DT Help?

Sami · 07-03-2012, 07:12 PM

Ok, so I've been doing deep treatments once every two weeks and they seem to not really help that much...my hair looks and feels the same. Am I doing it wrong? I usually put thick conditioner on my hair, wrap it in a scarf, and go to sleep. The next morning, I wash it out well with water and then go on with my routine (leave in, sealing, gel).

Should I be leaving it on for less time? Conditioning again when I wash it out? Should I try mixing some coconut oil in the deep treatment overnight - my mom told me to try that?

TIA

raindear · 07-03-2012, 09:00 PM

What is the deep conditioner not doing that you expected it to do? You say your hair is the "same", what do you mean by that? Is your hair dry, crispy, brittle, flyaway, frizzy, or something else?

What are your hair properties? Texture: fine, medium, or coarse; porosity: normal, low, or high? If you are unsure reading the Curly Hair basics at Live Curly Live Free - Home will help you to figure it out, or they offer a hair analysis, if you want them to do it for you.

Giving us more information will help us to better help you.

Sami · 07-04-2012, 11:57 AM

I usually have problems with frizz and my hair looking dry.

My hair properties
Texture: medium
Porosity: low-normal
Density: thick

Hope this is helpful!!

raindear · 07-04-2012, 03:04 PM

Check your products (and your deep treatment) for protein. You might have protein overload. If you do, eliminate protein, at least for a while, and find a deep treatment without protein to try.

If you don't have protein overload, you might have buildup of some sort, and need a clarifying shampoo.

If it's neither protein nor buildup, you just may have really dry hair, and need to use a lot of conditioner to get your hair to the health you are looking for. I have read some members who say at first their hair drank palmfuls of conditioner in the morning, then they freshened with conditioner in the afternoon/evening or overnight, and deep treated once or twice weekly at first, and their hair slowly needed less and less til conditioning once a day and deep conditioning once a week was enough.

Of course your climate can be a factor. Desert dwellers might need to condition twice daily as a matter of course. People with higher humidity may have to accept frizz as something they always have to deal with.

Rimi · 07-05-2012, 12:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sami

I usually have problems with frizz and my hair looking dry.

My hair properties
Texture: medium
Porosity: low-normal
Density: thick

Hope this is helpful!!

Raindear's suggestions sound spot on. However, the bolded is what I zoned in on.

Low-porosity hair, as you know, is hard to moisturize because the cuticle has a hard time staying open enough to let the moisture into the hair. My suggestion would be to either steam your hair with the conditioner in, apply your conditioner and put on a plastic cap (with a hot towel on top) or a heat cap, OR DC overnight with your hair wrapped up in a plastic cap. The heat will help to open up your cuticle and keep the moisture in. Next morning, rinse with warm water and apply your LI, sealant, gel.

Sami · 07-07-2012, 01:27 PM

Thanks for the advice everyone! I checked the ingredients and I don't think I have a protein overload as only one of my products contains protein (do I need more.....?) and I low poo every two days since I swim so I don't think it's build up either. It has been EXTREMELY hot and humid lately (temp up to 105!!!!) though so that might be it.

However, yesterday, instead of using condish for a DT I used coconut oil and the results were AMAZING! soft and much less frizz! My hair loves that conditioner as a RO but I guess not a DT...

earthnut · 07-07-2012, 03:34 PM

With high humidity, you might want to avoid humectants too, to reduce frizz.
http://www.naturallycurly.com/curlre...are-humectants

My hair loves CO as a DT too! Leaves my hair so soft!

Other things that reduce frizz:
Cold water rinse, last thing in the shower
Seal with a liquid oil
Satin pillowcase
Comb only when hair is covered with conditioner, if at all
Cut off split ends
Don't mess with your hair during the day

---
2c/3a-M-ii porous, good elasticity, APL, dark brown with a silver lining. Biggest enemy: frizz!