momtoeandt

I need advice.....

My daughter (age 5) is probably 4B and is having serious breakage and/or hair loss??!!!

We do co-washes approx. every week, she sleeps with a cap, usually spritz and add coconut oil 1-2x/day. When we style, load it up with moisturizer. Usually in twists....the last time we took down her hair there was so much hair I wanted to cry (way beyond shed hair).

Advice?? Could it be some sort of sensitivity? Dietary?
I wonder if I change up product too often, or am not consistent with it, or apply in the wrong order?? Also going to read up on protein sensitivity and porosity - maybe I am missing something?

Thanks in advance for any advice.

Goin'Grey

Hi,
It's hard for me to know exactly without knowing your DD's hair properties, (coarse, fine) but the one specific product you mention, coconut oil, may be negatively affecting her if she has coarse hair (like me). I would switch to maybe something like grapeseed oil or something light like that.

Coarse = protein sensitive = no like coconut oil.

Now my DD hair was breaking, she has fine hair. I had to up her protein.

Hope this helps.

__________________
3A, Protein Senitive, Low Porosity,
Med-Course
Wash: Suave Naturals Conds (excluding Coconut), CVSB
Rinse out/Leave In: GVP Cond. Balm, KCKT,
Style: Naturelle Gel(winter HG), KCCC (summer HG), Flaxseed gel
SOTC: JCNS
Love your hair: Love yourself!

rapunzel4ever

I have to say I'm not familiar with 4 type hair, but if hair loss continues no matter what, you might want to get some doctor's advise. It could be a health issue and not a hair care issue. It could be a dietary or other sensitivity thing. Good luck!

Sent from my HTC Legend

__________________
2B/C-3A) fine - low porosity
Routine:
Wash: low poo Daily Fix,co-wash or SMT, Kesham
RO: Motions CPR Li, Kruitvat creme voeding, Inecto Cocos co, JC Too Shea, JC Aloeba, KCKT
acv-rinse
honey-rinse
LI: CPR Motions LI, coconut oil (winter), CJBC-LI
Styling: AVG, Etos Solid Power Gel, Taft gel, KMS mousse, CCCCL, JCCC, BRHG
Plopping
Pixiecurl diffuse
clipping
SOTC: AVG+CCCC-Lite

anonymous_114091

What type of breakage is it? When her hair is dry does it snap and break and have no flexibility, but is fine when it's wet? Or does it feel weak and soft and effortlessly break, especially when wet? If it is the first then it is probably a case of too much protein or other strengthening agents. If the second is true than you are most likely over moisturizing her hair.

__________________
*BIG CHOP: September 22, 2012*
*Last Relaxer: April 15, 2012*

adthomas

Coconut oil twice a day? That is a lot for anyone but if she is protein sensitve that is a nightmare that would make her hair dry and brittle. I can only use coconut oil if it is mixed with another oil and I generally avoid shampoos, conditioners and stylers with coconut. And coconut milk is havoc in my hair.

__________________
Transition your mind before you transition your hair.

forbee

My guess would be protein overload...are her strands on the thicker (coarse) or smaller (fine) side?

Sent from my ADR6400L using CurlTalk App

__________________
last relaxer 08/08/09
all natural since 7/30/10


Shrinkage happens.

earthnut

Coconut oil does not contain proteins. It will bond to protein in the hair, slowing protein loss, but does not contain protein itself. It's pure fat. My hair doesn't like proteins much but it will soak up coconut oil like a sponge. However if her hair really can't stand protein it may be aggravating things.

OP, I recommend that you find out your daughters hair thickness, porosity and elasticity. That'll give you an idea of what her hair needs. Take a strand of shed hair.

Roll it between your fingers. If you can barely feel it, it's fine. If it's wiry and you can see it from across the room, it's coarse. Somewhere in between, it's medium. Fine hair tends to need protein. Coarse hair tends to need moisture (oils mainly).

Slide your fingers along the hair. If the hair is smooth in both directions, it has low porosity. If one way is rough and sandpaper like, it has high porosity. If one way is bumpy but not very rough, it has medium porosity. Low porosity hair tends to need moisture. High porosity hair tends to need proteins.

Last, take both ends of the hair and pull gently, not trying to break it. If the hair breaks without stretching much, the hair has low elasticity. If it stretches but does not return to the original length, it is overly elastic. If it stretches 20-50% and then returns to its original length, it has good elasticity. Low elasticity hair usually has too much protein or too little moisture. Overly elastic hair usually has too much moisture or too little protein. Elasticity changes depending on the hair treatment you do so it's a good test to do every so often to check on the health of the hair.

Stiff, straw like hair can indicate too much protein or too little moisture. Limp, fly away hair can indicate too much moisture or too little protein.

Hair frequently has conflicting properties (like my own) but that gives you a starting point to figure out the best products for your daughter.

For more info, the "live curly live free" site is a good resource.

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