Thin/Fine Support Thread

[Imani]

No lye made my hair dull and dry with no elasticity (most recently phyto index 2)

i have been using Vitale Pro Mild Lye Relaxer. it doesn't burn as bad as some other lye relaxers i've used and not as strong. Since i can't find anyone that uses Vitale now that i've moved to Atlanta, I am going to try out Design Essentials Lo Lye when i relax in a couple of weeks. I will come back and post my results from that relaxer.

 

[nycutiepie]

No lye made my hair dull and dry with no elasticity (most recently phyto index 2)

i have been using Vitale Pro Mild Lye Relaxer. it doesn't burn as bad as some other lye relaxers i've used and not as strong. Since i can't find anyone that uses Vitale now that i've moved to Atlanta, I am going to try out Design Essentials Lo Lye when i relax in a couple of weeks. I will come back and post my results from that relaxer.

This is me right here and I just switched to Mizani Butter Blends mild and that hair feels better than the old Phyto hair. I will NEVER go back to no-lye.

 

[divinefavor]

Recently I switched from Profective regular strenght no-lye to ORS Lye relaxed in June. I have used Profective for a number of years and got really good results with the exception of my ends becoming extremely dry no matter what I used on them. I love ORS Lye, it didn't burn during the application and my hair doesn't dry out at all. I can stretch my relaxer longer and my hair has more shine as well. I only leave the perm just long enough to cover my new growth and I mix in EVOO as well. I try not to smooth it out to much because it really starts to make my hair a little too straight with my last touch up. I have been very happy with making this switch.

How much EVOO are you adding to the relaxer?

 

[Lissa0821]

About two tablespoons

 

[SelfStyled]

No lye made my hair dull and dry with no elasticity (most recently phyto index 2)

i have been using Vitale Pro Mild Lye Relaxer. it doesn't burn as bad as some other lye relaxers i've used and not as strong. Since i can't find anyone that uses Vitale now that i've moved to Atlanta, I am going to try out Design Essentials Lo Lye when i relax in a couple of weeks. I will come back and post my results from that relaxer.

Ditto!!! The no lye was applied on some underprocessed area as a corrective. The areas are on the middle of my length and the areas are DRY,DRY,DRY. There's not enough moisturizing or Deep Conditioning that seems to help.

 

[Serenity_Peace]

Recently I switched from Profective regular strenght no-lye to ORS Lye relaxed in June. I have used Profective for a number of years and got really good results with the exception of my ends becoming extremely dry no matter what I used on them. I love ORS Lye, it didn't burn during the application and my hair doesn't dry out at all. I can stretch my relaxer longer and my hair has more shine as well. I only leave the perm just long enough to cover my new growth and I mix in EVOO as well. I try not to smooth it out to much because it really starts to make my hair a little too straight with my last touch up. I have been very happy with making this switch.

Looking back, hindsight is 20-20 because I've used No-Lye all my life. For the first 2 or 3 weeks after the relaxer, my hair would be so bouncy and full of body; however, I found that I would always have to add a light oil because my hair would get so dry and brittle. After much research and reading the ladies' comments on the forum, I tried ORS Lye Relaxer for Fine/Medium Textured Hair. Not only has my hair thrived and retained some of its thickness, I have been able to stretch at my longest. I'm still not done with the stretch, but because my hair doesn't get dry and brittle, I will be able to complete the stretch with ease and I think stretching is key. I really do now understand that Lye, for me, is a much better choice. And I have taken the advice of the lovely ladies here by adding a little olive oil, almond oil or some other carrier oil to the relaxer. And thanks to others, I've learned to use a silk protein to the NG (thanks Sareca ) and a cheapie conditioner on the rest of the hair (thanks LocsofLuv ). The Silk Protein like CHI has done wonders to protect the NG that will be relaxed and prevent breakage and overprocessing. Using conditioner on the other past of the hair prevents overprocessing and protects the ends.

I echo Lisssa. ORS Lye is awesome! !!!

