No More Creamy Crack!!!Natural, Text, Texlax or Brazilian Blow out for 4a/4b/4z hair?

[Vintageglam]

So here is the thing I have been viewing a lot of vids on youtube recently and they have got me a hankering for natural/less processed hair again.

I was natural for about 12 - 14 years (teenager to 30) and I relied heavily on braids and weaves. This resulted in VERY SERIOUS damage to my edges and hairline which even after 3 years have not filled in.

My hair grows fast enough (not crazy like weed but it grows) but its VERY fine and VERY thin. This coupled with the thinning edges is not a sexy feminine look which leaves me feeling very self concious. I have a weave in at the moment to stretch my relaxer and buy me some much needed thinking time (4+ months at the mo and looking to stretch to New year making it nearly 6 months ).

So anyway I want to get some advice from ladies who are 4a/4b/4z (natural, texturised, texlaxed, brazillian blow out) on ideas on how they care for their hair and what they have found works for them.

If you are a Naija girl or of West African background that would also be INFINATELY useful to me so PLEASE chip in...

I am also looking for styles that I can wear in an office environment. I work in the Legal profession so unfortunately image is key.

Thanks Ladies xx

 

[SherylsTresses]

Re: No More Creamy Crack!!!Natural, Text, Texlax or Brazilian Blow out for 4a/4b/4z h

So here is the thing I have been viewing a lot of vids on youtube recently and they have got me a hankering for natural/less processed hair again.

I was natural for about 12 - 14 years (teenager to 30) and I relied heavily on braids and weaves. This resulted in VERY SERIOUS damage to my edges and hairline which even after 3 years have not filled in.

My hair grows fast enough (not crazy like weed but it grows) but its VERY fine and VERY thin. This coupled with the thinning edges is not a sexy feminine look which leaves me feeling very self concious. I have a weave in at the moment to stretch my relaxer and buy me some much needed thinking time (4+ months at the mo and looking to stretch to New year making it nearly 6 months ).

So anyway I want to get some advice from ladies who are 4a/4b/4z (natural, texturised, texlaxed, brazillian blow out) on ideas on how they care for their hair and what they have found works for them.

If you are a Naija girl or of West African background that would also be INFINATELY useful to me so PLEASE chip in...

I am also looking for styles that I can wear in an office environment. I work in the Legal profession so unfortunately image is key.

Thanks Ladies xx

I hope this site is helpful to you as she is all natural:
Longhairdontcare2011 - http://www.youtube.com/my_subscriptions?pi=0&ps=20&sf=added&sa=0&dm=2&s=Bb5DdA59tkA&masthead=1&as=1

 

[Southernbella.]

Re: No More Creamy Crack!!!Natural, Text, Texlax or Brazilian Blow out for 4a/4b/4z h

Texlaxed and texturized hair is still relaxed, so I'm not sure why "no more creamy crack" is in the title.

Are you looking to wear your hair straight most of the time?

 

[BlackMasterPiece]

Re: No More Creamy Crack!!!Natural, Text, Texlax or Brazilian Blow out for 4a/4b/4z h

Texturized Hair is still relaxed hair and a Brazilian Keratin Treatment is also a chemical process done for the purposes of loosening the hair texture so do you want to go natural or do you want to continue to use chemicals? It isn't fully clear from your post.

Also you said your hair has thinned out over the years, has your hair ever been thick? Like when you were a child? If it ever was then thats an indication that the thinning was a result of something you're doing and not just the hair you have.

Since you said the braids and weaves did so much damage to your hair I would actually say stay away from styles like weaves that pull on your hair for a good while, start applying things like castor oil and doing nightly scalp massages to see if you can stimulate growth. If you feel your hair is really unpresentable maybe you wig it for a while, using something that wouldn't put stress on your hair.

Also regardless of weather you want to continue to relax or go natural, I think you should give your hair a break from chemicals and tight styles altogether for a good while untill you start to see some improvement. If you want to see your hair thicken up, you should let it be for a long while so it can recuperate.

 

[Opey]

Re: No More Creamy Crack!!!Natural, Text, Texlax or Brazilian Blow out for 4a/4b/4z h

Nigerian checking in

I had the most chewed relaxed hair known to man, so i shaved it off to go natural
i also had no edges, i put some castor oil on them for about 3months that there doing well.

Wigs? WITH a wig cap
Castor oil & wide tooth combs to stop tension & pullingand to give your hair a rest..

 

[Vintageglam]

Re: No More Creamy Crack!!!Natural, Text, Texlax or Brazilian Blow out for 4a/4b/4z h

Texturized Hair is still relaxed hair and a Brazilian Keratin Treatment is also a chemical process done for the purposes of loosening the hair texture so do you want to go natural or do you want to continue to use chemicals? It isn't fully clear from your post.

I have not probs with this I am just looking to do something somewhat less harsh to the hair. I have typically african hair like Sera so get super shrinkage and am not a big fan of heat. I am looking for a style which would still allow me to roller set dry under a hood dryer but gain back some volume. I have tried texlaxing before but find its a real art/ science. You really need someone who knows what they're doing or you'll end up with relaxed hair....

