OOOkay. I bleached and fried my hair  I have been practically living at this website the last few days researching products, reading reviews, and finding home remedies to help with my breakage/hair loss. I've always had fine, thin hair, but balding wasn't what I was after. I think I've read every post about Damaged, Dry, Bleached, Breakage, Protien Packs, Reconstructors, Deep Conditioners, Sebastion 2+1, Joico K-pak, Terax, Phyto, Redken, Bioter, I can go on. Also some new stuff no one seems to have used, Salerm.

I've been using the conditioner that came with the bleach like crazy and olive oil, shea butter drenches. Hair seems a little better, but still just falls out when I run my hand gently through it. I've came to the conlusion it needs a protein treatment and some good (hopefully not too expesnive) deep conditioner. But I've also read that people have had more breakage problems with the protein and over conditioning  

I aslo read somewhere someone used an egg on their hair to add protien?? Is that an alternative to buying a Protein Reconstructer Pack thingy? 

I guess basically I overstuffed myself with info and am lost... 

Help... Hair Advice Gods... Please...

Hey there Afakaleg, keep in mind that nothing will truly "repair" or "reconstruct" damage from heat or chemical processes. You're simply making your hair *feel* better by slathering stuff on it and preventing more damage. Maybe you can try treatments on a small portion of your hair first and observe the reaction, that way you can avoid a protein disaster. Then if the section of hair shows good results, then try doing all of your hair with the successful treatment.

HB is the perfect place to live when you're looking for product information. I hope you find a solution.

Hugs
Anais

I think I know what you mean. It's called http://talk.hairboutique.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=24921&KW=kerastase - Kerastase  and it's been mentioned on this board only a http://talk.hairboutique.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=33086&KW=kerastase - few times though. The mentions have been good reviews, however the product is pretty expensive.

I haven't tried any of those products, but here is a list of http://www.livejournal.com/users/anaissatin/1422.html - products I've tried  if that helps any.

Hugs
Anais

Hi Afakeleg (I finally get it.. A, fake, leg.) Thank you for your kind words.  and I'm glad someone is enjoying my nook.

The C-COW-C method is not as complicated as it sounds. It can even be simplified into  COW-C. "COW" is just shampoo mixed with a little bit of conditioner mixed with water. It looks frothy like steamed milk when you shake it up, hence the "cow". So at the basic level, COW-C is just applying the mixture, rinsing out, then conditioning.

Combs are not a "must". Detangling the hair, somehow, is probably a good idea. If you don't like combs then using your fingers would work just as well. In general, combs are more effective for detangling than brushes.

I hope that made sense. Have a happy New Year!

Anais

I hear people talk about using egg also; I had some left over from a recipe one time and so I tried it -- for the life of me, I can't remember what I mixed it with -- but I stupidly wrapped a hot, wet towel around my head while the egg was on and it scrambled. Thankfully, it come out easily. I knew better, but I wasn't thinking. If you go that route, be careful.

I also have heard that too much protein can make hair brittle; however, I use protein shampoos and conditioners and leave-ins ALL the time and have never ever had a problem. Though, I must say that I am a little more cautious now and I either mix my protein conditioners with a moisturizing conditioner or alternate them.

I have two of the Kerastase masks and another conditioner. I like it a lot but someone told me that Kerastase is not one of the better products as far as ingredients goes. I don't recall what that ingredient is but I use it anyway. (Plus, opinions will always vary.) I got mine off eBay. It IS very expensive, in my opinion, but cheaper on eBay.

I also have and like L'anza alot. I've been using it for years and years. I have the protein shampoo and the leave-in conditioner. My hair is bleached blonde and has been for about 7 years without any problems. I did have a bout with breakage at one point -- that's when I got the Kerastase. Anyway, I shampoo AND condition in the shower and then I ALSO use a leave-in mixed with a serum or another detangler/conditioner every single day (or I should say, every time I wash my hair which is about every other day). I also have fine hair. It sounds like a lot of conditioning but my hair DOES NOT get greasy. The bleached hair is very thirsty I'm sure.

I think what you should do is use a gentle shampoo and a very moisturizng conditioner and then ALSO a leave-in. You ought to get the L'anza one w/protein (the leave-in). Either mix the moisturizing conditioner with a protein one or alternate them. That's my humble, unscientific opinion.

P.S. The problem with doing too much research is, too much information is almost as bad as too little. Makes it harder to decide! And then here I am giving you yet more advice! LOL! But you asked. :) Good luck! Hey -- you could always pick up several different conditioning packets at Sally's. That way you could try many different things without making a committment. By the way, I never heard of "over conditioning" aside from possible over-PROTEIN-conditioning ... ???

Thanks Alayney, your advice was really good actually. I think I'll try the L'anza one w/protein as soon as I have the money. My boyfreind was picking at my hair yesterday and said my scalp is dry and flaking. I aslo get weird tingeling sensations, which worry me, but he thinks it means it's getting better.

AnaisSatin,  now I get the cow thing! Cool, I'll add conditioner to my shampoo/water bottle.

I wanted to experiment with the egg thing, but it sounds scary. So hopefully with the protein and the extra conditioning my hair will stop breaking off. Thanks guys