New *2009* Transitioners Support Thread!

[MummysGirl]

I've heard about the troublesome months 6-9, I'm almost scared, lol. I hope I learn enough from you ladies in here not to get too stressed.
I think one thing I'll make sure to do is NOT change anything I'm doing because it's all going really well now.

HHG!!!! You can make it to December!!! That's my earliest target... I'll be 12 months.

Hello Ladies!!!!!

Checking in today im *32 weeks post*...im excited because letting i have been feeling like giving up but i already have seen that months 6-9 are difficult so 1 more month to go then hopefully it will be a lot smoother!! I plan to BC in december which will make 14 months so pray for me!!!

 

[Sweet1977]

PLEASE HELP. I am 5+ months post relaxer and am super depressed. I washed my hair this evening and had a HARD time blow drying. My hair texture is 4a/b. What are you all doing to keep your sanity?

 

[SouthernBeauty]

I am sooo depressed! I really want to relax b/c I have ran out of options! My bantu knots are not looking so hot, I cant braid, and I cant get my kinky twist until next month! I am 22 weeks post and it is not looking good. I blow dried my hair this weekend (which turned out a HAM b/c of protein overload) so I dont want to use anymore heat right now. I cant wear my hair in a bun or a phony pony b/c it is too short! I am feeling really bad right now. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated!

 

[MummysGirl]

Maybe airdry then braid or twist for a braidout or twistout?

Blow drying with 5 months + of new growth will be a little difficult and you need to be careful about your line of demarcation, you could get unneccessary breakage from blow drying at this stage.. Are you using a brush/comb to blow dry? Maybe try PinkSkate's tension method...?

I don't blow dry, I airdry 99.9% of the time (even when I do rollersets). I do braidouts sometimes (cos they are easy) but most days I have my hair pinned up with a headband laying down my new growth. Try airdrying...

Hang in there

P.S. Have you tried cowashing?

PLEASE HELP. I am 5+ months post relaxer and am super depressed. I washed my hair this evening and had a HARD time blow drying. My hair texture is 4a/b. What are you all doing to keep your sanity?

 

[MummysGirl]

Awww, don't give up! I'm only a week behind you so we probably have a similar amount of new growth.

Have you tried airdrying? I apply my leave in to my damp hair, put hair up in a ponytail and lay down with a scarf for at least 30 minutes. Take scarf off and hair down from ponytail (you don't have to put it up in one ponytail, it can be 2) and leave to airdry as close to 100% as possible. Then I moisturise my hair, pin it up and tie my scarf again to lay down my new growth. When you're ready to go out, just lightly moisturise and pin up your hair... you could buy headbands to hold down your new growth but they are also pretty accessories.

I am also a huge fan of cowashing, it's really made my new growth soft and manageable... I love it!... check out the the summer cowashing challenge thread here: http://www.longhaircareforum.com/showthread.php?t=349489&highlight=

HTH.

I am sooo depressed! I really want to relax b/c I have ran out of options! My bantu knots are not looking so hot, I cant braid, and I cant get my kinky twist until next month! I am 22 weeks post and it is not looking good. I blow dried my hair this weekend (which turned out a HAM b/c of protein overload) so I dont want to use anymore heat right now. I cant wear my hair in a bun or a phony pony b/c it is too short! I am feeling really bad right now. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated!

 

[Eisani]

Okay girls, I cowashed Tuesday night then washed yesterday morning to get an idea of how much relaxed hair I have left and it's weird, the right side and the back appears to be relaxer free but the left still has some straight ends . How is this possible when she cut my hair even? Scab hair, maybe?

 

[Sweet1977]

You are SO RIGHT, blow drying turned out HORRIBLE. I also do think I ended up with more breakage. I use a comb when blow drying. I will check out PinkSkates tension method. I have never done cowashing, willing to try anything right now. I think what really freaked me out was when I tried combing through my new growth. Thanks for your help, will keep you posted on how it goes.

Maybe airdry then braid or twist for a braidout or twistout?

Blow drying with 5 months + of new growth will be a little difficult and you need to be careful about your line of demarcation, you could get unneccessary breakage from blow drying at this stage.. Are you using a brush/comb to blow dry? Maybe try PinkSkate's tension method...?

I don't blow dry, I airdry 99.9% of the time (even when I do rollersets). I do braidouts sometimes (cos they are easy) but most days I have my hair pinned up with a headband laying down my new growth. Try airdrying...

