Newbie-scared to death

[dawn1980]

I have been natural for about 5 years wearing twist extensions and braids. When I wore the braids I thought my hair would grow and it did but I tended to let them stay in way too long and when I took them out for re-braiding my hair was long but shed like crazy. I finally figured it out and wen to twist extensions. My hair as really grown out and i kept it natural with not type of relaxers. it was so thick but really kinky. I don't understand the hair rating system but i'd guess its 4b or c because when you pull it apart its small coils all over. So about 6 weeks ago I was so tired of not being able to do anything with it in it's natural state I put a texurizer on it. The fron was straighter than anywhere else because that is where I put it on first.It was still kinky and dry. I found this board and lurked for weeks. then I had the idea to just go ahead and get a texlax by a professional which I did las night. Now i'm scared that i have made a big mistake because my hair went from thick and nappy to long and thin-looking. I'm afraid I have made a big mistake. I'm going today in search of moisturizing products and protein products. I hope I know what i'm doing. She use a mild relaxer (Affirm) and it was only on for about 5-6 minutes total because I was so antsy. She rushed me to the bowl because she thought my hair was processing really fast but when rinsed out and conditioned and then neutralized it was not bone straight at all but the ends were really still kinky. Can some you knowledgeable ladies give me some advice?? I'm at a loss. I thought I had learned a lot from this board (and I have) but putting it into action is scaring me. My hair is about between my shoulder blades in the back and a little below neck length on the sides. But what scares me is that it feels so thin. HEEELP me Please!!!!!

 

[remnant]

on LHCF lady

 

[dawn1980]

Thank you! Looking forward to learning!! and growing.

 

[shinyblackhair]

I'm really at a loss...I hope someone can give you some good advice.

Welcome!

 

[TrustMeLove]

Honestly, I think thats just how your hair is relaxed. Thin and flat. Your ends are probably still kinky because they are underprocessed.

My hair isn't super thick, but it isn't thin and its nappy too. But during relax days it was sooo thin and flat. I would add these clip in pieces all the time to give it more thickness especially since I loved big hair.

I didn't do home relaxers either, I was at the shop faithfully every 8-10 WEEKS giving those people money to make my hair flat. lol Yucko.

I think the best route here in order to get straight hair with some fullness/thickness would have been flat iron/ pressing comb. Of course done by the professionals. You could now just grow the relaxer out and take this new route.

Don't stay in a sad state though. What's done is done and now you have to make the best of the situation.

It will work out!

P.S. You might want to get a straw set or something to get that bigger hair effect if you don't like it straight right now.

 

[dawn1980]

Thank you so much for responding! I think you are right. it is so hard here in Oklahoma to find stylists to do natural hair. But I probably should have just searched harder to find someone. It's hard because I hardly ever see women with natural hair here and the ones i've asked do their own. I will definitely take your advice and chill out about it. All I need is to stress myself out and have my hair react to that stress. Thanks again. I have what I have now.

 

[Traycee]

:welcome3:

 

[MsAngie]

I have nothing to add other than ! Good luck on your journey.

 

[sareca]

It'll thicken up. My texturizers always look kinda wimpy for the 1-2 weeks.
You can DC with protein to help it along.

 

[dawn1980]

Thanks for the advice Sareca. I'll add that to my list to buy.

 

[amwcah]

Hair is usually not as thick and lifeless after a relaxer. Your hair is going through a normal state right now. It will thicken and become more fuller with every wash and within the next week or more. In the meantime, try the following:

1) make sure you keep it moisturized(up to 2x per day)
2) DC with every wash (alternate with protein and moisturizing conditioners)
3) apply a protein treatment with the next week followed by a moisturizing conditioner
4) try not to use direct heat (curling iron, blowdryer, etc.)

HTH and welcome to LHCF!

 

[dawn1980]

Thanks Amwcah! I will certainly take this advice. My other question though is should I wait a certain length of time to wash? I got the texlax last night 1/11/08--or should I wait a week or 2? I have my ends coated with Castor oil and my hair in a little bun.