Seriously I don’t know what my hair needs…

Kinkyhairlady · Sep 1, 2011

I have read several pages on how to determine if the hair needs moisture or protein and I’ve tried both and my hair is still breaking. Some are the ends and others mid shaft. I have to do something so that all of it does not break off. I have heat damage and I am guessing those are the areas that are breaking, not sure. I did the emergence treatment about 2 weeks ago and still breakage, so I did the Giovanni smooth moisture treatment and still breakage. What is suppose to stop it right away? This weekend I’m just going to go back to Cathy Howse but not sure if that will make a difference either. Help!

I Am So Blessed · Sep 1, 2011

what about a trim?

NappyNelle · Sep 1, 2011

Need more info. How are you wearing your hair daily? What products are you using? Do you moisturize and seal daily? When was your last trim?

Kinkyhairlady · Sep 1, 2011

AdoraAdora24 said:
what about a trim?

No because before my heat damage my hair was not breaking at all and when I went to get my hair pressesed she dusted the ends so it is def not a trim.

Kinkyhairlady · Sep 1, 2011

NappyNelle said:
Need more info. How are you wearing your hair daily? What products are you using? Do you moisturize and seal daily? When was your last trim?

I've just been twisting my hair and yeah I put the Cathy howse moisturizer and seal with coconut oil. I wash with the Giovanni Moisture smooth line and use their leave in as well. I am doing everything right but I know the heat damage is the culprit just don't know how the heck to stop it.

NappyNelle · Sep 1, 2011

Darn. Does your hair like cowashing? I would try another deep conditioning session with Gio SAS, and then a protein balanced treatment with Aubrey GPB.

Bublin · Sep 1, 2011

Have you thought of using a light protein every wash day? - inbetween your shampoo and your deep condition.

Damaged but not out · Sep 1, 2011

Well if its breaking mid shaft, you might have to seriously think about getting a major trim.

Kinkyhairlady · Sep 1, 2011

Damaged but not out said:
Well if its breaking mid shaft, you might have to seriously think about getting a major trim.

I was hoping I did not have to. This is all the stylist fault! I'm not cutting, there has to be a solution.

Kinkyhairlady · Sep 1, 2011

NappyNelle said:
Darn. Does your hair like cowashing? I would try another deep conditioning session with Gio SAS, and then a protein balanced treatment with Aubrey GPB.

No my scalp gets dirty with buildup so I can't do co washing. I might check out Aubrey organics.

Bublin · Sep 1, 2011

I had major breakage mid shaft and it was because of my abusing blowdryers and irons.
I have now completely cut out heat and my short hairs are growing in.

A few months back, if i parted my hair down the centre i would have a spikey halo and they couldn't be gelled down. Slowly but surely my hair is no looking smoother, so you don't have to cut all your hair off if heat damage is your issue.

NIN4eva · Sep 1, 2011

As a last resort, I would suggest an Aphogee treatment if you are not protein sensitive. That will stop breakage in it's tracks if your problem isn't too much protein already...

Does your hair have any elasticity? Is it dry, hard and breaking? Or does it look and feel fine but it's still breaking?

StarScream35 · Sep 1, 2011

I know this may seem a bit over the top but you might want to consider seeing a dermatologist or a trichologist. Preferably a trichologist since they are specialized. Sometimes you could be doing all the right things and there could be other underlying issues. It's hard to tell...............hair is so unique and different. I would say your hair sounds like it's dry but then I'm not sure. We do know for a fact something is causing it to become weakened but what it is, we just don't know. My only other suggestion is try different things, products and then keep a hair journal and see how your hair responds to those products and or changes. Then look back through it at the end of the week to see if you spot something that stands out.

PJaye · Sep 1, 2011

It seems as if all of the products you mentioned contain some form of protein (the Giovanni SAS and UBH), or aid in the retention of protein (the EVCO), which may be causing breakage.

Try temporarily excising proteins, protein-like and protein sympathetic ingredients from your regimen and incorporate more moisturizing products. I would also advise that you do a lot of deep conditioning, at least weekly, using a quality moisturizing DC that does not contain any proteins – soy, keratin, collagen, silk - or cholesterols (however, wheat and oat proteins are fine).

After a few intensive moisturizing treatments, your breakage should subside. HTH.

Kinkyhairlady · Sep 1, 2011

NIN4eva said:
As a last resort, I would suggest an Aphogee treatment if you are not protein sensitive. That will stop breakage in it's tracks if your problem isn't too much protein already...

Does your hair have any elasticity? Is it dry, hard and breaking? Or does it look and feel fine but it's still breaking?

I'm noticing it is thinnig now very limp. some of the strands just snap and others are very elastic it is odd. this is why I am lost cause I don't think my whole head is affect.

Kinkyhairlady · Sep 1, 2011

PJaye said:
It seems as if all of the products you mentioned contain some form of protein (the Giovanni SAS and UBH), or aid in the retention of protein (the EVCO), which may be causing breakage.

Try temporarily excising proteins, protein-like and protein sympathetic ingredients from your regimen and incorporate more moisturizing products. I would also advise that you do a lot of deep conditioning, at least weekly, using a quality moisturizing DC that does not contain any proteins – soy, keratin, collagen, silk - or cholesterols (however, wheat and oat proteins are fine).

After a few intensive moisturizing treatments, your breakage should subside. HTH.

PJaye

do you have any suggestions? I don't think I know any moisturizer that does not have protein in it.

My stylist did mention my hair was very dry and she put Affirm 5 n 1 in it but doesn't that have protein? if not i will go search for it.

