Random Hair Thoughts/Thinking out loud

[YvetteWithJoy]

My hair is just the opposite I think - I think it takes longer for it to truly relax - probably longer than a relaxer should be left on in the first place hence the damage to my edges.

I also relaxed my own hair for a while being very cautious and conscious of how long it had been on. I stopped because I felt every time I relaxed my own hair it was like I had never had a relaxer at all. I thought something was wrong with my technique or the chemicals I used.

From what I've read now of low porosity hair I don't think this is uncommon for the relaxer to seem like it didn't take. Where as high porosity hair should relax quickly.

I also had a lot of breakage when relaxed. Lots of shedding. I have a TWA now so it's possible the same situation could arise with my natural hair in the future, but for now I lose very little hair. Less than I can ever recall losing with relaxed hair even when I had a pixie cut.

Makes perfect sense.

I never lost this much hair on a daily basis when I was relaxed. My ends never knotted up when I was relaxed. I can't even remember DETANGLING when I was relaxed. I'm watching my hair buddy up with neighboring hair to create fatter and fatter coils. I have NO IDEA if this is okay. (I bumped a thread about this to ask, but no one replied yet.) I try to dismantle all of the widening coils back into singular hair strands, and it's taking HOURS and HOURS to do so. That's in addition to the regular detangling and knot removal I do. Phew!

Right now it's:
-- more money
-- more time
-- more tangles
-- more cutting and trimming
-- more hair loss

Oh no! The most important thing I've noticed: Less time with family. Less time exercising. Less time cooking healthy. I'm determined to find a resolution!

 

[Sharpened]

I'm watching my hair buddy up with neighboring hair to create fatter and fatter coils. I have NO IDEA if this is okay. (I bumped a thread about this to ask, but no one replied yet.) I try to dismantle all of the widening coils back into singular hair strands, and it's taking HOURS and HOURS to do so. That's in addition to the regular detangling and knot removal I do. Phew!

What!? Are you actually detangling each and every strand every single day?

 

[YvetteWithJoy]

What!? Are you actually detangling each and every strand every single day?

No. I do light finger detangling every 2-3 days. I try to do a full detangling session at least once a week. And during the full detangling session, I do try to de-web every strand I can. Should I just let the coils grow fatter and fatter and not de-web them? They are webbed via knots in the middle of the strands or at the bottom. I can't see HOW I can ever straighten my hair after a while (flat iron) if this webbing and coil-fattening continues.

 

[princess_z]

No. I do light finger detangling every 2-3 days. I try to do a full detangling session at least once a week. And during the full detangling session, I do try to de-web every strand I can. Should I just let the coils grow fatter and fatter and not de-web them? They are webbed via knots in the middle of the strands or at the bottom. I can't see HOW I can ever straighten my hair after a while (flat iron) if this webbing and coil-fattening continues.

Your hair seems to be the opposite of mine.

I had a lot of hair webbing when I was relaxed and would wash my hair. It also began to web very, very badly when I tried transitioning.

I have a theory that maybe webbing is caused by not enough protein but it's only a theory.

 

[Sharpened]

No. I do light finger detangling every 2-3 days. I try to do a full detangling session at least once a week. And during the full detangling session, I do try to de-web every strand I can. Should I just let the coils grow fatter and fatter and not de-web them? They are webbed via knots in the middle of the strands or at the bottom. I can't see HOW I can ever straighten my hair after a while (flat iron) if this webbing and coil-fattening continues.

Oh, whew, LOL! I wonder if you can train your clumps. Hopefully, some fine-haired naturals will speak up.

The reason I finger-detangle is to preserve my coils; comb every 2-3 months because it breaks my hair. Trust me, I get knots, potential dreads, etc. but I can work the vast majority out and my coils are very tight.

 

[YvetteWithJoy]

I wish . . . I just REALLY wish . . . that I could go to a natural hair salon and actually get help. But I know more than they know, and that's not saying a lot!!! Aaaaaaarrrrrggggghhhh!

I just wanna go in, get my hair detangled, ask questions about caring for my hair, and get true information about the state of my strands.

I actually don't know anywhere in Dallas where I can get that done. Aaaaaaaaaaaaaggggggghhhh.

Okay. Relax, relate, release. Feeling better.

 

[Sharpened]

I wish . . . I just REALLY wish . . . that I could go to a natural hair salon and actually get help. But I know more than they know, and that's not saying a lot!!! Aaaaaaarrrrrggggghhhh!

I just wanna go in, get my hair detangled, ask questions about caring for my hair, and get true information about the state of my strands.

I actually don't know anywhere in Dallas where I can get that done. Aaaaaaaaaaaaaggggggghhhh.

Okay. Relax, relate, release. Feeling better.

Hmm, YouTube? "fine hair natural wash and go"

 

[YvetteWithJoy]

Hmm, YouTube? "fine hair natural wash and go"

Thanks, Sharpened. You are so helpful and kind.

I subscribe to a blog about fine hair, I watch YouTube videos about fine hair, etc.

