Well I think I am going to cut my hair and start over

[luvmesumhair]

Ladies, I need your support... **Kinda Long**

Unfortunately I think I am going to have to cut my hair because my last touch up made my hair overprocessed. (my last t/u was 4/26) My hair does not feel the same anymore. It feels really rough and dry. The part that was originally UNDERPROCESSED is REALLY damaged now. (I had my friend try to do a corrective on that part and now it is rough and popping off with the slightest pull) And while she was doing the corrective, I believe the perm stayed on my hair for at least 30 min

I brougth a steamer (only did one treatment with a moisturizing conditioner) and still feels rough. My ends are even frizzy when I airdry. I am so depressed. All this hard work down the drain. I have been keeping it in a ponytail wrapped around in a bun because I do not even want to look or have to deal with it anymore. Yet and still I am torn between cutting it or trying to save it. That is if it can be saved. I have been searching the board to see if anyone had a similar problem like mines and if they were able to save their hair but so far none. All I have seen was that there was nothing else that could be done to save the hair but to cut it off and start over.

I tell you one thing, If I do cut it (which I am thinking about doing this weekend) I will NEVER EVER let my friend or any friend for that matter give me a touch up. I will just go to a beautician for my touch ups but take care of my hair myself until my next touch ups. I do not trust myself to do a touch up because I do not want to have to deal with underprocessed hair and trying to correct it again. I have the knowlege and tools now to keep my hair healthy if I do cut it off and start over thanks to all the ladies here on this board. I am just a little worried that being that I am forty now, will my hair grow the same and retain the thickness I had achieved during my journey.

Oh I forgot to mention, I am thinking about getting braids (tree baids to be exact. The tree braids in the front and weave in the back) by the end of June because I am going away on VAC. So I think this will be a good time to cut it. What do you think?

I do not know ladies...what should I do???

Damaged hair>>>>>>>>>Damaged ends

 

[Je Ne Sais Quoi]

I am super sorry! Have you tried doing an aphogee or protein treatment? How much do you think you will need to cut? Maybe it's just a few inches hopefully.

 

[luvmesumhair]

I am super sorry! Have you tried doing an aphogee or protein treatment? How much do you think you will need to cut? Maybe it's just a few inches hopefully.

Thanks sweetie. No, I did not do a Aphogee or protein treatment. I was told to stay away from protein if I was trying to get moisture back into my hair. my hair is dry enough and putting protein in it will probably make it dryier.

 

[lunabelle]

I know exactly what you're going through. This happened to me last summer, when I tried the Mizani Butter Blends. I was so underprocessed it was ridiculous! My hair was so dry and frizzy, i never wanted to wear it down because it didn't look right. Don't cut it. Give it some time. It took a couple of months before my hair got back right. I made sure to keep my hair moisturized and alternated every week with light proteins like Aphogee 2 Min recon. Roux Porosity Control and ORS were a life saver for me. Just give it some time. I hope everything works out ok.

 

[wheezy807]

Thanks sweetie. No, I did not do a Aphogee or protein treatment. I was told to stay away from protein if I was trying to get moisture back into my hair. my hair is dry enough and putting protein in it will probably make it dryier.

Yea, i was just about to say that if it's already rough and dry...
Well if it were me i would just incorporate weekly moisturizing deep conditioning into my regimen. I wouldn't cut it, i would do this for a while and see if i can put back some moisture. I'm so sorry this has happened to you. **HUGS**

 

[Firefly]

My heart is breaking for you. I don't think that I would cut it yet. I think that you should really, really baby it and maybe try a protein treatment like Bre Bre suggested. Give it extra gentle care and some time to work and then make a decision. If you need to cut after that, then you should cut but you may not need to cut as much as you think (you may not need to cut at all). Also, if you do have to cut, don't worry about your age. I did enough worrying for both of us (I'll be 43 this year) and my hair is in the best shape of my adult life. I'll pray for you and don't give up, just have patience.

 

[locabouthair]

PLEASE don't cut!

I think your hair looks fine. If that area is breaking off try to baby it.

I would understand you wanted to cut it if your hair was really see through but it's not. It's nice and thick. Maybe you can trim like an inch.

I really don't see damage.

 

[luvmesumhair]

I know exactly what you're going through. This happened to me last summer, when I tried the Mizani Butter Blends. I was so underprecessed it was ridiculous! My hair was so dry and frizzy, i never wanted to wear it down because it didn't look right. Don't cut it. Give it some time. It took a couple of months before my hair got back right. I made sure to keep my hair moisturized and alternated every week with light proteins like Aphogee 2 Min recon. Roux Porosity Control and ORS were a life saver for me. Just give it some time. I hope everything works out ok.

