The Long Hair Community - I need help as I start this new journey... and I really thank you...

Jaydee · May 17th, 2007, 04:30 PM

I’ve had some posts already that explained my hair disaster, but let me give a quick one.

I had a hair rebonding done in the Philippines last year. It was the first thing I’ve ever done to my hair and my hair was not damage (I thought so) or anything, and it lasted almost a year with no problems. This year I had a touch-up here in the US and the lady I went to called it Japanese hair straightening. I noticed after that that I’ve been shedding more hair, but didn’t think about it and I was confident I have a lot of hairs. But 2 months later, my hair just started breaking off all over very noticeably. Now, 4 months after the straightening, my hair has thinned almost half and I have all these thinning spots everywhere. I got lab works done and all my numbers came out normal. Some of the members here gave suggestions on what to do and those I will try.

Somehow, I’m just taking this whole disaster as a blessing in disguise because I’ve come to know about this site. I had to come to terms with my hair, and accept that the problem is there and cannot be undone, all I have to do is deal with it and somehow start a fresh.

All the info here are amazing, but I don’t know where to start. Right now, I only wash my hair 2 – 3 times a week. Do a protein treatment (Nexxus Emergencee) one of those days, and the rest I only use conditioner (Nexxus Humectress). I handle my hair very gently, and I’m even very scared to touch it because it’s too fragile. My hair still keeps on breaking and I continue to have a whole lot of shedding. I noticed some new growths on my scalp though, which is a big relief to me. Once school is out I will have the time to do the Aphogee treatment and start doing some other stuffs which like I said I’m not quite sure where to start.

To paint a picture, my hair now has straight ends, wavy middle (I’ve been putting it on a pony tail, cause if I don’t I’m scared the wind is going to aggravate the breaking), and visible thinning top with lots of broken hair sticking up and also new ones coming out. I don’t know how else to do with it but tie it with a ponytail while trying to hide the thinning spots and keep it from the wind and all.

I know this is quite long, but I know I’ve found a real community who understands.

Thank you everyone for all your support and advice. Like I said I’m taking my whole disaster as blessing in disguise for me to come across this group. Take care all!

momma smurf · May 17th, 2007, 04:38 PM

Welcome! And good luck, if there is help to be found, you'll find it here!

spidermom · May 17th, 2007, 05:07 PM

That sounds absolutely awful; I'm really sorry to hear it. I hope you turn the corner toward better hair very soon.

Jaydee · May 17th, 2007, 06:17 PM

Yeah, I know... I'm hoping the same way too. If somebody has advice on how to minimize or stop the shedding, I would greatly appreciate it. Thanks a lot!

SippyCup · May 17th, 2007, 06:29 PM

Wow I am so glad I did not get that done!

Sorry to hear about your bad experiences, but like you said you found LHC!

And its only getting better

golden_gal · May 17th, 2007, 06:38 PM

Okay I've been through a similar experience. I also had my hair straightened some time ago and it shedded like crazy after a while. I'm not sure if it had anything to do with the straightening but looking back, I highly suspect it. I lost close to a third of my thickness, which was really depressing.

What I did was to switch to a gentle shampoo and condish. Don't use the type for very dry/damaged hair because most of them seems to be more cone-y (in my experience) and they made me shed even more. Basically you just have to be seriously gentle on your scalp and wait it out. Don't wash too often either. Oiling your scalp is a rather risky thing: either it will make it better or worst. I gave it up after a while. You can give it a go though as the massage will help new hairs grow.

Also, don't worry as your hair WILL grow back. This happened to me about 3 years ago and I've regained most of my thickness. Plus, you have LHC to help you! I didn't find this site until last year.

Hope that helps!
Good luck!

Jaydee · May 17th, 2007, 07:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by golden_gal

Okay I've been through a similar experience. I also had my hair straightened some time ago and it shedded like crazy after a while. I'm not sure if it had anything to do with the straightening but looking back, I highly suspect it. I lost close to a third of my thickness, which was really depressing.

