QuoteReplyTopic: Har Balls...LOL Posted: October 09 2008 at 2:50pm
No...not from cats, but my hair.
It's been awhile that I've posted, but I have a very important question. Maybe someone here who is an expert on hair can help.
I can twist or braid my hair and the ends will come out like cotton. I am very gentle with my hair. I don't know why this happens. I trim every 6 weeks and pre-condition and moisturize my hair.
It seems like it doesn't want to cooperate. Even if I just do nothing with it, it just comes out like small cotton balls. I only use heat on my hair (lightly) once every 6-8 weeks so that I can trim it properly.
What gives? Anyone?
Hair Goddess
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I believe that if you use too much protein then it will make your hair dry n brittle and break. I think hair needs a right balance, equal balance of protein and moisture.
_Princess_
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Hair that is shifted too far on the moisture side will be "super-elastic" and stretch more because it lacks a sound protein structure. Many ladies describe the feel of over-conditioned/over-moisturized hair as “mush-like” or “overly soft” when wet. It has almost a weak, limp spongy feel to it. Protein deficient hair will tend to pull and stretch along with the comb and then break. It will always stretch first then break which is the result of very low supplemental protein in the regimen. When this is the case, you will need some kind of protein to give the hair structure which will make it feel rigid (stronger) again. If your hair is stretching without returning, even if its not breaking you should use a light protein to correct this. When your hair stretches, the strand "thins" and becomes weaker across the cross section. It may not break right then at that very point in time, but stretched out of and beyond its shape, it is compromised and will eventually break at some other point. Your hair should be springing back to position. If its stretching and stretching without breaking it may be your hair's way of telling you, "Hey, I need a little structure (protein) here! I'm getting waaaay too elastic, but not yet enough to break-- so do something now!" This is where a preventive maintenance protein application would come in. You don't have to wait for breakage to act. Your hair is telling you now Start light, and work from there. You may not need a heavy treatment just yet.
And, you don't have to get all of your protein from a "treatment" per se or conditioner either. You can always throw in protein based leave in conditioners like (Infusium23) or waterbased moisturizers like (Cantu's Breakcure/or Elasta QP mango butter) to help you maintain the balance within your regimen. This way you can get a little or a lot without relying on one product.
If your hair: (Wet or Dry) Stretches slighty/returns to original length /no breaking= you are balanced just stick with maintaining (Wet ot Dry) Stretching a little more than normal then breaks= more protein
(Wet or Dry)Stretching, stretching, stretching/no breakage yet= more protein
(Wet)- Weak, gummy, mushy, limp hair= more protein
(Wet or Dry) Very little/no stretching then breakage= more moisture
(Dry) Rough/tough/hard/tangly/brittle hair= more moisture
Hair Goddess
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I thought about the protein thing all night and this a.m. and even went to buy ION straight with some protein. I used it this a.m. and I still have the same problem so I guess it may take time???
My hair is very, very, dry and I do use quite a bit of moisture on it. Everything is moisture. I did not ever think that I could overdo moisture, but I guess there should be a balance.
I will print out what you mentioned here. This info is quite valuable and I will take heed.
Much appreciated.
I can comb it 5 minutes later and it still continues to act the way you said...stretches beyond and comes out. The ends are knotted and they snap...even though I just trimmed a few weeks ago. I wondered if it could have been from wearing twists for a few months even though I saw quite a bit of growth from wearing them.
Edited by Hair Goddess - October 12 2008 at 8:11pm
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Glad to help...Yea it should take some time to work, I don't think it would happen overnight. I think there needs to be a balance so you'd have softness (moisture) and strength (protein) to have soft n strong strands...
The twists could have some impact, just to see if thats the cause of not, I would stay away from twisting for like a month or so, wear different protective styles and see if the knots continue..
Hair continues to grow, so I'd focus on keeping your hair healthy and strong, so that you can easily be able to maintain and keep the length you have
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So far, I was encouraged to get the Infusium 23 (step 1 and 2), and my hair condition has seemingly improved so far although I still have snapping at the ends, but I know like you said that it will not all happen overnight. Now that it's working, I'm going back next week to buy the leave-in. I will let you know how it's going.
I'm not sure how much moisture/protein balance to use in my new regimine....if you have any more suggestions, I would greatly appreciate them.
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I get the little hair balls, but these are really just the dead hair that has fallen out and collected in my hair. I usually just pull them and they slide right out with no problem. If the hair has a white bulb on the end then you know it's fallen out from the root but if it has no ball then it's breakage.
You have to balance your moisture with your protein for the healthiest hair possible. The only thing you can overdose on and it not be that big of an issue is moisture.
Also make sure you take care of you body/health as well since hair grows from the inside out, you know eat right, dring enough water, take vitamins and such.
So far, I was encouraged to get the Infusium 23 (step 1 and 2), and my hair condition has seemingly improved so far although I still have snapping at the ends, but I know like you said that it will not all happen overnight. Now that it's working, I'm going back next week to buy the leave-in. I will let you know how it's going.
I'm not sure how much moisture/protein balance to use in my new regimine....if you have any more suggestions, I would greatly appreciate them.
I think I will be buying them before my next shampoo although I'm sorta nervous about shampooing, etc., I know that the Infusium will take care of it.
I bought my supply of step1/2 at Rite Aid and you should have heard the clerk rave about their products.
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Also make sure you take care of you body/health as well since hair grows from the inside out, you know eat right, dring enough water, take vitamins and such.
So far, I was encouraged to get the Infusium 23 (step 1 and 2), and my hair condition has seemingly improved so far although I still have snapping at the ends, but I know like you said that it will not all happen overnight. Now that it's working, I'm going back next week to buy the leave-in. I will let you know how it's going.
I'm not sure how much moisture/protein balance to use in my new regimine....if you have any more suggestions, I would greatly appreciate them.
I've also purchased the Infusium 23 (leave-in) and have been using that. Along with Infusium Shampoo/Conditioner (step 1 / step 2)
Before this problem became apparent, I was using Alba Cocoa Butter Hair Wash / Conditioner (dry repair) which was too drying, and some days I'd use Nature's Therapy Mega Moisturizer.
Edited by Hair Goddess - October 24 2008 at 6:49pm
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Hello. Is there anyonoe out there that can help?
_Princess_ wrote:
, I was on their website looking at the leave-ins and thought I'd ask
even with the leave-in.