 

[Imani]

Looking back, hindsight is 20-20 because I've used No-Lye all my life. For the first 2 or 3 weeks after the relaxer, my hair would be so bouncy and full of body; however, I found that I would always have to add a light oil because my hair would get so dry and brittle. After much research and reading the ladies' comments on the forum, I tried ORS Lye Relaxer for Fine/Medium Textured Hair. Not only has my hair thrived and retained some of its thickness, I have been able to stretch at my longest. I'm still not done with the stretch, but because my hair doesn't get dry and brittle, I will be able to complete the stretch with ease and I think stretching is key. I really do now understand that Lye, for me, is a much better choice. And I have taken the advice of the lovely ladies here by adding a little olive oil, almond oil or some other carrier oil to the relaxer. And thanks to others, I've learned to use a silk protein to the NG (thanks Sareca ) and a cheapie conditioner on the rest of the hair (thanks LocsofLuv ). The Silk Protein like CHI has done wonders to protect the NG that will be relaxed and prevent breakage and overprocessing. Using conditioner on the other past of the hair prevents overprocessing and protects the ends.

I echo Lisssa. ORS Lye is awesome! !!!

I don't self relax. But i may have to try using this on my hair before i go to the salon. i normally just grease my hair to death before i go to the salon for relaxers to try and protect my hair .

 

[divinefavor]

Thanks ladies for your responses!

 

[Moroni]

I keep reading about ladies here who have such great results with their rollersets. I get a lot of breakage when I rollerset, even if I use only a leave-in as the setting lotion. My strands are so fine they just snap when combing out the curls, whether I use a wide-tooth comb or my fingers.

This only happens when I do a rollerset on wet hair, so I'm going to try the Caruso steam rollers (as soon as I can buy some...not going back out this evening). Does anyone else have this problem, or is it just my sloppy technique?

 

[january noir]

I keep reading about ladies here who have such great results with their rollersets. I get a lot of breakage when I rollerset, even if I use only a leave-in as the setting lotion. My strands are so fine they just snap when combing out the curls, whether I use a wide-tooth comb or my fingers.

This only happens when I do a rollerset on wet hair, so I'm going to try the Caruso steam rollers (as soon as I can buy some...not going back out this evening). Does anyone else have this problem, or is it just my sloppy technique?

For most of us, fine/thin hair is fragile hair. It must be treated like silk as Kinicakes reminds us. Wet hair is even more fragile.

• Try waiting until your hair is damp-to-almost-dry, not wet, before you start to section and smooth your hair.
• Lightly spritz each section with water or smooth with a water based leave in, then apply the curler and roll.
• When your set is completely dry (heat from a hooded dryer gives you an optimum set), unroll the roller carefully.
• Separate your curls carefully with your fingers that have been "lightly dipped" in a light moisturizer; smooth out the length of the curl with your fingers to the tips.

You should now be able to comb out your set with minimal breakage and/or extra shedding.

HTH!

 

[Moroni]

Thank you so much, January Noir. And, Zoey surely is cute! I think I'll stalk Kanicakes's posts and see if I can learn a lot more, too.

 

[AtlantaJJ]

This is me right here and I just switched to Mizani Butter Blends mild and that hair feels better than the old Phyto hair. I will NEVER go back to no-lye.

I just had a no-lye relaxer and I have been using conditioners with Ceramides in them to help combat that dry flat feeling that no lye causes.

I am going to stretch for three months and either do the Mizani Butter Blends mild our the Design Essentals Lo-Lye

So ladies please continue to report your results here. I'm keeping a close watch.

There is a great thread that mentions Lye relaxed hair needs protein and no-lye relaxers need moisture and doesn't like heavy proteins. The example that they gave is that no-lye relaxed hair benefits better from Nexxus Humectress and lye relaxed hair benefits from the Keraphix conditioner. Both contain Ceramides.

 

[january noir]

Thank you so much, January Noir. And, Zoey surely is cute! I think I'll stalk Kanicakes's posts and see if I can learn a lot more, too.

No problem Moroni!
Keep us posted. There are other things you can try as well.
Don't despair, rollersets take practice! . I have started doing rollersets myself lately. Usually I let my hairstylist do mine. His comes out great everytime.

Kinicakes fotki was just updated this week. She is one of my hair inspirations!

