SERVERE HAIR BREAKAGE AND NEED HELP!

[sheenaarm]

My hair has been coming out for a while now at first I thought it was just shedding because I seen a little white bulb at the end but now am starting to see short strains where hair has broken off and i notice thinning in the middle top of my head.I've had something like this happen before and my beautician said that I had to cut my hair off and start over again so i did ,but I worked so hard growing it out and done ever thing right I thought I wash and deep condition once a week and use a flat iron once a week with heat protectant and i wrap my hair every night religiously after mostirizing it ,and I really dont wont to cut it. But it keeps coming out in long strains and it getting to me to the point i just wont to cut it all of and go natural I'm thinking it might be the relaxer. i've tired almost every protein treatment and conditioners (Aphoee, ORS Mayo, Kerecare). I've tired talking to my beautician about it but shes one of those beauticians who is overbearing and really dont listen and think they know everything I'm really not good at putting chemicals in my own hair or doing any other style other than a flat iron style. I could really use some Advice please HELP

 

[Rapunzel*]

My hair has been coming out for a while now at first I thought it was just shedding because I seen a little white bulb at the end but now am starting to see short strains where hair has broken off and i notice thinning in the middle top of my head.I've had something like this happen before and my beautician said that I had to cut my hair off and start over again so i did ,but I worked so hard growing it out and done ever thing right I thought I wash and deep condition once a week and use a flat iron once a week with heat protectant and i wrap my hair every night religiously after mostirizing it ,and I really dont wont to cut it. But it keeps coming out in long strains and it getting to me to the point i just wont to cut it all of and go natural I'm thinking it might be the relaxer. i've tired almost every protein treatment and conditioners (Aphoee, ORS Mayo, Kerecare). I've tired talking to my beautician about it but shes one of those beauticians who is overbearing and really dont listen and think they know everything I'm really not good at putting chemicals in my own hair or doing any other style other than a flat iron style. I could really use some Advice please HELP

its those relaxers
and yea shes not gonna listen to you because in the end all she wants is her money dont trust em and i bet when she wants to cut it all even shes going to want to throw another relaxer on your head to cause more breakage. i dont trust these stylists i dont trust them

maybe your hair needs a break maybe some cornrows but tell the braider not to braid too tight

 

[Rapunzel*]

have you tryed henna?

 

[Diya]

If you haven't already, I would recommend investing in a quality daily moisturizer. Deep Conditioning is great for the hair, but depending on how frequently you wash, and the weather conditions, your hair may actually require a daily moisturizer to keep it from drying out. Dry hair is definitely more prone to breakage, so this could part of your problem. A nice, light oil is a good follow up to seal in the moisture until you reapply. HTH

 

[Christina Dior]

yea I feel you I been going thru the same thing with my hair I think it might have been from my relaxer I got....but I haven't used heat in a month and I co wash seal moisturize daily and its still shedding but it dosent look like its thinning its weird idk

 

[Pheonixx]

I don't know. I'm no hair guru but...maybe it could be the relaxer. How often do you relax?

As for the breakage:
Maybe you need to balance the protein with a good conditioner.
How often do you deep condition?
Have you tried cowashing? That helps retain moisture.
Henna (as someone already mentioned) is good too.

Maybe you need to lay off the heat. Once a week seems a bit much. Especially if you're applying all these protein treatments.


...and I'm confused with your beautician's advice. If you're shedding from the roots then how would cutting your hair solve the problem?
Doesn't make sense to me.

I'm not gon put down all beauticians but many of them suck. Does she specialize in black hair care?
Cause you know just because they're black doesn't mean they know how to maintain 'black hair'.


UPDATE:
For shedding some women on here use garlic to combat shedding issues with pretty good results. I will try to find the link.

 

[sheenaarm]

I've tired Henna once It really dried my hair out, and I had kinky twist in for a month and a half I really like them I was thinking if I did decide to go natural to grow my hair out with braids but my scalp is really itches badly and gets very dry another thing I'm worried about is if I decided to go natural how would I care for my hair and style it. I have had relaxed hair since the age of 8 years old and really dont remmember my nautral hair texture. I really like having relaxed hair because it's easier to style but I dont wont to keep going threw this cycle of growing my hair out and when it getting to the lenght I want it I have to cut it.

 

[Pheonixx]

Yeah I suppose what works for some doesn't work for all, I guess. I thought my hair was gonna break off with the henna when I was washing it out. LOL But I washed with creme of nature condtitioning shampoo and it immediately felt better. Then I cowashed...and it's been great.

