SETBACK!!!! Long w/Pics

[ceebee3]

I'm so upset and frustrated with myself right now. For 6 months I've made consistent progress. My hair was healthy and thriving. I screwed that up in about 3 weeks.

I went to post results in the rollerset and protective style challenge and that's when I noticed that instead of gaining length, I actually lost! I can't belive it. I wouldn't even have noticed if I didn't take a picture.

I'm so pissed and I feel stupid, but I'm glad it happened to me early on because now I know what not to do again. I'm happy that I caught this now. I don’t use direct heat I’ve been wet setting my hair weekly since January. I went back to look at what I've been doing differently and in the last month this is what I came up with:

The saran wrap treatment-I should have known better my hair was beautiful after doing this but too dry. I don't know why I even tried, I get the same results just wrapping my hair after setting it. I will never sit underneath a dryer with dry hair again.

Co-washing-I figured I would give it a try because it's summer, I had more time to do my hair with the kids gone - No-I know now that my hair can't take too much manipulation

Protein - My hair loves protein but I took it too far. After my last relaxer I wanted to make my hair stronger so I started using more protein. I used a protein leave in, co-washed with protein and did DC with protein. That was too much.

I will stick with what I know and what was working perfectly fine for me. Pre-poo, wash, deep condition and roller set. I will not stray again.
Here are the pics:
April

July

Today

 

[Jenibo]

Well good thing you noticed your setback now so you can start nurturing it back to health. Better now than another couple inches lost later.

Sorry i don't have any advice

 

[Lovestyr]

Hmm yes I see it is shorter now. At least you have assessed and realized what you did incorrectly. I dont think there is anything wrong with the things you believe lead to your hair breakage.

I think all of it is fine just in moderation of how often you do those things to your hair.

BTW your hair is still a nice length and you will gain it back and much more.

 

[msa]

It does look like you lost a bit of length, but I'm sure you'll get right back on track since you know what works for you.

I have a question. How many weeks post are you in the most recent pic? If you're deep into your stretch, your new growth shrinking up could be causing your hair to appear shorter than it actually is. Just a thought.

 

[beans4reezy]

Awww lessons learned. This is part of the journey. You will bounce back in no time.

 

[pookaloo83]

Did you cut your hair? Or is this the length you lost?

 

[Ms. A.Sunshine]

I agree with MSA....it does appear shorter but are you several weeks post???....that could be a factor?

But nonetheless its not too bad and you obviously have paid great attention to your hair so it will bounce back in record time.....Thanks for sharing.

 

[ceebee3]

Thanks guys. I'm only 4 weeks post so not much new growth.

No, I didn't cut it, that's all the length I lost.

 

[msa]

Thanks guys. I'm only 4 weeks post so not much new growth.

No, I didn't cut it, that's all the length I lost.

Well, you've learned a hard lesson. But, I'm sure you'll recover. By the end of the year you'll have gained back what you lost and then some. Just stick with what works.

 

[SCarolinaGirl]

It does look like you lost a bit of length, but I'm sure you'll get right back on track since you know what works for you.

I have a question. How many weeks post are you in the most recent pic? If you're deep into your stretch, your new growth shrinking up could be causing your hair to appear shorter than it actually is. Just a thought.

I was also thinking about new growth shrinkage. That makes a big difference... how many weeks post are you? And is your before pic a fresh relaxer?

 

[Reecie]

I feel your pain!!! Hang in there. At least you identified the problem early on and are now in the process of correcting it. Your hair will be better than ever in no time

FYI... The posters above have a good point, how many weeks post are you?

 

[*Muffin*]

It does look like you lost a bit of length, but I'm sure you'll get right back on track since you know what works for you.

I have a question. How many weeks post are you in the most recent pic? If you're deep into your stretch, your new growth shrinking up could be causing your hair to appear shorter than it actually is. Just a thought.

This is true. My hair always looks shorter when I have a lot of NG.

 

[SouthernBeauty]

Awww..... at least u realized what the problem is before it was too late! It will get better just hang in there!

 

[blackbarbie]

Cburney, do you mind sharing how the saran wrap treatment may have contributed to your hair loss? I am curious as I have only done it twice but I would like to know your thoughts.

BB

 

[poookie]

aww, i'm sorry this happened to you. but experience is the best teacher. daily cowashing set me back tremendously as well. keeping it simple will get you right back to your previous length before you know it, just be patient & glad that you learned early on!

 

[Nice Lady]

You seem from the pics to have fine hair so you have to do as little manipulation as possible. But don't be down because now you won't have any setbacks.

 

[prettybrowneyescutie]

awww I'm so sorry sweetie. I have been there and done that. Seems like you a good plan and you know what caused the breakage. You will get that hair back in shape in no time. HRG

 

[Chevelure618]

Saran Wrap doesn't work for me in the long term either. I tried to do the Macherieamour technique and it was FAR too much manipulation for me. Don't feel bad.... the overall healthh of your hair looks fine.

