Struggling with your natural hair? Come in here.....

faithVA said:
Are you doing something differently? Are you wearing a different protective style than you use to?

You know I don't know anything about heat :lol: But with the SSK's I am wondering if you changed your regimen or your protective style of choice. I know your hair is getting longer but I'm wondering why now.
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faithVA I haven't changed anything. I still wash once a week and wear Celies 90% of the time.

Sent from my Galaxy S3 using LHCF.Boom.
 
NikkiQ said:
faithVA I haven't changed anything. I still wash once a week and wear Celies 90% of the time.

Sent from my Galaxy S3 using LHCF.Boom.
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I don't have many answers. When my ends stay moisturized and oiled I have few SSKs. When my hair is dry I know I will have problems. When I use gels or things that are meant to hold then I know I will have problems. But my hair has never been long. I know some ladies have started to have issues as their hair got longer.
 
NikkiQ-
My SSKs have decreased from moisturizing and heavy sealing my ends at night. I use my spritz or rub in some coneless condish and then seal with a heavy oil. I've even tried vaseline on my ends for heavy sealing.

I also make sure they lay as flat as possible after I M&S so I wrap it up right away.

Maybe someone else can come in with some good tips.
 
MzSwift said:
@NikkiQ-
My SSKs have decreased from moisturizing and heavy sealing my ends at night. I use my spritz or rub in some coneless condish and then seal with a heavy oil. I've even tried vaseline on my ends for heavy sealing.

I also make sure they lay as flat as possible after I M&S so I wrap it up right away.

Maybe someone else can come in with some good tips.
Click to expand...

MzSwift are you doing this on loose hair?
 
Well, henna reduced my ssks but that may not be ideal for some.

I would suggest alternating dc'ing/medium protein on just your ends more often following with a locg. Liquid/oil/cream/grease several times a week.

I can't see any mentions on my IPhone. PM me if it is a must see. Allons y
 
I am kind of depressed. My 5 years natural anniversary is coming up in November and my hair is not where I want it to be length wise. I know this is because the first 2 years I hid my hair under wigs and neglected it. Now that I am actually putting in the work retain length I am seeing results I just wish I'd started doing this from the start.
 
It's okay cami88 ((BIG HUG))

We all start somewhere. And it's good you're seeing results! That means you're well on your way to getting where you wanna be. You'll be there in no time :)
 
I'm going through a natural hair experiment, I have MBL natural hair but always wear it straight. But really want to try being fully natural.
Ive been fully natural for about 5 weeks now, but im having issues.
So its currently exam period so my hair is in a bun but its just really frizzy and doesn't look good, after about 2 days my hair isn't curly the edges are basically straight and frizzy and puffy.

So basically does anyone have any natural hair styles I can wear which are REALLY low maintenance or any other tips?
P.s. cant braid, dont know anyone that can, cant afford for anyone else to do it for me/dont trust anyone.
Also I have little times because of exams.

Thanks in advance
 
cami88 said:
I am kind of depressed. My 5 years natural anniversary is coming up in November and my hair is not where I want it to be length wise. I know this is because the first 2 years I hid my hair under wigs and neglected it. Now that I am actually putting in the work retain length I am seeing results I just wish I'd started doing this from the start.
Click to expand...

You will be just fine girlie. Imagine being natural all your life and having nothing to show for it. Now, that's a prob. I should have knee length hair. lol Nah, but you kwim.
 
MzSwift said:
@NikkiQ

No ma'am. I don't keep my hair loose. It's either in cornrows, mini braids or celies. Lately, I've been trying out twists. In whatever style, I heavy seal the ends of them. HTH! :)
Click to expand...

I'll try sealing with a heavier product starting tonight and see how it goes. My hair stays in Celies.
 
MixedGirl said:
I'm going through a natural hair experiment, I have MBL natural hair but always wear it straight. But really want to try being fully natural.
Ive been fully natural for about 5 weeks now, but im having issues.
So its currently exam period so my hair is in a bun but its just really frizzy and doesn't look good, after about 2 days my hair isn't curly the edges are basically straight and frizzy and puffy.

So basically does anyone have any natural hair styles I can wear which are REALLY low maintenance or any other tips?
P.s. cant braid, dont know anyone that can, cant afford for anyone else to do it for me/dont trust anyone.
Also I have little times because of exams.

Thanks in advance
Click to expand...

You can do bantu knot outs, you can do twist outs, you can do braid outs, sooo o much! Plus it helps to define curls in some cases...and change stuff up a bit.

If you cant do braids....twists or flat twist outs are super cute and twisting is really easy you just use two strands of hair instead of 3 like braiding. You just If you know how to do a pony tail you can do a simple braid out.