 

[Serenity_Peace]

There is a great thread that mentions Lye relaxed hair needs protein and no-lye relaxers need moisture and doesn't like heavy proteins. The example that they gave is that no-lye relaxed hair benefits better from Nexxus Humectress and lye relaxed hair benefits from the Keraphix conditioner. Both contain Ceramides.

Thank you, sweetie! This will really help me out very much because I didn't know this about lye. My hair generally hates too much protein, but it's thriving when I can find a balance between protein/moisture.

 

[neonbright]

I have to say ladies, I have a no-lye relaxer and after trial and error. My hair love Aphogee Keratin 2 Minute Reconstructor and I have to follow-up with Nexxus Humectin & Proclaim Aloe & Shea Butter Moisturizer. This has made a world of a difference, that only this is that I am still in the need for getting rid of my semi texlax hair and relax hair. I got a corrective about 3 months ago and, the texlax is better but could be straighter but it so much better from before, I thought it was me and not the mixture of hair. But with this board and especially this thread it is so much better, I do great roller-set like I use to and I take outstanding care of my hair; even though I do get lazy every so often.

 

[SelfStyled]

I have to say ladies, I have a no-lye relaxer and after trial and error. My hair love Aphogee Keratin 2 Minute Reconstructor and I have to follow-up with Nexxus Humectin & Proclaim Aloe & Shea Butter Moisturizer. This has made a world of a difference, that only this is that I am still in the need for getting rid of my semi texlax hair and relax hair. I got a corrective about 3 months ago and, the texlax is better but could be straighter but it so much better from before, I thought it was me and not the mixture of hair. But with this board and especially this thread it is so much better, I do great roller-set like I use to and I take outstanding care of my hair; even though I do get lazy every so often.

Hi Neonbright! I wanted to say thanks about your suggestion for me to use the Aphogee 2 minute when my hair was breaking due to being overprocessed. It stopped the breaking and helped to restore the elasticity. I wish I would have not been such a wimp to use it earlier when the breakage started because I wouldn't have lost so much hair. ITA to use something REALLY moisturizing after. How often do you use the 2 min recon? Is nexxus humictin different than nexxus humectress? I also got a corrective about 2 months ago and that hair seems to have reverted?

 

[neonbright]

Hi Neonbright! I wanted to say thanks about your suggestion for me to use the Aphogee 2 minute when my hair was breaking due to being overprocessed. It stopped the breaking and helped to restore the elasticity. I wish I would have not been such a wimp to use it earlier when the breakage started because I wouldn't have lost so much hair. ITA to use something REALLY moisturizing after. How often do you use the 2 min recon? Is nexxus humictin different than nexxus humectress? I also got a corrective about 2 months ago and that hair seems to have reverted?

I think with the corrective, unless your hair can handle have the relaxer on longer then good, but my stylist only let it set for 5 minutes. The sections are not straight like the rest of the hair, but it is alot better than before. I can see the underprocess sections, but if I use a great moisturizing conditoner and spray each section with water before I roll up no problem. I tried Nexxus Humictin this weekend and the mixture with the Proclaim Aloe & Shea Butter Moisturizer is better than with Nexxus Humectres, I am not sure why but it is. I am going to try a routine of every other week with the 2 minutes recontructor, I have for the last month and it has been great, I just have to make sure I follow up with the moisturizing conditioner or it is a no go.

 

[sweetpuff]

What are your views on wrapping? Do you usually have difficulties with it? (shedding, hair not responding well to it.....)

I've been wrapping for a week or so. I alternate the sides, use kid's organis and coconut oil to seal in the moisture. I will reach 6 weeks post wednesday so I am starting to be careful with my roots.
Do you wrap way past 6-7 weeks post?

Thanks in advance

 

[neonbright]

I have wrap up to 9 weeks post, but that is me and it works well.

 

[sweetpuff]

Thank for the reply neonbright.

