We've got our work cut out for us today babes... The following honey has a serious problem; HBS to the rescue!Dear HBS,
I am about 10 months into transitioning and about two months ago I hit a wall. A dry, barky wall. My hair absolutely hates me, and the feeling is rapidly becoming mutual. It will hold no moisture. Anything I put on it is literally running down my face by mid-morning. Up until a month ago I was doing the products with no sulfates, alcohol or mineral oil thing, so that was definitely not the problem. I've come this far and don't plan on relaxing- at least not just yet, but I've tried everything I (and ManeandChic) can think of. Any suggestions, please?
Thank you,
(Not so) High & Dry
21 comments:
Your diet may have something to do with it, are you drinking enough water? I noticed when I increased my water intake my hair began to accept products better and stopped shedding as much.
I think we need to know what your routine is before we can offer any suggestions. How have you been caring for your hair thus far?
I'm having the same "I hope I don't go and relax" moment. But it's not due to lack of moisture. Between using water, my braid spray (my hair is not in braids but I still find it to be very moisturizing), the shea moisture leave-in, and a coconut/macadamia/peppermint oil mixture - I've been having pretty good results in the moisture department. I also do a Lustrasilk, Pantene, and Vegetable Protein deep condition. Great slip and super moisturizing, and also gives me a small dash of protein. I have little to no shedding (which is AMAZING for me). So the hair is pretty well cared for.
Just make sure you properly wash all the "bad" ingredients out of your hair. One of my other leave-ins has cones and so I do baking soda washes or sulfate washes to get it out - otherwise it'll pile up on it and prevent penetration. My only problem is styling the two textures. That's what's making me want to relax my hair. Sigh.
Anywhooo, if you've really exhausted all moisture possibilities maybe it's time to get down to the science of your hair. Figure out if your strands are fine or porous or what the elasticity is - and then attack the problem wherever you find it!!
Good luck.
I co-sign on the water. You would be surprised at how much different your hair would react if you up-ed your water intake. Also, are you sleeping with a satin scarf (or pillow case) and not a cotton scarf? Cotton tends to suck up moisture. Your hair is probably like, "WTF is going on?" Mine went through the same thing when I was transitioning. Massage your hair follicles daily and really pamper your scalp. And if you are STILL havin' some issues, giiiirl, cut that hair off and take pride in your crown. :) Many blessings!
I would recommend taking a high potency fish or flax oil supplement. These will nourish from the inside out. Also try implementing a deep treatment at least twice a week. The more conditioning the better! I personally have tried Oyin Juices & Berries leave-in and I LOVE it. I use it nightly and every morning to top off my style. HTH
I was having the same problem with dryness. It is so true that water helps. I have challenged myself to use NO heat whatsoever and my hair is really loving it. I also began using deva curl no poo and One condition. It just seems like those products are made for curly girls like us. After I wash and condition I put Kinky Curly transitioners tonic on my scalp (I'm not transitioning anymore since I did the BC but I still find that it works well on my scalp) after this I use Carefree curl. I'm not sure if carefree has cones. Don't give up, it took me a good two years to really figure out what works for me.
If the products your putting on your dry hair are "running down" then maybe you need to think about pre-pooing, or deep conditioning on a regular basis.
Coconut oil is like a miracle substance! Mix that (better if it's in the raw, unrefined virgin form) w/some pure vitamin E oil (minimum 32,000 IU) and use it as a pre-poo or deep conditioner. Some people keep it on overnight, others sit under the hair dryer with it. So far I've used it twice (as a deep conditioner) and just let it stay in my hair for an hour while I did things around the house. The luster you get from it is really amazing!
The combo is a bit heavy to wash out, so once you rinse, I suggest you rinse again w/conditioner. Then style as usual.
I agree that diet has a lot to do w/how your hair looks. So does stress and your health, in general. Your hair can hold sickness and emotions (and the effects may not show til months after). So try to take care of yourself from the inside out.
WATER!!! Coconut oil is the BOMB!!! Are you using a good leave-in conditioner and sealing with an oil? Are you co-washing and not shampooing? Are you eating well?
It may be time to BC. I got to a point in my transition where I realized it was just time to cut off the relaxed ends. Immediately I noticed that my hair was smiling! lol
This is Ms. High and Dry, poser of the question. I love all the advice so far, I wanted to add that I am waayyy too lazy to use any heat, sleep in a silk scarf, and use a satin pillow, eat a ridiculously healthy diet and that any moisturizer- coconut oil, alcohol-free leave-ins, etc. would run down my face, causing dry hair and breakouts. Despite feeling like Quasi-modo's uglier sister, I've caught on that it is probably a porosity issue, but even Roux Porosity Control didn't help. Honestly, I think the conditioning washes were leaving build-up that ACV was no match for, which is why I've gone back to shampoo and seen some improvement. I will definitely start upping the H2O intake and DT (which weren't working so I stopped), and I think that Ambyr is right, I probably will have to chop soon. Thank you all for your time and support. It means a lot, and if you have any more suggestions please keep them coming!
Water, sealing with shea butter and/or castor oil is amazing!
