what I do now, minus the mega stretching which is why my hair's messed up now.

Which one sounds like it would be healthier for my hair in the long run? If I wear my hair 'natural' but also flat iron regularly and have color in it would it be healthier than relaxing (which thins my hair) and coloring? Keep in mind I used to wear my hair pressed most of my life and it was it's longest, healthiest and strongest although I didn't wash or use heat often. Please help me ladies, I'm feeling so lost right now.

Well you said it right there. I say start with a fresh head of hair since you are willing to do so. If you later decide to relax or texturize your hair, then you could do so. Whatever you decide I am sure it will work out.

 

[metalkitty]

Poohbear- Thanks for responding! I guess i wasn't clear when I said I would be rebraiding not going six months straight, my hair would be dreaded then ! I was planning on spacing things out like, after the six months are up to keep nursing my hair for a little while , then start pressing or flat ironing for a month or so, then condsider coloring. But thanks for giving me you opinion on my options!

Cherokee-Thanks, I'm leaning on the natural side so far...