What I did was to switch to a gentle shampoo and condish. Don't use the type for very dry/damaged hair because most of them seems to be more cone-y (in my experience) and they made me shed even more. Basically you just have to be seriously gentle on your scalp and wait it out. Don't wash too often either. Oiling your scalp is a rather risky thing: either it will make it better or worst. I gave it up after a while. You can give it a go though as the massage will help new hairs grow.

Also, don't worry as your hair WILL grow back. This happened to me about 3 years ago and I've regained most of my thickness. Plus, you have LHC to help you! I didn't find this site until last year.

Hope that helps!
Good luck!

I do the protein treatment for the breakage, since I'm also dealing with that. Yes, I'll give oiling a try. Since I'm not washing my hair everyday now, my hair gets oily and somehow I thought this is contributing to the hair shedding. I've been assured though here that oil doesn't add to the problem but helps.

My shedding seems uncontrollable. I cant do any physical activity, since any tension or pressure on my head seems to add to the shedding. I played basketball with my cousins one time and I saw hair all over my shirt. I cant just lay my head for a nap or something anywhere 'cause I would have tons of hair all over when i wake up. I don't know how to stop this breakage and shedding. I felt paralyzed for a while. I'm getting back though and also searching out for more remedies.

Thanks for the advice!

Melian · May 17th, 2007, 11:59 PM

Be careful with the protein treatments!!!
I have had a perm (almost 1.5 year ago) and moisture was essential for me. Try SMT's with very moisturizing condish. Try misting etc.
And for the ponytail, do you wear that as an everyday style? Maybe you could try to french braid your hair. It is more confined in the style plus your length cannot tangle because of the wind and it is a very gentle style.

**Kuchen** · May 18th, 2007, 12:12 AM

Sorry to hear you're having lots of shedding.

Try coconut oil or olive oil (EVOO) – adding a tiny bit a day or doing the occasional heavy oiling might really help.

AutumnLeaves · May 18th, 2007, 03:30 AM

Hi, I'm new here and hope I'm not saying the wrong thing. However, I don't think limiting your activity will stop the breakage. In fact, I would think increased activity would help circulate the blood and stimulate the hair follicles! That said, if your hair is that fragile, I don't really think you can stop the breakage other than avoiding the treatments that originally caused it. Hair growth is cyclical and I too believe your hair will regain its thickness. Just follow the tips others have given (I'm going through same thing due to excessive bleaching/coloring) and hopefully improving the condition will decrease the breakage/loss.

Jaydee · May 18th, 2007, 06:04 PM

Yes Melian, I have decided to do the protein treatment once every two weeks from now on since I noticed the breakage to be a little bit more controlled now. There are still some but not too much anymore. Shedding however is still uncontrollable. I will start doing SMT.

Thanks Kuchen for the links!

You are right Autumnleaves. Physical activity really helps, also emotionally.

I guess, I was just trying to make the point that my hair doesnt just shed on the shower, it literally is everywhere and I have to be extremely careful with everything I do.

Felicity · May 18th, 2007, 06:09 PM

You wouldn't be the first one here to have had to learn a hard lesson about hair care. I lost a huge amount of hair and had to have over a foot of hair cut off to save anything after I attempted to dye it blonde. I went from bsl to ear length in one big chop in January. I still only have a few inches of my own color back but I've managed to save the rest of the dyed hair with protein treatments and a lot of gentle care.

Protein treatments really help. I can't reccomend them enough.

Jaydee · May 18th, 2007, 06:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Felicity

You wouldn't be the first one here to have had to learn a hard lesson about hair care. I lost a huge amount of hair and had to have over a foot of hair cut off to save anything after I attempted to dye it blonde. I went from bsl to ear length in one big chop in January. I still only have a few inches of my own color back but I've managed to save the rest of the dyed hair with protein treatments and a lot of gentle care.

Protein treatments really help. I can't reccomend them enough.

Oh, I'm so sorry about that. Yeah, I feel better after I found this LHC. By the way, what kind of protein treatment did you do? What else did you do?