Underprocessed hair like this ----~~~~~~---- how do you handle?

I have finally noticed that from my crown to the back of my hair is underprocessed. I always wondered what people meant when they say their hair looks like this -----~~~~~~~~~-----------.

After I apply my leave-ins, the comb glides smoothly on the left and right side of my head (ear to ear). But when I have to comb the back, the hair gathers together and tangles as if I'm dealing with two textures. Well, I am, right?

I believe it has been underprocessed for quite some time now. I have approximately three to four inches of ~~~~~~~~~~. These sections of underprocessed hair is not as smooth and kind of rough to the touch...just yucky IMO. No porosity conditoner, protein, moisturizing, final acv rinse, products has made it feel better.

Why has this happened?
I'm sensitive and burn easily in the nape area so my current stylist has started relaxing me in the front quadrant. Whereas, my old stylist (she moved) would start in the in the very top/crown of the back quadrant. So, I believe it was getting processed correctly like it should be.

Is there anythng I can do to make it look and feel better? Will my stylist have to go over the underprocessed hair at my next touchup (Mizani Sensitive Scalp)? Or, is that asking for trouble? I usually get a touchup between 8 to 10 weeks. I'm currently 4 weeks post.

Any suggestions would be appreciated.

I have the same exact "problem", but I think its pretty...lol..its also very very easy to straighten as well. I just deal with it so I'll bump for those who might could help.

theLovelyStyle said:

I have the same exact "problem", but I think its pretty...lol..its also very very easy to straighten as well. I just deal with it so I'll bump for those who might could help.

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Yea, I agree it is pretty when it's wet but when it dries (I airdry), it looks it's frizzy.

I have this prob too. Base really well, like for a few days leading up to your relaxer and have the stylist start in the crown and then go down, do front, sides & nape last. My stylist did this the last time I got a touch-up, and my hair was the same texture all over. I self-relaxed once and was seriuously underprocessed and also from another salon experience. But when the new stylist did this method I had an A-HA Moment.

I hated when my hair was like that, so on my next relaxer I did a corrective. But then it got bone straight which I hated because I have thin hair. So I big chopped and now I'm natural.

i have this prob. overlapping didn't help. i'm just dealing with it until the bkt gets it straight out of the shower

It seems that whenever I have underprocessed sections (especially in my crown area) my hair is very easy to break off. It's weird. It'll be fine during my relaxer stretch, but if I relax and my crown is underprocessed I have to be extremely careful and keep that area moisturized. I apply a retouch relaxer a week or so later if it's extremely underprocessed.

complexsimplicity said:

I kinda have this issue as well but it doesn't bug me because all I care about is the fact that it's more manageable than it was before I relaxed. And then when I relax again there's usually a bit of overlap so that previously underprocessed hair is now bone straight while my new growth will still have a bit of wave to it.​

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I don't quite understand how the underprocessed hair is more manageable before you relaxed. Sorry for being a little slow. I'm just trying to see your point since I'm missing it.

me-T said:

i have this prob. overlapping didn't help. i'm just dealing with it until the bkt gets it straight out of the shower

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What is bkt? Do you mean those brazilian keratin treatment?

me-T said:

i have this prob. overlapping didn't help. i'm just dealing with it until the bkt gets it straight out of the shower

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Golden75 said:

I have this prob too. Base really well, like for a few days leading up to your relaxer and have the stylist start in the crown and then go down, do front, sides & nape last. My stylist did this the last time I got a touch-up, and my hair was the same texture all over. I self-relaxed once and was seriuously underprocessed and also from another salon experience. But when the new stylist did this method I had an A-HA Moment.

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That's what I was thinking as another option as well.

*Muffin* said:

It seems that whenever I have underprocessed sections (especially in my crown area) my hair is very easy to break off. It's weird. It'll be fine during my relaxer stretch, but if I relax and my crown is underprocessed I have to be extremely careful and keep that area moisturized. I apply a retouch relaxer a week or so later if it's extremely underprocessed.

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See, that's what I'm concerned about the breakage when I have to comb/finger comb thru this area. It seems like hair gathers when combing and the comb gets stuck once the comb hits the straight hair.

simplyhair said:

What is bkt? Do you mean those brazilian keratin treatment?

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yes ma'am

I have this exact same problem, all over. Which is why I look a hot mess when I airdry loose. I just deal with it, I'm scared to correct it.

Sorry OP, I have no idea what you need to do. This is one reason I don't miss relaxers. I don't know if there's ever a way to avoid overlap or underprocessing. I mean, can humans really nail the exact point where one texture ends and another starts so that there's absolutely no overlap? I think just to what extreme it is done determines how badly it'll affect your hair. I think there are some people who under process their hair at every touch up so that they can risk overlap and just know they won't weaken their hair too much. Not sure how that works, but I seem to recall someone who does that.

