The root?

[Vonshae']

From what I see, Black hair comes in many different forms. I have hair problems that started after I got out of the military (<3 years ago) and have yet to find anyone (Black beauticians) that can do anything to help. I'm through with that. It's distressing. Ugh! Anywho, the root? I've watched Jia's video on YouTube and learned that she doesn't use relaxers and ladies, let me tell you, if my hair looked like hers without a relaxer, I'd refrain from relaxing my hair as well, problem solved. There are so many variations of Black hair. Where do I fit in? Obviously, a regimen that works for someone with soft curly hair like Jia, will not work for someone with thin, kinky hair, like me. Mind you, my hair was not always thin. It used to be so thick that I would wish it thinner. I guess you have to be careful what you wish for. I never imagined this! Anywho, how do you get good help? I'm trying MTG right now. We'll see. I have massive breakage in the back. Oh, on the edges, too, something new! It's so un-presentable in its natural state but that's the ultimate goal. Uh, I guess you're wondering what I'm getting at. Well, nothing really. Just venting about my hair.

[Leandra]

How often do you wash and deep condition? If you're going to transition to natural (and believe me... soft curls and kinky curls have more in common than you think) you're going to need to stay on your moisture and protein treatments. Try washing your hair with shampoos that have no sulfates or harsh detergents, conditioner wash everyday to help promote growth and stick to ponytails, buns, etc. Protective styling is your friend.

[Leandra]

You also don't have to go natural to have beautiful hair. There are black women with waste length relaxed hair.

[Vonshae']

Thanks Leandra for your comments. Well, remember I said that I was using MTG? Well, I did get another relaxer. I can only presume that this is caused form the use of MTG but I couldn't bear the relaxer for 5 minutes! It's been about a week since I got the relaxer and I'm still applying Neosporin to the burns/scabs on the nape of my neck 3x a day or more and behind my ears. I can only imagine the havoc that this is having on my scalp. Needless to say, I have not used MTG since. I think my hair in the back is growing back, slowly but still growing. I have a weave (sew in) and I plan to wear it, without a relaxer, until my hair is all at the same length. I'm trying to figure out how to incorporate a normal washing schedule w/ the weave without ruining it....

[Leandra]

Yes, it was because of the MTG. You're supposed to stop using it at least a week before you get a touch-up. You can just scrub your scalp with the shampoo, and don't pile the extension on top of your head when you wash. Make sure you deep conditioner and use a spray moisturizer everyday.

[Vonshae']

Thanks, Leandra. I didn't know that I should have stopped using the MTG 2 weeks before my relaxer. It was good about growing my hair but the burning during my relaxer scared me so much that I haven't used it since. I may start back but I'm afraid!!! I read that some people use weaves solely for the purpose of growing their hair. Does anyone find that sew ins thin your hair out? I've been wearing a sew in for a while and while my hair is getting long, its so thin that the length really doesn't count. My parts are sooo thick now. I used to have really really thick hair. It doesn't even seem like my head anymore...

[Ms. Bridget]

Like many others I was not happy with the length of my hair. I started wearing sew in weaves and wore them for a couple of years nonstop. After that and growing my natural hair out, I was pleased with the length. I looked at all the videos of wearing natural hair, but I couldn't deal with my own natural hair, so I had to get it relaxed. I'm happy with the length and I go to my hairdresser regularly for maintenance. I say if you're trying to grow your hair out, weaves and braids worked for me.

[yvette]

Hello I like the natural look it is very presentable to me. I believe the natural look represents beauty and strength. I do perm my hair but I'm getting ready to go to the natural look. I just need help with maintenance of the natural hair. You made some great points about our hair being different. I have really thick hair. Good luck!

[Vonshae']

I'd love to wear my hair natural but relaxing it makes it more manageable for me. I agree that the natural look represents beauty and strength but I do think that you can represent beauty and strength with relaxed hair as well and I'm sure that you would agree. It really saddens me that I don't feel comfortable with my hair in its natural state but then again, we get different hairstyles all the time. I wear make up, nail polish and form fitting bras to get the look I want so relaxers should fall into the same category; its just a preference thing. All of those things alter our natural appearance. Some argue that the chemicals in relaxers are harmful; they may be and I know that they can definintely go wrong. The inferences made that claim those who relax are mimicking the image of our Anglo sisters are downright offensive, though. I'm rambling now... Thanks for your comment Yvette. I will continue my plight to go natural but its a journey, girl!

[MzNeekie]

Whenever women voice hair issues I always recommend this site: www.healthytextures.ning.com
It's a site devoted to health haircare for women of color. It's full of information and has aided me on my healthy hair journey tremendously. It's also drama free and everyone is very helpful. If you are looking for info on a specific hair issue like say breakage, type breakage into the search bar and all related article will show up. Hope this helps honey.

[Vonshae']

I'm looking right now! Thanks Neekie!

[Vonshae']

I'm getting more and more weary about relaxers. I've decided to steer away myself. I love the natural curly look but not when its short. I don't think that's a good look for me and I don't have curly hair. My hair texture is foreign to me now. I just can't describe it because I don't know that's why I want to start fresh, no more relaxers. I asked my doctor about my thyroid. I'm 5'9 and I usually weigh about 145-150 lbs. Around the same time that my hair problems started, I gained 15 pounds with the blink of an eye. I still have a slim appearance but it's troubling and I'm not accustomed to weighing 160 lbs. So, I told my doctor who ran a blood thyroid test that came back normal... So, I'm like, what now?

[Vonshae']

Thanks so much Netta. I took in EVERYTHING that you wrote. My initial comment was a while ago but since then I have not had relaxer. I have not gone to a dermatologist yet but I have called around and the nearest African American (AA) dermatologist is far away and booked for months! I don't think I eat bad foods but I guess I need a clearer understanding of what BAD foods actually are. I've eliminated sodas from my diet completely, I don't have a weight problem but I'm thinking that it is related to my health because of other female weirdness going on... (One day periods then 6 day periods, constant headaches and an upset stomach all too often.) I plan to wear a weave until the relaxer breaks off and my hair grows out a bit. Right now, my scalp that is just about bare in the top of my head, itches like crazy!!!! I do thank you for your advice and the reminder about iron cause I'm usually low! Let me know how its going with you.