Anyone Tried These Two Combinations To Help With Dry/brittle Hair?

trueheartofgold

Well-Known Member
Hello Everyone,

I'm back. Still have dry hair. Used products suggested from my prior thread (Joico Moisture Recovery Balm, Silk Elements Mega Silk, Camille Rose, Oyin, etc). No change.

I don't know what's going on but I'm determined to get to the bottom of the problem.

I came across reviews for SoftSheen Carso's HydraSteam line (Shampoo, Masque, Leave-In, Cream, Oil). The masque has to be used with a steamer.

Has anyone tried the system before? It has been discontinued but I see them in my local beauty supply stores.

Any advice on steaming hair? Is it beneficial? Any adverse effects?

As a reminder: I am transitioning from major heat damage. I cut a lot off since my thread in October. I have about two inches left. I've tried eliminating all protein, no coconut oil, done hot oil treatments, etc. but they don't work.

My hair tangles after I detangle. I then have to spend another 30 minutes after deep conditioning to detangle again, and I get breakage. Even after deep conditioning, my hair feels squeaky clean, not soft at all. Once my hair is dry (I air dry) it is rock hard and brittle.

Thank you everyone for taking the time to view the question, read it and commenting. I really really appreciate it.
 

KiWiStyle

Realtor & Foodie
I have experienced what you are, EXACTLY!
I steam DC with a pro steamer once or twice a week; I learned my normal porosity hair doesn't need steam and that's what caused severe damage to my strands which resembles heat damage. If you decide to steam DC, be careful and don't over do it

Hard water deposits and chlorinated water from your faucet could be the culprit. If you don't already, get a good chelating shampoo and get a shower filter if your area has hard water. Regular or clarifying shampoos can't remove hard water deposits and chemically treated water build up, it causes damaged, dry and dull hair. Ion has a good hard water treatment; it's sold in small packets for around $2 at Sally's BS.

Like you, I did everything right and my hair was bone dry! I had my hair blow dried and flat ironed once and it was stiff, hard and brittle. It was then that I realized something was terribly wrong.
 

Maracujá

November 2020 --> 14 years natural!!!
I have experienced what you are, EXACTLY!
I steam DC with a pro steamer once or twice a week; I learned my normal porosity hair doesn't need steam and that's what caused severe damage to my strands which resembles heat damage. If you decide to steam DC, be careful and don't over do it

Hard water deposits and chlorinated water from your faucet could be the culprit. If you don't already, get a good chelating shampoo and get a shower filter if your area has hard water. Regular or clarifying shampoos can't remove hard water deposits and chemically treated water build up, it causes damaged, dry and dull hair. Ion has a good hard water treatment; it's sold in small packets for around $2 at Sally's BS.

Like you, I did everything right and my hair was bone dry! I had my hair blow dried and flat ironed once and it was stiff, hard and brittle. It was then that I realized something was terribly wrong.

Do you think getting someone to clean the waterpipes would help? Or is water the main culprit here?
 

trueheartofgold

Well-Known Member
I have experienced what you are, EXACTLY!
I steam DC with a pro steamer once or twice a week; I learned my normal porosity hair doesn't need steam and that's what caused severe damage to my strands which resembles heat damage. If you decide to steam DC, be careful and don't over do it

Hard water deposits and chlorinated water from your faucet could be the culprit. If you don't already, get a good chelating shampoo and get a shower filter if your area has hard water. Regular or clarifying shampoos can't remove hard water deposits and chemically treated water build up, it causes damaged, dry and dull hair. Ion has a good hard water treatment; it's sold in small packets for around $2 at Sally's BS.

Like you, I did everything right and my hair was bone dry! I had my hair blow dried and flat ironed once and it was stiff, hard and brittle. It was then that I realized something was terribly wrong.

Thanks for responding. My areas supposedly has the best water (NYC). I tried the Ion Chelating Shampoo just to make sure. That thing matted my hair so bad lol...aside from that, no change! LOL...

This is the one I used: http://www.sallybeauty.com//hard-water-shampoo/SBS-302053,default,pd.html
 

trueheartofgold

Well-Known Member
I'm sorry none of those suggestions worked for you. Don't throw those products away yet, though.

Have you tried clarifying with another shampoo?

Have you done a porosity test?

Hi NappyNelle! I haven't thrown them away yet lol...my house looks like a beauty supply store and it's not my intention. I've used different clarifying shampoos. The end result is the same. Since I'm still transitioning, would a porosity test work? I ask because I still have some heat damage left. Also, which one do you recommend? Who knew this would be so difficult?! Thank you.
 

