Oooohhh Snap! Literally!!! Help!

[sengschick]

Please tell me I'm just panicing and I can recover, please. Okay, I was trying to run w/the big dogs and decided to texturize every 6 mos. Well, I'm 18 weeks post-relaxer and yesterday I noticed long hairs w/o plugs

. I found one while I was driving, so after washing I decided to take a random sample. I found 3 more of the same and seemed to have more shedding than typical for me. An increase of 20-25% I would guesstimate.

I'm assuming that what I'm seeing is mild breakage due to the differing textures. Unfortunately, my stylist is pregnant and due this month (at any moment actually). I called today and received no answer

, so she maybe delivering right now! I'm thinking that @ best she won't be able to take me until the end of the month

. I have no back-up person and only trust her w/chemicals. And she's the only stylist I've ever known that uses the PhytoRelaxer (& I'm not interested in switching or doing it myself

). What can I do to make sure I can keep snapping to a minimum?! Pleeezzzz Help!!! TIA!

FYI: My hair isn't a hard protein fan, so I use lights every 3rd wash. Last night I used AO GPB and I used Joico's KPak a week or so ago.

 

[Karonica]

How often do you wash your hair? Because the longer you can keep your hair in a style without suffering scalp irritation and build-up, the better. It would be even better if you can get away with not combing your hair, except maybe after shampoos and rinses.

 

[Tai]

I would suggest braids, if you hair responds well to them. Or protective styles that you can leave in for up to a week so you're not manipulating your hair often.
I would also suggest making sure to keep your hair very moisturized. Is your new growth as soft as the rest of your hair?

 

[sengschick]

I wash every 3-4 days. My hair has gotten spoiled, so it's hard to go much longer. I've been wearing twist-outs for the last 4 mos, so I'm only combing during conditioner-washes. Last night I did poo, b/c my scalp was asking, but usually I only CW.

 

[Tai]

What are you using to moisturize your new growth?

 

[KinksnCurlz]

After hearing your story, I remember about a week or so after i used the k-pak my hair started shedding unmercifully. I didn't know what caused that to happen, tracy told me it could b 'seasonal' shedding but i don't remember my hair ever shedding so much at one time. Now this really has me thinking. I thought it was because I got my hair professionally flat ironed (silly me, i know) right after relaxing. I was a nervous wreck. What helped me get over my hump was the nutrine unscented garlic shampoo, AO gpb and my aphogee treatment. Although, i was shedding for approx. a month, it did stop.

 

[sengschick]

[ QUOTE ]
CaramelHonee said:
After hearing your story, I remember about a week or so after i used the k-pak my hair started shedding unmercifully. I didn't know what caused that to happen, tracy told me it could b 'seasonal' shedding but i don't remember my hair ever shedding so much at one time. Now this really has me thinking. I thought it was because I got my hair professionally flat ironed (silly me, i know) right after relaxing. I was a nervous wreck. What helped me get over my hump was the nutrine unscented garlic shampoo, AO gpb and my aphogee treatment. Although, i was shedding for approx. a month, it did stop.

[/ QUOTE ]

I don't know about that KPak. And of course, Mama PJ bought the big bottle

. Okay, can I buy this garlic stuff online? So you think it's shedding and not breakage @ the demarcation line? I worried I always have a bulb

.

 

[Tai]

If you have a bulb, it's shedding, not breakage. You could also try Capilo's Cinnamon and Sole conditioner. It helped me with shedding. The BSS in SW Detroit should have it. I got mine online before I found the BSS. It's supposed to be as good as the Garlic treatment.

 

[brwnskingirl]

i think u should go get your hair braided, this way you dont have to touch it all besides for washing your scalp. I always do this when I wanna strecth out my relaxer.

 

[sengschick]

[ QUOTE ]
Tai said:
I would suggest braids, if you hair responds well to them. Or protective styles that you can leave in for up to a week so you're not manipulating your hair often.
I would also suggest making sure to keep your hair very moisturized. Is your new growth as soft as the rest of your hair?

[/ QUOTE ]
I can't do the braid thing. They would cause way too much stress on that demarcation line and I have all this new growth already. My new growth is very managable until I workout. Then I can feel the texture difference, another reason I have to wash every few days. I don't moisture the new growth any differently, only my ends. They feel fine, well moisturized and just as soft as the rest of my hair. I really can't think of anything I've done differently

.

Could it be the twisting from the twist-outs? I'll try detangling under the water again when I get to the roots.

 

[Tai]

You're doing everything right.
The only thing that I can think of regarding the shedding is that it's just do to stretching the Phytorelaxer. There's been a ton of posts about shedding when stretching. It seems to be fairly common.
The garlic shampoo and conditioner might do the trick. As well as the cinnamon and sole conditioner.

 

[KinksnCurlz]

you can buy the garlic shampoo at any drug store or bss.

 

[brwnskingirl]

i have to try this garlic shampoo, lets see if it beats my motions CPR

 

[sengschick]

[ QUOTE ]
Tai said:
If you have a bulb, it's shedding, not breakage. You could also try Capilo's Cinnamon and Sole conditioner. It helped me with shedding. The BSS in SW Detroit should have it. I got mine online before I found the BSS. It's supposed to be as good as the Garlic treatment.

[/ QUOTE ]
I always have a bulb, but these hairs didn't. So I think it's breakage. I will admit that it's mild, but I think it can only bet worse until I get touched-up. I just want to stop it cold. Maybe I'll try Emergencee. Is there protein in the Capilo conditioner?