Hang in there

P.S. Have you tried cowashing?

 

[Sweet1977]

I FEEL your frustration girlfriend. I am right there with ya. We have to be strong. I am going to give cowashing a try.

I am sooo depressed! I really want to relax b/c I have ran out of options! My bantu knots are not looking so hot, I cant braid, and I cant get my kinky twist until next month! I am 22 weeks post and it is not looking good. I blow dried my hair this weekend (which turned out a HAM b/c of protein overload) so I dont want to use anymore heat right now. I cant wear my hair in a bun or a phony pony b/c it is too short! I am feeling really bad right now. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated!

 

[mocha.li]

I'm like 5 months into transitioning and it isn't easy. I want to straighten my hair but I'm trying to avoid using heat. Does anyone recommend any hair products that work well while transitioning. I have a lot of breakage. The only thing I can do with my hair mon-fri is wear a ponytail b/c of my job. Currently I'm just doing cowashes. I use herbal essence conditioners, coconut oil. Please help, this is a hair emergency, lol. I'm determined to stick with this.

 

[pmichael52172]

PLEASE HELP. I am 5+ months post relaxer and am super depressed. I washed my hair this evening and had a HARD time blow drying. My hair texture is 4a/b. What are you all doing to keep your sanity?

We're about the same "age" in this thing. I am STILL loving my transition. What helps me is as little manipulation as possible. I only wash my hair every two weeks... no co-washing every time I turn around or messing in my hair too much. I've learned to do EVERYTHING in sections (combing, blowdrying, flat ironing, applying conditioning - I mean everything)

I also lightly moisturize my roots daily or as needed which has helped prevent bad breakage. I put the product (shea butter mix of stuff) on my fingers and carefully massage it into my roots and finger comb as I continue to moisturize... IN SECTIONS mind you.

I only use heat when I wash bi-weekly and if I need curls in between, I pin curl at night or use Caruso steam rollers. I'm wearing my hair big and full (spirals, etc.) now because my natural hair is growing up and out which makes it stand up. As I understand, it will start growing down as it gets longer. I can't use the tension method because my hair is neck length - I can't even get a bun!

To keep edges looking decent, I use a Boar Bristle brush. I put a little moisturizer on them, and sometimes dab some aloe vera gel on top, brush it well (but gently) and hold it down with those silver two prong clips. By the time I leave the house and get to my commuter bus stop (10 min), they are tamed for the rest of the day. You can also use a scarf too.

 

[SouthernBeauty]

Awww, don't give up! I'm only a week behind you so we probably have a similar amount of new growth.

Have you tried airdrying? I apply my leave in to my damp hair, put hair up in a ponytail and lay down with a scarf for at least 30 minutes. Take scarf off and hair down from ponytail (you don't have to put it up in one ponytail, it can be 2) and leave to airdry as close to 100% as possible. Then I moisturise my hair, pin it up and tie my scarf again to lay down my new growth. When you're ready to go out, just lightly moisturise and pin up your hair... you could buy headbands to hold down your new growth but they are also pretty accessories.

I am also a huge fan of cowashing, it's really made my new growth soft and manageable... I love it!... check out the the summer cowashing challenge thread here: http://www.longhaircareforum.com/showthread.php?t=349489&highlight=

HTH.

Thanks I just joined the summer cowash challenge and will start airdrying with 2-4 plaits. I will be back to post how things are working out in about 2 weeks. Again thanks!

 

[SouthernBeauty]

I FEEL your frustration girlfriend. I am right there with ya. We have to be strong. I am going to give cowashing a try.

Thanks for the motivation Sweets! I think that I am going to stay away from the heat and start the cowash challenge.

 

[MummysGirl]

Glad to have helped Good luck and I'm looking forward to hearing good news

You are SO RIGHT, blow drying turned out HORRIBLE. I also do think I ended up with more breakage. I use a comb when blow drying. I will check out PinkSkates tension method. I have never done cowashing, willing to try anything right now. I think what really freaked me out was when I tried combing through my new growth. Thanks for your help, will keep you posted on how it goes.

Thanks I just joined the summer cowash challenge and will start airdrying with 2-4 plaits. I will be back to post how things are working out in about 2 weeks. Again thanks!

 

[HauteHairGurl]

I also lightly moisturize my roots daily or as needed which has helped prevent bad breakage. I put the product (shea butter mix of stuff) on my fingers and carefully massage it into my roots and finger comb as I continue to moisturize... IN SECTIONS mind you.

