:( Hi Ladies,

I have heat damage and what seems to be excessive shedding :(. There isn’t bald spots or anything (my hair is still full) but like when I gently put my hands in my hair a few strands come out without the white bit at the end, sometimes even small strands of hair. I don’t comb my hair when dry, I haven’t in two weeks because I’m following the only comb when detangling (co-washing) method but I do finger comb gently with olive oil at night and put in bantu knots to avoid matting.

I know I need protein treatments to strengthen the hair again as years of blowdrying and flat ironing have made my full head of hair very weak and fragile, its just a bit disheartening as this is the second time I’ve had heat damage in two years

I had heat damage in 2009 and cut it all off and I’ve finally got to a decent length, it took a year to grow back which is actually good - but I did avoid heat that year. I don’t want to start over again. I’d say about 40% of my hair has heat damage but I’d be able to tell better when I wash it to see if my curl pattern is the same or the ‘curly perm’ effect. I’ve been avoiding washing it for nearly two weeks now (its sooo dirty!) because I can’t bear to see a ‘curly perm’ looking set of curls on my head *sigh* again

I’ve also noticed my roots (new growth) feels alot fuller/thicker than the ends of my hair and I have alot of split ends, which I assume is from blow drying and flat ironing.

I think I’ll put it in braids and grow it out so I don’t worry about it too much or I’ll end up cutting it all off again in anger like I did in 2009. Ill be sure to avoid heat from now on.

If anyone has any advice or anything I’d really appreciate it :(

My hair is just below shoulder length…

So I’ve been doing some protein treatment research

Do you ladies think the following washing method would be okay for when I wash my hair next

Shampoo - Body Shop Rainforest Moisture Shampoo (my hair is REALLY dirty otherwise I’d just co-wash) then Tresemme Naturals Moisture Conditioner followed by Redken extreme CAT protein treatment (leave on for 5 mins) then Redken Anti-Snap as a leave in and then a shea butter and EVCO mix to twist. I’m not really fussed about the 100% natural at the moment, just need to strengthen the hair first then I’ll go back to natural products

Does that sound okay? :s

Or what do you ladies suggest, I’m open to suggestions

I’ve read up on the Aphogee protein treatment but it said that it wasn’t advised for home use so I didn’t think that would be a good idea and it also said use with heat. Then the WARNING signs came up lol I need to stay all the way away from heat!

I hope I don’t sound too moody :s, it’s just a bit depressing…

I appreciate all your help in advance

Lastly lol, how often do you recommend I follow the method above or how often should I use the protein treatment followed by the anti snap?

Does this regimen sound okay:

Week 1 - Shampoo, condition, protein treatment, anti snap and shea butter mix

Week 2 - co-wash, anti snap, shea butter mix

Week 3 - co-wash, protein treatment, anti snap and shea butter mix

Week 4 - deep condition maybe? then anti snap and shea butter mix

*repeat*

What do you think? Or have I gone over board with the anti snap lol

I take it I can only get Redken online unless anyone knows shops that sell Redken, please let me know

REALLY appreciate you reading my essay

Hi golden_elle - I think it may be better to go with how your hair feels after you use the products the first time (I’m talking about the Redken Cat & the anti-snap.) See how your hair reacts then adjust your routine accordingly.  I’m not sure what’s in the anti-snap (I’ll have a look later as need to get ready to go to work).  You can get Redken either online or some hairdressers have it - I got mine at one of those hairdressers that has loads of different brand products in them - usually in shopping centres.

hi, i agree with curlyhairmich, see how your hair feels first and then re-evaluate.
i haven’t tried any of those products, but there are some great ones here at the emporium, for example a good daily/regular light protein (and it is excellent hun) conditioner is the Hairveda Moist Pro (it’s only £6.50 for 16oz), and a monthly treatment is the Methi Sativa set (£18 for 2 tubs of 16oz each), it is very good, and you won’t get an overdose of protein.
Slightly pricier ones are the Curl Junkie Repair Me, must be followed by a very moisturising DC, such as the Curl Junkie Hibiscus and Banana Deep Fix (this is brilliant).
Here is an article published on the emporium last week i think: it will help you
http://www.britishcurlies.co.uk/articles/article/dear_anita_i_have_heat_damaged_curls/

HTH take care

Thanks soooo much curlyhairmich and Jackylou, I’ll take your advice
Oh and Jacklou seen as we have the same/similar hair type in theory those products should work. I guess a light protein would be best as I know too much protein isn’t good. I’ll make sure I’m eating healthly also and start with a light protein treatment. I’ll order what you recommended and let you know how I get on. In that case I won’t be able to wash till next week depending on delivery. I’ll keep you undated xx

hi, i use the aphogee treatment on my hair and it really does work, i know you have to use heat with it but you only do the treatment every 6 weeks and after the first use, you can feel the difference in your hair, it really does work! i would suggest looking at youtube videos on it first before buying it, if it’s something that your interested in.