 

[Tai]

Are the strands long or short?

Capilo Sole and Cinnamon Conditioner:

Ingredients: Deionized Water, Sole Extract, Cetyl Alcohol, Petrolatum, Cetromonium Chloride, Mineral Oil, Lanolin, Propilene Glicol, Preservative, Cinnamon Extract, Citric Acid and Coloring.

Doesn't seem like there's any protein. It left my hair feeling light and the shedding stopped. I had some mild breakage, too, and it stopped that as well.

 

[KinksnCurlz]

yeah, it sounds like breakage. It could be the twistouts/braidouts.

unfortunately it's not going to stop dead in it's tracks, just give it a little time by using products that r specifically targeting for breakage. I've heard good things about elasta qp breakage control serum.

@ bsg - the garlic shampoo isn't comparable to the motions. and u would have to use the g.s. every day.

 

[Lindy]

Sengschick,

I wouldn't get too stressed out over a little breakage... I think that some breakage is normal, and to be expected... I mean, unless it's excessive, like to the point where you're seeing little hairs all over the place, I wouldn't worry too much about it!! (Plus, stress can cause hair loss, ya know!

)

I'd just continue to use light protein and moisturizing conditioners. And maybe just try airdrying in a ponytail sometimes instead of always doing the braid/twist outs. I'm sure you'll be just fine!!

 

[sengschick]

@Tai: Long

. Thanks for the listing. Maybe I'll give it a try... I've been banned from the Dominican BSS and all others by the Mr. Maybe I'll plea my case as an emergency.

@CH: I used the BCS @ the end of last month, so maybe I'll try it more regularly until I get this together. I'm thinking that at this point the twisting right at the root isn't helping me

. Maybe that is what it is.

@Lindy: The airdry pony is going to be a hot mess

. I can tell you already b/c my hair is way too thick and too lightly texturized for me to have anything other than a huge afro puff

. I can't say I'm stressed, I just happened to notice it yesterday and then decided to see what I lost while washing.

What if I try an air-dry rollerset? Maybe it'll smooth out enough if I get big rollers so that I don't look crazy. I'll have to sit in the house all day Sunday....

 

[Tai]

It's a special case. I'm sure the Mister will understand. He supports your taking excellent care of your hair.

The airdry rollerset could work. Do you ever wash n go?

 

[Tracy]

Ok...after ASJDiva's ex I have to say this bc I ended u feeling badly....

Sengs, if you're going to try the Garlic shampoo make sure you understand it can be VERY drying and should be used with a follow up conditioning shampoo and a good Pantene like slippy conditioner/detangler. It works well on seasonal shedding but if you don't know what your shedding problem stems from GO EASY on it. Use it in moderation. It can be a god send, but it can also cause a few scary tangles......

Take care...

 

[Tracy]

And now that I think of it - the one time I used Joico KPak I had a terrible bout of shedding for about 2 weeks or so.

I used it once and never did again. It also irritated my scalp. I assumed the shedding was due to that, and chalked it up to my sensitive scalp.....

 

[A_Christian]

The rollerset would be helpful or you could do an updo like the one in your avatar. That is a very pretty hairstyle

, did you style it yourself? As it has already been mentioned, it would be a good idea to create any style that you can wear without combing everyday (the rollerset, braids, updo's etc.....) and re-do it once a week or maybe even go a little longer until you can schedule an appointment with your stylist.

 

[Leslie_C]

how about a phonytail till u can get it relaxed? those are always a lifesaver! You could wash and condition it, then let it air dry some, then put it up in a little bun and put the phony over it. tie the top down with a scarf and it will dry pretty straight. spray some sheen on it and go! I wore this style for months at a time(washing weekly) and even when I didnt relax my hair at all for 5 months(I had all new growth and a couple inches of relaxed ends)...5 months was the point where it started to mat and tangle badly and gave me a headache to comb.

 

[Tracy]

Careful with that tho...

Phonytails work great on thick hair, but they are heavy and can be too much weight on fine hair.

 

[sengschick]

Thanks everyone for the assistance! I just wanted to update and let you all know that after my last wash... all was back to normal

. I did another random sample and saw no broken long hairs (all had bulbs). I do plan to move up my touch-up date, but I'm not in a panic. I bought rollers to do a roller-set but I the thought of not using heat to do it and having some bushy mess Monday dissuaded me greatly. I just condition washed w/Nacidit Avocado and all is well in the world.

I think it was that blasted Joico K-Pak... maybe I can sell it on the exchange board! Thanks again!

 

[sengschick]

[ QUOTE ]
A_Christian said:
The rollerset would be helpful or you could do an updo like the one in your avatar. That is a very pretty hairstyle

, did you style it yourself? As it has already been mentioned, it would be a good idea to create any style that you can wear without combing everyday (the rollerset, braids, updo's etc.....) and re-do it once a week or maybe even go a little longer until you can schedule an appointment with your stylist.

[/ QUOTE ]

Thanks! I did it, but that was my last day of heat. I used to do them all the time as my regular daily style. Maybe I'll revisit once I get to the 6 month w/o heat mark!

It certainly requires daily combing, b/c that sucker was heavy and I would never sleep if my hair was piled up like that all day and night!

 

[kitchen_tician]

I'm glad your hair is back to normal