On a Healthy Hair Roller Coaster?

[Royal Glory]

How many of you have learned wonderful, strategies and incorporated them into your haircare routines---with tremendous, hairchanging results---but still have one or two main struggles? What are they?

For me, it's maintaining protein-moisture balance.

I probably need to incorporate more ceramides (see posts:http://www.longhaircareforum.com/showthread.php?t=131270&highlight=ceramides) into my regime. I relax with no-lye and I work really hard to maintain the proper protein-moisture balance. My hair is in really good shape, but I still struggle with that part of my routine. I'm still concerned with a little breakage here and there.

As soon as I notice a little, I usually use Aurora's silk protein treatment or Nexus' Emergencee, but I still see a few broken hairs. They're simply thicker little hairs, that's all. Then at the next shampoo, I deep condition. Sometimes I prepoo with a wonderful moisturizing treatment and then do a light protein treatment. (My hair doesn't respond well to heavy treatments, like Aphogee.) Very occassionally, I will use a very diluted neutral henna, but that is about as strong as I can go with my fine to medium texture.

I feel a little like I'm on a protein vs. moisture roller coaster and really want to master this issue.

Please share your issue. And your suggestions...

 

[locabouthair]

I am definitely on a healthy hair roller coaster. I am just trying to get over my overprocessed ends by gradually trimming. when i wear my hair up people tell me it looks thick but when i wear it down, the ends tell a different story. I am learning to self relax because i am tire dof paying people money to just damage my hair.

I also struggle with moisture. Even after I wash and DC my hair still gets very dry. But my hair is damaged so I guess that's to be expected plus I dont think airdrying is for me.

Right now Im just focusing on healthy hair. i dont even care about length anymore. I just want thick, shiny hair. I'm doing trims and changing my diet, I hope to see a difference in a year.

Royal, do you use a chelating shampoo to remove the calcium deposits from the no lye? That can prevent your hair from getting all the moisture it needs.

 

[bravenewgirl87]

Same story. But i don't understand the cermides thing.

 

[Royal Glory]

Royal, do you use a chelating shampoo to remove the calcium deposits from the no lye? That can prevent your hair from getting all the moisture it needs.

No. I haven't tried that yet. What is a good one, loca?

 

[locabouthair]

No. I haven't tried that yet. What is a good one, loca?

I think mizani makes one. i know sistalsick uses one. you can pm her.

 

[Leslie_C]

Im in the same boat with the protein moisture thing...my hair doesnt seem to like heavy proteins at all. I cant use any moisturizers that contain keratin or other proteins because I just get more breakage/shedding from them. Ive found I can use something light like Aubrey GPB every couple of weeks and my hair seems to agree with that. I do it on dry hair with heat prior to shampooing.

Also joico makes a good chelating shampoo. Its part of a 4 step system. You chelate, then use a cuticule sealer, then use the kpac reconstructor, then use the moisturizing conditioner. Each step is 5 minutes. I like it but Im afraid to use the whole system too often since it might be protein overload.

 

[Royal Glory]

Same story. But i don't understand the cermides thing.

There are indications that ceremides are an important ingredient for hair's moisture balance, especially for ladies who relax with no-lye relaxers. Some say no-lye relaxers, while gentler on the scalp, can be more drying to the hair.

 

[lollyoo]

For me no-lye equals dryness, i had the best hair when i had a stylist that uses lye and deep condition my hair bi weekly with rollerset. my hair was APL at the time i did not even moisturise daily.
I have used no-lye for the last 10yrs and still have dryness issues. Will be switching to ORS lye from ORS no-lye next relaxer.

for me what helps-
is to deep condition twice a week, - one moisturising , one light protein (aphogee 2 min keratin reconstructor)- i usually follow the light protein with moisturising conditioner (i just apply leave for 3 min then rinse).
Since I have been doing this i think it really helps with less breakage, as you are getting both moisture and protein each week.

ORS aloe shampoo or the neutralising professional size (same ingredients)- have chelating agents and works better for clarifying than standard clarifying poo.

I cant use strong aphogee as well so if experiencing brakage I apply ORS mayo as prepoo and let it air dry until its quite stiff.

 

[Royal Glory]

For me no-lye equals dryness, i had the best hair when i had a stylist that uses lye and deep condition my hair bi weekly with rollerset. my hair was APL at the time i did not even moisturise daily.
I have used no-lye for the last 10yrs and still have dryness issues. Will be switching to ORS lye from ORS no-lye next relaxer.

for me what helps-
is to deep condition twice a week, - one moisturising , one light protein (aphogee 2 min keratin reconstructor)- i usually follow the light protein with moisturising conditioner (i just apply leave for 3 min then rinse).
Since I have been doing this i think it really helps with less breakage, as you are getting both moisture and protein each week.

ORS aloe shampoo or the neutralising professional size (same ingredients)- have chelating agents and works better for clarifying than standard clarifying poo.

I cant use strong aphogee as well so if experiencing brakage I apply ORS mayo as prepoo and let it air dry until its quite stiff.

Sometimes, I think about switching to lye. I'm concerned about the outcome. Let me know your experiences when you switch.