:( Someone throw me a bone

[Tracy]

Okay - so I stopped my shedding. I got a relaxer. I did a protein treatment. I gave myself a what felt like a tiny trim but which I might have jacked up...still not sure. I still have some shedding but I THINK it's the amount I normally get.

I just got a relaxer last weekend.

But my hair is feeling VERY thin - very much like it lost some bulk - and I'm getting sad.

I worked VERY hard to make it thicker. I really hope all that shedding didn't do exactly what I thought it couldn't possibly do and reduce the overall density of my hair. I think I can even see through the ends.

I'm getting sad and considering a cut to my ears. I'm very frustrated.

Does anyone find their hair seems to lose quite a bit of bulk right after a relaxer? A noticeable amount? (the other thing is I think I may have been slightly more relaxed this time around than I usually am. I used a different relaxer.

)

Do you guys think this is temporary?

 

[asha]

Hi Tracy. In regards to the thinness after a relaxer, I get that too. It takes about 2 or 3 washes before my hair feels like there is anything on my head. Also, we are always more critical of our own heads of hair then others are.

Don't do anything drastic, post some pics and get some other opinions before you decide to chop.

 

[aqualung]

It prolly just *looks* thinned out cuz you've got fine hair AND you just relaxed it AND you styled it straight.

I have fine, relaxed, 4b hair. I got a touchup Friday. My stylist made it full looking with the round brush, but in a few days my hair fell flat. I now look like I've slicked my hair down to my scalp with oil or something.

This weekend, when I want a thicker look, I'll wet my hair and revert to the wash-and-wear ringlets down. My fine hair is part of the reason I do NOT favor straight styles so very much. (OK, that and being too lazy to rollerset at home.)

How have you made it thicker? MSM and biotin supplements?

 

[pebbles]

You're not alone, Tracy.

After a relaxer my hair always looks like it's lost bulk, and for me that's tragic because I don't have much bulk to begin with. Usually after a couple of weeks it starts to look better though. The shedding is driving me up a wall. Last night I washed my hair and just wanted to cry at the amount of hair I saw in the tub.

It's depressing. Maybe it's the season? It didn't seem so bad this past summer.

Whatever you do, please don't cut your hair!!

 

[i12sitonmyhair]

Of course, it's temporary, girl!! Do you remember the "pretty cut and grow" doll? Your hair will keep growing so just do what you know is best. I did quite a bit of experimenting with my hair for a while. All of those styles were very temporary. Cheer up! Chalk it up to a lesson learned and proceed as you feel best.

 

[Supergirl]

Oh Shoot! I can't think of the reason right now, but in Shamboosie's book--he talks about why the hair seems so "flat" after a relaxer. He says it's temporary though--I do remember that

 

[Compassion]

Tracy,

Try not to be sad. Every time I get a relaxer, may hair appears to be thinner. I usually end up wearing it up for a few days, so I don't worry about it. I've even washed it and applied some Giovanni, or Nexxus Headress to give it thicker appearance that day after I've gotten it relaxed. Have you washed it yet? That may help to bulk it up. Oh, and I let my freshly relaxed hair air dry sometimes, and then I put it up. That makes it appear thicker too. I don't know why, but relaxers tend to make my hair seem thinner initially also. This one stylist that I used to go to used a relaxer that did not do that to my hair. And for the life of me, I don't know what kind she used.

I use Affirm now though. Hope you start feeling better about how your hair looks soon.

I would try some of these suggestions before I cut it. Your hair is gorgeous my friend.

Blessings,
Compassion

 

[CrownnGlori]

Re: Someone throw me a bone

My hair is always pretty after a relaxer but it always seems thinner and shorter. I really love wearing it out weeks 3 through 6. It has more body and looks longer. My hair just isn't the truth right after the relaxer. I can't explain it. I don't prefer stick straight flat hair. I like the life it gets after a couple of weeks. Hang in there. Its coming.

 

[KinksnCurlz]

Re: Someone throw me a bone

Tre, that happens to me when I get my relaxer. My hair does appear thinner...key word APPEAR. After a few washes it tends to thicken up. I believe it's because of all the primming and pawing the stylist does to my hair that I NEVER do. your hair will retain it's natural thickness in a few weeks so please, do not cut those beautiful tresses

. Give it time, be patient (my favorite word).

 

[Tracy]

Re: Someone throw me a bone

A'right..... ::out pout pout:::

The thing is ya'll I WASHED it. FOUR or FIVE TIMES this week....

I DID think about it though and I DID do somethings I don't usually do.....both with this relaxer, and this last wash I did last night...

1. I used Affirm Fiberguard. I usually use Motions Oil.
2. I mixed about a tablespoon of Olive Oil into the relaxer.
3. This very last wash I did last night, I use Pantene DMR as leave in - which worked like a charm as to my tangling - but I suspect may have "smoothed" and softened my hair so much that it seems like "less hair" to me...
does that happen to anyone that uses Pantene as a leave in?

I could also have just been using protein treatments for so long that I'm used to that "plumped" feeling you get from them......and now that I didn't use one this time, that's what I'm missing as far as feel?

I'm just gonna wait awhile like y'all said and see...

But does anyone see anything in that list of different things that might be the culprit....

I don't think it was the relaxer itself - but it could have been the Olive Oil....

I dunno....

 

[26INCHHAIR]

Re: Someone throw me a bone

Awww, Dont cry really. Alot of people get thiness after a relaxer, but eventually your hair will get its regular fullness back. Did you do a roller set after your relaxer? Because doing that always makes the hair bouncy and it looks really full that way.