BUT--I just say that cowashing may help you with your hair. Because it helped me and I had dry hair and dandruff and heatstyled every week.

I'm kinda on the fence when it comes to transitioning so I know little of Natural Hair care. I can just that since I've been about healthy hair my products have become more 'naturally based'.
I use oils (jojoba and olive oil, tea trea, etc...) and cremes only when they are heavy on natural ingrediants and my hair is responding wonderfully.

I notice that many naturals use natural ingredients as well.

Yeah--the styling options is the biggest thing standing in the way of me going natural. But I think you could do twists, braid outs and things of that nature.

There is a transitioner or natural support thread on here I'm sure they'd know what to tell you.

 

[january noir]

Relaxed hair is fragile hair. Perhaps you are handling it too much and over doing it and you are experiencing "mechanical" breakage due to not combing correctly, too much manipulation when washing, or using appliances incorrectly, etc. This happens all too often.

Relaxed heads also need the "perfect" balance of moisture & protein and unless you are proficient at doing hair, we tend to over compensate one way or the other. Here are some other recommendations.

• Cut back use of your flat iron (any heat except a bonnet hair dryeror conditioning cap) to say once a month if you have to at all
• consider protective styles but limit the use of ponytail holders
• discontinue wrapping for a month or 2
• Trim or dust the sections where you see damage. You might want to consider having your hair cut in layers camouflages breakage until it grows in.
• Use a light protein conditioner consistently like Nexxus Kheraphix and alternate with a moisturizing conditioner like Nexxus Humectress or Kenra.
• Get rid of your hairstylist and search for one that has a clue about relaxers and general good hair care practices. A hairstylist that only knows to cut hair when she/he can't figure out what is causing breakage isn't a very good hair care professional.
• There is a hair care line called Ovation that I use that helps to halt breakage and smooth the hair cuticle. It's expensive but it works for me, it may work for you.

Good luck. I am sure you'll be able to turn it around!

 

[tada1]

I agree with January

Flat ironing once a week is too much heat for most people (many people can get away with doing this, but most people cant). Try roller setting instead--it gets the hair straight without the direct hair mulching

also, when you wrap your hair, are you wrapping in the same direction every night? this can also be an issue. I dont wrap my hair because i am not comfy with all that manipulation, but i hear switching up sides once in a while is a good idea

what are you using to wrap? what kind of comb/brush? seamless combs are the best combs to use....ive heard good things about Denmans, but again i dont use brushes, so you might want to do a search and see what people are saying

lastly, some people use fine tooth combs to smooth their edges--again, this doesnt work for everyone. My "bangs" were never past my eyebrows until i stopped doing this.

but most importantly, cheep up hun....ud be aight

 

[Je Ne Sais Quoi]

How long are you stretching your perms? Why are you flatironing once a week?

 

[sheenaarm]

I strecth my relaxers about every 8 weeks I've tired not using heat so often before but my roots get so nappy and my hair is hard to comb and my hair broke out then, also I experimented with phony ponys and tired a roller set once on my own but I'm just really handicaped when it comes to styling my own hair I've been going to the beauty salon since I was 8 and I'm 24 now and have not a clue how to style my own hair and make it look good I try a style and it just looks horrible to me.

 

[Christina Dior]

im not the OP but im going thru the same thing as her but i stretch 3 to 4months and straighten my hair once every 3 months for a length check...like i said before its prolly because of the realaxer this lady at this dominican salon gave to me but my hair isnt getting thin its still thick as ever idk im just going to keep taking my vitamins drink water co wash seal and moisturize thanks for all the advise ladies

 

[Tarae]

I strecth my relaxers about every 8 weeks I've tired not using heat so often before but my roots get so nappy and my hair is hard to comb and my hair broke out then, also I experimented with phony ponys and tired a roller set once on my own but I'm just really handicaped when it comes to styling my own hair I've been going to the beauty salon since I was 8 and I'm 24 now and have not a clue how to style my own hair and make it look good I try a style and it just looks horrible to me.

Maybe you can try Macherieamour's rollersetting DVD.
http://healthytextures.typepad.com/

How often do you wash and DC? What are you using?
What do you use as a moisturizer?
Maybe you can wash/co-wash more frequently.
If you're not comfortable doing your own hair, maybe you need a new stylist who can focus on getting your hair healthy.

I hope some others can give you more advice.

 

[sheenaarm]

I wash and deep condition once a week with keracare products and I mosturize with ORS carrot oil cream.