My Hair is so dry I wanna cry. . .

Ok so i BC'ed the first week in June. . .I knew that my hair was something different even when i was relaxed but boy on boy did i find out how different it could be. Its dry, not matter what its dry! it looks like a brittle mess! I deep condition, i moisturize, i co-wash, i add oils to everything and still its dry. The only time i like my hair is a few days after i shingle my hair with the olive oil eco styler when the gel isnt hard but its shiny and moisturized. . . i wish i could obtain that look with a lot less gel! does anyone have any suggestions on what i can do?

Thanks in advance!

My hair was extremely dry the first 2 to 3 weeks after my BC. According to everything I read, this is pretty normal. I cowashed daily to counteract the dryness and made sure to use a good leave-in and sealed with oil. I also used a vegetable glycerin/water mix. Now, I don't cowash everyday. I still use a good leave in and seal with oil and I still use the veggie glycerin/water mix on my hair. I started recently using Shea Moisture curl enhancing smoothie which I bought from my local Target for 9.99. This stuff is so moisturizing. I also use Shea Moisture deep conditioning masque. You may also want to try unrefined shea butter. I hope this helps!

I agree with EmbracingNatural Me, after your bc your hair will be extremely dry. You want to use a really moisturizing conditioner if your're co-washing and also deep condition your hair until you can get your moisture levels up. Also be careful with the gel because it can contribute to the dryness to your hair. Make sure you use a good leave-in under the ecostyler.

Mine was also really dry. Part of that I think was just figuring out what products work and didn't work for me and that took time. Hang in there, it will get better!

You are just going to have to look for the right product (which can be expensive" and wait it out! You will find your product! I hope you find your quicker than I found mine. It took me around 10 years to really understand my hair. But then again, there was no "CN" or "Kimmaytube" either! [You must be registered and logged in to see this image.]

Maybe you can find a big sister on the board that can help you out and ease your mind.

try roux porosity control! i'm pretty sure i've read that it works if your hair isn't absorbing moisture. it's sold at bss

What products are you using?

Lynnieluve wrote:What products are you using?

co-wash with aussie moist i shingle with olive oil eco styler but i base my hair with Hawaiian silky 14 n 1 and aussie moist as a leave in, i have a spray bottle with water, EVOO, EVCO, veggie glycerin, grape seed oil, and tea tree and lavender oil that i use as a spritz.

I just seems like nothing penetrates my hair shaft everything sits on my hair nothing soaks in

as i suggested, give the roux porosity control a try! haha. gunking on a whole bunch of things won't help if your porosity is out of whack. just sayin

What about the baggy method? When I want a big boost of moisture, I will baggy for a couple of days.

I understand how you feel. I BC on 6/12/10 ( go me!). But my hair always been dry. I am still looking for what works for me but so far I like the Shea Mositure deep treatment masque, it makes my hair soft and holds the mositure in it. I do wash-n-go's of course bc i have a TWA but it works for me so far. I co-wash ever day with KCKT and today I added a dime size amt of the SMDTM for my leave in. So far it feels great!

napturallyKi wrote:I understand how you feel. I BC on 6/12/10 ( go me!). But my hair always been dry. I am still looking for what works for me but so far I like the Shea Mositure deep treatment masque, it makes my hair soft and holds the mositure in it. I do wash-n-go's of course bc i have a TWA but it works for me so far. I co-wash ever day with KCKT and today I added a dime size amt of the SMDTM for my leave in. So far it feels great!

Cowashing with KCKT is gonna become expensive. Why dont you try a cheaper conditioner like, Tresemme Naturals (no more than $4 at walmart) or Yes To Cucumbers (if there is a Ross in your area, they have them for $3.99)

MsKendrala wrote:

Lynnieluve wrote:What products are you using?

co-wash with aussie moist i shingle with olive oil eco styler but i base my hair with Hawaiian silky 14 n 1 and aussie moist as a leave in, i have a spray bottle with water, EVOO, EVCO, veggie glycerin, grape seed oil, and tea tree and lavender oil that i use as a spritz.

