This Can't Be My Hair?!?!

[eurka007]

When I first found this forum I was eager to learn and use all of the techniques every one offered up. My hair was healthy and growing and for once people were complimenting my real hair- not just my weave. I wrapped every night and made sure to nurture my ends. I deep conditioned and used protein treatments every week- I started using lye relaxers, and I started to see that my hair texture was beginning to look like the girls whose hair I always wanted!

Then- I got lazy. School started getting crazy, I got a dog, I started working and interning at the same time and I moved into a new place- to put it frankly I had excuses to not take good care of my hair and I used them!

Now I look in the mirror and I swear thats not my hair! Breaking off all over the bathroom (this hasn't happened since last december when I joined the forum) full of dandruff/ sticky/ and no body. When I try to straighten it- it looks greasy and damaged- maybe Im forgetting the proper way to use my old techniques? Or maybe (and I hope its not this) my hair is just too far gone!!

So is there anything I can do to try to get my hair back to its balanced state? My ends are raggity to say the least, my hair is full of dandruff, and my hair looks like it has too much moisture but when I don't moisturize it feels dry! Any advice at all would help- Im just hoping it isn't to late to turn this all around...

Thanks!

-Erica

 

[hillytmj]

You didn't mention any chemical processes (i.e. color, excessive relaxing), so I would start back with your former routine that worked for you and see if you get any improvements over a month's period. You may need a trim but you can put that off until you get your hair back in good condition. I say this because if your hair is in poor condition, you may be tempted to trim off more than necessary only because it looks dry or frizzy.

 

[curlycrocheter]

sounds like you need to take time to pamper yourself

I work 16hr days, have a family to take care of, a car that hates me and countless other responsibilites....but I always at least TRY to take time out for me, which usually means my hair. I looooove to dc my hair, it's my momentary escape.

I know it can be hard, but just try to take some time for you.

 

[Truth]

I say revisit what u already know,just make it work around ya schedule

 

[Chevelure618]

I always say that when setbacks like this happen and your hair just doesn't feel right...CLARIFY. Clarify first with a true clarifying shampoo, then deep condition with heat with the DC that helped you before;moisturize; seal...in that order. Get back in the routine that you know works for you.

I just think you stopped being consistent. It'll be all right.

 

[kmn1980]

OP, I say it's kind of like weight management. You do the right things, you get results. You stop doing the right things, you gain the weight. So, that said, you've done it before so you know what to do.

 

[wheezy807]

I always say that when setbacks like this happen and your hair just doesn't feel right...CLARIFY. Clarify first with a true clarifying shampoo, then deep condition with heat with the DC that helped you before;moisturize; seal...in that order. Get back in the routine that you know works for you.

I just think you stopped being consistent. It'll be all right.

ITA. I was just about to say it sounds like product build up.

 

[wheezy807]

How often are you shampooing your hair? In the beginning of my hair journey i started shampooing/dcing twice a week then later on once a week and my dandruff problem ceased. Also make sure to remember to only flat iron on clean hair.

 

[MsLizziA]

Go back to what you know OP. If your schedule doesn't allow you time anymore to do it full fledged like you want, start wearing sew-ins, wigs, braids anything that will lessen the time you spend on your hair but still will allow you to care for it as if it were out.

When life starts to get hectic and out the box for me, i PS like a crazy person because you don't do all that hard work for nothing. Without setbacks, you don't learn so take this as a learning experience and good luck with your hair.

 

[eurka007]

You didn't mention any chemical processes (i.e. color, excessive relaxing), so I would start back with your former routine that worked for you and see if you get any improvements over a month's period. You may need a trim but you can put that off until you get your hair back in good condition. I say this because if your hair is in poor condition, you may be tempted to trim off more than necessary only because it looks dry or frizzy.

My ends are well... horrible! I agree that I should probably let my hair get healthier before I trim, but I am very tempted to cut those hideous things off! Ive started back on the regular routine- I just washed and conditioned my hair and let it air dry, my hair is still a little frizzy but hopefully Im headed in the right direction

 

[eurka007]

sounds like you need to take time to pamper yourself

I work 16hr days, have a family to take care of, a car that hates me and countless other responsibilites....but I always at least TRY to take time out for me, which usually means my hair. I looooove to dc my hair, it's my momentary escape.

I know it can be hard, but just try to take some time for you.

I TOTALLY agree with you- when things start to get hectic I always let myself go... and I've noticed that other people (like you ) seem to be able to do it all and still have time to pamper themselves- I just have to make my hair a priority again, thanks for making me feel better, if you can take the time out to dc while working 16hr days and taking care of a family I really dont have an excuse

 

[eurka007]

I always say that when setbacks like this happen and your hair just doesn't feel right...CLARIFY. Clarify first with a true clarifying shampoo, then deep condition with heat with the DC that helped you before;moisturize; seal...in that order. Get back in the routine that you know works for you.

I just think you stopped being consistent. It'll be all right.

Thanks for the advice!
I was wondering, what type of clarifying shampoo do you use? I was thinking about trying Joico K-Pak chelating shampoo... but I dont know

 

[eurka007]

OP, I say it's kind of like weight management. You do the right things, you get results. You stop doing the right things, you gain the weight. So, that said, you've done it before so you know what to do.

Ha- funny you mention weight management.. I need to start working on that again too!!

Your totally right-consistency is the thing missing

 

[eurka007]

How often are you shampooing your hair? In the beginning of my hair journey i started shampooing/dcing twice a week then later on once a week and my dandruff problem ceased. Also make sure to remember to only flat iron on clean hair.

I was shampooing and DCing twice a week- now I have been pretty much skipping around and doing it inconsistently... hopefully going back to twice a week will stop the dandruff problem

 

[eurka007]

Go back to what you know OP. If your schedule doesn't allow you time anymore to do it full fledged like you want, start wearing sew-ins, wigs, braids anything that will lessen the time you spend on your hair but still will allow you to care for it as if it were out.

When life starts to get hectic and out the box for me, i PS like a crazy person because you don't do all that hard work for nothing. Without setbacks, you don't learn so take this as a learning experience and good luck with your hair.

Yeah I was thinking about going back to sew-ins, but I honestly just like having my hair out.. but since I want to do that I have to take care of it... I dont have much of a choice.

This has definitely been a learning experience- looking back at pictures from before when I was taking care of my hair make me really wish I had kept it up- I could have healthy longer hair right now.. oh well, guess its time to start over