Maybe you can rollerset with a serum when you want it to look all smooth and the same. Applying a serum to damp relaxed hair and then rollersetting or passing a warm iron can give you smooth hair like you won't believe. Because a serum does SEAL, I would suggest DCing very well, and then when you rinse, applying it to your damp hair. I think you will love how your hair will feel, especially if you apply some heat (even from a dryer/rollerset). Otherwise just wear braidouts/bantu knotouts/twistouts the other time. If you apply a serum before you braid, you'll get a smooth finish too. How about Saran wrapping with a serum? (BTW, I've never bothered to read how the Saran wrap smoothing technique works so I am probably talking out my a$$.)

simplyhair said:

I don't quite understand how the underprocessed hair is more manageable before you relaxed. Sorry for being a little slow. I'm just trying to see your point since I'm missing it.

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If you have curly hair and you texlax, which is basically what underprocessing is, you sorta kinda straighten the hair a little so that it isn't tightly curled. That makes running a comb through it easier. If your hair is 4B you won't type 3 hair but you will get wavy hair that looks fairly straight, just not silky. And that hair is easier to comb than shrunken coily hair.

^yeah nonie, i forgot to say that all i really wear right now are bantu & braidouts

My hair is like that just on one side. It happened after I relaxed for the first time after a few years. It doesn't bother me because I roller set anyway (wet or dry). As long as it's healthy I don't care about the wave/straight pattern. I'll only do a corrective relaxer on underprocessed roots (and only once). I would never do one on the length.

My last stretch was 27 weeks and I have about 4 inches that are under-processed, it doesn't bother me at all. I just keep it moisturized (weekly DC's, co-washing, air drying)...I'm actually tempted to keep texlaxing

My hair is like this in the back. Even after my stylist attempted a corrective...I still have some underprocessed areas. And later doing my first self-relaxer didn't help either. Right now I am just dealing with it, but I may try another corrective this summer...IDK.

So, everyone that has this texture pattern or issue, when you airdry, isn't it noticeable? I mean, the ~~~~ hair. I could see if my hair dried with a nice little curl/pincurl. But it doesn't. I looks more like those ladies we see outside of LHCF and their hair looks fried...eureka moment.

That's it...that's what I'm trying to convey. The hair that is underprocessed looks like I have flat ironed to high heaven without any heat protectant. And, that's what it feels like...just dry and brittle (it's not really brittle though). I may be exaggerating some but I notice it when I look and feel it. Therefore, it raises a red flag like, WHOA, something is not right .

So, now that I've had the light bulb go off to describe it, does anyone else's hair feel and look like what I just described?

To deal with it, should I just find a better moisturizing deep conditioner to help soften the underprocessed hair?

Nonie said:

Sorry OP, I have no idea what you need to do. This is one reason I don't miss relaxers. I don't know if there's ever a way to avoid overlap or underprocessing. I mean, can humans really nail the exact point where one texture ends and another starts so that there's absolutely no overlap? I think just to what extreme it is done determines how badly it'll affect your hair. I think there are some people who under process their hair at every touch up so that they can risk overlap and just know they won't weaken their hair too much. Not sure how that works, but I seem to recall someone who does that.

Maybe you can rollerset with a serum when you want it to look all smooth and the same. Applying a serum to damp relaxed hair and then rollersetting or passing a warm iron can give you smooth hair like you won't believe. Because a serum does SEAL, I would suggest DCing very well, and then when you rinse, applying it to your damp hair. I think you will love how your hair will feel, especially if you apply some heat (even from a dryer/rollerset). Otherwise just wear braidouts/bantu knotouts/twistouts the other time. If you apply a serum before you braid, you'll get a smooth finish too. How about Saran wrapping with a serum? (BTW, I've never bothered to read how the Saran wrap smoothing technique works so I am probably talking out my a$$.)

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I will definitely try this and see how it goes.

simplyhair said:

So, everyone that has this texture pattern or issue, when you airdry, isn't it noticeable? I mean, the ~~~~ hair. I could see if my hair dried with a nice little curl/pincurl. But it doesn't. I looks more like those ladies we see outside of LHCF and their hair looks fried...eureka moment.

That's it...that's what I'm trying to convey. The hair that is underprocessed looks like I have flat ironed to high heaven without any heat protectant. And, that's what it feels like...just dry and brittle (it's not really brittle though). I may be exaggerating some but I notice it when I look and feel it. Therefore, it raises a red flag like, WHOA, something is not right .

So, now that I've had the light bulb go off to describe it, does anyone else's hair feel and look like what I just described?

To deal with it, should I just find a better moisturizing deep conditioner to help soften the underprocessed hair?

Click to expand...

Yes, that's about it. And I would leave the heat alone all together, DC or no DC... But that's just me.

simplyhair said:

So, everyone that has this texture pattern or issue, when you airdry, isn't it noticeable? I mean, the ~~~~ hair. I could see if my hair dried with a nice little curl/pincurl. But it doesn't. I looks more like those ladies we see outside of LHCF and their hair looks fried...eureka moment.

That's it...that's what I'm trying to convey. The hair that is underprocessed looks like I have flat ironed to high heaven without any heat protectant. And, that's what it feels like...just dry and brittle (it's not really brittle though). I may be exaggerating some but I notice it when I look and feel it. Therefore, it raises a red flag like, WHOA, something is not right .