I recently found a very encouraging blog post about how the MHM makes wash-and-going on fine hair just fine (no pun intended) and virtually tangle-free.

I'm going to revisit the MHM. I hate to go to Sprouts and buy all the required products, especially after my recent investments (steamer, Komaza treatment, Jakeala products for MHM that are not MHM-approved but that I bought before I was told I needed to be strict about the MHM, etc.).

Maybe @faithVA is onto something, and I have split hair and that is what is causing the tangling. I'm going to look into it.

 

[Sharpened]

I'm going to revisit the MHM.

Be careful with the baking soda; it can wear out the cuticle layer. The second time I tried it as a wash, as it hit my hair, it raised every cuticle it touched. Scared me so much I rinsed it out and forgot the rest of my regimen.

 

[YvetteWithJoy]

Be careful with the baking soda; it can wear out the cuticle layer. The second time I tried it as a wash, as it hit my hair, it raised every cuticle it touched. Scared me so much I rinsed it out and forgot the rest of my regimen.

Thanks for the warning. Yeah: It's pretty concerning.

 

[KinksAndInk]

I want an undercut, box braids and TBL hair.

 

[whiteoleander91]

No. I do light finger detangling every 2-3 days. I try to do a full detangling session at least once a week. And during the full detangling session, I do try to de-web every strand I can. Should I just let the coils grow fatter and fatter and not de-web them? They are webbed via knots in the middle of the strands or at the bottom. I can't see HOW I can ever straighten my hair after a while (flat iron) if this webbing and coil-fattening continues.

I'm not sure if I understand what you mean, but curl clumping is fine. The more defined and "clumped" my curls are, the less tangles I have because it locks the "like" hair together. If you are doing what it sounds like you are doing, picking apart larger clumps of hair into smaller, numerous clumplets (lol) , that sounds like it would take forever (!) and it could be what is causing your excess tangles. Let your curls clump at least once and see the difference it makes for you.

Also for what it's worth, my hair doesn't do well with finger detangling. I like paddle brushes and smallish tooth combs (not as small as the fine tooth combs, but surprisingly those work for me too) because they detangle thoroughly and make my hair feel soft and smooth. Maybe the finger detangling sessions that you do in between the full sessions is causing tangles, as well.

 

[YvetteWithJoy]

I'm not sure if I understand what you mean, but curl clumping is fine. The more defined and "clumped" my curls are, the less tangles I have because it locks the "like" hair together. If you are doing what it sounds like you are doing, picking apart larger clumps of hair into smaller, numerous clumplets (lol) , that sounds like it would take forever (!) and it could be what is causing your excess tangles. Let your curls clump at least once and see the difference it makes for you.

Also for what it's worth, my hair doesn't do well with finger detangling. I like paddle brushes and smallish tooth combs (not as small as the fine tooth combs, but surprisingly those work for me too) because they detangle thoroughly and make my hair feel soft and smooth. Maybe the finger detangling sessions that you do in between the full sessions is causing tangles, as well.

Thanks. Very helpful food for thought.

When you get the time, can you link a sample comb?

I'm a Wet Brush stan. I use it on full detangling days. It's not "fine" enough to detangle all my knots, but I use the Wet Brush to do what I call "first-pass" detangling. Then I go in and feel my ends with my fingers. If there are knots, I detangle them.

And thank you, yes! That's what I want to know: Am I supposed to let the larger clumps form if they are together via a knot? Other clumps form just naturally without a knot. I leave them alone.

 

[whiteoleander91]

Thanks. Very helpful food for thought.

When you get the time, can you link a sample comb?

I'm a Wet Brush stan. I use it on full detangling days. It's not "fine" enough to detangle all my knots, but I use the Wet Brush to do what I call "first-pass" detangling. Then I go in and feel my ends with my fingers. If there are knots, I detangle them.

And thank you, yes! That's what I want to know: Am I supposed to let the larger clumps form if they are together via a knot? Other clumps form just naturally without a knot. I leave them alone.

The wet brush doesn't work for my hair, which is pretty sad, because I have a really cute one in my bathroom drawer lol. It only detangles the outer layers, it's like the teeth aren't strong enough to part through my hair.

Knots are definitely no good, so definitely don't let your hair knot up. Maybe you do need more protein? I wonder if your hair is over moisturized. Especially with fine hair, protein can be a great help.


Here is the comb I am currently using

 

[Sharpened]

DH said my hair has been looking exceptionally nice the past two weeks. I have been playing with gel in that time frame, but my hair has not looked any different with or without to me. What is he seeing I am not?

 

[victory777]

Speaking positive affirmations to my scalp and hair: You are long, You are big, You are beautiful. So Grow hair Grow

 

[YvetteWithJoy]

I came in here to rave about AG Fast Food. I love this stuff as a leave-in and daily moisturizer (when doing wash and goes). I use as a leave-in for roller sets and wash and goes. Can't tell you how much I love this stuff. I too have extremely dry hair and this turns it around instantly. I'm a PJ so while I was experimenting with other products I totally forgot about it until this summer. Since then I buy the huge 33 oz bottle from Ulta.

