Can't seem to combat the breakage

I did an overnight pre poo with my usual stuff. I left it on and went to the gym the next day. After the gym, I added a little avocado oil to my hair and did a 30 min stint under the hood dryer. I washed with tea tree shampoo then mixed the 2min reconstructor with honey, olive oil, caster oil and avacado oil. Left it on for 30 mins. Rinsed. Used the chi silk infusion, k/c leave in conditioner and aphogee tea tree reconstructoriser. I flat ironed with fantasia IC serum. My hair was breaking and it felt dry and still feels dry. Dammit. I think the combination of the honey and the extra products, which i haven't used in a while did not help.

Breakage.....

I gymed it on Sunday morning and washed with neutralising shampoo. Used aphogee balancing moisturiser, olive oil and the two step treatment. Dried and flat ironed. My hair felt kinda dry all day. I didn't style it and also forgot to sleep with a head scarf on. My hair was soo dry!.

I then went to the gym Monday. For some reason I co washed at the gym using a mix of organix mint and tea tree conditioner and olive oil. I left it on while showering. I then used west Indian caster oil on my crown and nape area. I let my hair air dry. The next day, used serum, heat protectant spray, a little organic root stimulator olive oil, some keracare wrapping lotion. I styled with the heating iron. Even did a seran wrap and it was still stiff and dry and breaking.

Yesterday , I did an overnight pre poo with caster oil, avocado oil, jojoba oil, grape seed oil, glycerine and organix mint conditioner and left it in over night, using a shower cap and ceran wrap. Woke up and put some caster oil on the damaged parts, sat under the hood dryer for 20 mins. I washed with aphogee damage shampoo and saw little bits of broken hair, maybe and inch long. There were between 10-15 of them. I rubbed some olive oil, avacado oil and a table spoon of the two step treatment into my hair and saw lots of broken hair on my hands. Left the treatment on for 10 minutes and washed it out. Using just the k/c wrap lotion, I made a rubbish attempt at wrapping, but my hair felt light and not weighed down at all. I'm just disappointed by the breakage during the wash. It's not breaking after styling.

I have to say, I'm pleased that I can actually hold the area that was damaged just want to retain it and ad to it now.

I caved in and relaxed

In order to stretch my relaxer I've been doing lots of pre poos and deep conditioning treatments. Because my hair is so short, I can't not use heat. I've been going to the gym 4 times a week and try to wash every other occasion after. I really need to learn how to wrap my hair, which might help, but I hate wrapping it when wet as I am concerned about breakage during the combing process.

Anyway, I got to a point where I felt confident enough to relax. I used elasta qp. I left it in for 12 minutes this time which left my hair under processed. It may have been because I saturated my hair in olive oil before the relaxer so the relaxer didn't penetrate properly. I wasn't too concerned as I would rather have under processed than over processed. Next time, I might leave it in for 20 minutes. I didn't see a lot of hair breakage or shedding so I was relieved. I did a deep condition with Dr Organics vit e oil conditioner and olive oil. I noticed after 20 mins under the dryer that the damaged part of my hair was quite "crispy". It just felt dry. I lay my hair flat against my scalp, but decided I was too tired to sit under the hood dryer to let it dry. I used a silk scarf and went to bed. When I woke up the damaged parts were still feeling dry, but it does appear to be filling in.
I used a heat protector from Fantasia and their serum and flat ironed my hair. It feels really bouncy and moisturised. The itching was back so had to use keracare again.

After I flat ironed my hair, it felt great and its grown. I cut the front to mid ear length and not it's just at the end of my ear.Yeah. I even have an inch of hair to hold where the damaged occurred

short relaxed hair and exercise

I joined the gym. I keep reading that you should wash your hair after every wash, but I seem to recall exercising and not washing more than once a week and my hair was fine. I don't want to use so much heat on my hair so I will do my mid week co-wash instead. I tried the olive oil moisturiser and its soo greasy. I have discovered that using a silk scarf on my hair whilst air drying really helps keep my hair sily. I washed my hair with dr organics tea tree shampoo afer doing a d/c with organic root stimulator, a mix of olive oil and some other oils. i then mixed oilive oil with aphogee 2 min reconstructor and left it in for 5 mins. Rinsed, towel dried my hair, use a little keracare leave in conditioner a bit of serum and let my hair air dry. After using the straighteners, my hair as so fly! I've noticed less breakage, in fact hardly any breakage, but my crown and nape is sooo itchy! nothing seems to be helping....but at least there is no breakage around that area like there was 4 weeks ago. I'm tempted to relax but I just want to protect my hair as much as possible. I'm almost 6 weeks post.

