Help! Is there hope?

[Somegirl]

Hi everyone, I'm new to this site and need some hair help. My hair has been out of control since I was a child. I blame it on my parents for not knowing how to take care of curly hair :icon_wink . It is now so damaged and I can't do a thing with it, in fact, I've been doing it the same way every day since I was in junior high. The only way I can get it to look half way decent is load it up with hairspray until it is rock hard. My hair is wavy, frizzy and breaks really easy (probably from 10 years of cheap hairspray). I've tried so many styling products, deep conditioners, etc. and have wasted tons of money. Before I shave my head and start over, has anyone managed to go from the worst possible hair in the world to something managable? If so, some advice please!

 

[sweetface18]

Is your hair damaged from chemical treatments?

I think you should try deep conditioning your hair a couple times a week.

Instead of fighting with your hair, maybe I think you should try to work with it. I think too much hairspray can never be good. You want hair that can move!

 

[Somegirl]

Yes, it is chemically damaged, hairspray damaged, weather damaged. I agree with not fighting it, but don't know how to work with it. I also deep condition it 3 times a week. I also think it is a family curse. My daughter is 3 and I was afraid she would get my horrible hair. I've invested in expensive hair care products for her since the time she had hair on her head. Unfortunately, despite all that, her hair is even getting to be out of control. I know, it probably sounds like I just don't know what I am doing, but I really think it is a curse.

 

[NYAngel98]

Welcome Somegirl! I'm Janelle from NY, nice to meet you! :icon_chee

My hair was really bad from using a chemical straightener... and I managed to get it decent with lots of TLC, and the right tools. You should look into an ionic blowdryer, which helps.. And I love CurlySexyHair products for when I do mine curly. What style are you doing with it?

 

[Somegirl]

I'd like to be able to do my hair down, but the past few years, it is up all the time. What kind of hair repair products did you use if any? I use the CurlySexyHair stuff now, with a whole bunch of hairspray. I think a lot of my hair style problem is that my face is so thin, that I just look silly with a lot of volume and I have that naturally.

 

[NYAngel98]

I get a lot of volume too, and usually I'll just pull up the top and sides in mini claw clips if the part isn't laying right that day... but I was using Paul Mitchell's Hair Repair Treatment, PM Super Strengthener, and Biolage Hydratherapie treatments... (which I absolutely LOVE) and even 1 year & 7 months later.. my hair still isn't 100% normal, but it's better. The Biosilk Rock Hard Gellee makes it really 'scrunchy' - so you won't need lots of spray... but curls need lots of moisture, so you might want to consider using a leave-in conditioner as well. Have you tried Matrix's Curl.Life line?

 

[Somegirl]

Nope, haven't tried any of that, so it looks like I'm going shopping tomorrow. Thanks!

 

[Leony]

Yes I agree with Janelle, try the leave in conditioner and find some shampoo with deep moisturizer.

Have you read a book about how to work with curly hair, such as Curly Girl

by Lorraine Massey? It has pretty good tips for curly/wavy hair.

I also have wavy hair and it was damaged from chemical treatment because I dyed my hair many times before. But, I went to hair salon at least once a month to get my healthy hair back for one year long and it did work!

I got my healthy hair back now, but I'm keeping it black in my natural shade now because I love it when it looks shiny and healthy.