Porous canopy, normal underlayers?

CurlyMamaOf1 · 03-25-2010, 08:53 PM

Hi ladies,

I've went back CG after about 8 years of DAILY blow dryer and bristle brush straightening (yikes) on my fine, porous 3a/2b hair.

I'm pouring over all of these old topics about porous hair and trying to figure out my problem and I have a few questions.

The canopy of my head, or all hair coming out of the very top 4" diameter of my scalp, is crunchy dry and super porous. The underlayers seem to be a normal porosity. However, the canopy of my hair is what received the most damage during straightening and often received the most heat.

1) Can heat/product damage make only a certain section of your hair extremely porous? (in my case, the canopy)

2) Anyone have similar problems and what did you do during the transition?

I know its going to take about a year and a half to grow a new canopy.

Currently I am:
Washing - once weekly with Giovanni 50/50, watered down.
Co-wash - Giovanni tea tree conditioner
Once weekly use Olive Oil conditioner from Sally's. Its heavy so I try to keep it to the canopy only.

Styling: Gelebration spray from Jessicurl followed by Confident Coils. Verdict is still out on these. I'm a curly product virgin so I'm trying to find people with similar hair types that can help me out with some product and routine suggestions.

Would an ACVR help the canopy porosity issue?

I wanted to add I'm having a terrible problem with a greasy and stringy appearance. It seems my washes are having to come closer and closer together nowadays.

Thanks so much! This is frustrating but I know will be worth it once I nail down products and routine. Here are some pics, hope I do this right!

kathymack · 03-26-2010, 06:24 AM

Canopy is also the most damaged because it's the most exposed to the elements--for most of us. While you can't repair damage, you may be able to help it along with regular protein treatments. Your hair is fine and should like them. You should follow up with a DT. If you do regular PT/DT, you may be surprised at how much better your canopy behaves.

NaturallyCurlyEnnovy · 03-26-2010, 09:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kathymack

Canopy is also the most damaged because it's the most exposed to the elements--for most of us. While you can't repair damage, you may be able to help it along with regular protein treatments. Your hair is fine and should like them. You should follow up with a DT. If you do regular PT/DT, you may be surprised at how much better your canopy behaves.

Thank you for the response KM. I am having the same issue. However, mine is not from heat damage since I've only used a flat-iron twice between March '09 and today. Going to do this tonight!!

Kelly CurlyQ · 03-29-2010, 04:10 PM

Just wanted to say I feel your pain! My canopy is a thorn in my side....the bottom part of my hair looks nice - shiny, lots of curls and spirals. Looks great until you get to the top. Oy!

I am just back on the CG train so I am also trying to find the winning combo with products and methods.

Ondulee · 04-01-2010, 11:07 AM

Quote:

I know its going to take about a year and a half to grow a new canopy

I am in the same boat only my damage is more severe. I flat ironed at highetst temperature every day for a solid year before I figured I killed my hair.

I'm at the one year mark of growing out the damage and I think I have at least 6 mo. to a year left to grow out the rest of the damage.

I just pretend that since I can't see how crappy the back of my head looks, neither can anyone else