Definately doing more pre poos

On Monday night I did an over night pre poo with olive oil, jojoba oil, vatika coconut oil and amla oil mixed with original source coconut conditioner. I washed nexxus thickening shampoo, which made my hair tangled. I put in the 2 minute reconstructor for 5 mins. I was able to comb my hair afterwards. I air dried but at the end my hair was a wiry mess. Using a little spray oil and a drop of serum I straightened. My hair felt really dry so I did a saran wrap for 10 mins. My hair felt a lot better and more movable. My hair feels more moisturised than before. I found a great micro flat iron in TkMaxx which picks up the very short hairs near my crown. I can actually feel coils of hair,which tells me I have growth, because even with the flat iron, I can feel the coils, so I am really pleased. I think I might actually make it 2 months without relaxing, three months if I can help it.

A pree poo does wonders

My hair was breaking again. I was almost scared to comb my hair. I was tempted to relax it, but then I decided to go for a jog after work. Came back and did a deep condition with Amla Oil, Vatika Coconut oil and Coconut conditioner, sat under the hood dryer for about 40 minutes, washed with aphogee damage shampoo followed by the 2min reconstructor, the tea tree reconstructoriser, keracare leave in conditioner, fantasia serum. Using a boar bristle brush I used that to keep my hair flat whilst drying with a blow dryer. It still felt dry. I flat ironed it and while it feels poofy, it only broke a little bit. I used a spray oil to finish and have my satin cap on.

dry hair again

After my pre poo, my hair was still dry so I condition washed it. It still felt dry. I let it air dry and used some leave in conditioner. Today I moisturised with fantasia hair serum and it feels better but my nape area feels so dry and nappy and itchy. I'm still using the keracare itchy scalp lotion. I'm definitely going to relax that area on Saturday. My nape area is growing and looking a bit better, but the area near my crown looks horrible.

Wash day

Last night I mixed Olive oil and coconut oil and left it in over night. When I woke up, I made a mixture from original source coconut and almond conditioner, olive oil, vatika coconut oil, amla oil, a few drops of tea tree oil, and some drops of rosemary. I then applied that to my hair and left it in for about 6-7 hours. I washed with aphogee damage shampoo, followed by the 2 min reconstructor which i left in for 7-8 minutes 'cause I was watching 106 and park. Rinsed out the aphogee, then mixed olive oil and and vatika coconut oil, with jojoba oil, and sat under the dryer for 25 minutes. I washed it out. My hair felt dry and tangled. I tried using different conditioners but they didn't work, so I had to comb my hair gently under the full force of the tap. I then dried and used the aphogee reconstructoriser, some vit e on my trouble spots and a sample of organic root stimulator moisturising oil. My i then combed my hair and there was so much hair on the comb. I decided to wrap and sit under the dryer to let it dry without too much manipulation. I used an old du rag folded over to tie at my nape to keep the hair there flat with a second du rag over the to. Half way to dry, I checked the progress and ran the comb through it and got more hair. I know it's the silica complex I've been taking 'cause the last time I took them I had the same shedding.I should have thrown them away then!
My hair was really greasy, but i think that was because I used the oily du rag I used during my pre poo. Anyway, I blotted the oil with tissue and a damp towel.I then used the flat iron. My hair didn't break too much but it definitely was shedding. I've wrapped it ready for tomorrow.

progress

My hair is doing a lot better. I hardly see breakage, but I am seeing shedding, maybe 2-5 hairs a day. I read that it's normal, so I wont panic just yet. It's better than the breakage I had before. I'm using too much grease in my hair. It feels so greasy. I've been using vit e oil, but i'm obviously over doing it. Also the keracare itchy scalp cream is way too greasy, but it works. I need to find an alternative.

Dating and hair care

Okay, so I have a boy friend. Whoop whoop. Anyway,I tend to do my deep condition every Saturday, wash and straighten my hair with heat. Unfortunately, he spends the night and loves running his hands through my hair. It means, that my hair is a mess after our *cough* sessions. It's been 3 months and I just think it's too soon to wear a du rang or head scarf to bed. If we are at my place, then I use my satin pillows. My hair is still a mess the next day. The other day, I was in the shower and had my shower cap on and he came in. I was so embarrassed! I must have looked like a grandma. But he didn't care.

On the plus side, my hair is filling out and isn't breaking as much.

update and exercise

So it's been 5 days since I relaxed my hair. So far, it feels great. I've been using vitamin e oil liberally on my scalp around the crown and back, and it makes my hair feel softer and less brittle. My hair still breaks, but not as much. Every night and day i put vitamin e oil on the trouble spots and a little oil sheen on the rest of my hair. I haven't used any heat since relaxing. I'm just sprayed the oil sheen and put on a satin bonnet or when i can't find that, then my du rag.

I started to exercise again. I have lost my stamina after almost 2 months of no exercise. Now that I've completed my masters, i can get back to exercise. I let my hair air dry from the sweat and put vitamin e on the damaged parts and then oil sheen. Sometimes some leave in on the damaged parts and also the keracare itchy scalp cream. So far so good. My hair feels nice.
I also cut off another 2 inches after the last relaxer so I'm sure that's helping.

