Transitioners and Shedding

[dahllia]

Okay, I am fairly new to this board but Im praying that someone can help me. I am feeling really desperate. I thought I could handle this situation on my own but the truth is I cant. I have NO friends that are transitioning and therefore, they cannot help me. My hair is falling out. After damn near 16 weeks of being post relaxer, it decides to come out in uncomfortable amounts about 2 weaks ago. Yesterday I posted for help about what and how to apply to my new growth but then I wondered would anything stop the shedding, I mean something making your new growth softer may make it weaker as well, Oh I dont know? Well the only thing I thought of was going back to relaxing, but that would defeat my purpose of being chemical free. Guys, Im really desperate. Every time I even run my fingers through my hair or comb it with even a wide tooth comb it comes out. Are there any transitioners that go or went through this and successfully limited or stopped it WITHOUT going back to relaxing. Parts of my hair are 3c my and other parts are 4a, the 4a part is shedding way more. Please, Please Please, somebody, anybody, HEEEEELLLLLLLLLPPPPPPPPPP!

By the way, I just started MSM 1000 last night....am I on the right track? I even make biotin shakes every morning (vanilla yogurt, 1 banana, honey and milk in a blender) it was recommended from another site that gave tips on keeping your hair on your head. I just started this a week ago.

 

[Zoe]

When I was trainsitioning I ALWAYS wore braids,weaves so I wouldn't lose too much of my hair...

How do you wear your hair now that u are soon to be natural

 

[inthepink]

I'm not losing a significant amount of hair. Actually probably less shedding than when I was relaxing. The reason I keep my new growth moisturized is because when I had my relaxer breakage (at the demarcation line), it occured because my hair was super dry. It's helped me to keep mine moisturized. Doesn't mean what works for me will work for you. However, I don't believe the moisture of using something like HHB will make the hair weaker. I would tend to think conditioner washing every day would cause too much softness and thus weaken the hair. Just my two cents...

Are you combing gently? Are you getting your hair detangled well? Are you managing to avoid manipulating it?

 

[dahllia]

I wear simple loose buns everyday since I joined the bun challenge... I cannot afford braids anyway. Is shedding an inevitable part of transitioning? If anyone can offer ideas that worked, I will definitely find a way to change what Im doing currently.

 

[kreeme]

Have you changed anything in your diet? Diet pills? Stress?

 

[dahllia]

[ QUOTE ]
I'm not losing a significant amount of hair. Actually probably less shedding than when I was relaxing. The reason I keep my new growth moisturized is because when I had my relaxer breakage (at the demarcation line), it occured because my hair was super dry. It's helped me to keep mine moisturized. Doesn't mean what works for me will work for you. However, I don't believe the moisture of using something like HHB will make the hair weaker. I would tend to think conditioner washing every day would cause too much softness and thus weaken the hair. Just my two cents...

Are you combing gently? Are you getting your hair detangled well? Are you managing to avoid manipulating it?

[/ QUOTE ]

Thanks Hairlove, I suppose you are right. It's just that my self reasoning skills are falling in the sink with my hair. *nervous laughter* I do comb very gently with a wide tooth comb as well as finger combing most of the time, I detangle in the shower and try to leave it alone after the bun is put in. And that daily condtioner/rinsing has definitely ended. Maybe just twice a week. Ive started doing different things this week so maybe now i will see better results as I wait for the Healthy Hair Butter.

 

[dahllia]

[ QUOTE ]
Have you changed anything in your diet? Diet pills? Stress?

[/ QUOTE ]

All changes I have made were for the better...More fruits and veggies, oatmeal, more fish, boiled eggs as opposed to scrambling with butter, my favorite. Salads loaded with colorful veggies including raw spinage, etc. My vits are Centrum liquid, flaxseed oil, codliver oil, MSM (started lastnight) I workout vigorously 5 days a week, and the only thing Im stressed out about is this semester coming up, (too many writing/research classes) My lifestyle as it is is probably why NO ONE in my fam could understand what could be wrong except the inevitable woes of transitioning. But I see now that not everyone goes through this.

 

[Brooke007]

Dahllia-What is your regime (other than wearing your loose bun), how often do you wash, protein condition, deep condition, etc? Do you use a reconstructor or other protein treatments like Aphogee? Also try to determine if your hair is shedding vs. breaking. I think this info will help the experts on board offer better solutions for you.

