Desperately Need Help for 4b?? hair types

[KyotoHoney]

This site was recommended by a woman I met in a Harlem hair supply store (thank you very much!)

Here is my story:

I relaxed my hair for years and have also worn braids. During college, I wore braids all four years. My hair was so weakened by this process that by the time I was ready to perm my hair again, I had to cut nearly all of it off. I then proceeded to relax my hair . . . I thought I went to the very best places in Boston and New York that only set hair and blow dry'd the hair; never curling irons. I also got a deep conditioner everytime I went because my hair was always so dry. Anyway, my hair started thinning a bit; used Aubrey protein conditioner and vitamins. Seemed to work for a bit but admittedly, I stop the routine. My hair started to thin considerably years later and I had to completely change course and wear braids for about a year. My hair is all natural now and thick again but I am hesistant to put another perm in it. The problem is I have no idea what to do with it now. It is now a little longer (seems to grow much faster in the back than in the front now which is annoying). What should I do? Perm? Weave? More braids? Combination of perm and weave in terms of having a seamless look from my hair to the synthetic hair. Its really not manageable enough for a natural. Oh and another thing is I work out ALOT and I also need something that would work with my professional environment. I am worried about the braids because my hair needs a rest. It started thinning on the sides so it seemed as though I was trading one problem for another.


So any recommendations in terms of vitamins, products, etc. would be greatly appreciated. I have two formal events coming up over the next month and I am DESPERATE! Thanks in advance!

 

[KyotoHoney]

Another thing . . .my hair was really becoming too dry in the braids too. Nothing would moisturize it enough after shampoos.

 

[douglala]

Hey, sorry I cant really help you but it seems as if you and I are in sort of the same boat. I have the same type hair, work out alot, and needed a look that is suitable for a professional environment. Back then I had 3 inches of new growth and did not know what to do with it. I wanted to lay off the perm and would have loved to just cornrow it but there goes the professional environment thing. Well what I would suggest is that if you did put braids back in(I would use that as last resorts though) do a search for threads about taking care of your hair in braids. There are definatly some good ones out there. If you do perm remember do only the new growth and try not to do it bone straight. Or how about a texturizer?

 

[debyjay]

hey kyotohoney, check out this site www.growafrohairlong.com
hope it helps.

 

[sassygirl125]

[ QUOTE ]
Its really not manageable enough for a natural.

[/ QUOTE ]

Yes it is. I'm not against using chemicals, but check out these sites before you make a permanent

decision:

MotownGrl
Dreamyb9
Aldrea/Cocodiva
Monicurl
Den1
Mufasa

And remember you have to treat your natural hair totally different than your relaxed hair. Different techniques, different products... The Works.

Welcome to the board!

 

[love2bme]

KyotoHoney

It seems to me you have been through this before(relax to natural). The question is why stop a good routine that was working for you? Keeping hair in braids without breaks in between is a no no

Lots of moisture conditioning and protein treatments is the key for healthy relax hair. Undecided whether to relax or not, that depends on what hair styles appeal to you. Weave extension is a good alternative for both natural and relaxed heads especially if you're trying for a new look and giving your hair a break...no more than 6 weeks IMO. And remember, going to a professional stylist doesnt mean you are gauranteed to get the best hair care because some so call professionals do more damage than good. Read previous threads and experiment, hope this help.

 

[KyotoHoney]

Thanks to everyone who responded. I do want to take my time in making the decision but there is never enough time. I was wearing a hat all day in my office. Luckily, I have my own office so I didn't have to come out, LOLOL

 

[Nonie]

Kyoto, how about finding a good stylist who does braids without pulling your hair so tight that it breaks. Then get neat cornrows (so many styles to choose from) and if you get a ponytail style, you can add different ponytails for day-to-day style variation. When your hair grows to your bra-strap or so, you'll be able to do more with it. Like if you did twists and didn't think them hanging down looks professional, you can put them up in a ponytail or style them. Aldrea/Cocodiva is a perfect example of the many things you can do with natural hair. There isn't a single picture of hers that doesn't look presentable and professional, IMO. Maybe her hair is not 4B, but that doesn't mean yours can't look as neat. I am not against perms coz I was considering getting one but I think I'm falling so in love with my natural hair, (thanks to all my idols on the forum), that I might postpone relaxers indefinitely. And Kyoto, when you wanna wear you hair out and straight, you could always get a professional press.

If you decide to relax, perhaps you should wear you hair out ie not in braids. Maybe in braids you are not able to moisturize it well, hence the reason it breaks. And doing away with heat all together might help too; ie no blow dryers even except when deep conditioning under a cap. And when you do find a product that works for you (Aubrey Organics GPB for instance) please please please stick with it. Consistency is oh so important.

