Please Help me understand Terms

[Ivytresses]

I would like to introduce myself. I took my braids out about a month ago and found the healthiest hair I have ever seen as an adult underneath. I quickly made my way to a Dominican Salon for a relaxer and a DOOBIE. I liked the look but my hair was lifeless. I went to another D. Salon that I am in love with. There is just enough heat to my hair and I feel confident that I can go relaxerless. With all that said I need help with terms here.

What are 4Bs, stretchers, etc.?

Can someone help me understand these terms. I appreciate your help in advance.

Newbie with the Doobie

While waiting on replies, I will be posting in other threads. SkeeWee to any AKA Sorors who frequent this thread!!!

 

[msa]

Welcome!!

Hair types (a system devised to categorize curl sizes..goes from straightest to coiliest): 1, 2a-b, 3 a-c, 4a-b

Stretchers are relaxed heads who "stretch" the time in between their relaxers in order to avoid overlapping an overprocessing their already relaxed hair. Seems like most people stretch btween 8-12 weeks.

Cowashing (cw, cowash, conwash) is washing your hair with conditioner and skipping shampoo.

DC: deep conditioner

Sulfate, silicone, mineral oil, petroleum oil: some ingredients in hair care products that some people avoid because they can contribute to hair issues like dryness (this doesn't happen to everyone though).

Protein/moisture balance: basically too mug moisture or too much protein are both bad for your hair. Many people find they need a balance I both in order to avoid having breakage and other hair issues. But egey head needs different things so you'll have to really pay attention to your hair to fiure it out.

Seal/sealing: following your moisturizer with an oil in order to "seal" the moisture into your strands. Basically, it helps keep your moisturizer from evaporating too quickly, which gives the moisturizer time to work.

If you see things you don't understand, ask. A quick way to get answers is to use the lhcf search. But I usually use google. For example if you type in "stretching site:longhaircareforum.com" you will get lots of threads about stretching your relaxer.

 

[nymane]

Hi welcome (I'm a newbie too)!!!...this should help:

http://journals.fotki.com/dontspeakdefeat/newcomer/

 

[Pandora1975]

Welcome! Here's my best friend from when I started frequenting the forum: the abbreviation list!

http://www.longhaircareforum.com/showthread.php?t=20774

 

[isabella09]

to the forum

 

[Ivytresses]

Thanks for your help ladies. I really appreciate it.