On Cathy Howse for a year but...

[AlexLyons]

Ladies- please- I need your help.

I've been on Cathy Howse's regime for a year now, and my hair is silkier and bouncier and healtier than ever before- there's just one problem- I can't get it passed my shoulders.

The top and sides of my hair grow like crazy but because the back just breaks, breaks, breaks , when I let it progress and don't cut it, it just looks 'see through'- and I can't stand 'see through' looking hair, so I just cut it all back to shoulder length.

Here are the things you should know:

• I started texlaxing about the same time I started Cathy's regime- I think that's going ok;
• I wash my hair twice a week with Head and Shoulders (love it!)
• I deep condition with Cathy's protein under a hooded dryer once a week just like she says unless-
• its got too much protein and it starts breaking off into little pieces and then I know it has too much protein and needs moisture and so I deep condition with Elasta QP deep conditioner;
• I creme my ends daily with her lotion creme (I love this product too -the Dew does nothing for me) and then seal this in with a natural oil- Kemi Oyl;
• I keep my hair off my neck, and I set it at night, wrap with a silk scarf and don't overmaintain;
• I live in London.

Can anyone help me? erplexed

 

[HeChangedMyName]

How do you wear your hair on a daily basis? Does the lotion creme have protein?

 

[Healthb4Length]

Do you have hard water? You said that you set your hair at night, do you mean your sleeping in hair rollers? That can lead to breakage.

 

[BeautifulFlower]

Head and shoulders strips the hair clean. Not for kinky curly hair in my opinion. More for type 1ab and 2ab hair that gets oily.

You could use a more moisturizing deep conditioner like Nexxuss Humectress or Kenra Moisturizing Conditioner.

Focus on moisture. Protein should be used once a month and try a light protein like Aphogee 2min, nexxuss Keraphix, or Egg/Conditioner mix.

 

[prospurr4]

• I started texlaxing about the same time I started Cathy's regime- I think that's going ok;
• I wash my hair twice a week with Head and Shoulders (love it!)
• I deep condition with Cathy's protein under a hooded dryer once a week just like she says unless-
• its got too much protein and it starts breaking off into little pieces and then I know it has too much protein and needs moisture and so I deep condition with Elasta QP deep conditioner;
• I creme my ends daily with her lotion creme (I love this product too -the Dew does nothing for me) and then seal this in with a natural oil- Kemi Oyl;
• I keep my hair off my neck, and I set it at night, wrap with a silk scarf and don't overmaintain;
• I live in London.

Can anyone help me? erplexed

I'll give it a shot...a few things stand out to me:

1) I see you shampoo twice a week...that may be stripping moisture from your hair, leading to breakage.

2) Do you wear hair styles that allow your ends to rub along your shoulders or clothing. If so, the friction could be breaking off your ends. This helped keep me at SL for years.

3) Could using protein once a week be too much? If you want to continue with the protein, I suggest adding more moisture to balance.

I hope you find a solution to the breakage.

ETA: I came back to say WELCOME TO LHCF!!!

 

[naijanikki]

It sounds like you need to incorporate more moisture in your regimine. I've been on Cathy's regimine for a little over a year and I deep condition with her conditioner and follow it with a more moisturizing deep conditioner. Keep us posted and good luck!

 

[msa]

Don't wait until your hair is breaking to decide that protein is too much. Obviously, it's too much so you need more moisture in your regimen.

Also, is your scarf rubbing on your hair in the back? That may be causing the back to break. And do you make sure to moisturize that area thoroughly?

 

[LynnieB]

Ladies- please- I need your help.

Next time you poo with the Head and Shoulders, put your hair in small sections (like 6-8). Do not get into the shower straight away. Instead, saturate the roots of the hair with water in a spray bottle. Take your poo and only apply it to the scalp. Massage into your scalp with the balls of your fingers if you're not getting a lather just spray enough water onto your roots until you see lather. If you're supposed to let the poo sit on your scalp for a few minutes you can do this.

Do your entire head just like the above. Now get into the shower and rinse out the poo. As the water's spraying on your head, squish the poo down the length of your hair until it's completely gone.

I know it sounds funky but it helps you get the benefits from the dandruff shampoo without the poo stripping your hair.

 

[Healthb4Length]

I was also going to suggest a gentler shampoo, Head and Shoulders is soooo drying and then you put the CH conditioner in your hair afterwards which can be drying. She states in her book to follow up with a instant moisturizer afterwards to bring the moisture back in your hair. Once you rinse out the instant moisturizer then use her lotion.

A good shampoo for dry and itchy scalp would be Keracare Dry and Itchy shampoo, it soothes itches and moisturizes your hair at the same time.

Also, you said that you set and wrap at night...are you sleeping in hair rollers or are you wrapping your hair at night in the same direction? I've read that wrapping your hair in the same direction can lead to breakage or thin spots over time.

 

[Honi]

Did you mean Elasta QP Intense? This product has silk protein in it in addition to moisturizing ingredients. I would switch to another moisturizing conditioner without protein like Keracare or AO white camellia.

Instead of UBH conditioner weekly could you do this twice a month instead to give your hair more moisturizing conditioning in between?

 

[AlexLyons]

I'll give it a shot...a few things stand out to me:

1) I see you shampoo twice a week...that may be stripping moisture from your hair, leading to breakage.

2) Do you wear hair styles that allow your ends to rub along your shoulders or clothing. If so, the friction could be breaking off your ends. This helped keep me at SL for years.

3) Could using protein once a week be too much? If you want to continue with the protein, I suggest adding more moisture to balance.

I hope you find a solution to the breakage.

ETA: I came back to say WELCOME TO LHCF!!!

