Advice, please!active duty military life is taking a toll on my poor hair :(

[siick]

I've been on a HHJ for the last year or so, and it's been going great..
I recently got activated (I'm in the reserves) and will be an active duty mil. member until Nov/Dec of this year.
The only problem is that I HAVE to wear gel in my hair 5 days per week to keep flyaways at a minimum. It's been taking a serious toll on my hair.
If I use EcoStyler (which I LOVE, bc it's so gentle compared to other holding products), I don't get a hard enough hold and my hair looks wild within a couple of hours.
I've used chi infra gel which gave me helmet head and I could practically hear my little hair snapping off, lol..
I am currently using bedhead, but I'm afraid it's probably not too much better for my locks.

Short of getting extensions (braids... which would wreak havoc on my already thin edges ), IDK what to do!

I have a good short wig, but it gets hot and itchy when I run, so that's out of the question for now... and esp when summer really hits hard over here (I'm in Oceanside, CA)

Can any of you recommend anything that I could do to keep my hair healthy until I am able to go back home and cut down/out the gel altogether.

BTW:
I'm relaxed.. I use heat sparingly... once every 1-2 weeks, if at all.
My hair is currently APL. I use AG fast fast leave in and/or paul mitchell the conditioner underneath the gel whenever possible to serve as a buffer between my hair and the gel... lol IDK if that sounds silly.

I try to use deep conditioner at LEAST one time per week with either alter ego garlic condish or joico kpak reconstructor & intense hydrator

I cowash with paul mitchell's the detangler almost every night so as not to sleep with gel in my hair and I shampoo once during the week and once on the weekend.

PLEASE HELP, LADIES! erplexed

 

[diadall]

Some ladies make their own flaxseed gel. Naptural85 has a YouTube tutorial.

One of my sorors bc'd and used that really cheap brown gel to slick her hair back. She used it everyday but it had protein in it and her hair must like protein because within a year she was APL. This was more than ten years ago but it worked for her.

I have used it with water and it has not broken my hair.

 

[siick]

Is it a strong enough hold that I won't have any flyaways or have someone say something crazy to me bc my hair looks crazy after a few hours?

 

[diadall]

I am not sure about the flaxseed gel.

The brown gel however has been successful for me but it can get hard which is why I use a lot of water with it.

Also the Let's Jam tamed flyaways too.

Please keep in mind that I work in an office and my job does not require me to be physical so my hair stays in tact.

I have braids now.

 

[My Friend]

Can you get singles and leave the edges out? This way you can gel them down with flaxseed gel.

 

[siick]

Hmm.. I've been seriously considering getting single braid extensions.. I'm just worried bc I just got a relaxer a week and a half ago after a 4 month stretch. IDK if it would be wise for me to put it in extensions this soon after.

But that's not a bad idea at all.. I'm just trying to envision how it would look with the edges out. I'd still have to gel them down.

 

[diadall]

Hmm.. I've been seriously considering getting single braid extensions.. I'm just worried bc I just got a relaxer a week and a half ago after a 4 month stretch. IDK if it would be wise for me to put it in extensions this soon after.

But that's not a bad idea at all.. I'm just trying to envision how it would look with the edges out. I'd still have to gel them down.

It seems it that would be difficult...it leave edges out of braids. I can't picture it either.

 

[Haymarket]

Braid will be your friend... and you can keep it in a buns so you will be within regulation and don't have to worry about styling your hair...

 

[diadall]

Make sure you bump later for advice from others and active/former active duty members.

 

[Haymarket]

Hmm.. I've been seriously considering getting single braid extensions.. I'm just worried bc I just got a relaxer a week and a half ago after a 4 month stretch. IDK if it would be wise for me to put it in extensions this soon after.

But that's not a bad idea at all.. I'm just trying to envision how it would look with the edges out. I'd still have to gel them down.

If your hair is long enough braid (your edges) them without extensions...

 

[My Friend]

My hair is braided and my edges are out. The braids from the top of my hair cover the edges. If I want to wear a pony, I pull the braids down and then back to cover the edges. It can be done

 

[LaidBak]

Been active duty 17 years. It does present challenges to hair care. But I've never used gel (I refuse!) If I really want to lay my hair flat and make it stay there I just use butter. Either mango or shea.