I just seems like nothing penetrates my hair shaft everything sits on my hair nothing soaks in

If the products are sitting on your hair, you may need to clarify and/or try a new conditioner.

I see alot of threads on ladies concerned about their hair being dry right after they BC...please understand that it is going to take some time for your hair to retain moisture right after you BC....remember you had permed hair for a long time and ure natural hair has to adjust to no longer being chemically altered...it's like a plant that has to keep getting watered until its roots fully maintains its moisture...trust me after a month-two months, you will see a difference in your hair and it will continue to change and blossom into a beautiful head of curls!!

@ Lynnielune, yea i'm sure it will get a lil costly but im trying not to spend alot at one time. I would like to make my own co-wash but dnt really know yet what to put in it. But once i run out of KCKT i will be trying something cheaper like Tresemme Naturals ,thanks

To kendrala, it just seems to me as if you have non-porous hair. Although it feels as if it's a curse now, I think you may find it to be a blessing later on down the road. General rule says, the less porous your hair, the less damage it has incurred.
I believe the best thing you can do is maintain your current routine with a few moderations:
1) co-wash more often than usual,
2) buy a more moisturizing conditioner if at all possible; aussie moist has great slip but Aubreys Organics Honeysuckle Rose have much healthier ingredients and are known to soften hair, {representatives of the natural body & hair care line recommend slathering conditioner on dry hair to maximize moisturizing benefits;}
3) Use more EVCO, perhaps as a night treatment, since it, unlike the other products you named, has been proven to penetrate the hair strand. (this information is based on the following post:) http://thenaturalhaven.blogspot.com/2009/03/monday-myths-can-you-really-deep.html <---- the author of this blog has a lot of information on the science of hair products.
good luck!

Thanks @ Electrum. . .that really helps! I thought i was protein sensitive but i guess im not

Thanks for sharing this blog Electrum. Great information.

I just BC'd in May. I had to co wash daily and spritz my hair a few times a day at first to keep my hair moisturized. My hair has just started to feel softer in the last week or so. I still co wash every other day or so but I do not have to spritz it as much during the day. I finally figured out less is more with my hair . Now I co-wash, deep condition every 2 days, KCKT as a leave in, I also add it to my spritz. Also Aloe Vera Gel helps to moisturize.

Lynnieluve wrote:

MsKendrala wrote:

Lynnieluve wrote:What products are you using?

co-wash with aussie moist i shingle with olive oil eco styler but i base my hair with Hawaiian silky 14 n 1 and aussie moist as a leave in, i have a spray bottle with water, EVOO, EVCO, veggie glycerin, grape seed oil, and tea tree and lavender oil that i use as a spritz.

I just seems like nothing penetrates my hair shaft everything sits on my hair nothing soaks in

If the products are sitting on your hair, you may need to clarify and/or try a new conditioner.

i clarified a few days ago. . .other then my hair being so clean that it squeaked it did nothing for my hair. . .

MsKendrala wrote:

Lynnieluve wrote:

MsKendrala wrote:

Lynnieluve wrote:What products are you using?

co-wash with aussie moist i shingle with olive oil eco styler but i base my hair with Hawaiian silky 14 n 1 and aussie moist as a leave in, i have a spray bottle with water, EVOO, EVCO, veggie glycerin, grape seed oil, and tea tree and lavender oil that i use as a spritz.

I just seems like nothing penetrates my hair shaft everything sits on my hair nothing soaks in

If the products are sitting on your hair, you may need to clarify and/or try a new conditioner.

i clarified a few days ago. . .other then my hair being so clean that it squeaked it did nothing for my hair. . .

I was just reading your posts and I noticed that we had our last relaxer on the same day and you big chopped on my birthday! I'm hoping to big chop one day...were you able to fix the dry hair issue?

@naturallyme09 Thanks for asking! I think i have actually. . .i cowashed last night and my hair was EXTREMELY soft. It felt like straw before. I put very little product in it and my curls popped. I was pleased with the out come especially since i sat and had a long debate with-in myself about whether i felt like doing anything to my hair