Thanks so much- I guess it has been getting snagged every now and then in my scarf, but I kinda thought it wasn't that bad- Don't ask me how, but I think I might just stop wearing a scarf.

Thanks so much.

 

[AlexLyons]

How do you wear your hair on a daily basis? Does the lotion creme have protein?

Hey SuperNova,

The creme doesn't have protein in it, it's just a moisturizer but I'm hearing what you and the other ladies are saying...so I'm thinking maybe need to back off on the protein and use more mosture!

Thanks

 

[AlexLyons]

Next time you poo with the Head and Shoulders, put your hair in small sections (like 6-8). Do not get into the shower straight away. Instead, saturate the roots of the hair with water in a spray bottle. Take your poo and only apply it to the scalp. Massage into your scalp with the balls of your fingers if you're not getting a lather just spray enough water onto your roots until you see lather. If you're supposed to let the poo sit on your scalp for a few minutes you can do this.

Do your entire head just like the above. Now get into the shower and rinse out the poo. As the water's spraying on your head, squish the poo down the length of your hair until it's completely gone.

I know it sounds funky but it helps you get the benefits from the dandruff shampoo without the poo stripping your hair.

This sounds like this might be worth a try - I do have a problem with dandruff but I never thought of doing it this way before...I'm gonna definetly try it.

Thank you LynnieB

 

[AlexLyons]

Did you mean Elasta QP Intense? This product has silk protein in it in addition to moisturizing ingredients. I would switch to another moisturizing conditioner without protein like Keracare or AO white camellia.

Instead of UBH conditioner weekly could you do this twice a month instead to give your hair more moisturizing conditioning in between?

Hey Honi,

Should I deep condition with the Keracare or AO white camellia under a hooded dryer or is it an instant conditioner?

Thanks for the advice

 

[CurlyMoo]

I was using Cathy Howse for 5 months then I flat ironed my hair and only noticed an inch of growth. My hair was healthier and fuller but it barely moved. I still had not increased much in length. Even with moisturizing everyday with her Lotion Creme and Spray. At that point I had used up all of CH products except the conditioner. So I completely changed my regimen.

More frequent shampooing to 2-3 times a week instead of once. I changed my shampoo to an organic Aubrey shampoo with no sulfates. I started using Mega-Tek like a deep conditioner and as a scalp/hair leave in. I used Cantu Shea Butter Leave-In and sealed with Sweet Almond Oil and used Castor oil on my ends. Then finished with putting my hair in two strand twists. I would suggest switching to a more gentle mositurizing organic shampoo. And you may want to add a cream rinse or five minute conditioner just to smooth the hair cuticle and detangle. I went from an inch pass shoulder length to BSL in 5 months.

But for me I would say that Mega-Tek is a better protein conditioner that has helped increase growth and retain length. Along with the increased moisture from frequent shampooing and daily moisturizing. I also have a denman brush to help detangle.

 

[Chevelure618]

I've been doing her regimin for a year and a half. My hair is in MUCH better condition. I'm mostly texlaxed now too with only 3 inches of relaxed on my ends. Only recently have I noticed breakage and I attribute that to what's left of the bone straight ends.

Against her regimen I trimmed off see-thru about 4 months ago and my hair felt wonderful. Now it needs it again, but less I think. I have to get the back even because the right side was breaking mroe than the left.

I can't stand see-thru either, but I will say this: See thru does not necessarily mean broken. If you look at Cathy's hair on her website (ultrablackhair.com) you will see her long hair and that the ends aren't blunt, but in a way, see-thru. she just maintains her "raggedy" ends, and is totally against hair stylists who claim you must always trim those "raggedy ends". I agree, but to a point. Only you know your hair more than anyone. YOU know when it's breaking. YOU know when it needs protein, moisture, etc.

I am getting a touch up on Friday after only 8 weeks, because I sense that my hair needs a fresh start and SLIGHT (pray for me) 1/4 inch trim. I can't let this period of breakage on one side go too far. It isn't really that much, but I don't like it....I like progress, not worry, worry, worry, about my ends.

I think you should TRY to ignore your see-thru ends for about 4 months, and see if you can get over that hump without trimming. At most, do a 1/16th to 1/8th inch trim.

 

[AlexLyons]

To everyone who gave advice and tried to help me, Thank you. Its much appreciated, and hopefully when I use these new steps I'll be posting pictures of progress (in inches!)soon.

xxx

 

[betty-boo]

I was using Cathy Howse for 5 months then I flat ironed my hair and only noticed an inch of growth. My hair was healthier and fuller but it barely moved. I still had not increased much in length. Even with moisturizing everyday with her Lotion Creme and Spray. At that point I had used up all of CH products except the conditioner. So I completely changed my regimen.

More frequent shampooing to 2-3 times a week instead of once. I changed my shampoo to an organic Aubrey shampoo with no sulfates. I started using Mega-Tek like a deep conditioner and as a scalp/hair leave in. I used Cantu Shea Butter Leave-In and sealed with Sweet Almond Oil and used Castor oil on my ends. Then finished with putting my hair in two strand twists. I would suggest switching to a more gentle mositurizing organic shampoo. And you may want to add a cream rinse or five minute conditioner just to smooth the hair cuticle and detangle. I went from an inch pass shoulder length to BSL in 5 months.

But for me I would say that Mega-Tek is a better protein conditioner that has helped increase growth and retain length. Along with the increased moisture from frequent shampooing and daily moisturizing. I also have a denman brush to help detangle.

Curlymoo this is great and is just the experience I'm going through! Do you use the Mega-tek everytime you shampoo?

I too, have recently increased the amount of times I shampoo a week and have noticed that the growth I get is a lot more this way.

ETA: Is Mega-Tek a medium protein treatment? Like a reconstructor?