 

[ceebee3]

Awww, thanks for the support everyone.

I do have fine hair and the saran wrap treatment gives great results, but it dried my hair out. After I rollerset and wrapped the hair I sat back under the dryer anywhere from 10-15 minutes the first time.

I felt it the first time that it was too dry but I did it again for 5 minutes with the same result. I've done it like 4 times in the last 3 weeks but I put it off not thinking it was a big deal. I can't ever let my hair dry out like that. I don't have thick hair so that was too much.

I think I lost nearly 2 inches in the last 4 weeks. That was nearly 4 months of progess gone.

Oh well, you live and you learn.

 

[ceebee3]

I was also thinking about new growth shrinkage. That makes a big difference... how many weeks post are you? And is your before pic a fresh relaxer?

Yeah, it was a couple days after my relaxer. This is all in a 4 week period.

 

[sheedahp]

Im sorry, I can imagine how you feel. Was the lost due to breakage, did u notice any breakage. My hair stylist did the saran wrap treatment on me but she only sat me under the dryer for maybe 3 min, she put silk in my hair and wrapped it. Did you use anything on you hair when you did this treatment? I started doing it everytime after a rollerset, about once a week, so Im kind of scared now.

 

[ceebee3]

Im sorry, I can imagine how you feel. Was the lost due to breakage, did u notice any breakage. My hair stylist did the saran wrap treatment on me but she only sat me under the dryer for maybe 3 min, she put silk in my hair and wrapped it. Did you use anything on you hair when you did this treatment? I started doing it everytime after a rollerset, about once a week, so Im kind of scared now.

I started noticing breakage a few days ago. It wasn't just the saran wrap thing, that just made things worse.

I started with the saran that = dry hair
I added more protein to already dry hair = breakage
Co-washing = too much manipulation, which led to me breaking even more of my dry hair.

It was definetly a combo of all the things I did. I just can't believe that I didn't really notice until I saw the pics.

 

[doll-baby]

Awww ... Hugs to you . I know it can be frustrating trying to get the hang of this healthy hair thing . I'm learning how to care for my hair all over again as well. But like other's have said it is good that you realized what the problem was so now you can get back on track and regain your length by the year's end.

 

[sqzbly1908]

Awww, thanks for the support everyone.

I do have fine hair and the saran wrap treatment gives great results, but it dried my hair out. After I rollerset and wrapped the hair I sat back under the dryer anywhere from 10-15 minutes the first time.

I felt it the first time that it was too dry but I did it again for 5 minutes with the same result. I've done it like 4 times in the last 3 weeks but I put it off not thinking it was a big deal. I can't ever let my hair dry out like that. I don't have thick hair so that was too much.

I think I lost nearly 2 inches in the last 4 weeks. That was nearly 4 months of progess gone.

Oh well, you live and you learn.

Hi Friend!

I was just about to ask if your hair was fine ...I have fine hair as well...I remember when I tried the co-washing and it did not work out for me...I have also upped my protein (about like you) but I would mix it with some type of moisturizing condish...When I would rollerset/wrap..I would not use the saran wrap - I just use a black mesh wrap with the velcro closure...


Girl - you will be just fine....it will grow back in no time!

 

[hopeful]

(((Hugs))) I hate setbacks. I believe I am the setback queen when it comes to my hair. 2 steps forward, 3 steps backward, over and over again. It is amazing how quickly we can lose inches. It takes us months to gain them, and in a matter of weeks they can be gone just because of one or two mistakes. I wish you the best and I'm glad you were able to catch it early on and problem-solve what the issue was. I believe you will recover quickly.

 

[LivingDol1]

so sorry about the set back. what others have said sounds pretty on track. when i do saran wrap, i sit under the dryer maybe 3-5 minutes. and i always put a tiny bit of some moisturizer on my hair too before i apply the saran wrap. i dunno if that helps but for you it's proly better to ditch that step.

your hair will grow back! you did recognize it now before it got worse. *hugs!*

 

[WorkInProgress88]

.like many of the ladies have already stated "its better now then later"
.now you can twick your regimen and stick with it and you'll be "back in business"
.my hair hates too much manipulation so when i do the saran wrap (i've only done it once) i did a cross wrap instead of a full wrap.
.HTH

 

[brittdadutchess]

Aww mannn. That really sucks. I would hate to see that I had a setback after thinking I was caring for my hair so nicely. But yea you'll be back in no time. One thing that hair can always do is grow.

 

[Miamori]

I hope your hair bounces back in better shape than it was before.

 

[sharifeh]

im sorry
but think of it this way
you are so many steps closer to a regimen that works for you
you are figuring out your hair
that's such a good thing
It'll be uphill from here I hope!!!!!