I remember the excitement of embracing my textured haired. I was awake for countless hours scouring the internet for the newest products and techniques. I have tried it all: pre-poo, co-washing, mud washes, tea rinses, ACV rinse, overnight deep conditioning, LOC method, LCO method, and everything in between. I thought I had every issue under the sun: hygral fatigue, scab hair, excessive dryness, and the list goes on. It was not until years later that I realized my hair was healthy and actually needed less attention. After four years I created a regimen that was conducive to my lifestyle and allowed my hair to flourish. Recently in Q&A Curlyblonde26 shared her hair concerns and wants to know what her hair might be telling her. Well, I think we have something in common.
Question
I’m new here so I’ll try to keep this short. My hair is 2c-3a and a little section at the nape of my neck is straight. I have been co-washing for a month and I know transitioning takes time. I also have low porosity with high density hair. Well, my hair is kind of weird lately. My hair when dried is between my shoulder blades so for 1 1/2 inches at the ends are defined curls/waves and from there on up can get frizzy with oily roots and a dry scalp. I use As I Am CoWash Cleansing Conditioner or Suave Naturals Tropical Coconut Conditioner, GVP Conditioning Balm (Sally’s brand”>, SheaMoisture Hibiscus and Coconut Curl and Style Milk, and Eco Styler Argan Oil Styling Gel. And because of this I have to wash every other day if I can. Also, the curls in the back underneath are stretched and pulled down. Has anyone had this problem before and is this something that I have to wait out.
Answer
There seems to be a lot going on, in which it appears that product buildup is the main culprit. Based on the information you provided you are transitioning with low porosity, high density, 2c/3a hair with oily roots and a dry scalp. I am not sure if your use of the term transitioning is in reference to transitioning from chemically straightened hair to the natural state of your hair or in reference to incorporating co-washing into your regimen.
3 Ways to Quit Doing Too Much
You shared that you use As I Am Coconut CoWash Cleansing or Suave Naturals Tropical Coconut Conditioner to co-wash, GVP Conditioning Balm, SheaMoisture Coconut & Hibiscus Curl & Style Milk, and Ecostyler Argan Oil Hair Gel. Opting out of clarifying when you have low porosity hair and layering on three products might be excessive, especially for someone with a looser curl pattern. I suggest three things:
- Start clarifying
- Reduce the amount of products you leave in
- Try to find dual moisturizing and styling products
I am not sure how it is possible to have a dry scalp with oily roots. You did not explicitly state that you have excessive sebum so I assume that you mean sebum, but after reviewing your regimen your oily roots may be due to product buildup.
The nape of your hair is probably straight because it is a looser texture and/or the weight from the products that you use. I encourage you to peruse editors Cristina (2c”> and Jamie’s (3a”> picks and to find a dual moisturizer and styler or a light moisturizer the can build with a styler without weighing your hair down and accumulating buildup so quickly.
I know embracing your curly hair can be exciting, but all of the information that is shared online is merely testimonies and suggestions, not rules. It appears that you may have too much going on in your regimen. Take some time to decide what needs to stay and what needs to go before you get burned out. I would hate for this transition to not be a pleasant experience and become overwhelming. Do what works for you and a lot of the time that does not always involve every new tip that worked miraculously for someone else.
Have you ever had a moment in your regimen when you were doing too much?