 

[dahllia]

Hi Brooke007, I used to condition wash or rinse every day and shampooed with Cream of Nature every Saturday. This is the first week that I will officially minimize all that. Believe it or not I put an Aphogee protein treatment in two weeks ago. Also, think its shedding AND breaking at the demarcation line, all the strands are long. Anyway, I know this topic is probably getting a little old now...Thanks to those of you who even responded. Believe me I appreciate it. Hopefull Ill work it out.

 

[DDHair]

Hi,
I have been transitioning for almost 8 months, as of September 2003. I wore braids from January-April and then crochet braids (which is very inexpensive and easy to do: just cornrow hair and then get some type of curly or wavy weave and use a hairstyling crochet needle to insert hair underneath braid and tie a knot, some people call it hair integration; you can see it in my photos, I think it is the 3rd photo). Anyway, I was just telling my best friend who has been growing her hair natural for over a year and a half, that I have not endured a lot of breakage because of transitioning. The most breakage I have had is because of my braids from Jan-April, they were invisible braids and I think they got matted up in my hair and as a result the left side of my hair is shorter than the right.

Moisture is key, to piggyback off of Hairlove. I keep my hair moisturized daily. Personally I think too much washing will not cause damage, but since natural hair gets tangled very easily, tangling can become a major problem, that's probably the only problem I have really had, but now I know that I need to moisturize a LOT before I comb or do anything. I use a spray by this company called Surge that promotes growth and stops breakage, it also helps with detangling, I also have one by Fantasia IC, they both have biotin and niacin in them. And honestly since using the moisturizing products, I have to admit that I only have "normal" shedding.

Good Luck!
Just moisturel up from root to end.

 

[Tanisha]

Don't lose hope dahllia, I've been transitioning for 8 months and depending on how damaged your hair was before you began the transition depends on how much breakage you'll have. At least it was for me. I'm 4a/b my 4a relaxer is still straight and soft and my 4b relaxed parts broke off completely and now that part is all natural but it grew very well natural.

I know what you mean about expensive braiding I recently stopped getting my braided and started getting mine done in cornrows. They're easier, less stress on your hair, less time consuming and cost much less and look just as good.

You seem to be doing everything right, but like everyone said keep your hair moistured and add Care Free Curl Moisturizer or Pink Moisturizer to your daily routine. That keeps my natural hair really moisturized and soft. I got that tip from this board.

You have to be calm and patient with your hair now that your transitioning. All your natural properties are coming back into play and your hair is just shedding all the dead hair that chemically treated. You might also want to try using a curl relaxer, like John Freida Curl Relaxer. It helps smooth the curl of your natural hair so your natural hair flows into your relaxed hair better and reduces breakage.

I hope some of this helps, Good Luck!

 

[deborah11]

i have been transitioning for 10 months. i noticed that u used an aphogee treatment 2 weeks ago and if i understand correctly this is when your hair started shedding badly. i have found that my natural hair does not like protein like my relaxed hair did. protein makes it hard , dry and brittle. u probably should lighten up on the protein and give yourself more moisturizing treatments. also when my hair started to really tangle at 6-7 months, i was frantic. biologe detangling solution is outstanding for detangling. get some right away. at months 9-10 tangles really aren't bad and breakage seems to be about normal, thank god. best wishes. hang in there.

 

[Brooke007]

Hmm. I have CO wash daily for sometime now (years) with no problems. I have only noticed a breakage problem when my hair was wet 24/7-- I mean dripping wet all the time. We know that when our hair is wet then it’s at it’s most vulnerable state and susceptible to breakage. So I solved my problem by allowing my hair to dry 60% or more before putting it up in a wet bun. Breakage can easily be dealt with. It seems to be that when breakage occurs our hair is lacking something—depending on your routine (protein or moisture) or it is over burdened with something (protein or moisture). Too much protein can make your hair brittle and break and too much conditioning can cause the hair shaft to swell and break. Examine your routine, diet and lifestyle to see if these are your culprits. I’ve read several threads on breakage so you might try a search on the board if you haven’t already. A couple that come to mind was the Motions CPR breakage recipe/regime and a routine popularized by Shamboosies which includes a deep conditioning every 4 days w/ Nexxus Humectress.

