Ladies, I need some guidance.  My hair grows but constantly sheds and breaks off.  So I have maintained the same bob for most of my adult life. 

I am a product of running from stylist to stylist, using heat everyday and switching relaxers every 7-8 weeks.  I found this site about 2 months ago and I have been studying the post and replies in order to adopt a regimen that will allow me to have healthy medium to long hair.

In the last 2 1/2 weeks, I have been rolling my hair at night, wrapping it an hour before I go to work in the morning and accomplishing the look that I want, while keeping the heat out of my hair.  I have thin to medium textured hair, so hair oil will weigh it down and it will look like a cat has sucked it  .  I think I average putting heat in my hair about 2-3 if needed (normally only when my hair is getting dirty and the style will not hold up any longer).

I have began to use K-Pak shampoo, conditioner, Hydrator and Reconsrtuctor and praying that it will help stop the breakage.  I have used it twice in the last two weeks and I still see alot of hair.  PLEASE GIVE ME SOME ADVICE.  I need help.  I have stopped going to the salon because I do not think any of them are helping me.  I have decided to only allow my girlfriend that is a stylist to relax my hair.  I am at six weeks from my last relaxer. 

I apologize for the length of this post but I am hoping that this site will support and help me get my hair back to the length and health it was in junior high, before I started cutting on it.

Help and thanks,

cookiesnkream may be right with the protein overload, also you need to find a daily moisturizer. You say you can't use hair oil. None, not even the slightest amount? Something like ORS Olive Oil, shea butter or WGO. I would suggest jojoba but sometimes when using silk protein it can make hair gummy feeling. 

I think if you worked with one of these trying to judge the amount for your type of hair you would find that the breakage would stop, because the hair will be more pliable to the touch. Hair that is worn down everyday becomes wind whipped and dry the next step is constant breakage. You'll never achieve your goal. Do some experimenting.

Just take quarter sized drop of oil and rub it between your hands, then run your hands through yout hair to cover as much of the length as possible. Fine or medium won't absorb oil as quickly as coarse hair, so it might take a few times before you find the amount you need to achieve success.

Good luck

Cookies and Cream,

Thank you for the advice.  I have Emergencee, I used it once.  Maybe I can use it twice a month because of its strength.  When I finish up K-pak I will start using Emergencee.

What are some moisturizing conditioners that you would suggest?

I have went 10 weeks before.  I will will start doing that again, this time I will wait about 9-10 weeks. 

I appreciate the reply, anything else you want to suggest, I am open and OBSESSED.

BabyDimple,

Thank you.  I am experimenting.  I use BioSilk, Silk Therapy every other day.  I think that just gives me a shine, it does not protect my hair.  Last night as I allowed my hair to air dry, I put a little carrot oil on it and put a little (dime-size) on my hair this morning.  As fine as my hair is, a quarter-size will make it stiff. I am going to purchase some Jojoba oil and use it after I have finished my carrot oil.

I am determined to get my hair back and what ever I find that works, then I will start accumulating products and may the best one win.

Anymore suggestions are truly appreciated. 

Anyone know of a good deep conditioner?

I use Lustersilk Cholesterol w/ Shea Butter and Mango and a prepoo and love it.  It smells great and is very moisturizing.

Be sure that when you use protein treatments, (kpak, aphogee, etc) not to use a conditioner that also has protein, that's a receipe for protein overload.  Use a deep moisturizing one instead. 

Hi butterfly.  It looks like well on the way to taking better care of your hair.  Trust me, if you stick with these boards your hair will be growing in no time!   There's lots of help her so don't hesitate to ask.

I see where you are using carrot oil but I didn't see where you use a moisturizer.  Oils are fine to use but they do not provide moisture which is very beneficial to hair health and growth.  You need to apply a creamy moisturizer and then apply a little oil to seal in the moisture.  Using oils alone can make some people's hair hard and even drier.  Try to find a moisturizer with no mineral oil or petrolatum, Cantu is a good one.  I use organic moisturizers that I buy online and they work great.  Moisturizing my hair daily and cutting out the heat has made my hair grow like a weed.

For deep conditioners a lot of ladies love the NTM mask that cookie mentioned.  I haven't tried that one yet.  I use Lekair Cholesterol Plus or Qween Helene cholesterol w/ginsing. 

I agree w/ stretching your relaxer.  You will really see improvement if you cut down on your heat use also.  I usually use heat twice a month but I'm going to start using it only once or none.