Thanks sweetie but I see that you were underprocessed. I am overprocessed. And I hear that there is no recovery for that.

 

[luvmesumhair]

Yea, i was just about to say that if it's already rough and dry...
Well if it were me i would just incorporate weekly moisturizing deep conditioning into my regimen. I wouldn't cut it, i would do this for a while and see if i can put back some moisture. I'm so sorry this has happened to you. **HUGS**

Thanks sweetie. I will see...

 

[luvmesumhair]

My heart is breaking for you. I don't think that I would cut it yet. I think that you should really, really baby it and maybe try a protein treatment like Bre Bre suggested. Give it extra gentle care and some time to work and then make a decision. If you need to cut after that, then you should cut but you may not need to cut as much as you think (you may not need to cut at all). Also, if you do have to cut, don't worry about your age. I did enough worrying for both of us (I'll be 43 this year) and my hair is in the best shape of my adult life. I'll pray for you and don't give up, just have patience.

Thanks and thanks for giving me some hope regarding my age!

 

[luvmesumhair]

PLEASE don't cut!

I think your hair looks fine. If that area is breaking off try to baby it.

I would understand you wanted to cut it if your hair was really see through but it's not. It's nice and thick. Maybe you can trim like an inch.

I really don't see damage.

Thanks Loca but looks can be decieving. It may look fine but it feels totally different. Not soft at all anymore. Eveny my underprocessed part of my hair(which is in the middle of my strands) was soft. Not now...

 

[CHEEKQUEEN]

Don't cut it. I think some extra TLC should do the trick. I know you can do it!

 

[la mosca]

Sorry to hear this, luvmesumhair! There's an old thread that discusses what it calls a "special emergency procedure for destroyed hair." I'll bump it for you, in case you're interested. I hope you can save your hair!

 

[CHECKMATE!]

sorry to hear this...I've beenthere as well...try clipping your ends gradually (thats what i did) it took about 2yrs to reverse the issue,but i did so with BC'ing...atleast it wont be so dramatic a change for u...it will turn around HHG

 

[luvmesumhair]

Don't cut it. I think some extra TLC should do the trick. I know you can do it!

Thanks CheekQueen

Sorry to hear this, luvmesumhair! There's an old thread that discusses what it calls a "special emergency procedures for destroyed hair." I'll bump it for you, in case you're interested. I hope you can save your hair!

Thank you!

 

[DaRealist]

I agree that you shouldn't cut. What I recommend is finding a salon that does consultations and going in for one to talk to a stylist and let him/her look and your hair and see what they say.

Sometimes we tend to be harder on our hair and think the worst. Once I thought my hair was so damaged and when I went to the salon, the stylist said my hair wasn't damaged, just needed balance in terms of moisture and protein. After a few weeks/months things were back to normal. Go for a consultation and see what they recommend. Don't say anything about what you think is going in, just listen and ask questions. Like if they say your hair is overly dry, as them what they would do to correct the problem. Interview them as though you will be hiring them to care for your hair. You very well may be, but do the interview with them first.

 

[mrsjohnson75]

How much do you think you need to cut off.... because based on the pics I can't see where its damaged.

I don't think you should cut it.

I just think you should give it some TLC. Deep conditioning weekly, moisturizing daily, and low manipulation.

 

[luvmesumhair]

I agree that you shouldn't cut. What I recommend is finding a salon that does consultations and going in for one to talk to a stylist and let him/her look and your hair and see what they say.

Sometimes we tend to be harder on our hair and think the worst. Once I thought my hair was so damaged and when I went to the salon, the stylist said my hair wasn't damaged, just needed balance in terms of moisture and protein. After a few weeks/months things were back to normal. Go for a consultation and see what they recommend. Don't say anything about what you think is going in, just listen and ask questions. Like if they say your hair is overly dry, as them what they would do to correct the problem. Interview them as though you will be hiring them to care for your hair. You very well may be, but do the interview with them first.

Good point. Thanks.

 

[luvmesumhair]

How much do you think you need to cut off.... because based on the pics I can't see where its damaged.

I don't think you should cut it.

I just think you should give it some TLC. Deep conditioning weekly, moisturizing daily, and low manipulation.

I am thinking like 4 or 5 inches.

 

[CenteredGirl]

Wow, your hair looks great to me, but i feel you and you know your hair best.

The good news is that it does grow! Your hair will be long in a short time because of your hair care practices.

Good job recognizing the damage. I myself in the past would be tried and tried to beat a dead horse all for the sake of length. That is a definite mistake.

Keep us posted. I admire you very very much.