 

[Crystalicequeen123]

Looking back, hindsight is 20-20 because I've used No-Lye all my life. For the first 2 or 3 weeks after the relaxer, my hair would be so bouncy and full of body; however, I found that I would always have to add a light oil because my hair would get so dry and brittle. After much research and reading the ladies' comments on the forum, I tried ORS Lye Relaxer for Fine/Medium Textured Hair. Not only has my hair thrived and retained some of its thickness, I have been able to stretch at my longest. I'm still not done with the stretch, but because my hair doesn't get dry and brittle, I will be able to complete the stretch with ease and I think stretching is key. I really do now understand that Lye, for me, is a much better choice. And I have taken the advice of the lovely ladies here by adding a little olive oil, almond oil or some other carrier oil to the relaxer. And thanks to others, I've learned to use a silk protein to the NG (thanks Sareca ) and a cheapie conditioner on the rest of the hair (thanks LocsofLuv ). The Silk Protein like CHI has done wonders to protect the NG that will be relaxed and prevent breakage and overprocessing. Using conditioner on the other past of the hair prevents overprocessing and protects the ends.

I echo Lisssa. ORS Lye is awesome! !!!

ORS Mild relaxer is really good huh?? I may have to check this relaxer out because I'm thinking of going back to a mild relaxer. DE mild w/shea butter was fine I guess, but my hair would always revert back in the humidity. My hair never really felt straight anymore after the first month. I could very rarely ever wear straight styles or wear my hair down, because my hair would always be kind of fly-away. lol* But it DID thicken my hair up, and my hair was stronger and grew longer because of it.

BTW...what does ORS stand for?? What brand is this??

 

[OneInAMillion]

Does anyone conditioner wash (every other day, or every 3 days)? I've been doing this for the past week and so far so good. I've been hearing about the benefits of the oil wash method so I thought I'd give it a try. Basically I coat my hair with conditioner, rinse with water, rinse with oil, and then use conditioner again.

Just curious if washing every couple of days is too much for our fine strands in the long run? I don't see any ridiculous shedding and I detangle with large bone comb or my fingers on was day.

 

[sweetpuff]

ORS: Organic Root Stimulator
www.organicrootstimulator.com

 

[sweetpuff]

Does anyone conditioner wash (every other day, or every 3 days)? I've been doing this for the past week and so far so good. I've been hearing about the benefits of the oil wash method so I thought I'd give it a try. Basically I coat my hair with conditioner, rinse with water, rinse with oil, and then use conditioner again.

Just curious if washing every couple of days is too much for our fine strands in the long run? I don't see any ridiculous shedding and I detangle with large bone comb or my fingers on was day.

I'm slowly going back to this. I usually co-wash on wednesday and wash on saturday but by tuesday I'd have to at least rinse my hair.
My hair loves and craves for moisture. I remember when my hair was textirized that I would rinse it (water only)every day in the summer and apply some oil at night. I'd wash when needed.

So I guess it all depends if your hair loves moisture or not so much. If what you're doing works, why change it?

 

[prtybrwnis]

posted in error.

 

[prtybrwnis]

I am going to post a more recent pic later but I need protective styling tips. I stopped using the BT because my hair was shedding too much. My hair is now a little past chin length from mid-ear lenght in July. It may be a little longer. I will see once I get a touch up this weekend. I will be at 9 weeks stretching as of tomorrow. I used more moisture on my new growth this past 2 weeks due to dryness and difference in texture. I sprayed the African Pride braid spray or used Dudley's PCA moisturizer. I usually rollerset once a week and wear my hair down with a headband. I pin curl nightly. Now I am actually able to put a banana clip and pull my hair into a ponytail. I know this may be too much tension on my hair, but I do it loosely. Are there any other protective styles or should I aim for more length first?

 

[OneInAMillion]

I'm slowly going back to this. I usually co-wash on wednesday and wash on saturday but by tuesday I'd have to at least rinse my hair.
My hair loves and craves for moisture. I remember when my hair was textirized that I would rinse it (water only)every day in the summer and apply some oil at night. I'd wash when needed.

So I guess it all depends if your hair loves moisture or not so much. If what you're doing works, why change it?

Thanks! The jury is still out on this one for me. Maybe if I co-washed twice a week like you (less manipulation!)

 

[BrownEyez22]

Hello to all, I am a newbie and I would like some input on my current hair issues.