Some daily shedding is normal, right? So watch carefully over the next several days/weeks and examine the hair that is coming out. Are you balding in areas? Is your hair visibly/noticeably thinner in some areas? Are you itching? Is your scalp damaged? Could you be having an allergic reaction to a product that you are using, food that you are consuming, etc? If you’re really stressed, start keeping a daily journal listing everything you do to your hair, every product and everything you consume, collect the hair and put it in a zip lock baggie label and date the bag and take it to your dermatologist for a medical evaluation. You may discern a pattern to the amount of breakage/shedding and be able to isolate the problem (if there is one)? Good luck my dear & keep us posted.

 

[dahllia]

DDHair, thanks for your response. Moisturizing is definitely the key. By the way, your photo album is empty.

 

[dahllia]

Thanks Tanisha for your ideas and encouraging words.

 

[dahllia]

[ QUOTE ]
i have been transitioning for 10 months. i noticed that u used an aphogee treatment 2 weeks ago and if i understand correctly this is when your hair started shedding badly. i have found that my natural hair does not like protein like my relaxed hair did. protein makes it hard , dry and brittle. u probably should lighten up on the protein and give yourself more moisturizing treatments. also when my hair started to really tangle at 6-7 months, i was frantic. biologe detangling solution is outstanding for detangling. get some right away. at months 9-10 tangles really aren't bad and breakage seems to be about normal, thank god. best wishes. hang in there.

[/ QUOTE ]

Wow!! There are actually stages with this transitioning. It's much more complex than I thought. Im only at my 16th week, I hope I have any hair by the time I reach 9 months or so. I am going to buy this Biolage detangling solution and see how it works. As for the timing of the protein treatment and the problem, I sort of thought there might be a connection too, but I couldnt bring myself to believe it because protein is suppose to strengthen your hair and I hadnt had one in over a year so there was definitely no protein build up.... Go figure.

 

[dahllia]

[ QUOTE ]
start keeping a daily journal listing everything you do to your hair, every product and everything you consume, collect the hair and put it in a zip lock baggie label and date the bag and take it to your dermatologist for a medical evaluation. You may discern a pattern to the amount of breakage/shedding and be able to isolate the problem (if there is one)? Good luck my dear & keep us posted.


[/ QUOTE ]
I had been keeping a journal but I slacked off a little, thanks for the reminder.

 

[DDHair]

I made some changes to my phot album today. I don't have any of my current transitioning photos aside from the last one, but I will post soon!

 

[vanessa_gilmore]

Hi dahllia, How I came across this board is my hair was shedding and I didn't have anybody to talk to about it. I was too embarassed. The few people I had the nerve to tell was telling me I was too young to be losing my hair and that I was exagerrating. But I know how my hair was and Is supposed to be. But anyway, the wonderful ladies on this board give great advice and I took heed. I began watching what I ate. Everything I lacked I made up through supplements. I started using the wildgrowth oil whenever my scalp felt dry. I massaged my scalp by hand and with the shower water. I took a soft bristle brush and brushed everyday and when my scalp was itchy. That helped circulation and distribute the oils on my head. I see a dramatic difference in my hair. I also deep condition and leave-in every other day or when necessary. This worked for me. I hope everything works out for you.

 

[dahllia]

[ QUOTE ]
Hi dahllia, How I came across this board is my hair was shedding and I didn't have anybody to talk to about it. I was too embarassed. The few people I had the nerve to tell was telling me I was too young to be losing my hair and that I was exagerrating. But I know how my hair was and Is supposed to be. But anyway, the wonderful ladies on this board give great advice and I took heed. I began watching what I ate. Everything I lacked I made up through supplements. I started using the wildgrowth oil whenever my scalp felt dry. I massaged my scalp by hand and with the shower water. I took a soft bristle brush and brushed everyday and when my scalp was itchy. That helped circulation and distribute the oils on my head. I see a dramatic difference in my hair. I also deep condition and leave-in every other day or when necessary. This worked for me. I hope everything works out for you.

[/ QUOTE ]

Thanks Vanessa, Im pretty much doing all those things too. Today I feel better and Im sure with patience, things will work out. I want to thank you and all the other ladies who responded, I just could not get this kind of support and understanding from anyone I know except my boyfriend and my mom. The only thing they lacked was knowledge of what to do, and thats where you ladies stepped in...Much love to you all

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