Hair Problems

[Nubian]

My hair is breaking at an alarming rate, and I was wondering do any of you know of any products or anything I can do to combat this? Also, do any of you know of any good hair growth products or procedures. My head is starting to look scary!

[MIDWESTDIVA]

Is your hair color treated? If so, Motions CPR conditioner is a good one to try.

Do you use perms or relaxers? It may be too strong. I know my adult cousin (mid- 30's) uses Just for Me (I'm not sure about the difference in strength), but it seemed to work and her hair looks better and is growing. She said keeps her same routine- beauty shop every two weeks, washes hair once or twice a week, keeps it moisturized, she just switched hair products.

[Ideal08]

Greetings Ladies, I hope you don't mind me posting all up in your forum!

My sister used Aphogee. She said that it worked really well for her, but you have to be careful, because when you apply it, it makes your hair REALLY HARD, and if you touch it while it's like that, it'll just break off! I personally would shy away from it, but it did do wonders for my sister's hair. If you go to a stylist, ask her for an emergency breakage treatment. I got one last time I went (I think it was Nexus, but I forget), and when she combed through my hair after the shampoo, only 3 strands of hair came out!! But, it's been almost two weeks, and the breakage is back. She did say that that could happen, you just have to have the treatment done again. But be careful, my beautician did tell me that if you don't need the emergency breakage treatment, and it's applied to your hair, it can make your hair fall out. I don't think I needed it, my hair has shedded like this my whole life. And now I think that some of my hair is coming out, but I could be straight paranoid. So, whatever you do, choose wisely!!

Sorry for the long post!!

[the411]

Okay y'all... hair is my forte, so my post will be long!

I'm not a licensed stylist, but I've been doing hair (for myself and friends) for over 10 years with no complaints or problems.

I agree with Ideal08 about the Apoghee reconstructive conditioner. It is kinda expensive ($20), and very strong stuff, so be careful, and ALWAYS follow it with an Apoghee moisturizer.

I am all about the new products by Organic Root Stimulator: Uplifting Shampoo, Hair Mayonnaise, Carrot Oil, Fertilizing Temple Balm, etc. They are a bit costly, too, but worth every cent! I live and die by the Hair Mayo conditioner! It will truly change the way your hair feels and moves!

Now, if your hair is really damaged (i.e. dry, brittle, breakage, split ends), then your best friend will be a good, versatile haircut! If you choose to keep relaxing it, you should avoid lye at all costs because it dries out the hair. Baby perms (Just for Me, PCJ) are good, but you really should let a professional do it because he/she can be sure to ONLY perm the new-growth. I suggest Affirm if you go to the salon. And, even if you are trying to let your hair grow, you MUST, MUST, MUST get your ends clipped every 6-8 weeks if you really want to see results. Sounds crazy, but the only way your hair will grow is if you keep your ends clipped. On average, our hair (black hair) grows about 6 inches a year. If you clipped 1/8 of an inch every 6 weeks, you're really only cutting about 1.5 inches off, so you'd still gain some length-- healthy length!

Here are my personal hair tricks:

1. I had lots of issues with breakage when I moved to Ohio because the water here is very hard. If your water is the culprit, try to rinse your hair in cool water instead of hot or really warm water. If you rinse it in cold water it will actually make your hair shinier!

2. About two times a week, I oil my scalp with a little Fertilizing Temple Balm, then I massage it in while holding my head down so that the blood rushes to my scalp. I also have a vibrating scalp massaging brush that I got from Sally's, and I use it to stimulate my scalp and hair follicles. My hair has been growing like weeds since then!

3. I use a 100% boar-bristle brush because it is gentler on the hair than regular nylon bristles are.

4. I always let my hair air dry. In order to avoid frizzing, I wrap it with a silk scarf while it's wet and just let it air dry through the day. When it's dry, I condition it with Carrot Oil and brush it until it straightens out, then I wrap it again (in a silk scarf, of course).

5. I NEVER comb it with a fine tooth comb while it's wet. Hair is its most vunerable when wet, so you should use a wide-tooth comb and be very gentle.

6. I admit that I use curling irons a lot (which is bad for the hair), but I always use a low setting AND heat-protection hair moisturizers. I try to avoid curlers by wrapping my hair in such a way that my style can hold without curlers, but whenever I NEED to curl it, I "bump" it just a little and I never use spritz or anything else that makes the hair hard or sizzle.

Other products that I swear by include Sebastian's Zero Gravity weightless hairspray (the bomb!), and that new anti-breakage shampoo by Soft-Sheen (orange bottle). I also love Loreal's natural scalp treatment and hot oil.

I could talk all day and night about hair, but I won't bore you anymore. If you have anymore questions or anything, let me know. If you were in Columbus, Ohio, I would HOOK YOU UP for just $10 (touch-up, trim, style). Good luck, girl!

the411



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Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.
Pi Kappa, SP97
#3 of QUINTESSENCE

[Nubian]

Thank you to everyone that responded, I'll be making a trip to get my ends clipped tommorow, followed by a shopping spree at the beauty supply store. At least now I have some good products to shop for.

By the way, I stopped somewhere before work and picked up the Aphogee, anti-breakage spray, it is GOOD! I ran my hand through my hair after I used it, and none came out!