Plus with these styles you can moisturize and seal pretty well. You may have some heat damage around the edges where it is straight so that will help blend in the straight pieces.

My hair is similar in that some of it is straight and some of it is curly...cause of heat damage so those are the things I do...I wash my hair, moisturize and seal and then use a light gel to help hold them then put on a scarf and let it dry overnight...usually by the morning I have pretty defined curls...sometimes if they are still wet Ill hit my head with a COOL blast with my blow drier. Mine only lasts one day cause my hair is so short. But you could possibly get away with a twist out especially since your hair is long enough to pineapple at night.

I have also notices that not brushing my hair has helped ALOT in my curls forming better...so I only finger detangle at this point, under a steady stream of water...some people use a wide tooth comb...but I have found...as well as others that brushes interupt the curl pattern...if anything use a denman brush.
 
Had the worst WnG yesterday - ever! :nono:

I washed my hair the night before, DCed and stretched and tied my hair up in a wrap so that it could dry overnight. I used a thick leave in as a styler. The next day my hair was slightly damp, but it didn't seem like a big deal, it felt really dry. I sealed with an oil, pinned part of the top up and went on with my day

Fast forward throughout the day, my hair shrunk up to my neck. It was super cute and I loved it, but by nightfall but hair was a crunchy, mess. I knew I was going to make it till day two so I slowly took each section, added a creamy heat protectant, detangled and took a blow dryer to it and created a blow out/twist out.

I have to come to terms with the fact that my hair does not like WnG no matter how bad I want it to happen. I see why some naturals heat train or textlax. :perplexed
 
In doing my hair this morning I realize the reason my hair is not retaining the length that I want is b/c I just don't have patience w/ SSKs. Since I have 5 day twist out, I decided to rock a semi-defined fro. I was seperating some twists that had SSKs. Instead of gently sepearting the twists to minimize any damage the SSKs might have, I just ripped my hair. I've been doing this for the past 3 weeks. :nono: I know.... I'm ashamed.
 
HELP HELP!

My hair was coming out the last couple days. :( Things had been smooth sailing and I forgot how extreme stress can have me shedding like a cat! Luckily, with the teas, I maybe had half of what was normal covering my hands, the floors, the sink... There started to be a lot of breakage too as well as scalp and body eczema flare. :ohwell:

It won't end tomorrow either. I got a new job (2 jobs now)! And orientation begins tomorrow. Dear lord... as welll as a billion family-oriented thinks on the weekend...

For my hair today I clarified just to be sure it's not product related. If it's product, a clarify stops the breakage and shedding immediately 100% of the time. I have a slight hope that it's the lavendar EO and tea I was using (which is new for me). Right now, I'm sitting in henna as that always soothes my scalp and strengthen strands enough to kill breakage for at least a week.

If my hair keeps coming out from stress I'm gonna have to do a big trim and call it a setback.

Suggestions please, wise ladies?
 
DarkJoy said:
HELP HELP!

My hair was coming out the last couple days. :( Things had been smooth sailing and I forgot how extreme stress can have me shedding like a cat! Luckily, with the teas, I maybe had half of what was normal covering my hands, the floors, the sink... There started to be a lot of breakage too as well as scalp and body eczema flare. :ohwell:

It won't end tomorrow either. I got a new job (2 jobs now)! And orientation begins tomorrow. Dear lord... as welll as a billion family-oriented thinks on the weekend...

For my hair today I clarified just to be sure it's not product related. If it's product, a clarify stops the breakage and shedding immediately 100% of the time. I have a slight hope that it's the lavendar EO and tea I was using (which is new for me). Right now, I'm sitting in henna as that always soothes my scalp and strengthen strands enough to kill breakage for at least a week.

If my hair keeps coming out from stress I'm gonna have to do a big trim and call it a setback.

Suggestions please, wise ladies?
Click to expand...

Okay it seems like I read something about this situation somewhere a couple of months ago.

Let me think.

And you are flaring? Crap! Do a shock with ice water on your scalp.

I read something about that being done in Europe while getting chemotherapy.

I use ice when I am flaring. Ice packs and cold water.

Let me see if I can remember what to do if having a reaction.

I can't see any mentions on my IPhone. PM me if it is a must see. Allons y
 
I am just coming to terms with the fact that my nape is jacked. right in the center, where my scarf ties...CHEWED UP. It sucks. plus i always get matting/locs back there, no matter. i don't understand why, it is the loosest smoothest section of my hair. When I had locs the ends never locked back there, but now...
 
Thanks @HanaKuroi! It's cold water stat! Glad I read this before rinsing out the SM Deep Treatment thats on right now! I'll try a straight cold water rinse and follow with a cup of ice water (with ACV). Eeek!