 

[luvmesumhair]

sorry to hear this...I've beenthere as well...try clipping your ends gradually (thats what i did) it took about 2yrs to reverse the issue,but i did so with BC'ing...atleast it wont be so dramatic a change for u...it will turn around HHG

Thanks sweetie. I just might do that!

 

[simplycee]

I don't think you shouild cut BUT I do think a protein is needed if your hair is snapping off. If your hair does not like the hardcore proteins then try the 2 min Aphogee Reconstructer and follow that with a very moisturizing con.

Here's the regemin I would suggest: Wash a minimum of once a week but every three days would be better, deep con weekly WITH heat for at least 20 mins rotating between a light protein and a moisturizing con, use protective styling, moisturize daily and avoid direct heat. Try this for the next 8 weeks. And if you still feel the same way about your hair then consider a cut. This worked for me when I thought I was overprocessed by a no lye relaxer.

 

[jturner7156]

I wouldn't cut either. I would do an Aphogee protein treatment, deep condition with a domincan condtioner that specializes in permed hair (that has great ingredients of course), then rollerset my hair and you may notice a difference after that!

 

[prospurr4]

I'm so sorry you are going thru this situation with your hair. About 2-1/2 years ago, I seriously overprocessed the back of my hair by leaving a relaxer on for too long. The parts of my hair that didn't just break off was soo brittle and damaged. I dealt with it by DCing weekly with Motions Moisture Plus, along with little trims until all the damage was gone. I stayed away from protein because my hair does not require much protein, and I was already using a semi-permanent color that contained protein...moisture was my hair's best friend.

So, I agree with the ladies who say that if you have to cut, maybe you can do it gradually. Regarding regrowing your hair, I know everyone is different, but I just made my 48th birthday, and my hair is the longest/thickest EVER!

I wish you success in whatever you decide to do.

 

[hopeful]

Don't cut it. Give it some time and try out some of the ideas you've gotten here, sounds like you've gotten lots of good ideas and advice. You have a really nice length and even though you may feel better getting rid of some of the damage, I think you will be saddened about losing so much length. I would baby it all summer and make a decision in the fall and then I would still only cut it in increments. I would only do a major cut if I were going natural or if I really liked short hair and thought I looked great with short or long hair. Also I loved your 40th b-day pics--you look awesome chica, I'm in my 40's too.

 

[luvmesumhair]

I don't think you shouild cut BUT I do think a protein is needed if your hair is snapping off. If your hair does not like the hardcore proteins then try the 2 min Aphogee Reconstructer and follow that with a very moisturizing con.

Here's the regemin I would suggest: Wash a minimum of once a week but every three days would be better, deep con weekly WITH heat for at least 20 mins rotating between a light protein and a moisturizing con, use protective styling, moisturize daily and avoid direct heat. Try this for the next 8 weeks. And if you still feel the same way about your hair then consider a cut. This worked for me when I thought I was overprocessed by a no lye relaxer.

Really??? Hummm

 

[luvmesumhair]

I'm so sorry you are going thru this situation with your hair. About 2-1/2 years ago, I seriously overprocessed the back of my hair by leaving a relaxer on for too long. The parts of my hair that didn't just break off was soo brittle and damaged. I dealt with it by DCing weekly with Motions Moisture Plus, along with little trims until all the damage was gone. I stayed away from protein because my hair does not require much protein, and I was already using a semi-permanent color that contained protein...moisture was my hair's best friend.

So, I agree with the ladies who say that if you have to cut, maybe you can do it gradually. Regarding regrowing your hair, I know everyone is different, but I just made my 48th birthday, and my hair is the longest/thickest EVER!

I wish you success in whatever you decide to do.

Awwww Thanks Sweetie for your advice and support!

 

[luvmesumhair]

Don't cut it. Give it some time and try out some of the ideas you've gotten here, sounds like you've gotten lots of good ideas and advice. You have a really nice length and even though you may feel better getting rid of some of the damage, I think you will be saddened about losing so much length. I would baby it all summer and make a decision in the fall and then I would still only cut it in increments. I would only do a major cut if I were going natural or if I really liked short hair and thought I looked great with short or long hair. Also I loved your 40th b-day pics--you look awesome chica, I'm in my 40's too.

Thank you and Thanks for the compliment!

 

[luvmesumhair]

Ladies I really want to think you soooo much for your support and advice. I am not going to cut my hair. (well maybe my ends...MAYBE)I will wait. At least until the Fall (Sept/Oct).

I know I should give it some time. We will see.

 

[Whimsy]

don't do anything!!!!
no scissors NO NO NO

try to treat it
nurse it back to health
protein
conditioning
TIME
no heat

be good to your hair for a few months and see what happens
maybe just a trimmy trim would be necessary