PMichael, What is the recipe for your shea butter mix? My new growth is dry as the Sahara and I'm paranoid that it's scab hair. I guess I have to quit being lazy and really get in there to the new growth.

 

[blksndrlla]

I'm like 5 months into transitioning and it isn't easy. I want to straighten my hair but I'm trying to avoid using heat. Does anyone recommend any hair products that work well while transitioning. I have a lot of breakage. The only thing I can do with my hair mon-fri is wear a ponytail b/c of my job. Currently I'm just doing cowashes. I use herbal essence conditioners, coconut oil. Please help, this is a hair emergency, lol. I'm determined to stick with this.

When I was bunning I had a lot of breakage. One, my hair was undermoisturized and two I think I was handling it to hard with the weak line of demarcation. Try evaluating how much stress your ponytail is putting on your hair and make sure you are using enough moisture products.

Coconut oil wasn't enough for my hair. I have to co-wash apply my Giovanni Direct Leave-in, moisturizer, shea-butter oil combo and finally castor oil. You wouldn't need this much if you moisturize daily, but I wear knot outs and it needs it.

 

[mocha.li]

We're about the same "age" in this thing. I am STILL loving my transition. What helps me is as little manipulation as possible. I only wash my hair every two weeks... no co-washing every time I turn around or messing in my hair too much. I've learned to do EVERYTHING in sections (combing, blowdrying, flat ironing, applying conditioning - I mean everything)

I also lightly moisturize my roots daily or as needed which has helped prevent bad breakage. I put the product (shea butter mix of stuff) on my fingers and carefully massage it into my roots and finger comb as I continue to moisturize... IN SECTIONS mind you.

I only use heat when I wash bi-weekly and if I need curls in between, I pin curl at night or use Caruso steam rollers. I'm wearing my hair big and full (spirals, etc.) now because my natural hair is growing up and out which makes it stand up. As I understand, it will start growing down as it gets longer. I can't use the tension method because my hair is neck length - I can't even get a bun!

To keep edges looking decent, I use a Boar Bristle brush. I put a little moisturizer on them, and sometimes dab some aloe vera gel on top, brush it well (but gently) and hold it down with those silver two prong clips. By the time I leave the house and get to my commuter bus stop (10 min), they are tamed for the rest of the day. You can also use a scarf too.

Has the heat caused any damage? My hair is easier to manage if I blowdry and flat iron it but I didn't know if it would hinder my growth. You should post some pics.

 

[mocha.li]

When I was bunning I had a lot of breakage. One, my hair was undermoisturized and two I think I was handling it to hard with the weak line of demarcation. Try evaluating how much stress your ponytail is putting on your hair and make sure you are using enough moisture products.

Coconut oil wasn't enough for my hair. I have to co-wash apply my Giovanni Direct Leave-in, moisturizer, shea-butter oil combo and finally castor oil. You wouldn't need this much if you moisturize daily, but I wear knot outs and it needs it.

My hair feels oily but it looks dry. I wish I could get those pretty waves when I put my hair in a ponytail but it just looks like wool, lol. I may try knots or pin curls and see how that goes. It might be best if I cont' to str8en my hair with blow dryer and flat iron, its easier to manage. It doesn't help that I have to wear a wool hat at work. I'm going to have to order some shea butter. Oh and I've also been using hairveda whipped cream and cocosta oil. I need to find a good routine and stick with it. Thanks for the info it helps

 

[pmichael52172]

[quote PMichael, What is the recipe for your shea butter mix? My new growth is dry as the Sahara and I'm paranoid that it's scab hair. I guess I have to quit being lazy and really get in there to the new growth.

I have mixed shea butter, coconut oil and olive oil together with pretty good results, but I prefer this Ashea Pomade. http://ashea.com/pages/SHEAPOMADE.html
I've seen it it many beauty supply stores now but have been purchasing from my stylist for about 3 years now. It doesn't give the exact ingredients but they are natural and really good.

Now I just use my homemade mix for overnight pre-shampoo treatments.

 

[pmichael52172]

Has the heat caused any damage? My hair is easier to manage if I blowdry and flat iron it but I didn't know if it would hinder my growth. You should post some pics.

NOT AT ALL! Here are the reasons I think why:

1) My stylist lightly presses my natural hair ONLY and lightly flat irons the relaxed part of my hair. She deeeeeep conditions me very well, uses quality products and heat protectants and pomades, etc. (not all at once but just rotates them based on what my hair needs).

