There is no worst feeling than stretching your relaxer for more than 3 months and you end up trimming off any progress made because you failed to take care of your hair properly. It's almost like, what was the sense of your relaxer stretch. If you grow 2inches and trim 2inches it makes you feel defeated. Raise your hand if you agree with me [raises hand]. Who doesn't like celebrating after making progress on your healthy hair journey. Don't get me wrong, if you need a trim go ahead and get it done, but after having a major cut my ends should still be in shape.
For the last 16 weeks of my relaxer stretch this is what I did wrong:
- Prepoo or hot oil treatment? What are those, never happened.
- Instead of my weekly Deep Conditioning it turned into every 2 or 2 1/2 weeks
- Co-Washing replaced Deep Conditioning some weeks
- My favorite protein treatment couldn't be found and I ended up using a DIY home product of greek yogurt only twice in 16weeks *yikes*
- To dry my hair after a washday, I opted for a quick fix by blow-drying
- I purchased a heat cap that wasn't functional for my head therefore Deep Conditioning sessions were not effective. It was too big for my head and the back (my nape) never got hot
- There was an increase in shedding and no black tea rinses was done.
- I placed my hair in a protective style to last more than a week such as French braid, halo braid or two pigtails
- Moisturizing and sealing was almost none existent for days
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| One of the few real washdays |
What I plan to do for the next 3 months and more:
- Bi-weekly prepoo with extra virgin coconut oil
or moisturizing product
- Bi-weekly shampoo with a moisturizing one
- Clarifying my hair every 4-6weeks
- Weekly Deep Conditioning with heat for 30min minimum
- Strong protein treatment every 6-8weeks ( I found my Aphogee products
)
- Utilizing my moisturizing spray every other day and sealing with Coconut Oil
- Protecting my ends by hiding them in braids and buns
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| One of the few real washdays |
Being on a healthy hair journey isn't all a bed of roses and I like to share not only my highs but my lows as well. I know you must be asking why did I fall off the wagon so badly after knowing the consequences and having the knowledge. Well, instead of going into too much detail its called life. You probably think it’s a piss poor excuse since this blog holds me accountable but honestly life took over everything else that required my full attention. Am I sad? Just alittle because I wanted a full hemline, but I also know its just hair and my hair grows and it will grow back. We often beat up ourselves over things we can’t control. What I suggest is making a plan to move forward positively instead of living in the past that we cant change. Please learn from my mistakes and plan alot better than I did.
I agree with you completely, it is important to share the highs and lows and then when success is achieved it becomes even more glorious. Thanks for sharing these excellent tips and I also know what you mean about life getting in the way, it does happen sometimes. Pretty please don't forget to stop by my blog.
ReplyDeletewww.wurassecrethair.blogspot.com
Thanks for sharing your experience Tomi! Sometimes I read healthy hair blogs and think that they are perfectionists in hair care. And I totally feel you on that issue of life taking over, sometimes there are just other things that have a way higher priority *hides*. Did you experience any breakage during your stretch?
ReplyDeleteThese are some great tips that are extremely helpful and love your blog and how you present both the highs and lows of a hair journey. Please know that your hair is still gorgeous, full and thick and you have come a long way. One can see you are still dedicated to your hair journey and your ends will prosper in no time. Just you wait and see.
ReplyDeleteMy inspiration.
I know how it is to feel too busy for hair care!! Lesson learned this time around for you. Hopefully, you will have better results next time!
ReplyDeleteI definitely agree! It's called a journey for a reason and it's not always a smooth one. Life gets in the way sometimes and occasionally things don't happen the way we plan, but we still have a chance to bounce back, and it is just hair like you said. It will keep on growing. Great post!
ReplyDeleteThe thing with this hair journey is, it can be a little stressful with all the do's and dont's. In the times when I neglected my hair, it sure felt good not having to worry about hair in general -- long wash days, long detangling sessions, etc. No one likes a setback but you have all the tools you need for a healthy comeback. You can and will do this!
ReplyDeleteJay of www.relaxedthairapy.com
It happens Tomes! My ends have suffered when sometimes I just don't feel like nurturing my hair but you're hair will make a come back x
ReplyDeleteGirl I swear this is like my story, I feel your struggle. I'm now 5 months post and I'm gonna be sharing my horror story wash day later this week but yesss I definitely feel your pain. Needless to say, I am rocking a unit today Lol
ReplyDeleteRaise hands!!! This is called a journey for a reason, I'm about 6 weeks post and I've only had 2 wash days and I'm still not sure when the next one is going to be. Like you, I love to share the highs and lows, its called being real, life gets in the way.
ReplyDelete[Hands are raising here] I don't use relaxers, but I understand the struggle. Not having time to properly take care of the hair is inevitable sometimes. But, I like your new plan of action.
ReplyDelete