Apple cider vineger rinses really help too.
have you looked at your products and see if they have a lot of protein in it? Protein can really dry the hair out if used too much. Look out for that, if you daily moisturizer has any protien in it, try to use in in a deep condition instead of everyday.
I know i already said this, but oils and butters to SEAL SEAL SEAL!! hoped i helped.
It could be a buildup problem. You mentioned you've avoided sulfates, but I find that I need a sulfate shampoo once every couple of weeks if I'm using conditioner or products with certain cones in them. Cones are notorious for blocking moisture, and I can tell when they are keeping moisture out of my hair, because my hair will get dry and stubborn, no matter how much water, conditioner and coconut oil I use. Learning about the different types of cones and what's needed to remove them was crucial for me in my quest for well-moisturized hair.
Anonymous 10:26, does Carefree Curl really work? I've always wondered about that. It doesn't leave a greasy feel, does it? I just have images of the 80s/90s and dripping Jheri curls. If it works, though, I'm gonna run out and buy some! My hair seems to soak up moisture as well.
Speaking of my hair, I guess I need suggestions as well. I'm having surgery in 2 days, so I need my styling process to be as low-maintenance as possible. My current regimen when I wear it natural (btw, the relaxer has completely grown out) is to use leave-in conditioner, or Kinky Curly Custard. However, I find that sometimes the Kinky Curly leaves my hair a tad sticky (maybe I use too much). Does anyone have suggestions on a low-maintenance regimen I can use while I'm recuperating?
FYI, I prob won't be able to do twists and stuff. The surgery is pretty major, so overhead arm movements will be very limited in nature.
When was the last time you clarified and what's your technique?
I've read that buildup can block products from penetrating the hair shaft.
TRy adding a tbsp of baking soda to your regular shampoo.
Are you using leave-in conditioner?
Are you adding your moisturizer while wet?
Are you sealing your moisturizer with oil?
Have you tried Qhemet Biologics Amla/Olive Heavy Cream. I started using it while transitioning and one year post BC, I'm still using it and it is awesome.
RC
I definitely think deep treatments bring back the moisture, also you hair may appear dry because you have a build up. I have to say if you want to switch to a shampoo I found Aloe Rid by Nexxus to actually clarify my hair. ACV did nothing and the reason I could tell was by going to the salon. When it was time to blow dry my hair it was smoking like there was grease in my hair. I don't use grease but I had been using jojoba oil and aloe vera for a few months. Obviously it wasn't working for me. Needless to say they had to wash my hair at least four times to get it clean. Since then I clarify with Aloe Rid once a month. But I always prepoo with Indian hair oils or an ORS pak. And I use Aubrey Organics when I do regular shampoos.
Good luck.
I don't know if it will work for you, but I know what worked for me when I was having moisture problems.
One, switch to a leave-in conditioning CREAM. If your hair's thick like mine, it's absolutely laughing at your spray leave-in conditioner. I use Garnier Fructis' Sleek and Shine Leave-In Conditioner. Great scent and cheap.
Two, seal in all that wonderful moisture from the leave in with...SHEA BUTTER! I make my own shea butter mix, but I'm sure shea alone would be fine. Just apply a small amount in sections and comb through to evenly distribute. I'm telling you, my curls haven't seen a dry moment since. HTH!!!
Whne my hair gets really dry, I deep condition, but to damp, not wet hair, then I seal up my hair with avocado oil. For my hair, it is the TRUTH. the emolliency is ridiculous, and I loooove it
naturallycurly.com 4a forum under "culrtalk" is great for hair questions as well as curlynikki.com.
try shea butter. works wonders! also add glycerin to your products. it will suck moisture out of the air and into your hair for you in a way that will not disturb. also make sure you deep condition every week and don't rinse your conditioner out when you co-wash/rinse...this is work magic on your hair after a few times. and make sure that oil is the very last thing you put on your hair if you're using oil b/c it will block everything else out if you don't..happy moisturizing!
and i also co-sign on the coconut oil..you can pick some of that up at your local indian grocer or health food store. it will be much cheaper at the indian grocer tho.
Hey anonymous,
Carefree curl does work, it's not sticky or anything. Once you put it in and let it dry it's almost like you don't have anything in your hair but your hair is soft and has a sheen to it. Make sure you don't get the carefree curl spray or the gold. The kind I get is just like a white moisturizing cream.
http://www.softsheen-carson.com/_us/_en/products/permanentwave/carefreecurl.aspx
Scroll to the bottom and click on the second product from the top.
Hi All!! Great suggestions. I've heard good things about castor oil. Maybe that can help. I'm in NYC right now--can anyone tell me where to get pure castor oil for your hair???
I co-sign on checking your protein usage. The same thing was happening to me- I could pour butters and oils on my hair and it was still dry, frizzy and brittle. I realized I had protein in most of my products and my hair hates protein! Try cutting it out and only using water-based moisturizing products and see if it helps. My hair is now soft, shiny and cooperative.
great suggestions ladies!
you can pick up castor oil at whole foods or any health food store. i got a small bottle from duane reade, too.
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