So, now that I've had the light bulb go off to describe it, does anyone else's hair feel and look like what I just described?

To deal with it, should I just find a better moisturizing deep conditioner to help soften the underprocessed hair?

Click to expand...

Mine doesn't look like damaged hair when airdried...it does feel roughER than my other hair, but not necessarily rough, if that makes sense. I rarely wear my hair straight, and when I do its mainly using the caruso rollers on airdried hair and it comes out really nice. I do struggle with rollersetting with it because if the tension isn't SUPER tight...forget it. So to answer your question, for me...I don't notice that the underprocessed hair looks bad, just different.

I actually like the fullness it gives when airdried, bc when I bun, its SO big. And I really like that.

EbonyCPrincess said:

Mine doesn't look like damaged hair when airdried...it does feel roughER than my other hair, but not necessarily rough, if that makes sense. I rarely wear my hair straight, and when I do its mainly using the caruso rollers on airdried hair and it comes out really nice. I do struggle with rollersetting with it because if the tension isn't SUPER tight...forget it. So to answer your question, for me...I don't notice that the underprocessed hair looks bad, just different.

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Yea, I think I'm going a little overboard in my mind about my hair. Folks like me tend to panic and scream 911 on here .

NIN4eva said:

Yes, that's about it. And I would leave the heat alone all together, DC or no DC... But that's just me.

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Now, I have to find a good moisturizing DC.

Hey OP,

Just received your pm...

My under-processed ng looks crinkly when I air dry but it's very soft because it's well moisturized. It blends well with textured styles like braid outs, fexi rod sets, etc..

I DC with Silicon Mix (the original) weekly (SILICON MIX definitely makes stretching 10x easier & keeps ng/underprocessed hair moisturized)
I co-wash 1-2x a week
Air dry in 6-8 plaits (when I'm ready to go out I rock an updo braid out)
M&S daily (I use Darcy's Botanicals Coconut Lemongrass Transitioning Creme)

*Before each wash/co-wash I pre-poo with Suave Tropical Coconut Conditioner for 1-2 hrs no heat (this helps detangle and soften my hair after old braid outs)

*I also do a Aphogee Two-Step treatment every 6-8 (this helps keep the hair and line of demarcation strong) hth

nymane said:

Hey OP,

Just received your pm...

My under-processed ng looks crinkly when I air dry but it's very soft because it's well moisturized. It blends well with textured styles like braid outs, fexi rod sets, etc..

I DC with Silicon Mix (the original) weekly (SILICON MIX definitely makes stretching 10x easier & keeps ng/underprocessed hair moisturized)
I co-wash 1-2x a week
Air dry in 6-8 plaits (when I'm ready to go out I rock an updo braid out)
M&S daily (I use Darcy's Botanicals Coconut Lemongrass Transitioning Creme)

*Before each wash/co-wash I pre-poo with Suave Tropical Coconut Conditioner for 1-2 hrs no heat (this helps detangle and soften my hair after old braid outs)

*I also do a Aphogee Two-Step treatment every 6-8 (this helps keep the hair and line of demarcation strong) hth

Click to expand...

This is almost exactly like my regimen. The only differences being...

I air dry with my edges and the top of my head tied down with a satin scarf, then when it's about 80% dry I do a roller set adding more moisturizer and sealing my ends again with a little oil or serum. I don't roller set it in front of the mirror or anything since I'm not going for anything precise. I just want it all to be uniform.

I use Nexxuss Humectress or Aussie moist instead of Sauve, and I don't know what M&S is. But I'll tell ya'll, I'd would marry Silicon Mix if I could

NIN4eva said:

This is almost exactly like my regimen. The only differences being...

I air dry with my edges and the top of my head tied down with a satin scarf, then when it's about 80% dry I do a roller set adding more moisturizer and sealing my ends again with a little oil or serum. I don't roller set it in front of the mirror or anything since I'm not going for anything precise. I just want it all to be uniform.

I use Nexxuss Humectress or Aussie moist instead of Sauve, and I don't know what M&S is. But I'll tell ya'll, I'd would marry Silicon Mix if I could

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Haha I know right I always have my big 60oz jar handy! M&S= Moisture & Seal

I forgot to add that I tie my hair down with a scarf for maybe 15-20mins just to flatten the ng.

Every time I relaxed, I'd end up underprocessing anyway so I just figured what the hell. Now I'm texlaxed all over with just an inch of bone straight ends. I LOVE my texlaxed hair even though its sooooo thick, but much easier to run a comb through.

I have a section of hair in the back that has been underprocessed for a while, so I know how you feel. No matter how much I moisturized, it was always dry to the touch. My new stylist ran the relaxer down to this underprocessed area during my last touchup (the last 5 minutes only...and she only used her fingers, no comb). I think it smoothed it out a bit more, so I'm happier with my hair. I prefer to air dry, but I'd been having such a difficult time with the two textures. I started using an oil-based moisturizer to air dry with. The last two times that I have air dried, I have really liked the results.

Good luck!

I had this same problem really badly last year and it ended up being a setback for me. I eventually got a corrective and my hair is much easier to handle now that it's all one texture.