 

[Guest]

[ QUOTE ]
This site was recommended by a woman I met in a Harlem hair supply store (thank you very much!)

Here is my story:

I relaxed my hair for years and have also worn braids. During college, I wore braids all four years. My hair was so weakened by this process that by the time I was ready to perm my hair again, I had to cut nearly all of it off. I then proceeded to relax my hair . . . I thought I went to the very best places in Boston and New York that only set hair and blow dry'd the hair; never curling irons. I also got a deep conditioner everytime I went because my hair was always so dry. Anyway, my hair started thinning a bit; used Aubrey protein conditioner and vitamins. Seemed to work for a bit but admittedly, I stop the routine. My hair started to thin considerably years later and I had to completely change course and wear braids for about a year. My hair is all natural now and thick again but I am hesistant to put another perm in it. The problem is I have no idea what to do with it now. It is now a little longer (seems to grow much faster in the back than in the front now which is annoying). What should I do? Perm? Weave? More braids? Combination of perm and weave in terms of having a seamless look from my hair to the synthetic hair. Its really not manageable enough for a natural. Oh and another thing is I work out ALOT and I also need something that would work with my professional environment. I am worried about the braids because my hair needs a rest. It started thinning on the sides so it seemed as though I was trading one problem for another.


So any recommendations in terms of vitamins, products, etc. would be greatly appreciated. I have two formal events coming up over the next month and I am DESPERATE! Thanks in advance!

[/ QUOTE ]
___
I am 4b and I relax. I don't know the type because my beautician has control of that. I take hairenergizer vitamins every other day and get about .75 growth each month. My hair is VERY coarse (probably 4z) and when it gets nappy it tends to break.

When it gets nappy, usually at 4 weeks, I start spraying Better Braids Dandruff Spray (a moisturizer) and twisting it and wearing a curly ponytail on the back. White people love this style; it looks like something Scarlett O'Hara woudl do.

My driver's license picture shows my hair at above the ear (2000). My picture this year shows the hair under the chin and on the neck. For me, this is a tremendous feat. My beautician told me today "pretty soon you will have too much hair for your small body."

Anyway, to many on this board, shoulder length is not a major accomplishment but for me it was an impossible accomplishment that I achieved.

As for washing, I use L'Anza Dry Hair Shampoo, Condition with a natural conditioner and a reconstructor that has Giovanni as the base.

What works for me may not work for all but perming is up to you. My perm has never caused me any problems since I realized YOU MUST use Lye and No - Lye is a NO NO.

 

[Guest]

www.hairengerzier.com

the site for the vitamins

 

[sylviaetc]

like yourself... i have really dry hair and the only thing that keeps it moisturized is kemi conditioning spray. i just discovered it the other day and after one use i could really feel a difference. unlike most other leave in conditioners it isn't watered down, and being that it contains kemi oyl it has texture. i hope this helps

 

[KyotoHoney]

Thank you Bett1e for the advice and the link but for some reason, the link is not working right now.

Thank you Sylviaetc, I am always on the look out for new products. What is your hair type? Thanks in advance.

 

[KyotoHoney]

Hi All,

I have some additional questions:

I went to a weave specialist here in NYC (Ellin Lavar) and the consultant said that I would need to relax/texturize certain sections of my hair for the weave to look right. They use a product called Revlon Revitaliser??? I saw some of this on the shelf in a hair products store later on but it looked to be a no-lye. I am assuming rightly or wrongly that the salon has a lye relaxer maybe?

Anyway, I told the stylist that if we were going this route, I would be open only to a texturizer. Her response was that there was no difference in a perm/texturizer except for the amount of time the product is on your hair. Is this true?

Additionally, how long should I wait to texturize a section of my hair if it has been in braids. I would love to just flatiron it but the heat and humidity makes any pressing/flat ironing ultimately a waste of time. I am still thinking over my options.

Thanks for all of your help in advance.

 

[lunalight7]

Im not sure about your other questions but its true that a texturizer is a relaxer left on just long enough to relax some, not all, of the curl pattern in your hair.

 

[KyotoHoney]

I forgot to add if anyone knows of some sort of master flatironing salon in NYC wherein the hair withstands the heat and humidity, I would love you forever.

 

[KyotoHoney]

Thanks lunalight. This site is great because for too long I have relied on stylist. I have never done my own hair (without harming it IMO); I have always gone to stylist weekly even in school. I am now trying to learn about my hair (maybe late in game). Thanks alot!

 

[lunalight7]

You're quite welcome! Good luck!

 

[sylviaetc]

kyotohoney: it may be late in the game, but it's never too late girl!!! anyway in answer to your question i'm a 4B hair type; i think if i went natural i would descover that i'm more of a 4a, but theres not much of a difference between the two... goodluck