Yes I think I am trying to loosen texture and make my hair easier to manipulate. I suppose I want something that looks more natural and in keeping with my natural features as opposed to 70 - 80% straight which it is now. Also I find that with straight hair there is more upkeep for it to look that way (if that makes sense...)

Also you said your hair has thinned out over the years, has your hair ever been thick? Like when you were a child? If it ever was then thats an indication that the thinning was a result of something you're doing and not just the hair you have.

Hair has always been fine and I was natural for soooo long so I doubt the chemicals are culprit for thinning it out. My hair has actually got thicker since I stopped braiding. However I think that is more to do with the better care I have been giving it, changes to diet and supplements I have been taking.

Since you said the braids and weaves did so much damage to your hair I would actually say stay away from styles like weaves that pull on your hair for a good while, start applying things like castor oil and doing nightly scalp massages to see if you can stimulate growth. If you feel your hair is really unpresentable maybe you wig it for a while, using something that wouldn't put stress on your hair.

I have my second weave of the year in at the moment. I put it in to buy time while I decide what to do and to stretch my relaxer? I already massage my scalp with oils pre wash day. Lenght is not the issue here. I guess I am just hankering after hair that feels more in keeping with me and my origins but allows me with a little bit more flexibilty as to upkeep (basically the Holy Grail of hair)

Also regardless of weather you want to continue to relax or go natural, I think you should give your hair a break from chemicals and tight styles altogether for a good while untill you start to see some improvement. If you want to see your hair thicken up, you should let it be for a long while so it can recuperate.

I relax my hair about every 4 months and sometimes longer. At the moment I am hoping to stretch until the beginning of Jan to make it about 6 months.

 

[Vintageglam]

Re: No More Creamy Crack!!!Natural, Text, Texlax or Brazilian Blow out for 4a/4b/4z h

Nigerian checking in

I had the most chewed relaxed hair known to man, so i shaved it off to go natural
i also had no edges, i put some castor oil on them for about 3months that there doing well.

Wigs? WITH a wig cap
Castor oil & wide tooth combs to stop tension & pullingand to give your hair a rest..

thanks sweetheart - very appreciated. What was your regime with the castor oil and edges? i.e. how often? what type of castor oil did you use?

thanks also all ladies who have suggested wigs. I think I may look into.... xx

 

[redecouvert]

Re: No More Creamy Crack!!!Natural, Text, Texlax or Brazilian Blow out for 4a/4b/4z h

I am not Naija but I grew up mostly in W.Africa.
Blackmasta asked you great questions
I keep it simple ..pre-poo overnight before wash day so that all the knots/tangles can melt away ,wash/condition/style.
for the longest, I never really did any styles..except twists from time to time..but now I am doing more protective styles.
HTH

Edit: I never ever ever ever comb my hair

 

[vkb247]

Re: No More Creamy Crack!!!Natural, Text, Texlax or Brazilian Blow out for 4a/4b/4z h

So I think I understand where you are coming from. I like the way my texlaxed/texturized hair behaves but I love my coils so I under under process if that makes sense. But I would never let a stylist do this process on me because it is easy to mess up and I guess I could interview a bunch until I found one who was willing to process my hair the way I wanted and would treat my hair the way I wanted (trim that is a trim, no yanking when clearing, etc.) but I don't bother because it is so easy to do on my own. Here is what I do:

I retouch twice a year.
I was using Motions Herbal in Super and I am currently using Elasta QP (lye) in Regular.
I never apply straight relaxer - it is always mixed with at least conditioner and sometimes I add a very little bit of oil or a serum/leave in with hydrolyzed silk/protein.
I only use my fingers during processing - no comb ever.
I always apply a thick conditioner/grease/vaseline to my previously relaxed hair when I process so that it won't get straighter.
I leave my relaxer in for 10-12 minutes.
I always relax the curly less than I really want because with time, manipulation, and length I hope that it will loosen a bit more.

I keep my relaxed hair strong and my new growth manageable with henna (once a week or every two weeks) and coconut oil (always in my hair - applied before any product to prevent damage).

 

[SelfStyled]

Re: No More Creamy Crack!!!Natural, Text, Texlax or Brazilian Blow out for 4a/4b/4z h

Stella take a look at braiding and weaving....if your baseline was already thin hair, many times braids and weaves only exacerbate the situation. This I know from experience.

 

[lolascurls]

Re: No More Creamy Crack!!!Natural, Text, Texlax or Brazilian Blow out for 4a/4b/4z h

Another Naija girl reporting in!
I am texlaxed and loving it!
My hair has looser waves now (usually 4b before texlax) and it is SOOO much thicker!
I apply 2-3tbspns of oils in my relaxer and apply conditioner to my hair that has already been relaxed. I only apply for 10 - 12 mins max!
Also reducing manipulation of hair and improving moisture level in your hair is great!

 

[Vintageglam]

Re: No More Creamy Crack!!!Natural, Text, Texlax or Brazilian Blow out for 4a/4b/4z h

BlackMasterPiece just saw your website and I am hooked !!! Anyway off to have a nosey around - thanks so much for your advice....and I will be back to ask questions - LOL!