On wash day I apply it generously while my hair is still damp, air dry a bit, comb/brush it back into my bun/ponytail, then tie it with a scarf and sleep on it. Elasta QP mango butter is my no-fail go to. As long as I sleep with a scarf on every night the hairs will stay down. That's even with the constant putting on and taking off of the uniform hat. The bonus is that my hair is crazy soft and moisturized when I do that, especially if its the summer. I guess the heat and butter just work to soften the hair.

 

[melissa-bee]

I was going to suggest flaxseed gel as well. I've been researching it for a while and making my first batch tonight.
You have to play about with the recipe to get the results you want. For example the average flaxseed recipe (e.g. 1/4 cup of flaxseeds to 2 cups of water) may give you light to medium hold. If you add another quarter of flaxseeds the gel will be thicker, perhaps resulting in a stronger hold
If you add honey it will give you a stronger hold. If you add xanum gum it will give slip. If you add shea butter will give more moisture. So you have to play about with it to get the results you want.

 

[skraprchik]

Braids might be the easiest way to go. I used to battle the flyways in uniform also and it lead to a lot of bobs so I didn't have to deal with the hassle. If it's only until December, I think that you can do a few rounds in different styles without having to deal with as much of a need to constantly care for your hair after your workouts.

If I'd known then what I know now I would have BC'd after basic. My hair was never so fast-growing as when I was out running daily in the summer heat.

 

[MzSwift]

Braid extensions, cornrows with your own hair styled into a bun and crochet braids.

If you crochet, your hair will be in cornrows AND you'll have access to your scalp. You can pull the hair back into a bun. You may have to buy a larger cap though. I had to buy a bigger beret for when I wore my crochet braids. My other cap was adjustable.

And, there's a lady on BHM named Wildfire who always leaves her edges out. It provides for a very natural look. She has a Fotki as well but I don't have it saved on this computer.

 

[Chameleonchick]

When I was in I wore buns or braids. I suggest you flat twist the front and bun the back. You won't have to deal with trying to slick it back into a bun for the week because your hair will be mostly flat.

 

[RayRayFurious]

I was def going to suggest wet bunning with a scarf. The scarf will lay your flyaways down. And if you leave a little conditioner in or use a good moisturizer, you should be good for at least a few days if not more.

 

[Southern Belle]

I was def going to suggest wet bunning with a scarf. The scarf will lay your flyaways down. And if you leave a little conditioner in or use a good moisturizer, you should be good for at least a few days if not more.

This is what I did every single night without fail when I was relaxed. I'd cowash, wet bun it, and tie it down.

Now that I'm natural, I'm having to rely more on braids to keep it managable enough to fit in with my PT schedule. But like you pointed out, the braids themselves come with their own set of problems (thinning edges).

How long is your hair, OP? I'm trying to imagine fly-aways on hair that's long enough to be ponytailed. Is it cut in layers or something?

 

[siick]

Make sure you bump later for advice from others and active/former active duty members.

Thank you. I will

 

[ravenhairedcharm]

Do you have to use gel everyday? Why not use a scarf to tie your hair down?

 

[curlicarib]

Oceanside = CampPen = Marine Corps? If you end up at MWTC for training over the next few months, stop by and say hi. PM me if you do and I'll give you my contact info - not that you couldn't find me. There are only three black women here. We can have lunch.

Can you do cornrows going straignt back and bun at the nape? When I was Active Duty, I kept my hair in cornrows going back (2 or more) or bunned - flyaways be damned. I used grease and water to slick back if I was in a bun. That works really well.

 

[siick]

Do you have to use gel everyday? Why not use a scarf to tie your hair down?

Yep, eevvveryday.
I wear a scarf at night, but I can't wear one in uniform. And after a while of taking my cover(hat) off and on throughout the day, gel becomes a necessity lol otherwise my hair would be all over the place (still is sometimes)

 

[siick]

Oceanside = CampPen = Marine Corps? If you end up at MWTC for training over the next few months, stop by and say hi. PM me if you do and I'll give you my contact info - not that you couldn't find me. There are only three black women here. We can have lunch.

Can you do cornrows going straignt back and bun at the nape? When I was Active Duty, I kept my hair in cornrows going back (2 or more) or bunned - flyaways be damned. I used grease and water to slick back if I was in a bun. That works really well.

Yes, marine corps
I've been to mwtc In Bridgeport? I was there last summer for a couple of weeks!