Man, it's late! But there will be ZERO time to slow this down until Monday night. By then, I could have a thin patch. It's mostly coming out on my left side where the flare is worst. :perplexed:

Gonna start the multivitamins again tomorrow too.
 
Ahhh F:censored:k!!!! Of course I'm allergic to damn near everything so this WOULD happen to me. Great. Just great. :sad: Well hopefully the clarifyer took it out.

Dont think the stress is helping either--I mean, I even have a mild ulcer flare. This week has been....real. :nono:
Thanks @HanaKuroi!

ETA: Yea. A little itch and sore and a scab on the side where there's the most shed and breakage.
 
DarkJoy said:
Ahhh F:censored:k!!!! Of course I'm allergic to damn near everything so this WOULD happen to me. Great. Just great. :sad: Well hopefully the clarifyer took it out.

Dont think the stress is helping either--I mean, I even have a mild ulcer flare. This week has been....real. :nono:
Thanks @HanaKuroi!

ETA: Yea. A little itch and sore and a scab on the side where there's the most shed and breakage.
Click to expand...

You have probably gone to bed but I would taje an antihistamine.

I am allergic to everything too. Avocado oil is one of my allergies and everyone wants to put it in everything. My face swells, ears swell itchy and then I get a rash that has ti peel. Ugh! I am allergic to some of these preservatives that they use too.

I can't see any mentions on my IPhone. PM me if it is a must see. Allons y
 
Thanks for all your help HanaKuroi! I didnt have any allergy meds left last night. Got some today, tho! Gotta remember to keep it around...

Avocado oil? Really? That sucks! Aloe is my big one (and its in the AO swimmer 'poo!) so that really kills many options for me as well...castor oil too. Many of the preservatives break off my hair and cause scalp rash/eczema flares and dandruff. Man, this ain't easy!

Glad I know now. So there's yet another ingredient to add to my never-do list. :lol:
 
DarkJoy said:
Thanks for all your help HanaKuroi! I didnt have any allergy meds left last night. Got some today, tho! Gotta remember to keep it around...

Avocado oil? Really? That sucks! Aloe is my big one (and its in the AO swimmer 'poo!) so that really kills many options for me as well...castor oil too. Many of the preservatives break off my hair and cause scalp rash/eczema flares and dandruff. Man, this ain't easy!

Glad I know now. So there's yet another ingredient to add to my never-do list. :lol:
Click to expand...

One of us is going to have to learn to make products that cater to the highly allergic!

Same thing scalp rash, ezcema flares and breakage. I think I have figured out what to avoid. At least I hope so.

We'll get through it.

I can't see any mentions on my IPhone. PM me if it is a must see. Allons y
 
DarkJoy

What does scalp ezema feel like? Is it constantly itchy? Or....I am tryin to figure out why my scalp is itchy 90% of the time....and right now I am in twists and my head is super itchy....and I have noticed that there are scabs forming in some places in my scalp where I guess I am digging because it itches? I dont really know why it itches so much....normally it would go away as soon as I got my relaxer..but now that I am about 4 1/2 months post my head itches constantly...especially if I dont wash it regularly (eta: its been about 2-3 weeks since I last fully washed my hair.) The only way it sorta goes away...or dies down is if I wash it otherwise I am constantly scratching my scalp.

I do have some dry patches on my arms my doctor said could be dryness or ezema...but i dont know whats going on with my scalp and I dont know what I could be allergic to that is causing it. Any thoughts?
 
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DarkJoy said:
HELP HELP!

My hair was coming out the last couple days. :( Things had been smooth sailing and I forgot how extreme stress can have me shedding like a cat! Luckily, with the teas, I maybe had half of what was normal covering my hands, the floors, the sink... There started to be a lot of breakage too as well as scalp and body eczema flare. :ohwell:

It won't end tomorrow either. I got a new job (2 jobs now)! And orientation begins tomorrow. Dear lord... as welll as a billion family-oriented thinks on the weekend...

For my hair today I clarified just to be sure it's not product related. If it's product, a clarify stops the breakage and shedding immediately 100% of the time. I have a slight hope that it's the lavendar EO and tea I was using (which is new for me). Right now, I'm sitting in henna as that always soothes my scalp and strengthen strands enough to kill breakage for at least a week.

If my hair keeps coming out from stress I'm gonna have to do a big trim and call it a setback.

Suggestions please, wise ladies?
Click to expand...

Geez @DarkJoy I don't know what to say! You mentioned stress as a culprit for your flare ups. I dont want to impose my beliefs/practices on you or anyone else for that matter, but I find that meditation helps me release/control stress. If meditation doesn't work for you, is there some medication you can take to control the flares?

Considering that your eczema limits you from experimenting w/ products/ingredients, even natural ones, is there a test you can take to see what provokes the flares? Or is it by trial and error? You've been doing so well I don't want to see you have a set back.
 