Bublin · Sep 1, 2011

Bee Mine has lots of products that don't contain protein. I have just received my samples and look forward to trying them.

yodie · Sep 1, 2011

OP, I seem to have the same problems that you do. Even after many years on this board, my hair still has not flourished. I also have mid shaft breakage, wore twists, go to a stlists, and not really sure whether or not I need/don't need protein. My hair is fine and now limp in a lot of places. I noticed that some of my strands have this thin white spot where the hair is usually weakest. Nonie explained this to me awhile back. I believe its when water boils and explodes within the strand. Caused by using high heat on wet hair.

I love my stylist. He blow dries my hair better tha anyone has ever done before, but my strands take a serious beating. Good looking hair isn't worth it, especially since i don't do reg light protein traments. His heavy handed blow drying worked better when I used a moisture/protein balance condish.

I also noticed that my hair started growing thicker, stronger and just growing perod, with msm. Obviously I'm deficient in something.

My solution:
Going to see a Trichologist and getting my scalp examined. I'm also going to see an Endocrinologist this month. Oh, I have a half sew in to give my hair a rest. Can't let stylist blow dry my hair anymore. Its not worth it.

Sorry to ramble

PJaye · Sep 1, 2011

Kinkyhairlady said:
@PJaye

do you have any suggestions? I don't think I know any moisturizer that does not have protein in it.

My stylist did mention my hair was very dry and she put Affirm 5 n 1 in it but doesn't that have protein? if not i will go search for it.

Both Kinky Curly Knot Today and Yes to Cucumbers Leave-in are decent leave-ins/moisturizers; if you don’t mind ordering online, I highly recommend Darcy’s Botanicals Peach Kernel Hydrating Milk, Transitioning Crème and Daily Leave-in.

What are you planning to use as your moisturizing DC?

Kinkyhairlady · Sep 1, 2011

PJaye said:
Both Kinky Curly Knot Today and Yes to Cucumbers Leave-in are decent leave-ins/moisturizers; if you don’t mind ordering online, I highly recommend Darcy’s Botanicals Peach Kernel Hydrating Milk, Transitioning Crème and Daily Leave-in.

What are you planning to use as your moisturizing DC?

PJaye

I think I have a good moisturizing leave in, its the Giovanni Leave in but its called Moisture something. I need a moisturizing deep conditioner.

PJaye · Sep 1, 2011

Kinkyhairlady said:
@PJaye

I think I have a good moisturizing leave in, its the Giovanni Leave in but its called Moisture something. I need a moisturizing deep conditioner.

I believe that the Giovanni Leave-in also has protein in it, if I'm not mistaken - soy protein. Still, double check the ingredients just to make sure.

A very good "on the ground" protein-free moisturizing DC is Kenra Moisturizing Conditioner; some good online moisturizing DCs can be found on Shescentit.com.

JazzyOleBabe · Sep 1, 2011

Can I make a suggestion/observation? Take the coconut oil out of the regimen for a minute. You may be having a reaction to it. I know that I cannot use coconut oil for some of the reasons that you have listed. Try another oil to seal.

Kinkyhairlady · Sep 1, 2011

JazzyOleBabe said:
Can I make a suggestion/observation? Take the coconut oil out of the regimen for a minute. You may be having a reaction to it. I know that I cannot use coconut oil for some of the reasons that you have listed. Try another oil to seal.

Oh really? I won't put it anymore. I'm mad cause I confused, my hair was fine but I had to get a press. Smh

Damaged but not out · Sep 1, 2011

So your hair was fine before the press.

Its heat damage. If the hard protein doesn't work, get a trim. Not an inch or anything drastic start small 1/4 inch every 4-6 months till the damage is gone

I held onto some damaged ends for a yr, it didnt help me. I finally gave up (13 months) later) and had to cut off an inch, by that time the damage had spread from the original 1/2 inch of damage. 3 trims later(yes 3!) its finally gone. '
Sometimes you gotta just let it go for overall health.

Chevelure618 · Sep 1, 2011

We had a client like that. She thought she was safe because she is natural so she thought her hair could take flat-ironing every other week. Then the mid-strand snapping started. She needed to stop the flat-ironing and do a natural style. I say err on the side of moisture. UBH Satin Creme is good. Put a lot on and then co-wash it out every 3 days or so. EVCO is a good idea too. Just baby it. Use your hands and fingers...not a comb or brush. Put it up in a messy updo. Forget combing...just make sure it is dematted. HTH

NaturalEnigma · Sep 1, 2011

I think you need to use products consistently in order to see an improvement in your hair. When my hair used to break when I was relaxed it took a long time (weeks to months) for my hair to turn around. If you hair is damaged one protein treatment or one moisturizing treatment is not going to stop all your breakage. If you keep a consistent regimen, your hair will eventually break less and less over time until you get to a point where you have no breakage. Don't switch up your regimen too much, that'll just confuse you, and make it hard to find out what's wrong. I suggest you use both a moisturizing and a protein conditioner weekly. Depending on the way your hair reacts to this routine ( i.e. feels dry or limp) will help you determine how much protein/moisture to use each week. A moisturizing conditioner I recommend is Aubrey Organics Honey Suckle Rose. Two good protein conditioners are Aubrey Organics GPB and Aphogee two minute protein treatment.

Kinkyhairlady · Sep 1, 2011

Thanks ladies! I just got Aubrey organics rosa mosqueta conditioner. Not sure if it will help but its worth a try.

Seriously I don’t know what my hair needs…

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