I think I may have to do cornrows every once in a while. I just don't like the way I look in them :-/ (a 12 yr old boy ..esp in cammies lol)

What kind of grease did you use? I love castor oil, but it's still not as good as gel, unfortunately.

 

[butterfly_wings]

Bun it and use aloe vera gel that you buy from organic shops, I always use this instead of regular gel it is 99.9 organic aloe vera

 

[diadall]

Bun it and use aloe vera gel that you buy from organic shops, I always use this instead of regular gel it is 99.9 organic aloe vera

I forgot about aloe vera gel and I use it too!

 

[SavannahNatural]

I would try the ORS Edge Control/Tamer whatever they call it. When my hair was shorter and I wasn't focused on getting to longer lengths I maintain an above collar bob that was within regs. Wrap my hair at night (alternating directions) or just wrap my scarf around my edges and throw my bonnet on. I made sure to take time to DC when I could and baby my edges, because the amount of sweating I would do underneath my PC would always culminate at my edges. Just be patient with your hair and don't feel you need to brush your hair to death to keep it laying flat. It's definitely possible just find a great moisturizer that provides a little bit of hold as well. The KeraCare edge control (20$) is also a great product.

HTH

 

[siick]

Bun it and use aloe vera gel that you buy from organic shops, I always use this instead of regular gel it is 99.9 organic aloe vera

I forgot about aloe vera gel and I use it too!

Oooh, so did I :X
I LOOOVE that stuff. I think I used aloe vera juice, though.. But I'm going to give the gel a shot as soon as I can get my hands on some

I would try the ORS Edge Control/Tamer whatever they call it. When my hair was shorter and I wasn't focused on getting to longer lengths I maintain an above collar bob that was within regs. Wrap my hair at night (alternating directions) or just wrap my scarf around my edges and throw my bonnet on. I made sure to take time to DC when I could and baby my edges, because the amount of sweating I would do underneath my PC would always culminate at my edges. Just be patient with your hair and don't feel you need to brush your hair to death to keep it laying flat. It's definitely possible just find a great moisturizer that provides a little bit of hold as well. The KeraCare edge control (20$) is also a great product.

HTH

Haha, I'm a total PJ & I have some of that stuff lying around somewhere.. Thank you

 

[siick]

Been active duty 17 years. It does present challenges to hair care. But I've never used gel (I refuse!) If I really want to lay my hair flat and make it stay there I just use butter. Either mango or shea.

On wash day I apply it generously while my hair is still damp, air dry a bit, comb/brush it back into my bun/ponytail, then tie it with a scarf and sleep on it. Elasta QP mango butter is my no-fail go to. As long as I sleep with a scarf on every night the hairs will stay down. That's even with the constant putting on and taking off of the uniform hat. The bonus is that my hair is crazy soft and moisturized when I do that, especially if its the summer. I guess the heat and butter just work to soften the hair.

Thank you! I'm going to look into the mango butter

This is what I did every single night without fail when I was relaxed. I'd cowash, wet bun it, and tie it down.

Now that I'm natural, I'm having to rely more on braids to keep it managable enough to fit in with my PT schedule. But like you pointed out, the braids themselves come with their own set of problems (thinning edges).

How long is your hair, OP? I'm trying to imagine fly-aways on hair that's long enough to be ponytailed. Is it cut in layers or something?

My hair is APL. It IS layered, but not on purpose :-/
The front (and a bit of the sides) has broken off and so it's shorter, which is why sockbuns/ponytails are so frustrating for me to do everyday.

 

[LaidBak]

Somebody mentioned flat twists. That's also a good idea if the USMC will allow it. I rocked this style after my setback and haircut while living overseas. The stylist added a bit of bulk hair (not much) to each twist so there would be enough to form the bun in the back. I let him use a bit of gel only on the front hairline. Totally w/i regs, totally aired out my scalp, totally unaffected by my hat. I wish that stylist were here with me stateside so I could rock it again!

 

[siick]

Somebody mentioned flat twists. That's also a good idea if the USMC will allow it. I rocked this style after my setback and haircut while living overseas. The stylist added a bit of bulk hair (not much) to each twist so there would be enough to form the bun in the back. I let him use a bit of gel only on the front hairline. Totally w/i regs, totally aired out my scalp, totally unaffected by my hat. I wish that stylist were here with me stateside so I could rock it again!

I'm going to experiment with those today. They look soo nice