I tried to look up the ingredients of the products you use but the website doesn't list them. So. I am going to take a stab here. You are really damaging your hair striving to have straight hair. I am sure I am not telling you something you don't already know. I am sure you have heard this before.
However I want to put a new spin on it.
Look at your product labels. Are their any words that end in cone or one? My guess is that there are. Silcone is used in hair products to coat the hair and make it appear shiny and healthy. The problem is they build up on the hair. This results in two things.
The first being the coating seals in your hair and protects it from bad elements but also from good things too. Like moisture. Your hair gets dryer and dryer and frizzier and frizzier.
The second being the product itself begins to chip and peel off your hair making it appear dull and lifeless.
Silk. SIlk is a protein. From my research curly wavy hair does not like a lot of protein applied to it. Ditto the results of too many cones.
Salt. Salt is not good for hair. In fact it binds to the hair forming salt crystals. Salt crystals are sharp and not smooth. More frizziness and dryness.
Here is a test. Gently roll some hair between your fingers. Does it feel rough, brittle? Does it SOUND crunchy? That's build-up.
Now on top of all the horrible cones, protein, salt you are taking a heated metal implement and running it down your hair. Repeatedly. Imagine trying to straighten out a long narrow pine cone. In your mind can you see the pine cone disinegrating as little bits chip off before your eyes? That's your hair!
I have good news!!! Yes, really!
First you will need to find products that are cone free. Aubrey Organics is a very good line. A good cheap brand is Nature's Gate.
Next I would clarify your hair. Here is a really easy way to do it but you need to be very careful and very gentle. take 1 tblspn baking soda and mix with 3 tblspn good shampoo. GENTLY massage into your scalp and hair. GENTLY massage the length. Did I mention gently? No rubbing, no scrubbing. Rinse rinse rinse. Apply a Apple Cider Vinegar rinse. 1 fluid ounce ACV with 1 quart water. Make sure to hit your scalp let it soak into the length of your hair. Rinse. Apply a deep cone free conditioner. You will feel your hair soak it up. Let it soak. Rinse. GENTLY towel dry your hair. It will feel pretty fragile right now. Let it air dry. RESIST the temptation to blow dry it or style it. After it is completely dry apply three or four drops of oil (coconut, almond, jojoba, your choice) to your palms, rub hands together to warm oil. Then lightly apply the oil to your hair starting at the ends working up. Add more oil as seems necessary.
You hair will feel so soft and touchable. This is good.
Next on the list. Take that flat iron, cut the cord, and throw it away. If you cut the cord you won't be tempted to rescue it from the trash. Go to Sallys or other beauty supply store and purchase one of the old fashioned bonnet style hair dryers. It has a big bag that fits over your hair and blows warm air inside to gently dry your hair. I have a method that will straighten your hair with no damage.
My sister has GORGEOUS curly hair. She thinks it is hideous. She grew it out to her hips. Once a week she went through this routine. After washing her hair she would take two HUGE curlers (think orange juice can size, or use two empty orange juice cans) and take the uppermost hair on her head and put in the curlers. Pin them in good so the hair is secure. Then she would wrap her hair around her head like a turban. Starting at the bangs she would comb it to the right, secure with a bobby pin. Then continue combing the hair around to the back and around. When her hair was past her waist she just kept wrapping and combing wrapping and combing and when it was really tight and straight, she pinned it in place. She would grab a book, put the bag dryer on her head and sit for a couple of hours while her hair dried. Her hair came out stick straight. Starighter than people with straight hair. It works.
It will take your hair a while to recover. But gradually it will begin to look shiny, and healthy. Give it time, pamper your hair. You may find that with the right treatment and products you may even love your curly hair.
IF the clarifying doesn't work, the next step is to chelate your hair. Try the clarifying first then we move on from there if we have to. Good luck and keep us posted.
------------- Lori
1bCiii
hennahead
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