Postpartum Shedding

In a recent post, I mentioned that I had my baby who is now 4 month old. A month and a half  ago, I would comb my hair and slowly but sure enough, more and more hair would come out of my hair day after day. It reached a stage where I didn't want to want to comb my hair. I didn't want to finger comb or any form of manipulation. I could feel my hair thinning. She is my second and I never knew of this condition until I got it myself.  

I had to learn that this is nothing to worry about or I would worry the rest of my hair out. It not something that could be easily brushed aside. In fact it is there every time I would look in the mirror.

One way of dealing with it was washing my hair with Keracare 1st lather shampoo, followed by the
Whilst my hair was still damp I applied my leave in - Jane Carter leave-in and then separated my hair into sections. In each section I applied the IC and Keracare (Natural) foams

 

From what I've read, postpartum shedding happens to most women, it is untreatable and it is short-term.  During pregnancy, hair literally gets stuck in the 'grow' phase and becomes thicker, longer, shinier, healthier looking. After the birth the new found growth and thickness decides to take a vacation creating excessive hair fall while detangling, styling and sometimes when it's not being touched. No garlic shampoos or tea rinses will help. 

I washed with my cleansing shampoo follow by my hydrating shampoo. I then applied the conditioner and left it in for 20mins. 

 I then plaited my hair

After it air dried, I took it down gently:  Outcome:

The Joys of Motherhood on a healthy hair journey. So those of you who are experiencing this.. take heed...it will get better.

Celebrating my first year to healthy hair w/pix

January 2011. Starting Length

I had a trim after visiting my hairdresser (starting length was slightly shorter than pix)


First Length. Check - September's 2011

 Second Length Check - Dec 2011 and Current length

I

HHJ -LADYNO

Update

It's been a while since I have added any posts. My laptop is dead and so I have not had any method of communication. I can't guarantee that I will be a religious as I want to be, but I will try. As soon as I am able to update my medium, I should be back on track. I am still trying to get the hang of adding picture and all sorts. 

So what have I been up to see my last post.. Well I've had a baby at the end of September and pretty much have been busy. However, I have kept on my hair journey and my hair thrived. I am now APL. My regimine has remained the same. I visit my hair dresser every two weeks and get my hair washed and treated.

In Dec before Christmas. I had a length check. I didn't roller set, just blow dry and straight ironed. Please bear in mind that this is the only time that I use direct heat is on length check days. ( I will try to add the pictures.

I have joined the KISS Boot camp challenge and so far so good. Instead of my usual bunning, I am doing low manipulation styles. I will continue to update you.

HHJ- ladyno

Wash Day...1 week late

I haven't had any breakage and seem to be counting my sheaded hair every time I comb. After having my hair assessed( does my hair need protein moisture) by my hair dresser, I was safe in the knowledge that my hair was still doing well without the mandatory two week wash. We seem to be using the Design Essential range. 1:Twice washed(dirty hair) with The Organic Cleansing Shampoo 2:Once washed with the Moisture Retention Conditioning Shampoo 3:Deep conditioned with Express Instant Moisturizing Conditioner and Stimulations Super Moisturizing Conditioner. This mixer giver my hair the moisture but not too much to make the hair limp, so they balance each other. 4: Rinse and add the Hydrate Leave-in Hydrating Conditioner, follow by HCO Leave-in Conditioner and Blow Dry Lotion. 5: Roller set 6: Sit under Dryer till dry

Heat Wave

We have had something like a heat wave and I've noticed that I need to moisturise and seal in the evenings as well as the mornings. I have decided to use more protective styles and less manipulation on my hair. Since starting my journey, I have done a lot of research, but the learning never stops. I have learned from KISS blog and I am learning from Blackhair Information.com. So starting this week, instead of wrapping my hair every evening as I have been doing for religiously for the last few months,I am going to try 1: moisturise and seal in the morning 2: put my hair in the protective bun style 3: after work, protect and seal but with finger combing, put my hair in a pony and tie it down with my silk scarf. 4: start the process again and see how I retain my length for 3 months. I will continue as always to go to my hairdresser every two weeks and give an update on products used. See you on Friday! HHJ- ladyno

16wks post - Relaxer Day

Today is exactly 16 weeks since my last relaxer. 

I went to my hair dresser and here is the process:

On dry hair

Step 1 -Design Essentials - Scalp protector

Step 2 - Affrim Protecto

Step 3 - Affirm Moisture Plus conditioning relaxer with protecto for dry hair and sensitive scalp formula.

Step 4- Rinse

On wet hair

Step 5 - Affirm 5 in 1 reconstructor ( sit with plastic cap for 20 mins)

Step 6 - Head massage

Step 7 - Affirm Shampoo

Damp hair

Step 8 - Jane Carter Solution Hair Nourishing cream

Step 9 - Roller Set hair

Step 10 - Heat by hooded Dryer

Dry Hair

Step 11- Carefully remove rollers

Step 12-  Design Essentials forming wrap lotion

Step 13 - Jane Carter Nourishing and Shine

Step 14- Wrap hair. 

I had the balance of moisture and protein. I will see him in two weeks for further treatment. 

HHJ - Ladyno

Help is at hand

Between January the 1st to the 12th, I became a product junkie. Whatever the advise or recommendation was...I brought the product. I was still learning. I ended up buying storage for these products.

On the 12/1/12, I recieved all the Kera Care that I needed from my hairdresser.

I received the:

1. 1st lather Shampoo

2. Hydrating detangling Shampoo

3. Humecto Creme Conditioner
4. Intensive Restorative Masque

Armed with instruction and information, I devised a weekly regime. I stuck to it like glue. I moisterised and sealed, I pre-pooed, I co- washed, I deep conditioned.
I bought a hair steamer etc etc etc.

My hair was still breaking.   It felt good but some thing was missing...Yep my hairdresser. I couldn't do it alone.  When do I know when my hair needed protein or moisture? To what degree did I damage my hair? Will I ever have healthy hair?

I know that is possible but DIY, just isn't for me. That statement became even more real when I found out I was pregnant. Exhaustion was the end of my DIY journey.  I went to the hairdressers and had a consultation.

The ends of my hair was damaged and unless I did something about that, I was not going to make any progress.

So my dear readers, this is not a DIY blog. But I do have a very good understanding of my hair. I know about black hair, I am well equip with the information needed to maintain my length and achieve healthy hair.

I love going to the hairdresser. It's my time. I work hard at work and at home. I can't give myself head massages and yes, I do love my head massages!

Every two weeks, I went to have my hair treated. I only roller set and use the hood dryer as heat. He then removes the rollers and wrap my hair. I keep it this way until I am ready to go out.


HHJ - Ladyno