Hello, Last April my hair broke off a lot, partly because of relexing my hair every month, coloring it, and not letting it rest. In the same month I started braiding my hair, after 3 months my hair had grown a lot.
I wanted to start relaxing my hair again so I started to rest my hair (afro) from August, but I now notice that when I comb out my hair and look at my old hair, that sometimes the hair is split at the end and sometimes the middle of the hair!
I am now very afraid that I have to cut off half of my hair which I do not want at all! Also because I have let my hair grow again since April. AND because I have already cut my hair (at the end of my hair) because of dead ends.
I definitely do not want to walk around with short hair!! My scalp has also become very itchy (since April): constant itching. So I have been busy greasing my scalp more often for 2 to 3 weeks, from 1x per month to 3x per week. and I lotion my hair 1x per week. Of course I postponed relaxing until my hair has recovered.
do you have any advice for me?
Thanks in advance
gr
Regine
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Dear Regine,
Thank you for visiting our website.
I probably don't need to tell you that coloring after relaxing is the most unhealthy treatment for hair, but I'll try to explain why.
A chemical treatment like relaxing removes about a third of the hair layer to make your hair smooth. The hair is already quite weakened, even though combing seems easier, for example.
With ingredients like hydrogen peroxide that need to aggressively penetrate the hair strands, coloring also causes quite a bit of damage to hair. Even to hair that is healthy. So when you color hair that is already relaxed, you can almost expect hair breakage and dead ends.
Many women find this hard to believe and that is why I am glad you are emailing me. For most people, the penny will only drop when they experience it themselves, but hopefully by examining your problem we can at least prevent a few others from making the same mistake as you.
Split ends are quite normal, even if you normally take good care of your hair. The ends are the “oldest” part of the hair that has had to endure the most. Different seasons, heat from appliances but also combing and brushing cause these so-called dead ends.
Chemically treated hair, colored or relaxed is by definition drier and therefore split ends can easily occur. The frequent use of heat appliances such as tongs and blow-dryers only make the problem worse. Because chemically treated hair is more sensitive, it needs a lot more extra care to prevent dry ends and hair breakage. I think what you are experiencing has to do with this.
Hair that is split in the middle often indicates more than just damage done from the outside.
According to Yendys my American Hair and Nutrition specialist this can be related to a stressful period that can have happened up to 8 months ago. In her words: exams, relationship problems, work or any situation that causes an unspeakable amount of stress can cause an immune system interruption with the result that hair splits in the middle. Unfortunately there is little you can do about the part that is already split except cut is her advice.
That's probably not what you want to hear because you don't want to walk around with short hair. However, there is hope. The fact that your hair has grown nicely with braids indicates that your hair at least has all the potential to grow back wonderfully healthy. Seize that chance and make up for what you have done to your poor strands.
Here is my hair reconciliation program to restore and grow your hair.
It is very simple but after the first treatment you will notice results immediately. If you really keep it up for a month, the result will be visible. The longer you continue, the better the result.
You need 4 basic products:
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A good large comb with wide, rounded teeth that will not damage your hair further when combing it out.
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Going Natural Herbal Shampoo and Detox Conditioner
Wash your hair consistently once a week with the shampoo and condition afterwards with the Detox conditioner. Your hair will immediately revive from this. -
Last but not least you need a good moisturizer to keep your hair soft and supple. From what I read the Silky Shea Hair Butter would work fine but maybe also the , Curly Twistout Hair Cream or No More Knots which is also a leave in conditioner. Read them through and see which one would be best for your hair.
If you take these steps I guarantee that your hair will get a boost and if you keep it up you will soon be able to get your old hair length back.
I would not recommend greasing the scalp. Hair greases often contain ingredients that make the problem worse. What helps me when I suffer from itching on my scalp is the Scalp Conditioning Spray . I spray it between the partings in the evening before going to bed and then I sleep with a conditioning cap on. This really helps with the itching for instant relief if I can't wait until the evening then I just spray it on there of course.
I also use the No More Knots s. Also works wonderfully refreshing. None of these products contain mineral oil or other substances that are known to cause irritation. Good luck and keep us informed if you want.