It's a bit pricey at $55 but, thanks to this thread, I just checked and it's on sale right now for $21.99!!! I'm about to go buy 4 this morning!

Careful! PJ in here on a "no-buy."

Just kidding. THAT is a good deal!

 

[Royalq]

Your hair seems to be the opposite of mine.

I had a lot of hair webbing when I was relaxed and would wash my hair. It also began to web very, very badly when I tried transitioning.

I have a theory that maybe webbing is caused by not enough protein but it's only a theory.

My hair webs at the root. It's so annoying. If I do twists with very clean and sharp parting within two weeks my roots will spider man to a different twist and create a web. I can't fix it unless I undo both twists. I wonder what causes webbing.

 

[junipertree]

Careful! PJ in here on a "no-buy."

Just kidding. THAT is a good deal!

I'm on a no buy too but that is an unusual bargain and I know I will use it so...no buy SUSPENDED.... (for today only) lol

 

[ElevatedEnergy]

I want an undercut, box braids and TBL hair.

Love this!

My long term goals are to be able to put my hair in some mini Senegalese looking type twists and have them sit at my hips. Wear them for 2 months at a time doing all kinda pretty styles with them.

Roller set and have the curls sitting at my tailbone.

I figured I'll need Classic length for those goals.

 

[YesToHair!]

Do any of you ladies know if i can leave methi/fenugreek in or must it always be washed off of hair? I want to dissolve the powder in water and use that with AVJ as a daily spritz..would that work or would i have to wash my hair daily?

 

[KinksAndInk]

Love this!

My long term goals are to be able to put my hair in some mini Senegalese looking type twists and have them sit at my hips. Wear them for 2 months at a time doing all kinda pretty styles with them.

Roller set and have the curls sitting at my tailbone.

I figured I'll need Classic length for those goals.

I'm just trying to get to where you are now. I don't know what I'd do with classic length hair.

 

[YvetteWithJoy]

I'm on a no buy too but that is an unusual bargain and I know I will use it so...no buy SUSPENDED.... (for today only) lol

Phew, I'm saved! It has cones!

 

[YvetteWithJoy]

The wet brush doesn't work for my hair, which is pretty sad, because I have a really cute one in my bathroom drawer lol. It only detangles the outer layers, it's like the teeth aren't strong enough to part through my hair.

Knots are definitely no good, so definitely don't let your hair knot up. Maybe you do need more protein? I wonder if your hair is over moisturized. Especially with fine hair, protein can be a great help.


Here is the comb I am currently using

View attachment 377135

Thanks for the picture. I went and collected all my combs and brushes. I can definitely experiment.

 

[Aggie]

I am loving my hair today - throwing everything at it but the kitchen sink .

Prepooing
Shampooing
Demi-Permanent Coloring
Oil Rinsing
Deep Conditioning
Moisturizing

Ooooh she is going to be soooo happy when I'm done today

 

[whiteoleander91]

Thanks for the picture. I went and collected all my combs and brushes. I can definitely experiment.

My wet brush looks a lot like yours! Mine has a tribal print and I like your comb collection! Hope your hair stops knotting, my started knotting when it got really long (few inches from waist) and it was the weirdest thing because I never had that problem before. Hair can be very frustrating especially when you are just trying to keep it healthy.

 

[YvetteWithJoy]

My wet brush looks a lot like yours! Mine has a tribal print and I like your comb collection! Hope your hair stops knotting, my started knotting when it got really long (few inches from waist) and it was the weirdest thing because I never had that problem before. Hair can be very frustrating especially when you are just trying to keep it healthy.

Oh! Your words mean so much at this particular moment. Wash day has begun. More hair loss than usual. Webbed strands seem more numerous and resistant than usual. The Komaza protein (first time use) is awesome . . . but I had breakage!!! I'm feeling positive, though. Just gotta keep trying and working to avoid the tangling in the first place.

 

[victory777]

I already have my budgets set up for BF, but all the stuff in APB's shop, not counting the new items. I may need to set up a lemonade stand, bake sale, house party with fees, fish fry...cause my cart is looking crazy.

 

[princess_z]

Oh! Your words mean so much at this particular moment. Wash day has begun. More hair loss than usual. Webbed strands seem more numerous and resistant than usual. The Komaza protein (first time use) is awesome . . . but I had breakage!!! I'm feeling positive, though. Just gotta keep trying and working to avoid the tangling in the first place.

Have you ever tried ACV rinses ? Last night when we were discussing webbing I ran across a blogger who suggested that as a way to stop the webbing.

 

[YvetteWithJoy]

Have you ever tried ACV rinses ? Last night when we were discussing webbing I ran across a blogger who suggested that as a way to stop the webbing.

Mmm, yes! Good advice.

I have tried ACV rinsing but will revisit it. In the past, I didn't dilute it sufficiently and had an adverse effect. I have ordered an ACV shampoo that should accomplish the cuticle closing. If not, I'll try diluted ACV.