Relaxed hair

I was 5 weeks post relaxer and decided to relax as my hair was jacked up. I also had a terrible itchy scalp. I used Keracare itchy scalp cream, or whatever its called and it eased up considerably. I tried t-tree oil mixed with jojoba oil, but it made my hair and scalp feel so dry. The keracare made my scalp hair dry but it stopped the itching. Anyway, I decided to relax with elasta qp. I timed it and did the parts of my hair that weren't breaking first, then did the scalp and back of my nape, but i left that in for only 6 minutes on the broken parts and the rest of my hair was only for 12 minutes. After that i used aphogee 2 minute reconstructor, then followed by the balancing moisturiser. I then did a deep condition with the conditioner provided and some oilve oil. I sat under the hood dryer for 30 minutes. I have to say I am seeing less breakage and my hair feels great. I then used keracare leave in conditioner, fantasia serum, aphogee tea tree stuff and used vitamine e-oil and jojoba oil on the parts that are breaking. So far so good, with only a little breakage for now. Fingers crossed.

I think i've made it worse

I did a deep condition with Organic root stimulator, olive oil and coconut oil. Sat under the hood dryer for about 30mins. Washed and saw hair breaking again. I didn't use a comb, just my fingers and saw lots of broken hair in the sink. I did the aphogee 2 min reconstructor for 2 mins, washed and saw less breakage, but it was still breaking.I used
Aphogee Keratin & Green Tea Restrunizer
Aphogee Pro-Vitamin Leave in Conditoner
Aphogee 2-Step Protein & Balance Moist

Used some oil sheen and fantasia serum. My hair feels heavy and weighed down. I dried it under the hood dryer. My hair was itching so I decided to use a bit of tee tree oil on the areas that were itching and some KeraCare Dry & Itchy Scalp Glossifier
Combed my hair and it was still breaking.
I also realise that as soon as I comb or manipulate my hair, it itches badly for a bit.
I'm so fed up. I don't know how much more of my hair to cut...
I don't know what to do....I'm so scared to relax my hair and i'm trying to stretch as much as possible. I am at 4 weeks and 3 days stretch. Going back to jogging again tomorrow.

Aphogee

I was on You tube and saw a girl called Ateyaa recommending Aphogee. She has great hair, but i do wonder if she's got some mixture in her.. Anyway, I went out and got myself a hood dryer, bought the two step treatment. It's a bloody mess, it was dripping everywhere and even got in my eye. My eye was ok, just needed a rinse. After i washed the treatment out, my hair felt dry. I probably should have followed up with the rest of the recommended products, but didn't. I used my regular coconut oil, Fantasia hair serum and i have to say, my hair didn't break as much, but it did keep breaking. It was even breaking before i did the treatment and was only just running water through it. I saw little 2-5mm length hairs breaking and dropping in the bath. My hair is jacked up! Anyway, the breakage has lessened, but has not gone away at all. The tea tree oil is making the breakage better. I also cut 2 inches off my hair the other day, to try to even out the back.

itchy scalp

I discovered a condition called Seborrheic dermatitis. After reading up on it some more, it looks like there is no cure, but i saw somewhere that tree oil is good. The strange thing is, my body itches as well sometimes, but mainly the itching is in the area where my hair is breaking.

stressed!

I'm doing a masters in Marketing. I have to hand in my dissertation soon - as in 3 weeks. Right now I'm in the library munching all sorts of crap, getting distracted. I've been here for 7 hours! I haven't been exercising in weeks, goodness only knows how much weight I've put on, although my clothes feel loose. Anyway, I discovered the other day that I may have a peanut allergy. I noticed that immediately after eating peanuts my skin and scalp starts itching. As I've been scratching, I noticed bits of broken hair in my nails and around my neck! The middle of my hair is so badly broken. All I can feel around my nape and middle of my hair is afro! Sigh

breaking again

I washed my hair yesterday, cause it was itching really badly. I let it air dry, conditioned with motions oil conditioner. I put some vitamin e-oil on the area of my hair that is breaking, then some olive oil serum and let it dry. As it was itching I put Keracare dry itchy scalp glossifier. It worked almost immediately, but it is VERY greasy. I then used the hair straighteners on it and it started breaking. See pics. You can clearly see my hair is lop sided on account of the fact that one side just grows and then breaks. I've tried to style it so you cant see the breakage and normally you can't. The camera pics up everything though. I'm going to get my hair braided

Short damaged relaxed hair

My hair is a mess

I had natural hair for 7 years then decided to relax it using (ORS). After i did that it was nice and silky, but it did fall out quite a bit which scared me. My stylist then suggested i use motions. I tried it and noticed my hair breaking just to the left of my crown and it was under processed...i thought nothing of it and carried on with motions. The my hair really started to break even more at the left side of my nape. I went to a different stylist who used Hair Revita and its gotten even worse. I now have just an inch of hair around the area near the left of my crown right down to the nape. I cut my hair to hide it, but its horrible.I'm thinking of braiding for a while before going back to ORS. Unfortunately, I work in a conservative office and i'm not sure braiding will be viewed with enthusiasm. See pics. These were taken after i air dried it. The last picture is of the other side of my hair which is not breaking