Weak and brittle hair

[LexiDior]

Im at a lost.

I do protein treatments, DCs, i try to balance my protein and moisture, protective style, i seal my ends, i take biotin, i drink water, and my hair still breaks off. what am i missing??

I can run my fingers through my hair and broken hairs will be i my hand. Im not sure what to do.
Im terrified to touch my hair but its the only i can do it. My hair should be longer than what it is.

Also, how do stop my hair from sticking together after i wash it??

 

[yaya24]

What products are you currently using?
What is your weekly/monthly regimen?

 

[HanaKuroi]

Can you list all your products and regimen?

I can't see any mentions on my IPhone. PM me if it is a must see. Allons y

 

[LexiDior]

What products are you currently using?
What is your weekly/monthly regimen?

I dont really have a regimen, i just make sure I DC at least 3x a week, and co wash at least once a week. im two months post relaxer also.
Products:

Nubian Heritage Repair & Extend Hair Butter
Organix biotin & collagen shampoo/conditioner
Garnier Fructis Length & Strength
Aphogee Keratin & Green Tea Reconstructor
Garnier Fructis Fall Fight Strand Saver
MN
Profectiv Mega Growth Deep Conditioner
Elasta QP Mango Moisturizer
Aphogee Deep Moisture Shampoo
Frizz-Ease Hydrating Conditioner
S-curl
ORS Replenishing Pak
ORS HairRepair moisturizer
ORS HairRepair Conditioner
VO5 Moisture Milk
Coconut Oil
EVOO
Mane N Tail Conditioner
Profectiv Growth Lotion

 

[SunySydeofLyfe]

From what I've learned that is a lot of protein. I think you need to slow the use of so much protein and get some moisture. Bumping....so others chime in.

 

[SunySydeofLyfe]

I count 7 products with protein....

 

[BraunSugar]

I think you should narrow down which products work and which ones don't, because you have a lot of products listed. I think a simple regimen w/just a few products might work best for you.

Is your hair sticking together after cowashing or after shampooing?

 

[LexiDior]

SunySydeofLyfe wow i didnt realize all the protein products i had.

Yesterday I did a homemade egg protein treatment to help stop the breakage :/ looks like i could have made it worse.

 

[LexiDior]

I think you should narrow down which products work and which ones don't, because you have a lot of products listed. I think a simple regimen w/just a few products might work best for you.

Is your hair sticking together after cowashing or after shampooing?

BraunSugar

Believe it or not, thats not all of what i have. i only list what ive used recently. in my head, i think all the products serve a purpose, like the mane n tail i use in my prepoo mix.

 

[classoohfive]

SunySydeofLyfe wow i didnt realize all the protein products i had.

Yesterday I did a homemade egg protein treatment to help stop the breakage :/ looks like i could have made it worse.

LexiDior

Did you follow it up with a moisturizing deep condition? I haven't done the egg protein treatment in a while, but when I do that or other protein treatments I have to give my hair some moisture afterwards.

 

[HanaKuroi]

Too much protein. Sounds like
Protein overload. You need some good moisture without cones.

You are doing too much.

You need to dc, dc, dc!

I can't see any mentions on my IPhone. PM me if it is a must see. Allons y

 

[SunySydeofLyfe]

And there maybe more....at first glance thats my count.

Do Chicoro's prepoo. Its amazing. At this moment i love Its a 10 leave in. I don't have the bottle but wheat protein is probably listed. IMHO and after trying to read everything about protein wheat is mild and helps with moisture. I try to use products with it listed but way down the list if i use the product regularly.
HV whipped ends is wonderful. I haven't had much luck with on the ground cons and leave ins. I also love kimmytubes leave in. I say all that to say, read your labels, back off of animal, collagen, silk, vegetable, etc proteins. Find a deep conditioner and get your dc on. Mixing oils in my conditioners have done wonders. Best wishes

 

[LexiDior]

classoohfive HanaKuroi SunySydeofLyfe


Before i did my homemade protein treament i co washed with V05. My mixed contained 1 egg, ors replenishing pak, evoo, mayonnaise and V05 Moisture milk.
What are some good moisture DCs?? Store bought or homemade are both fine.

