TCHD Reader Mail

Hey,

I just wanted to say thank-you so much for being sweet enough to answer my questions, I'm very grateful. I had a few questions after exploring your website up and down. What exactly is co-washing? And right now I have no regimen but I'm working on it.. What kind of buns do you do, because I find that the donut buns don't really work well for me.I was afraid to get braids because I thought that putting tension on my already weak hair would make it break more. Two more questions I had were- How do you dry your hair after washing, and how do you keep your ends so healthy? Once again thank you so much answering my questions.

Be blessed,
A.

Hey A.,

Co-washing, or conditioner washing, is just washing your hair with a conditioner instead of a shampoo. Shampoos can dry your hair if done daily, so many people opt for conditioner washing a few times a week and shampooing once or twice a week. I co-wash a lot and it helps tremendously with growth since the scalp is always clean with no sebum blocking it. If it's been like 6 or 7 weeks since my last relaxer, I'll go to my Dominican stylist and get a blowout to get my roots under control and get back to my co-washing a few days later.

The buns I do are with my own hair. I honestly HATE the sock bun thing because my hair doesn't seem to agree with it for some reason. It's probably because of the cotton. But yeah, back to the bun: I do a regular ponytail and then loop my hair under making sure the elastic isn't on my ends. It's that simple.

After washing, I always let my hair air dry. When my hair's completely dry (which takes hours), I put my hair into a banana clip. My ends stay healthy because I apply a lot of conditioner on them when I co-wash or shampoo, I keep them lightly moisturized, and I keep them away from my clothes. Clothes can cause breakage and not a lot of women know that.

As for your hair, I'd suggest going to a hair dresser, preferably a Dominican one, and getting a deep conditioning, rollerset, and a light trim. Make sure you tell them a light one because you know stylists get scissor happy sometimes. Then, you can start building a regimen (http://coarsehair.blogspot.com/2007/09/building-regimen.html). But if you want to do it yourself, I'd suggest co-washing every other day with a moisturizing conditioner like Nexxus Humectress, It's expensive but it's worth it, and shampooing once a week with a moisturizing shampoo like Creme of Nature Ultra Moisturizing (green and yellow), conditioning with Humectress, and deep conditioning with Organic Root Stimulator Hair Mayo. You should use heat when you deep condition. Then when your hair is a little bit healthier, try getting box braids (plaits, individuval braids, etc. so many names for one thing, lol.) and make sure to still shampoo, condition, and deep condition once a week! Synthetic fiber/hair tends to rob the hair of moisture so keeping a good braid spray like Africa's Best around would be awesome.

Another thing, make sure that you DO NOT USE NO-LYE RELAXERS! It's hair breakage in a jar. Trust me. No-lye is made with calcium hydoxide and this chemical dries out the hair, causing the hair to look "poofy." It also makes the hair extremely weak and prone to breakage. Women use No-Lye because they think Lye is bad. But Lye is the way to go. Lye helps the hair hold in moisture better unlike No-Lye. I used to use No-Lye and my hair broke off no matter what I did but I've seen some women have success with No-Lye though. Affirm FiberGuard or Affirm Conditioning Creme are amazing. I always get my relaxers done by a professional because I do not trust anyone, including my mother, with any chemical that's going to go on my head. Always have a professional do it, or someone who is skilled with applying a relaxer without burning your scalp. Your scalp should never burn no matter what.

Almost forgot to add this: Combs and brushes can break your hair. I don't like to comb so I finger comb my hair gently everyday. The only time I use a comb is when I use a large tooth one for detangling my hair during co-washes and shampoos. I always comb from the bottom first and work my way up. Starting at the roots is only asking for breakage. But if you must comb, buy a seamless comb (http://www.tenderheaded.com/). I only use brushes if my hair is resisting being put in a banana clip. Even then, I gently brush my hair.

Anyway, I know I wrote a lot, but it's about your hair and that's important. I hope I've answered all your questions and feel free to e-mail me at any time with questions. If you have any questions on products, I'll be glad to help.

- Belle Cheveux