Glad the recommendations help a bit. the Curls Hair Tea conditioner is one of my favourite DCs too, very light protein.
NewlyNatural2009 is right, look at some videos of the aphogee on YT, people really rave about it, so it might really help.
Taren916 used it recently on her heat damaged curls and she saw almost immediate results.

Thanks so much for your help, it does sound like a miracle product so I will be getting that as my protein treatment. You both have helped alot! I put my hair in my night time bantu knots an hour ago and even more strands came out :s so I need to start the protein asap before it gets out of hand!

Ps. I think I’m a PJ! :s lol

All the products on emporium sound edible and scent friendly or appealing! Sure beats the smell of dax! lol xx

Oh my goodness Dax!!! Thats brought back some memories of wash day

Hey ladies,

So I’ve bought the aphogee protein treatment and balance moisteriser and the repetition of ‘professional use’ has kinda worried me. Like I hope all my hair don’t fall out! :o

Do u have any tips when using the treatment?? I’ll follow the instructions and check youtube but some of the youtube tutorials that I saw were people with relaxed hair so I don’t know how it will work on my natural hair that has heat damage :s

Do u think its best I start with a really small section and see how it goes??

Thanks in advance x

hi

I am thinking of buying aphogee 2 step treatment.  so how did it work out for you? i dont have a hooded dryer….thats one of my many concerns with using it…tho some say its ok to use a handheld dryer.

frobellette - 20 October 2011 09:46 AM

hi

I am thinking of buying aphogee 2 step treatment.  so how did it work out for you? i dont have a hooded dryer….thats one of my many concerns with using it…tho some say its ok to use a handheld dryer.

I have the 2 step Aphogee (smell is revolting lol) - I just use a handhelp dryer….WITHOUT TOUCHING!!!! (im not shouting, its just very important).  I mainly just use it on the bleached ends.  I know my hair isnt fractal, but im sure it will work the same xx

Curliesue - 20 October 2011 12:28 PM

frobellette - 20 October 2011 09:46 AM

hi

I am thinking of buying aphogee 2 step treatment.  so how did it work out for you? i dont have a hooded dryer….thats one of my many concerns with using it…tho some say its ok to use a handheld dryer.

I have the 2 step Aphogee (smell is revolting lol) - I just use a handhelp dryer….WITHOUT TOUCHING!!!! (im not shouting, its just very important).  I mainly just use it on the bleached ends.  I know my hair isnt fractal, but im sure it will work the same xx

Thank u curlisue.  do you use the balancing moisturiser aftawards? i’ve heard pple say its not moistutising enuf some pple use other deep conditioners that are richer.  whats your experience?

frobellette - 20 October 2011 01:06 PM

Curliesue - 20 October 2011 12:28 PM

frobellette - 20 October 2011 09:46 AM

hi

I am thinking of buying aphogee 2 step treatment.  so how did it work out for you? i dont have a hooded dryer….thats one of my many concerns with using it…tho some say its ok to use a handheld dryer.

I have the 2 step Aphogee (smell is revolting lol) - I just use a handhelp dryer….WITHOUT TOUCHING!!!! (im not shouting, its just very important).  I mainly just use it on the bleached ends.  I know my hair isnt fractal, but im sure it will work the same xx

Thank u curlisue.  do you use the balancing moisturiser aftawards? i’ve heard pple say its not moistutising enuf some pple use other deep conditioners that are richer.  whats your experience?

Yes, I use the balancing moisturiser…its okayyyyy.  Nothin special.  It has ‘cones it.  I just use it because I bought them together.  You could probably use any protein free DT or a very rich conditioner with good results xx

Oooh. A little heat isn’t bad but probably blow drying and flat ironing your hair every week is bad.  I have a heat cap which I use to deep moisture condition. with the aphoghee I just walk around the house for a few hours with my heat uncovered and then finish up with continuously moving the handheld dryer around my head for about 10 times. then I wash out and do my moisture treatment. Be wary of protein overload and don’t for get to moisturise on a daily basis!