Alert! Alert!
I have changed my regimen for specific reasons
I have not changed the products...just some methods
For 5 months I was on a hardcore protective styling, low manipulation regimen. I would wear my hair in twists and braids for 2 to 4 weeks at a time and I did retain pretty well, but I also lost hair in tragic ways during takedown...no matter how careful I was.
So I decided to change a few things up.
New things:
1) I style my hair in large twists/braids or 2 big flatwists rather than small ones and I do them while in the shower...I also takedown in the shower. The bigger size cuts down on take down time and the bigger size plus doing it in the shower gives me stretch and it provides a bit of detanglage whilst I twist/braid my hair and for takedown it makes it easier and safer (for me, anyway) because I don't end up ripping my hair out...I pin them up when I get outta the shower and wear that syle for 4 to 7 days.
2) instead of restyling once every 2 to 4 weeks, I restyle once or twice a week, so I can get rid of sheds that tangle in my hair more quickly
3) I started wearing a stocking cap to condition while my hair is in the protective style to preserve the style (so I won't have to redo more than once or twice a week)
I was just noticing some things and they needed to change. Like I said, no matter how I tried...no matter how careful I was, I just couldn't HELP but end up ripping my hair out when I was taking all those 3 week old twists or braids out. My hair doesn't like to be in an "out" state much...so protective styling is needed, but I'm also learning that my hair can't handle being left in the same style too long or in styles that are super tiny.
So...all in all...products are the same! methods...different.