 

[dontspeakdefeat]

Re: Someone throw me a bone

Tracy I must say the Affirm is a strong relaxer compared to Motions. That is probably your culprit. When I use affirm my hair is usually flat for the first 3 weeks then it starts to thicken up as newgrowth comes in.

 

[MiaLi]

Re: Someone throw me a bone

Hi Tracy,

Don't fret!!! This season has brought much shedding (and as a result less bulk) for many of us, so you're not alone.

It may take a few applications for your hair to adjust to the new relaxer. You have also been fine-tuning your hair color in recent months which makes the hair more fragile.

Continue deep conditioning and give it time. I am sure you will see a change soon

.

 

[debyjay]

Re: Someone throw me a bone

Nexxus headress with a lil castor oil does wonders for mine. I also use the castor oil about 3 times a week with my mango butter for added volume during the first 2 weeks post relaxer.

 

[Nyambura]

Re: Someone throw me a bone

[ QUOTE ]
dontspeakdefeat said:
Tracy I must say the Affirm is a strong relaxer compared to Motions. That is probably your culprit. When I use affirm my hair is usually flat for the first 3 weeks then it starts to thicken up as newgrowth comes in.

[/ QUOTE ]

Ditto.

Tracy, step awaaaaay from the scissors!

Think how much happier you'll be when you've reached your hair goal a few months from now instead of bemoaning the fact that you cut your hair to ear length. I know when I get frustrated with my hair, I think about cutting it off but these days I just ride it out. Are you taking vitamins right now? If not, maybe getting back on Pantothenic Acid would help. Hang in there, chica.

 

[Tracy]

Re: Someone throw me a bone

Yeah I'm still taking my vits. I haven't been as diligent with the B5 as of late tho - I got a little overconfident I guess.

I know my shedding was definitely seasonal - it happens every year for me and it may have reduced bulk last year and I don't remember.

It's just been awhile since relaxing has brough about such noticeable reduction in bulk. All through the summer I could barely pull my hair into a ponytail. I kept breaking ponytail holders - it was getting so thick.

DSD - I think the Affirm may have contributed as well. I began using the Motions instead of the Affirm because Affirm was leaving my hair a little more limp than I wanted. I just thought the Fiberguard in Mild would be ok because it's supposed to be really gentle.

CNG - I hear you....I'll keep my fingers crossed that my hair responds like yours does.
I know it used to......

I'm defintely just gonna hang out for a while and leave it alone. I'm doing the bun challenge anyway so if I stick to it I don't have to look at it at least. I'll give it a few weeks and re-assess then.

 

[LABETT]

Re: Someone throw me a bone

I am glad to see that I am not only one who's hair seems to
appear thinner after a relaxer.
My hair starts to look fuller the third or fourth week post
relaxer and I also have some shedding.

 

[Lindy]

Re: Someone throw me a bone

Hey Tracy

Yep, my hair definitely looks and feels thinner for the first 2 or 3 weeks after a relaxer (I use Affirm Mild No-Lye). I also think in your case, it may be due to the change in relaxers.

DON'T YOU DARE CUT YOUR HAIR!!

I DO NOT want to read your teary eyed posts about how much you regret cutting off all your hair!! (Remember the last time you did something impulsively, ELVIRA???)

OK, I'll stop teasing you now!!

Give it some time, girlie!! Your hair will be right back to normal before you know it!!

 

[Islandgirl]

Re: Someone throw me a bone

don't cut your hair.

hair is flatter, the first three weeks. the hair is more prone to damage during this time. i remember reading about this in cathy howse's book. do you know what i do when i relax my hair? i always have the stylist give me a doobie , because i hate the flat look, that way my hair has body after i relax (the only draw back is you can't tell the true length of your hair until the hair falls from the curls which usually takes about 4 days-and i don't know about you, but i like to see the length when i relax, i just look at it before the stylist does the doobie.)

do you perform your own relaxers? or does your stylist let you pour olive oil in the relaxer?

 

[cutebajangirl]

Re: Someone throw me a bone

I am so sorry Tracy, I think when the hair feels flat and thin that the relaxer was too strong. I would go back to the motions. Also since relaxing have you not used a protein treatment at all?

 

[sylviaetc]

Re: Someone throw me a bone

tracy, i was just about to post on that very same subject. i hate the way my hair looks so thin and plastered after my relaxer, (i got it done sunday) so i went and used my moms shampoo called thicker fuller hair and it did improve the thickness. whatever you do, don't cut it; you'll be defeating the purpose. that is if your goal is longer hair.

 

[Lucia]

Re: Someone throw me a bone

[ QUOTE ]
Nyambura said:
[ QUOTE ]
dontspeakdefeat said:
Tracy I must say the Affirm is a strong relaxer compared to Motions. That is probably your culprit. When I use affirm my hair is usually flat for the first 3 weeks then it starts to thicken up as newgrowth comes in.

[/ QUOTE ]

Ditto.

Tracy, step awaaaaay from the scissors!

Think how much happier you'll be when you've reached your hair goal a few months from now instead of bemoaning the fact that you cut your hair to ear length. I know when I get frustrated with my hair, I think about cutting it off but these days I just ride it out. Are you taking vitamins right now? If not, maybe getting back on Pantothenic Acid would help. Hang in there, chica.

[/ QUOTE ]
I second this motion. I'm calling for a scissor intervention
Tracy place your nose HERE until you snap out of this chopping your hair off fever.

 

[caralexis2005]

Re: Someone throw me a bone

NO HASTY DECISIONS!!!
Tracy, you better use that 50 dollar DRC!!! NO SCISSORS!!
ok, now that i've gotten that out of the way...
i can relate also and you just gotta wait it out.
ok.ok.