Steamer made my hair tangle something terrible

[s_terry]

I lost more than enough hair trying to comb it too. I didn't know it was that bad until I got out of the shower and all the bubbles drained out. I did get some breakage, but more shedding than usual too.
What I did

I kinda made a conditioner cock-tail with Salerm and Alter Ego Garlic Conditioners. I also add a tad of the Shea butter conditioner from Alter Ego that is called a "reconstructor" although from the ingredients list I do not see a really strong protien.

I sat under the steamer about 30 minutes, may have been a little longer.

Got in the shower for combout and when I noticed the tangles, switched the water to a cooler setting (not cold, but more like tepid). I thought I remember reading cool water rinse helps.

My hair has never tangled like this with these conditioners so what happened?


TIA

 

[unalteredone]

have you ever used that particular mixture before? even if your hair reacts well to an individual product, sometimes different products dont interact well. Maybe the reconstructor added too much protein to the mix?

 

[Lucky's Mom]

I would agree. I don't think the steamer did it.

 

[yodie]

I've never had problems with the steamer detangling. Don't give up on the steamer just yet. It really is great!

 

[~*~ShopAholic~*~]

I agree with Unalteredone, it could have been your mix. Also rinsing in cold water makes my length huddle together, warmer water lets the strands flow freely under the running water detangling themselves just from the water pressure b4 the comb hits it, atleast for me it does. Did you comb through good b4 and after pooing and adding the DC mix to your hair?

 

[frizzy]

I think it was your mix, too. I only steam my hair to add moisture.

 

[bludaydreamr]

Was this your first steam treatment?

 

[hurricane]

WHAT!!!!???? Did you put a plastic bag on your head before getting under the steamer? Try a moisturizing mix. Sorry this happened.

 

[s_terry]

Was this your first steam treatment?

Yes, this was the first one. Do you think it had something to do with it?

 

[s_terry]

WHAT!!!!???? Did you put a plastic bag on your head before getting under the steamer? Try a moisturizing mix. Sorry this happened.

No I didn't. What would the plastic cap do?

 

[AtlantaJJ]

I suspect that most people don't do protein or reconstructors with steam...(somebody correct me if I'm wrong)

Also if your hair is tangled, running cold water on it is not good because that causes your cuticles to close and if your hair is bunched together / tangled and you run cold water over it your hair might get matted.

 

[s_terry]

I think it was your mix, too. I only steam my hair to add moisture.

I will try to leave out the reconstructer next time. I don't know why protien would make it so tangly. Stronger yes, but not tangly. I will take your word for it and try moisture only next time.

 

[s_terry]

I suspect that most people don't do protein or reconstructors with steam...(somebody correct me if I'm wrong)

Also if your hair is tangled, running cold water on it is not good because that causes your cuticles to close and if your hair is bunched together and you do that it could cause your hair to matt.

Well, you know I didn't think about that. I thought that I heard that the steamer I(warm) allows the cuticle to open. I thought for a second there that the cold would then close it, if they where open, and thus make the strand more smooth? Maybe this was faulty logic. I'll consider this next time

 

[s_terry]

Does anyone know how often you can do the steam treatments.

 

[AtlantaJJ]

Well, you know I didn't think about that. I thought that I heard that the steamer I(warm) allows the cuticle to open. I thought for a second there that the cold would then close it, if they where open, and thus make the strand more smooth? Maybe this was faulty logic. I'll consider this next time

I'm not a steaming expert by any means, but just in terms of being careful with your hair, I would go into the steam with my hair detangled as much as possible and then finish detangling under warm running water under the shower with a shower comb. I would not hit it the hair with the cool water until it was completely detangled.

ETA: If the cuticle closes on hair that's tangled it can cause the strands to get snagged up together...cuticles are like shingles, so if they close while connected to other strands, that could cause a tangle to get tighter...does that make sense...

We need to pro's to chime in...

 

[Chicoro]

I'm not a steaming expert by any means, but just in terms of being careful with your hair, I would go into the steam with my hair detangled as much as possible and then finish detangling under warm running water under the shower with a shower comb. I would not hit it the hair with the cool water until it was completely detangled.

ETA: If the cuticle closes on hair that's tangled it can cause the strands to get snagged up together...cuticles are like shingles, so if they close while connected to other strands, that could cause a tangle to get tighter...does that make sense...

We need to pro's to chime in...

I'm no pro but I agree with this, especially the bolded. I know I can't do steam and heat on tangled hair. I think your conditioner mix was fine and that steam is wonderful. It just sounds like you just want to tweak your regimen to determine at what point is best for you to detangle your hair.

 

[s_terry]

I'm not a steaming expert by any means, but just in terms of being careful with your hair, I would go into the steam with my hair detangled as much as possible and then finish detangling under warm running water under the shower with a shower comb. I would not hit it the hair with the cool water until it was completely detangled.

ETA: If the cuticle closes on hair that's tangled it can cause the strands to get snagged up together...cuticles are like shingles, so if they close while connected to other strands, that could cause a tangle to get tighter...does that make sense...

We need to pro's to chime in...

I will certainly try this option next time.
Thanks Atlanta JJ

 

[s_terry]

I'm no pro but I agree with this, especially the bolded. I know I can't do steam and heat on tangled hair. I think your conditioner mix was fine and that steam is wonderful. It just sounds like you just want to tweak your regimen to determine at what point is best for you to detangle your hair.

I will definitely do this. I don't want to lose more hair, so I plan on being very very careful. To be honest, I am almost afraid to try again. Wish me luck!