PAGING NATURALS-- HEAT DAMAGE! PLZ HELP!-LONG

[deborah11]

WELL ladies- here i go again. More hair problems. I am so depressed. Due to relaxer overprocessing and damage, i have been relaxer free for a little bit short of 8 months. During that time, i used NO HEAT on my hair, ,except for a light blow dryer about 4 weeks ago. for four months wore my own hair up and last 4 months have been wearing a fake curly ponytail. my new growth was THICK, BEAUTIFUL, WAVY, texture that i was falling in love with, even though i hadn't quite figured out what to do with it. This past week, i decided to press the new growth for the first time. took all precautonary measures, used heat protector, and put flat iron on 14 (it goes up to a 25); tried it on lower seating of 10 which did not straightened hair. My hair initially looked beautiful but then i noticed it was breaking off in the back and felt very dry. Also my waves are not as prominent as they once were, almost looks liket i have a light texturizer. I AM SO AFRAID THAT ALL MY HAIR IS GOING TO FALL OUT. I have already given myself an aphogee treatment, followed by a deep moisturing treatment. the roots of my hair are still thick but very dry and brittle. IS THERE ANYTHING THAT I CAN DO SHORT OF IMMEDIATELY SHAVING all my hair off ? I have given myself a major haircut (cut it into short bob chinlength) and my hair feels better but still very dry. Please offer comments ASAP as i need help. i have my hair back in a protective style and spray water. moisturizer on it every hour. I just don't know what to do. I feel like the past 8 months has all been a waste and now i have to start all over again. i am really ready to give up. i feel so stupid. by the way, i pressed the new growth and i must have overlaped . thanks for your responses. i would really appreciate help, particularly from anyone that has had this experience or knows how someone else handled this problem. of course i look forward to responses from anyone that can help. thank u. deborah

 

[phynestone]

You could try to keep your hair conditioned and go to a stylist to see how bad the damage is. I don't know what else to tell you, but you really aren't supposed to press your new growth if you have a perm. I hope everything turns out okay and I hope I've helped you a bit.

 

[sweetcocoa]

Is your hair all natural now? I'm not sure but I remember one poster..Valleygirl...said be careful when flat ironing because you can damage and loose some of the natural curl pattern. You might want to also a search on her name. I would do some deep conditioning treatments and keep your hair moisturized. It should be okay. I wouldn't do too much protein...since natural hair doesn't need as much as relaxed hair.

 

[SVT]

{{{deborah11}}}

Keep up with the deep moisturizing treatments.

It does sound like you pressed your relaxed hair. I did that when I transitioned and I just kept cutting until eventually the damaged hair was gone. You've started the same process by cutting yours to a chin length bob. I'd now suggest frequent moisturizing treatments and getting your ends trimmed regularly. Focus on health and the length will come.

HTH!