*Sigh* Guess I need to go back to straight hair!

[ttlayli]

After I started oil rinsing and using better products, I FINALLY was able to wear my hair curly (3b/c) and LOVE it and feel confident (the same way I feel when my hair i straight).

BUT

I don't know if Im doing more harm than good! I have also been doing Lo-Mani and not using the comb often (only once a month...otherwise I fingercomb). Last Sunday when I used the comb for the first time in a month, I noticed that I had knots. I mean KNOTS. Like soft thick dreds!!! I was in the shower for 2 hours, head soaked in ORS Replenshing Pak, combing that mess out! Afterwards, since I knew I didnt have to go to school this week (and I'm a homebody), I braided my hair in 6 braids and left it. The only thing I did to my hair THE ENTIRE WEEK was cowash, moisturize and seal (while braids were still in my hair). And I continued to sleep with a satin bonnet. I thought my hair would do better, but when I cowashed today to wear my hair down, since I'm going out, as I took my braids out I noticed I had knots on my ends! I could actually TUG gently and the hair starting at the knot would fall out! erplexed I got scared, but I calmed myself down....I'm not even 100% airdryed yet and when I felt the back of my head, I felt a little dred! Ugh! As soon as I feel that I'm taking better care of my hair, this all starts to happen. I wanted to not use direct heat at least until summer and I didnt want to trim until next Sept, but Im thinking that I may just start having to wear my hair straight again. It sucks though, because I'm finally starting to love my curls! Any advice?? What could I do??

 

[Je Ne Sais Quoi]

Low manipulation isn't for everyone. I think you can still wear your hair naturally, you just need to detangle more often. Maybe the shed hairs are just getting stuck in there and causing the knots. Do you have a denman brush? Maybe if you use that 1x a week you can go low mani that way.

 

[ttlayli]

Low manipulation isn't for everyone. I think you can still wear your hair naturally, you just need to detangle more often. Maybe the shed hairs are just getting stuck in there and causing the knots. Do you have a denman brush? Maybe if you use that 1x a week you can go low mani that way.

Yeah, Your prob right. I do have a denman brush, but sometimes I get scared to use it. It makes this noise like a zippers closing or something and I wonder if I'm ripping my out...

 

[Cichelle]

I agree with Bre~Bre. And have to repeat that low manipulation isn't for everyone. Or rather, low manipulation doesn't have to mean the same thing for everyone.

The Denman brush suggestion was a good one. As well as the suggestion to go without using a comb for shorter periods of time. For example, if you wash your hair more than once a week, how about starting with using a comb every other cowash or shampoo? You can extend the time gradually if it works out for you. Sometimes when I cowash, I will only finger comb, but I've learned how far I can push this. Combing doesn't have to be bad. I use a comb only when my hair is full of conditioner and very slowly and gently. I don't use combs for styling at all.

Good luck and don't get discouraged. It might just be a matter of finding exactly how low manipulation can work for you....or not being on a low manipulation regimen at all.

 

[ttlayli]

Thanks ladies! I guess ur right...I just feel doing this that I am possibly doing more harm in the long run. Is there a certain deman brush that I should use? The one I have makes this "fabric getting ripped" sound when I comb with it and it scares me! erplexed Is that normal? lol

 

[Cichelle]

Thanks ladies! I guess ur right...I just feel doing this that I am possibly doing more harm in the long run. Is there a certain deman brush that I should use? The one I have makes this "fabric getting ripped" sound when I comb with it and it scares me! erplexed Is that normal? lol

I wouldn't like that sound either. Are you using it on dry hair? I wouldn't suggest that. Whenever I use a Denman, my hair is already detangled and full of conditioner. I like to actually glide it through under the shower spray. If there is any resistance, stop immediately and deal with the tangle with your fingers or gently with a seamless comb. It's important not to rush.

ETA: I don't think it's necessary to use a denman regularly. But try it out to see if it helps with your tangling issues.

 

[ttlayli]

I wouldn't like that sound either. Are you using it on dry hair? I wouldn't suggest that. Whenever I use a Denman, my hair is already detangled and full of conditioner. I like to actually glide it through under the shower spray. If there is any resistance, stop immediately and deal with the tangle with your fingers or gently with a seamless comb. It's important not to rush.

ETA: I don't think it's necessary to use a denman regularly. But try it out to see if it helps with your tangling issues.

I only use it on wet hair....but I will admit sometimes I havent combed it in small sections with the brush. I will try again tomorrow when I "wash" and I will def. be more gentle!

 

[Evazhair]

I think the low manip as most are talking about is best for relaxed hair. There is no way when I was natural I could detangle my hair only once a week. I finger detangled often when my hair wasnt twisted or braided and still whenever I comb detangled or whatever, I had tangles that sometimes had to be cut. I moisturized my hair before I put pick, comb or brush to it. I never had a breakage problem. Being natural, most of that hair that locks/tangles is caused by the shedding. I always had a little puff of shed hair whenever I detangled. My best friend was a large paddle brush from Sally's and those little plastic shampoo brushes even in between washes. The stylist who used to trim my hair told me that I had to detangle before I washed my hair.

 

[ttlayli]

I think the low manip as most are talking about is best for relaxed hair. There is no way when I was natural I could detangle my hair only once a week. I finger detangled often when my hair wasnt twisted or braided and still whenever I comb detangled or whatever, I had tangles that sometimes had to be cut. I moisturized my hair before I put pick, comb or brush to it. I never had a breakage problem. Being natural, most of that hair that locks/tangles is caused by the shedding. I always had a little puff of shed hair whenever I detangled. My best friend was a large paddle brush from Sally's and those little plastic shampoo brushes even in between washes. The stylist who used to trim my hair told me that I had to detangle before I washed my hair.

Wow! I never knew this...I guess it makes sense now, with everything that I have dealt with...and my hair is THICK and SUPER CURLY

 

[krissynick]

im sorry but i dont care what anyone says u have to comb your hair. You cant go one month without coming your hair it will matt no matter what texture you have... just brush or comb ur hair in the mornign and once before u got to bed and make sure u use a moisturizer.....