[soror6]

Hey, Nubian!
I'm a little late on this thread, but since you have been offered very sound advice about styling aids for your hair on the outside, let me suggest one more thing. Check your diet. Alot of times when people are stressed out, or are not eating right for whatever the reason may be, their hair and skin shows the effect. I have had to pay attention to this, because I have modeled for several years, and my hair and skin goes through alot - styling, teasing, spraying, extending, etc. My skin has had the same issue, but that's not your issue!
Since hair is nothing more than dead protien strands, start from the inside, and work your way out. With multi-vitamins, water, and a little more good fat Don't worry, I mean foods like seafood, fruits, and nuts - not KFC you will help your hair grow out healthier and more resistant to daily wear, tear, and breakage. Contrary to popular belief, you CANNOT repair split ends - they must be cut. The sooner, the better. The longer you wait, the higher up the split goes, and the more you need to cut in the long run. I think everyone in the thread has given you great ideas for products, I have probably used them all , but add Sebastian Potion 9 leave-in conditioner to your list. It is expensive ($15 per tube), and only found in certified salons, but it is DEFINITELY worth it! Now would be a great time for your hair makeover, because the dry/cold weather this time of year is especially damaging to black hair.
I hope this info helps. Good luck to you, and have a wonderful "nubian makeover day"
Personal days work wonders for the body and spirit!

Jennifer
Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.
Anchor - DSNV - Spring 1991
_____________________________________________
Looking for the best in original greek sportswear? Log on! www.greekuniversity.com

[Rain Man]

Thanx for all those tips; I am thinking about getting my hair straigtened again. I had it straightened about a year ago and let it grow for about 6 months before the summer humidity frizzed it out. I LOVED IT!! At it's best it was often slicked on the top and sides and long and curly in the back, touching the back of my collar (I am male, btw, and I was trying the get that once-popular 70s men's look, that semi-long hair). I was trying to sport a Gene Rayburn 'do from 1975 (I will link a picture of him upon request). *LOL*
Anyhow, thanx a lot.

Rain Man
Rain Man

[Crimson Diva]

Nubian: I have a cosmetology license, but so far you hav gotten good responses. I would try the Motions CPR because it stops breakage and shedding. The Product recommended by Ideal 08 is by Nexxus and it is called Emergencee. It is for hair that is falling out and I mean in handfuls. Like she said don't use it after your hair has stopped falling out. The organic root stimulator products work pretty well, but be prepared to pay a pretty penny for them. If you need any more help email me.

[This message has been edited by Crimson Diva (edited December 30, 2000).]

[dst3800]

Just FYI,

I agree mostly with what everyone has said so far, but i wanted to add one thing. 411, my mom is a beautician and she says that clipping your ends has absolutely nothing to do with hair growth...hair grows from the root, not the tip of the shaft. Clipping hair is done to keep the hair healthy and in good condidtion. I agree with you on clipping every couple of weeks because not only is your hair in better shape, it is more attractive when then ends are not all stringy amd uneven.

[DirectorDST99]

Originally posted by dst3800:
Just FYI,

I agree mostly with what everyone has said so far, but i wanted to add one thing. 411, my mom is a beautician and she says that clipping your ends has absolutely nothing to do with hair growth...hair grows from the root, not the tip of the shaft. Clipping hair is done to keep the hair healthy and in good condidtion. I agree with you on clipping every couple of weeks because not only is your hair in better shape, it is more attractive when then ends are not all stringy amd uneven.

But it does have to do with hair breakage and split ends, etc. I was natural for almost a year and learned alot about my hair. I am seriously considering it again but I don't want to cut all of my hair off and start from scratch. Any suggestions?

[dst3800]

411-I agree, I agree!
Director-I am in the same situation. I have had my hair cut (actually cut and styled) only once and it was in a short bob. Well, it has long since grown back and it is now partially down my back. I want to go natural with about 2-3 inches all the way around, but people (especially my mom!) say i'm stupid to cut all my hair off. I say, it'll grow back! I think that i'm just gonna go out one day, and just go to the beautician and come out a new woman!! People say that when you don't think about it, you'll have the nerves to just do it. Just do it!

[the411]

dst3800,

I'm not saying clipping the ends has anything to do with hair growth. Clearly, it doesn't. But, like Director said, if your hair is splitting and breaking, it obviously won't achieve the desired length and thickness of healthy hair, hence its growth is hugely affected. Most people who refuse to cut thier hair (thinking that they'd rather it be long than healthy) end up looking quite "TRIFE" or eventually having to go shorter than they'd like to in the end. I don't think "every couple of weeks" for a trim is necessary unless you're the kind of person who uses curling irons to oblivion. 6-8 weeks is fine for hair that is carefully tended to and maintained, preferrably by a professional.

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Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.
Pi Kappa, SP97
#3 of QUINTESSENCE

[mccoyred]

After much breakage and stress, I just went to the salon (a new one so they wouldn't talk em out of it), sat down and said "CUT IT!". That was 7 years ago and I haven't looked back.

If and when I grow my hair back, it will be in locs. If you decide to grow your hair back to a non-natural style, be prepared for that in-between stage because it is not fun.

Good Luck!!

Originally posted by dst3800:
411-I agree, I agree!
Director-I am in the same situation. I have had my hair cut (actually cut and styled) only once and it was in a short bob. Well, it has long since grown back and it is now partially down my back. I want to go natural with about 2-3 inches all the way around, but people (especially my mom!) say i'm stupid to cut all my hair off. I say, it'll grow back! I think that i'm just gonna go out one day, and just go to the beautician and come out a new woman!! People say that when you don't think about it, you'll have the nerves to just do it. Just do it!

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MCCOYRED

Dynamic
Salient
Temperate

Mu Psi '86
BaltCo Alumnae

[Kaydphia]

Hey I wanted to bring this back up. I want to know what everyone does to their hair, what products they use and whether or not they are natural or not.

Kay