Restarting My Hair Journey

I have decided to restart my hair journey by removing more than three inches of what was left of my damaged ends.  Now that all of my damaged hair has been eliminated, my goal is now to achieve strong healthy relaxed or dual textured hair with more length retention.  Relaxing my hair less frequently (twice a year), is a good thing for me, and I have since gave up on hair coloring (permanent hair coloring).  Rather, I use semi-permanent hair color that does not contain peroxide or ammonia, for it is safe on relaxed hair and therefore, causes no damage.  My relaxer touch up is due next month on Saturday; following my touch up, conditioning and neutralizing, I will be applying a protein reconstructor along with a hydrating conditioner.  This of course, will restore the protein that was lost through relaxer process, giving back my hair strength and elasticity.  Healthy hair is what I prefer to have over long hair that has thin and damaged ends.

QP Mango Butter Leave-In

After using this product for over a week, I give this product four in a half stars; because it helped keep the natural part of my hair moisturized while it was in plaits. It left my hair soft and not greasy. What made try out this product, was that it was water-based moisturizer which my hair loves. I would use this product at least three times a week.

My Pre-school Years With Very Short Hair

circa-1968
 

circa-1976

As a toddler, I remember, I started out with very short nappy hair that was either worn in little plaits or cornrows, that never reached ear-length when worn out.  My hair was often unkempt due to not being properly cared for and that left me depressed and sometimes, I would be cruelly teased by children of my peers because of my uncombed hair.  As a little girl, I knew nothing about hair care, nor did I understood damage and breakage due to bad hairstyling;  my hair was often worn in braids whether it be cornrows or plaits, and very seldom, was my hair worn out, unless it was in a afro puff.  After years, of hair setbacks, my hair began to improve due to more knowledge through research, of what types of regimens that my hair type requires and what elements that causes damage and breakage. The end results of my knowledge through research, I have been achieving the length that I thought I would  never have. In contrast, as to how my hair looked in the previous years, I am quite amazed of how my hair looks now.  I finally done something that would make my hair become healthy and lengthy.  It was the two key elements I have used to help me achieve those goals, and those two elements are protein and moisture balance and protective styles.


 The first photo taken in April 2012, I have trimmed more than a half inch of my hair for the purpose to reduce split ends and to maintain its health.  I strongly believe that healthy hair comes first before length.  In this second photo (8-24-2012), once my hair has been completely air dried, I trimmed off less than a half inch.  As you can see in this second photo, as well as the first one; my hair was never flat-ironed, nor blow-dried, rather I avoid using heat on my hair. 

 

Regimens For Relaxer Stretches

Natural hair needs less protein and more moisture; relaxed hair needs a balance of protein and moisture. Since my hair is five months post of my relaxer, I would do the following steps:

Shampoo my hair with a moisturizing shampoo.

Use two conditioners, one moisturizer and one protein conditioner.

I would apply the moisturizing conditioner to the natural part of my hair; and apply a combination of protein and moisturizer to the relaxed section of my hair.

I use them with heat or without heat, the end results leaves my entire hair strong and soft. Throughout my relaxer stretch, I have experienced only minimal shedding and no breakage. Reason, is due to my hair now being well-balanced with protein and moisture, in addition to keeping my ends trimmed and wearing protective styles.

To conclude, I discovered a way to maintain strength and healthy hair throughout my relaxer stretches.