 

[Onhergrind09]

I think you need to streamline your regimen and cut down drastically on the products you use at one time. I also thin you need to as cut down on the number of times you''re manipulating your hair. I can think of no reason for anyone to DC 3 times in 1 week and co-wash. A quality DC should hold you for at least 5 days as long as your M&S with an appropriate product in between. A quality co-wash should hold you for at least 3 days unless you sweat massively in your scalp.

What will be a good DC for you will depend on your hair type and what your hair likes. If you could give that info I'm sure people with similar hair could give you som great recommendations.

 

[SunySydeofLyfe]

I think the VO5 has protein. I like suave humectant and almond and shea for a cheapie. But since I'm relaxed i tend to use Nairobi and the like. I mentioned a prepoo i love above...but i also find adding oils like the mixed blends to my cons make my hair feel good i usually grab an oil from sallys for a few bucks, add to con, dc under the dryer or steamer. I also learned not to comb my wet hair at all, i airdry add my leave in then detangle.

 

[LexiDior]

Onhergrind09

yeh i had to start dcing once a week since all this break started. ok my hair loves moisture. im relaxed with 3B or C hair, it depends on where its located on my head.

 

[hnntrr]

I used to have a problem with major breakage and shedding (now its mostly shedding, less breakage) but it was cause my hair gets overloaded with protein easy. So now the only protein I put in my hair is coconut oil and i guess black tea has some protein? (planning on doing a protein wash ONLY after clarifying and that is gonna happen once a month) Otherwise moisture DC and cowashes (cowashes 2 times a week, dc once a week, tea rinse once a week).

I agree with everything else and think you may be using too much protein. Maybe try a few washes/ a week or two without using any protein? Right now I am using organix Moroccan argan creme extra moisturizing conditioner and it works well for my hair. And I know these ladies have some good moisturizing conditioner recommendations.

I feel like your hair isnt weak, its just too strong (like how certain metals get too hard and break so you have to temper them...like steel) your hair is the same, you gotta strengthen the hair then temper (moisturize) to keep the hair from breaking. You may just need some moisturizing TLC for awhile.

 

[LexiDior]

SunySydeofLyfe

wow i have to learn my protein.

 

[LexiDior]

hnntrr

thx, did you notice a lot of itching??

 

[hnntrr]

I did actually. Lots of itching, ESP a few days right before my relaxer ahaha ugh..but. I think I just have a itchy scalp issue (plus I just recently started using glycerin & rose water and I think I need to cut it with more oil/water haha)

 

[LexiDior]

hnntrr
my itching is horrible. a lot of ppl say its mental so i try not to think about it but it doesnt stop my itching. I really want to get this protein problem undercontrol before i relax.

 

[BraunSugar]

LexiDior With very good staple products, they can serve multiple purposes. I think you should pick something for a prepoo, cleansing, conditioning, detangling, moisturizing dc, protein treatment, moisturizer, & a styler. As I said, you may be able to find a product that can serve multiple purposes. Since you have breakage, I'd just try to simplify the regimen and the products until you figure out exactly what benefits you.

With a good moisturizer, I don't need to moisturize everyday. A good DC means that I only have to do it once a week, possibly even every other week. If you are using products with protein, try to limit how many of them you are using and note if it is a hard protein or a light one. A good prepoo should prevent you from having hair that is too dried out and tangled after a wash, and a good shampoo shouldn't leave your hair feeling stripped. Those kind of things could make a difference for you.

 

[LexiDior]

BraunSugar Thanks for the great info! I've never thought about a detangler, what do you suggest??

