How do you get over screwing up possible length?

BlaqKitty · Jun 29, 2013

Not sure if my question makes sense, but I had a setback awhile ago and my hair is still recovering. I bleached the ends, dyed it red and flat ironed it a bunch and my hair started breaking off and and I want to say I lost about 2 inches of growth.

It sucks, because now whenever i see a hair or something shed I keep thinking I am going to be bald.

Hi everyone btw. Im new here.

I really hope someone can offer some advice. Im nearing 2 years natural and the longest layer of my hair is past my shoulders.

ckisland · Jun 30, 2013

Welcome OP!

You put your hair through some things :lol:

. I've made it past a couple of setbacks. Personally, I find that setbacks from something dumb you did are much easier to recover from than sneaky, random breakage. When I got my hair "blowdryed" at a salon and "flatironed" it myself, and experienced massive shedding and breakage both times. All I had to do was trim and avoid heat (those were my first times using heat since being natural) like usual, and my hair grew back without a problem. But, when my hair started knotting up at the ends and breaking all over the place, it was really hit or miss figuring out what to do :nono:

.

My advice would be to give yourself a good trim, if you hadn't already, and step away from the heat and dye. You might want to also add a protein DC or treatment into your routine for a little while, if you're having a lot of breakage. Besides that, keep your hair moisturized and in a style that's a low manipulation or protective style for you. For me, wash n'gos usually help my hair recover.

Wenbev · Jun 30, 2013

Hi and welcome

First I'd start with no more heat and no more color. lol. Setbacks happen and it takes time to recover. Hair is supposed to shed, but when you're seeing hair on your clothing, floors, etc there's a problem. If its little pieces, it could be breakage and not shedding.
I'd incorporate protein, oils and moisture into your routine, eat healthy, take vitamins and drink at least 64oz of water daily. Take a look at tea rinses for reducing shedding and reevaluate how you handle your hair whilst its wet. There are a lot of great threads here on how to recover so start reading and good luck!

BlaqKitty · Jun 30, 2013

Thank you ladies for the responses! Ive quit with the color and heat since that experiencw. Ive been trimming to get rid of the damage and I have come a long way. I mean, Im happy with my growth but I wish i didnt try to be cute or else my hair would be fine right now. I dont see the breakage all over the place luckily, just sometimes when I handle my hair. Its in plaits unless Im going out, then I do a braid out.

virtuenow · Jun 30, 2013

Welcome aboard! Happy hair growing. I think you should focus on weekly deep conditioning (DC). Consider using a mild to moderate protein reconstructing DC on a regular basis. It helped me overcome dryness after over use of heat; and helps to rebuild the strand. That is, of course, after I cut the most damaged ends off. Your hair should feel more strength and moisture w/each application. Find a DC and other products that make your hair feel like butter. If your products do not do this, you have not found the right products yet. Oops, ETA (edited to add) last but not least, try doing the LCO method of moisturizing your hair on a daily basis. L-liquid, C-cream, O-oil. Liquid moisturizes (find a good moisture spritz), water based cream or hair lotion adds a layer of moisture and condition while protecting the hair, and oil seals it all in. Layer based moisturizing is the best! Let us know if you need specific product recommendations.

BlaqKitty · Jun 30, 2013

Thank you for that suggestion. I was doing a weekly greek yogurt hair mask woth acv and it helped a lot, but since Im visiting TX I havent had time to search products. Ive been moisturizing and sealing my hair with water and glycerine, and then i do shea butter or olive oil to seal. Oh, and I have curls creme brulee which my hair seems to like.

What dc would you recommend for me? I have porous, course strands.

Evolving78 · Jun 30, 2013

a good trim will help too!

MGA2013 · Jun 30, 2013

A good DC session and hide your hair! Ie. braids . This is what I did when I had a setback due to improper detangling. Hid my hair for about 1.5 years.

BlaqKitty · Jun 30, 2013

MGA2013 said:
A good DC session and hide your hair! Ie. braids . This is what I did when I had a setback due to improper detangling. Hid my hair for about 1.5 years.

I can't hide my hair, it needs constant moisture and my scalp is oily so eventually it starts to itch because it needs to be cleansed. Thank you for the suggestion, though. I'm thinking of doing medium-mini twists with my hair though.

No DC suggestions? Btw I'm on the CG method.

Edit: You gave me a great idea. I'm going to challenge myself to wear single twists more often. Now that they hang I like them a lot more now.

Thanks! After a good protein dc

MGA2013 · Jun 30, 2013

When is the last time you did a protein tx? Do you like to use homemade products or commercial items? I'm relaxed so I'm not sure if their certain products your hair prefers since your natural. Any natural members please provide some suggestions please?!?

BlaqKitty · Jun 30, 2013

Its been about a month since I have done a protein dc :c I like to use commercial products but i like to make stuff too. I made my old protein treatment but i think i need something stronger. Is the shea moisture deep treatment mask a protein dc?

MGA2013 · Jun 30, 2013

I'm not sure, I haven't used any Shea moisture's DC. For protein I use ORS Mayo which I love!

BlaqKitty · Jul 1, 2013

I used that last winter, but sadly it has cones(?)

MGA2013 said:
I'm not sure, I haven't used any Shea moisture's DC. For protein I use ORS Mayo which I love!

BlaqKitty · Jul 1, 2013

Update: I bought aphogee 2 step treatment, and I have it in my hair right now. It smells GROCE! Hopefully it stops my breakage. :/ Also length checked and realized I'm only a couple of inches from arm pit length ^-^

karenjoe · Jul 1, 2013

buy a heat cap or a steamer
conditioner conditioner
moisturizers moisturizers,
tea rinses oils grease, etc

then my friend
you will have to trim or dust your ends.
I like to try new things too
but I learned the hard way...
a good wig, or fall snap ins are my friends
monthly

karenjoe · Jul 1, 2013

BlaqKitty said:
Is the shea moisture deep treatment mask a protein dc?

I ask the same question neva got a answer so
I'm going to guess & say its moisture only.

I use a hard DC monthly: aphoee, bonacure, & a new one(?)
but a softer protein weekly.
ors, hair mayo
Kpak joico. At One

I pre poo or add shea moisture after I DC. good luck

BlaqKitty · Jul 1, 2013

karenjoe said:
I ask the same question neva got a answer so
I'm going to guess & say its moisture only.

I use a hard DC monthly: aphoee, bonacure, & a new one(?)
but a softer protein weekly.
ors, hair mayo
Kpak joico. At One

I pre poo or add shea moisture after I DC. good luck

The aphogee worked very well. I only had like, 5 broken pieces of hair and while it's not zero that is great great progress for me. I bought a protein gel, do you think that would work as a light protein weekly? It's the ecostyler black.

BlaqKitty · Jul 1, 2013

My hair feels really moisturized and all of my curls are defined. I'd take a picture and show you but my camera quality is horrible.

Wenbev · Jul 1, 2013

BlaqKitty said:
My hair feels really moisturized and all of my curls are defined. I'd take a picture and show you but my camera quality is horrible.

That's great to hear. Giovanni smooth as silk deeper moisture is a good dc. no cones or sulfates in that I don't think.

BlaqKitty · Jul 1, 2013

Where do they sell Giovanni? I used a deep conditioner of tresemme natursls, acv and evoo

How do you get over screwing up possible length?

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