2) I don't use heat outside of what she does so that means I only use heat twice a month.

I've had to do my hair twice without her because either I had to cancel or she has. I blow dry carefully and on low heat. I use a heat protectant and because I don't have a pressing comb, I flat iron instead.

 

[mocha.li]

can anyone direct me to Pinkskates blowdrying or tension methods? Thanks in Advance

 

[pmichael52172]

can anyone direct me to Pinkskates blowdrying or tension methods? Thanks in Advance

The Link:
http://www.longhaircareforum.com/showthread.php?t=298845&page=4

The Details:
Weekly I DC with Aveda Damage Remedy Intensive Restructuring Treatment. Every 2 months I do a deep, deep condition with Aphogee. I use EVCO (extra virgin coconut oil) as a moisturizer. EVCO works so wonderful on my hair. It literally melts into my hair line, and ends. I highly recommend it. But you have to get the good stuff from your local health food store. Not that fake greasy stuff from a beauty supply store.

Tension Only Blow Dry Method:
My friend is a hair dresser on a soap opera, and he taught me that this is best way to blow dry my type of hair with the least damaging effect. After I detangle, I stretch my hair out and as I blow dry I move the dryer up&down my hair as if I'm combing it. This way my hair will dry in a downward direction instead of outward. (I start at the roots and go all the way down to the ends) This creates smooth stretched out hair hanging in the direction I need it to for when I press it out. As I'm finishing up drying each section, I put my dryer on cool, so my hair cuticle will lay down smoothly and close up completely. This drying method lifts the roots up which creates more body in the hair.
As you dry be sure to keep a taut grip on the hair, so you get maximum stretch of the hair. From my experience this the least damaging way to blow dry and stretch the hair out.

 

[chartys08]

I am back at it again after I transition for 24 weeks then relaxed. I regret do so right after I walked out the salon. I am currently 19 weeks wearing kinky twist, planning to BC in Feb 2010 for my birthday. This is great support, especially to see the ones transitioning pass one year.

 

[Loves Harmony]

Im 14 weeks... Still in my kinky twist hopefully they will make it to June lol lol

 

[natieya]

Just popping in to say...I'm here with all of the transitioners...I'm only on like my 2nd month. Almost to month 3. I'm using extensions to help me cope with the transition period.

 

[Br*nzeb*mbsh~ll]

Way to grow, Natieya!!! Come on and join us!

Just popping in to say...I'm here with all of the transitioners...I'm only on like my 2nd month. Almost to month 3. I'm using extensions to help me cope with the transition period.

 

[Black Hoya Chick]

i feel like washing, but i am way to lazy. so oh well. lol

 

[blksndrlla]

i'm doing the Lucky's Mom Home Grown Steam treatment right now. I have to straighten for family pictures this weekend. I really don't want to. My curls were looking lovely after my co-washing and oil rinse. I may take a pic after the steam treatment...

Edit: I was too tired for pics. however, i think my hair came out better than it generally does. I still had breakage, but i think it subsided some. I didn't expect a huge difference since i have such a bad breakage problem. I used NTM...I'll try a differnt conditioner next time. I blow dried and will flat iron in the morning.

 

[♦K.O♦]

I am 24 weeks and a few days. So far it's all good.

 

[♦K.O♦]

I'm like 5 months into transitioning and it isn't easy. I want to straighten my hair but I'm trying to avoid using heat. Does anyone recommend any hair products that work well while transitioning. I have a lot of breakage. The only thing I can do with my hair mon-fri is wear a ponytail b/c of my job. Currently I'm just doing cowashes. I use herbal essence conditioners, coconut oil. Please help, this is a hair emergency, lol. I'm determined to stick with this.

What kind of leave-in conditioner are you using?

 

[Hysi]

Glad I found this thread. I'm transitioning as well! This is my third month and I can feel the waviness in my hair already. So far I'm rollersetting upward, sit under my pibbs and flat iron the roots or I will flat iron my entire hair 1xwk. I also have done wigs and hair pieces. I decided to go natural for the second time since I had a major setback and suffered a lot of breakage. I had been thinking about it anyway because I am extremely sensitive scalp. My nape is always burned and super red & irritated so it was coming. My edges and my nape are very dry- especially that darn "kitchen"! Every since damage from a relaxer this is how it grew back. I have got to get it back growing. I need your best guns for moisture back there- I've been doing everything.