KiWiStyle

Realtor & Foodie
Thanks for responding. My areas supposedly has the best water (NYC). I tried the Ion Chelating Shampoo just to make sure. That thing matted my hair so bad lol...aside from that, no change! LOL...

I'm sorry that didn't work for you but I was talking about the treatment, not the shampoo.

http://www.sallybeauty.com/crystal-clarifying-treatment/SBS-302208,default,pd.html

Yes I hear NY has great water, you probably stripped your hair too much.

Have you seen a professional haircare specialist?
 

NappyNelle

Kinky Coily 4A, Fine Strands, WSL
I'm so worried for you! I'm racking my brain trying to figure out what you can do to infuse moisture into your hair and I'm coming up empty. :wallbash:

You're right - a porosity test may not work for transitioning hair, but it can give some insight on the needs of your relaxed hair.

Maybe the Komaza Analysis can help... but I don't want to offer a moderately expensive service when the solution may be simple.
 

KiWiStyle

Realtor & Foodie
I'm so worried for you! I'm racking my brain trying to figure out what you can do to infuse moisture into your hair and I'm coming up empty. :wallbash:

You're right - a porosity test may not work for transitioning hair, but it can give some insight on the needs of your relaxed hair.

Maybe the Komaza Analysis can help... but I don't want to offer a moderately expensive service when the solution may be simple.

I ordered the KC hair analysis and it's worth every penny. I thought my hair was low porosity...nope it's normal and high on the ends where the damage was. I thought I had fine hair...nope, it's course (thick). I thought steam DC was doing my hair justice...nope, its what destroyed my hair to begin with.
 

Cattypus1

All loced up...
You may need a chelator and then a good protein treatment followed by a good moisturizing treatment. I do steam about once a month but I always use distilled water, never tap. I wouldn't go hard protein maybe Nexxus Emergency. It really sounds like your hair is out of balance (protein/moisture).
 

KiWiStyle

Realtor & Foodie
Her relaxed ends may be her problem...it might be time to let them go. Tangle hair is a sign of severe cuticle damage (raised & broken), high porosity, split ends. This could be caused by chemical damage, heat damage or mechanical damage. Once the damage occurs it can't be fixed; the hairest has to be cut and depending on the severity of the damage it can be cut over time or all at once. A quality protein treatment can temporarily mend split ends and fill in gaps but it's just a temporary fix.

Dry and raised/damaged cuticles will feel hard and rough and no conditioner will fix that.
 

Cattypus1

All loced up...
Her relaxed ends may be her problem...it might be time to let them go. Tangle hair is a sign of severe cuticle damage (raised & broken), high porosity, split ends. This could be caused by chemical damage, heat damage or mechanical damage. Once the damage occurs it can't be fixed; the hairest has to be cut and depending on the severity of the damage it can be cut over time or all at once. A quality protein treatment can temporarily mend split ends and fill in gaps but it's just a temporary fix.

Dry and raised/damaged cuticles will feel hard and rough and no conditioner will fix that.
Amen...metal condish is the fix.
 

trueheartofgold

Well-Known Member
@NappyNelle, @KiWiStyle, @Cattypus1, thanks for responding!

I'm frustrated too because I just don't know what to do....

@NappyNelle, I've been contemplating getting an analysis/consultation but I think they'll just say to cut the rest of the damage off when it may only be part of the problem.

@KiWiStyle, I haven't had a perm in 9 years so I have major heat damage. The thing is even my new growth is hard/brittle and not the damage portion of my hair. That's why it's so weird to me.

@Cattypus1, I have a bottle of the Nexxus Emergency Polymedic Reconstructor in my stash. I used it every two weeks for about three months. I followed the directions to the "T" yet no change.

Ladies, this has been so difficult for me and I thank you all for responding. As you can tell it is so nerve wrecking.
 

gvin89

Active Member
Hello Everyone,

I'm back. Still have dry hair. Used products suggested from my prior thread (Joico Moisture Recovery Balm, Silk Elements Mega Silk, Camille Rose, Oyin, etc). No change.

I don't know what's going on but I'm determined to get to the bottom of the problem.

I came across reviews for SoftSheen Carso's HydraSteam line (Shampoo, Masque, Leave-In, Cream, Oil). The masque has to be used with a steamer.

Has anyone tried the system before? It has been discontinued but I see them in my local beauty supply stores.

Any advice on steaming hair? Is it beneficial? Any adverse effects?

As a reminder: I am transitioning from major heat damage. I cut a lot off since my thread in October. I have about two inches left. I've tried eliminating all protein, no coconut oil, done hot oil treatments, etc. but they don't work.

My hair tangles after I detangle. I then have to spend another 30 minutes after deep conditioning to detangle again, and I get breakage. Even after deep conditioning, my hair feels squeaky clean, not soft at all. Once my hair is dry (I air dry) it is rock hard and brittle.

