New Here

Hello everyone, I'm lovin this board already.  I've been signed up for about a week or two, but I just been reading and soaking up everything.  Well a little about my self.  I have my hair cut in a slanted bob (short in the back and long on the sides) with the longest length being to the bottom of my ear lobe.  I would like to get it back down to my shoulders like my high school days.  It is relaxed and dry unless I grease it.  I have read the other threads and most say that using greases with mineral oil or petrolum could hurt your hair, but I have to put something on my scalp and all the ones I've seen have petrolum or mineral oil as the first ingredient.  I have tried using a scalp oil (parnevu t-tree oil) instead of hair grease, but it just resulted in a dry scalp and eventually dandruff.  Could some one help me with a good hair grease or something else to moisturize my scalp?  Also I have had problems with my hair for years now as far as breakage.  I have pretty much boiled it down to not taking vitamins, since I developed this problem after I stopped taking prenatal vitamis after my sons birth.  So now I am trying to take my prenatal vitamin, b vitamin and a hair,skin, and nail vitamin and hopefully that will help.  My hair is just breaking at a spot up top and in the back, but hopefully the vitamins will help.  Well that is the state of my hair.  Hopefully it will get better with the help of this board

I was using all kera care hair products from the shampoo, conditioner, leave in conditioner and there jojoba oil moisturizer.  I just currently changed to motions cpr products, because someone recommended there leave in conditioner.  I would also use kera care's hair grease about two times a week.  I curl my hair 2 - 3 times a week.  I only blow dry it when i wash it, which is once a week.  I use a heat protection spray and moisturizer when blow drying.

kimanve wrote: I was using all kera care hair products from the shampoo, conditioner, leave in conditioner and there jojoba oil moisturizer.  I just currently changed to motions cpr products, because someone recommended there leave in conditioner.  I would also use kera care's hair grease about two times a week.  I curl my hair 2 - 3 times a week.  I only blow dry it when i wash it, which is once a week.  I use a heat protection spray and moisturizer when blow drying.

Curling your hair 2-3 times a week is a big no-no!  Even blow drying your hair as much as you do is too much.

It does not matter how great KeraCare products are (which I hear are great) or the Motions line or any other reputable products.  The curling irons and blow dryer undo any of the conditioning and moisturizing effects that those prods were intended for.  While some heads of hair can withstand that type of heat usage, it is obvious thru your breakage, that your hair cannot. 

I was addicted to the curling iron and blow dryer.  When I decided to use healthy hair care methods, I threw both away, because I could not trust myself.  I am not telling you that you should throw your property away.  But at the very least, you need to drastically reduce the heat usage.

Airdrying, deep-conditioning on a weekly basis, possibly co-washing during the mid-week, moisturizing daily will probably eliminate your need for grease. 

I used to suffer from really disgusting and embarrassing dry scalp.  As soon as I started co-washing, all of that went away.  Your hair is thirsty girl.  Give it some moisture. 


Edited by LadyEsquire - January 16 2007 at 4:34pm

Good advice LadyEsquire and Cmesweet! I love this forum! Welcome Kimanve! You're gonna love it too!

Oh, and more washing will help with the dry scalp but if you do want a product suggestion I love Wild Growth Oil for my hair and scalp (though I don't really grease my scalp often)

kimanve wrote: So I'm going to start co washing mid week and do my regular shampoo wash on Sat/Sun.  I'm going to cut out the heat completely and let my hair air dry.   I guess flat irons count as heat too.  I'll try the roller set, I just need a good setting lotion or can I use the foam used to wrap hair?  And lastly but not the least important apply a moisturizer daily.  I just need to find a good moisturizer, any suggestions?  I also read to apply a sealant afterwards, such as an oil.     So much information.  I hope I can put it all together.

Kim,

Yes, you can use a foam to wrap hair.  I personally do not use foam, but Macherieamour has a great hair blog called healthytextures.com, where she has a great rollersetting tutorial and she shares her prods, and I remember she said she uses a foam....

Elasta QP Mango Butter is a great moisturizer, S-Curl No Drip Moisturizer is a great (especially when I wear buns).

Sealant is also very important...essential oils such jojoba, avocado, coconut, olive oil, castor oil... The past few months, I have use WGO as my main sealant, and it does the job.

To organize and create a regimen, try writing every down and that will allow you to have a reference to tweak, customize to your life and hair needs, and a schedule to constantly adhere to.


Edited by LadyEsquire - January 20 2007 at 5:44pm

I do have some Lotta Body so I'm going to try and do a roller set with that.  I'm going to dilute it half water and half solution.