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hnntrr said:
DarkJoy

What does scalp ezema feel like? Is it constantly itchy? Or....I am tryin to figure out why my scalp is itchy 90% of the time....and right now I am in twists and my head is super itchy....and I have noticed that there are scabs forming in some places in my scalp where I guess I am digging because it itches? I dont really know why it itches so much....normally it would go away as soon as I got my relaxer..but now that I am about 4 1/2 months post my head itches constantly...especially if I dont wash it regularly (eta: its been about 2-3 weeks since I last fully washed my hair.) The only way it sorta goes away...or dies down is if I wash it otherwise I am constantly scratching my scalp.

I do have some dry patches on my arms my doctor said could be dryness or ezema...but i dont know whats going on with my scalp and I dont know what I could be allergic to that is causing it. Any thoughts?
Click to expand...

I think you are allergic to the twist hair.

Have you had this happen with just your natural hair?

Did you soak the hair in vinegar and hot water?

I can't see any mentions on my IPhone. PM me if it is a must see. Allons y
 
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DarkJoy next time your scalp flares try ice water on your scalp.( I would say AVJ on your scalp but you are allergic.) Then a clay wash and neutrogena tgel on your scalp and rinse with cool water. Apply hydrocortisone ointment, if you are still itchy. You can use the hydrocortisone cream or gel but read the ingredients. I can only use ointments because the creams and gels have a preservative in them that I am allergic to.

Air dry and don't put anything on your scalp for a day or two or anything complicated on your hair for a couple of days too.

Eta: take a benydryl at night so you don't scratch in your sleep!

I can't see any mentions on my IPhone. PM me if it is a must see. Allons y
 
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Thanks @HanaKuroi and @Cruzankink for your concerns and advice. :bighug: :D

I am much better now. Hana helped a lot (cant thank you enough!) and now my flare is gone. It was most likely a new found allergy to lavendar. Geez... EVERYONE can use lav. What a bummer. :(

Hana, how's your internal allergies? It's funny cuz I only have 1 medication (penicillin) and one nut allergy. And a sensitivity to dairy--too much causes eczema flares. But my skin and hair? Forget it! seems 70% of products are off the table. Anyway Thanks again!

Cruzankink, yea it's trial by error. It's a good thing I usually try only 1 or 2 ingredients at a time. This way I can keep track of reaction. It's sloooooow going getting a staple of products, even 'natural' and 'organic' Those always have chemical emulsifiers and chemical preservatives that irritate my skin or break hair. No worries about the mediation suggestion! I used to a lot (before I had kids :look:) but now my mind is too busy to even sit down! Creative pursuits help but it's a matter of time and energy. Grr!

@hnntrr--yea, my scalp feels like that plus it will flake--A LOT. Not dandruff just skin breaking down too fast. Hana could be right--if you read back, I had an extreme reaction to synthetic hair last fall. I still have the facial scars for my troubles. Now, I only use human hair.

And yea, eczema comes in patches on your body as well. Like I said earlier stress, too much dairy and the wrong products will set it off. Which is why I make most my products. The teas have helped tremendously. ALso, if my regular pollen allergies/hay fever is acting up, best be sure the eczema is happening too. They are connected. HTH.
 
DarkJoy I cannot wash my face with any cleanser. Even from the dermatologist. I will use plain water and a washcloth. Sometimes plain lye soap. Any and every soap, face wash, fce cleanser makes my break out with either eczema or allergic reaction. Itchy and swollen face, eyelids swollen shut or nearly. Ears red and swollen. Then they peel and itch and may bleed.

I have no allergies to antibiotics. I am super sensitive to all narcotics to the point that is listed as an allergy. All I can take for pain is motrin or tylenol. Even after surgery. So far I have had no major surgery.

I don't drink milk and seldom use dairy.

Wool is a nightmare. So of course no lanolin. Preservatives in cosmetics/hair/lotions cause reactions.

I have had allergy testing and I need to have more. I am ppd allergic.

Free and clear detergents only or eo scented.

I look for hair products that use food grade preservatives or vegan if possible.

Eta: if I sweat and i don't immediately shower I will break out in a rash.

If my face gets sweaty I will get a rash.

I get flares in humid climates really bad. My body like dry and cold. I haven't had a flare on my body since living in Alaska.

I can't see any mentions on my IPhone. PM me if it is a must see. Allons y
 
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whoa HanaKuroi! You are ultra sensitive! I asked to see if there was a correlation to internal allergies/reactions vs dermatologic.

Mine seem to be somewhat separate, dairy and, to a degree, pencillin can flare everything up.

Yea, we definitely have to dome up with a sensitives line!
 
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