Thank you everyone for taking the time to view the question, read it and commenting. I really really appreciate it.

This sounds like my hair about 6 months ago and my daughter's hair now. I did an Olaplex treatment and that got me back on track. I like using Qhemet Biologics products...super moisturizing. I used to steam a lot, but got lazy. I think it is beneficial to do it monthly for just 15-20 minutes. Oils or deep conditioners are best to steam with imo
 

KiWiStyle

Realtor & Foodie
@trueheartofgold I understand . Komaza will tell you exactly what the issue is and offer recommendations to address the problem/s. I was told I had 2.5" of damage and that it has to go but that I could do it over time as I saw fit. She said only sometimes they'll recommend someone do an immediate big cut, even then it's only a recommendation. At least you'll know exactly what the problem is and what to use to help. You'll learn your hair porosity and thickness definitively, no guessing.

Also you mentioned the NG is hard to, what products are you using and how do you style your hair?

Did you know that damage and split ends doesn't just stay in the damaged area? It will continue to effect and split healthy hair too, which is why it's recommended to cut it.
 
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trueheartofgold

Well-Known Member
@trueheartofgold I understand . Komaza will tell you exactly what the issue is and offer recommendations to address the problem/s. I was told I had 2.5" of damage and that it has to go but that I could do it over time as I saw fit. She said only sometimes they'll recommend someone do an immediate big cut, even then it's only a recommendation. At least you'll know exactly what the problem is and what to use to help. You'll learn your hair porosity and thickness definitively, no guessing.

Also you mentioned the NG is hard to, what products are you using and how do you style your hair?

Did you know that damage and split ends doesn't just stay in the damaged area? It will continue to effect and split healthy hair too, which is why it's recommended to cut it.

@KiWiStyle thank you for responding. I used the Camille Rose hair milk, grapeseed oil and Camille Rose moisture butter on wash dah two days ago.
 

mzteaze

Pilates and Yoga Kinda Gal
Analysis could help you get to the root of things.

But, if that's not in the budget at the moment, you could try what I used to do. There is no one magic bullet though. You have to be consistent and it will reverse over time.

I used to twist my (water dampened) hair with a few drops of JBCO at night. On each day, I used a mild sulfate free shampoo (like Deva Curl Low Poo) then used Roux Porosity corrector which I left on my hair for 3-5 minutes before using a DC. The DC was always a rotation between a moisture and protein conditioner.

The only products I consistently used was JBCO and Roux Porosity Control. You really have to nurse that hair back to health with a consistent routine instead of bouncing from product to product.
 

KiWiStyle

Realtor & Foodie
Analysis could help you get to the root of things.

But, if that's not in the budget at the moment, you could try what I used to do. There is no one magic bullet though. You have to be consistent and it will reverse over time.

I used to twist my (water dampened) hair with a few drops of JBCO at night. On each day, I used a mild sulfate free shampoo (like Deva Curl Low Poo) then used Roux Porosity corrector which I left on my hair for 3-5 minutes before using a DC. The DC was always a rotation between a moisture and protein conditioner.

The only products I consistently used was JBCO and Roux Porosity Control. You really have to nurse that hair back to health with a consistent routine instead of bouncing from product to product.


I agree. It sounds like she have a revolving door of products....it's also possible that her hair texture is course (hard) . The problem can be soo many things but we don't have enough info to help her narrow things down.
 
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trueheartofgold

Well-Known Member
What is your regimen and what products are you using?

Hi gorgeoushair. My regimen is as follows:

****Weekly:

Spray my hair with water and add Herbal Essences Hello Hydration. Let it sit for about 20 minutes and detangle. My hair gets really tangled so I detangle before shampooing.
Shampoo: Design Essentials Naturals
Deep Condition: Silk Elements Megasilk
Leave-In: Camille Rose Curl Love Moisture Milk (Used it for the first time this past Sunday)
Oil: Grapeseed
Cream: Camille Rose Curlaide Moisture Butter (Used it for the first time this past Sunday)

Air dry in twists. By the time my hair is mid way dry, its already hard and crunchy. When it's fully dry, it is rock hard and very very crunchy.

****Daily:

Moisturize and style (bun only). I switch the positions. Its mainly low. I cannot style my hair any other way because of the problem I'm having with dryness and retaining moisture.

Moisturizers: Talijah Waajid Protective Mist Bodifier (Spray)
Shea Moisture Curl and Style Milk
Oil: Grapseed
By the end of the day, my hair is dry like hay (rhyme time lol).:bouncy:This happens no matter what products I use.

Does anyone want to switch? LOL...:drunk::drunk::drunk::drunk:
 
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