 

[Evolving78]

SunySydeofLyfe

wow i have to learn my protein.

you barely have any moisturizers in your stash. all you got is protein! you need to learn when a product says, treatment, fix, rebuild, mask, reconstruct, protect, strengthen, fill in, stop breakage etc... all of these are protein related.

you need to a trim and fall back on the protein for a 30-60 days. you need moisture! moisturizing conditioners, shampoos, leave-ins, moisturizers,and styling products. you have to know when to incorporate protein, not just make it a part of your reggie. you may not require protein, or only need very little.

things that have helped me get over protein overload, was taking protein out of my reggie for several months. i read up on what ingredients acts like a protein as well.

i put a tablespoon of salt in my moisturizing deep condition sessions, i found moisturizers and leave-ins that had no protein in them. i started using sulfate shampoo to remove as much product buildup as possible. non-sulfate shampoos were just creating more of a coating. i stopped with the overnight condition sessions, etc....

and i backed off from the comb for awhile. i used my fingers to detangle my hair. my hair was so hard and stiff, my detangling comb was just ripping my hair out.

 

[Evolving78]

hnntrr
my itching is horrible. a lot of ppl say its mental so i try not to think about it but it doesnt stop my itching. I really want to get this protein problem undercontrol before i relax.

the relaxer may help! i know it worked for me as well. it helped to break down some of that protein.

i know it worked for Divachyk too. for me, my hair was a tangled, straw like mess and i had a ton of new growth. stretching my hair, dealing with dry new growth was not the business. go ahead and get a touchup and start on your moisturizing reggie for a little while. maybe once a month or longer, you can use a light protein conditioner.

 

[Evolving78]

I dont really have a regimen, i just make sure I DC at least 3x a week, and co wash at least once a week. im two months post relaxer also.
Products:

Nubian Heritage Repair & Extend Hair Butter
Organix biotin & collagen shampoo/conditioner
Garnier Fructis Length & Strength
Aphogee Keratin & Green Tea Reconstructor
Garnier Fructis Fall Fight Strand Saver
MN
Profectiv Mega Growth Deep Conditioner
Elasta QP Mango Moisturizer
Aphogee Deep Moisture Shampoo
Frizz-Ease Hydrating Conditioner
S-curl
ORS Replenishing Pak
ORS HairRepair moisturizer
ORS HairRepair Conditioner
VO5 Moisture Milk
Coconut Oil
EVOO
Mane N Tail Conditioner
Profectiv Growth Lotion

everything on this list has protein in it except for the MN (that is causing more dryness right now) Elasta Mango, S-curl (glycern may not be your friend right now) and that's it. you need to back away from all of that.

try Aussie 3 min miracle conditioner
tresemme naturals (moisturizing)
suave almond and shea butter shampoo and conditioner
silk elements mega silk moisturizing conditioner (tan jar)
mizani moisturfusion

stay away from Aubrey organics, kenra, joico, even keracare (they have hidden protein in them, believe me, i tried it all). if you do use oil, use grapeseed or jojoba oil. light oils. for moisturizers, NTM worked well with jojoba oil to seal. use the LOC method.

 

[BraunSugar]

@BraunSugar Thanks for the great info! I've never thought about a detangler, what do you suggest??

LexiDior Mane & Tail Spray Detangler is a pretty good one.

 

[Evolving78]

BraunSugar Thanks for the great info! I've never thought about a detangler, what do you suggest??

don't use mane and tail. it has protein in it and it dries quickly. use your fingers to detangle until you can get your hair under control. pre detangle your hair before washing with your fingers an a light oil.

 

[Evolving78]

LexiDior Mane & Tail Spray Detangler is a pretty good one.

i just told her that was a big no-no right now. mane and tail products have protein in them or some hidden form of protein.

ok, i'm done with all of my advice. good luck and i hope you can get it under control soon.

 

[LexiDior]

@shortdub78
you just make my research a little easier, thanks

Ill try a few of these products that you have suggested. Hopefully they will work.

Is there a list of hidden proteins i can find online??