My hair is on the fine (soft) side, 4/b type i think (it grows out really coiled and nappy like not wavy) I am pretty much texlaxed but it is usually full. Recently I have noticed my hair looked someone what thinner in some spots and thru further investigation I noticed some breakage. erplexed

I decided to change up what I'm doing and I would like some input to if you think this would be good.

washing every 7-14 days (I think less washing might be better as far as low manipulation since it's breaking maybe???)
rollersetting and saran wrap (did it once and my hair looked so pretty)
Rolling hair a night with magnetic rollers with sliver clips ( I haven't saw many posts on people that roll at night, is this a good or bad idea?).
moisturizing (alternating better ORS olive oil and Mango Butter)
Deep Conditioning (ORS Mayo and Crème of Nature Nourishing Purple)
Very Limited Direct Heat maybe 2X a month if that (trying to eliminate it all together)
texlaxing every 10+ weeks

If yall can think of anything else I'm missing or something that I could think about trying, that would be helpful I would so appreciate it. I used to flat iron and curl whenever I wanted to maybe 2-3 times a week so I think if I stop that I can keep/save my hair

 

[sweetpuff]

I am going to post a more recent pic later but I need protective styling tips. I stopped using the BT because my hair was shedding too much. My hair is now a little past chin length from mid-ear lenght in July. It may be a little longer. I will see once I get a touch up this weekend. I will be at 9 weeks stretching as of tomorrow. I used more moisture on my new growth this past 2 weeks due to dryness and difference in texture. I sprayed the African Pride braid spray or used Dudley's PCA moisturizer. I usually rollerset once a week and wear my hair down with a headband. I pin curl nightly. Now I am actually able to put a banana clip and pull my hair into a ponytail. I know this may be too much tension on my hair, but I do it loosely. Are there any other protective styles or should I aim for more length first?

Hello prtybrwnis, I saw your fotki, you have nice healthy hair.
If you can put your hair in a banana clip or a ponytail, you could add other accessories like hair clips that allow you to loosen up your updos. Your bandana looks really good too.
I don't know if it is out of styles but having the front part of your hair cornrowed and the rest loose would look good as well.
I heard about the hairzings a while ago http://www.hairzing.com/ I don't have one but plan on buying some for Xmas. This is practical and can last a very long time.

HTH

 

[sweetpuff]

Hello to all, I am a newbie and I would like some input on my current hair issues.

My hair is on the fine (soft) side, 4/b type i think (it grows out really coiled and nappy like not wavy) I am pretty much texlaxed but it is usually full. Recently I have noticed my hair looked someone what thinner in some spots and thru further investigation I noticed some breakage. erplexed

I decided to change up what I'm doing and I would like some input to if you think this would be good.

washing every 7-14 days (I think less washing might be better as far as low manipulation since it's breaking maybe???)
rollersetting and saran wrap (did it once and my hair looked so pretty)
Rolling hair a night with magnetic rollers with sliver clips ( I haven't saw many posts on people that roll at night, is this a good or bad idea?).
moisturizing (alternating better ORS olive oil and Mango Butter)
Deep Conditioning (ORS Mayo and Crème of Nature Nourishing Purple)
Very Limited Direct Heat maybe 2X a month if that (trying to eliminate it all together)
texlaxing every 10+ weeks

If yall can think of anything else I'm missing or something that I could think about trying, that would be helpful I would so appreciate it. I used to flat iron and curl whenever I wanted to maybe 2-3 times a week so I think if I stop that I can keep/save my hair

Welcome BrownEyez22!

Your list looks pretty good, I just would like to add a few things.
pre-pooing always helps to soften the hair shaft and helps to detangle as well. I use ORS mayo, infusium23 conditioner and coconut oil, wrap it in saranwrap for 30 minutes then rinse the whole thing.
When I was texturized and washed, I'd detangle, then make 4 braids. I'd unbraid one at a time to finger comb with the pressure of the water, shampoothe roots and condition the hair then i'd rebraid. not a lot of manipulation in that.
In between washes I'd either co-wash or rinse my hair.

Sleeping with magnetic rollers and silver clips might pose a problem not only for confort but also for breakage. With the tossing and turing during the night, your hair would be brushing against the silver clips and would suffer some tension. I would either braids or pincurl...

HTH