Kinky 4s' thread

[FroandBeyond]

I'm not really a 4, but if anyone has thick hair in the 3C or even 3B family, they know that this hair type can be very fickle, and have type 4 'tendencies', LOL! For example, it can afro out, and be a B*&$h to detangle on bad days. Single strand knots and all that jazz. I usually follow practices and certain products 4A's use since since 3C is kinda 4A's 1st cousin . Sometimes on certain heads, there is minuscule difference between the 2 hair types...

Hi, well you are welcome in here as well. Yes, 3c's are our cousins. Family is always allowed

[FroandBeyond]

It's been 3 years since my last relaxer. I've been transitioning in some form since then.

Nice. Wow 3 years is a long transition. How are you doing it?

[Bellydancer<3]

Thanks for all the kind words everyone! It felt good to get some of those things off my chest.

Froand Beyond: I <3 Tribe! And yes, Nappturality is one of the first sites that I came across! I still have to explore it a lil bit more.

Beesweet: Thx for offering me the info! I think I looked up some salons and only found addresses in Broward as well. But its worth the trip. I think I will take a trip to one once I get a few inches of growth. Just thinking about the big chop is giving me the heebie-geebies, but you are right; love and fear cannot co-exist!

Today I am getting ready to do my first pre-poo Indian oiling. And then I am going to try a really diluted BS/ACV wash. I figure if I dilute it enough it should be safe for type 4 hair. ......... Anyone know better?

[Beesweet]

I do that exact thing with my daughters. Only we only "poo" with Doc. Bronners about once a month.

I do straight ACV, but not on the same day we pre-oil. I think the ACV takes the oil right away or something.

Here are pics of relaxed damage and a healthy type 4 pic. The photos all have captions.

Healthy type 4 hair, top pic on page. Heat damage on bottom.
http://www.pg.com/science/haircare/hair_twh_74.htm

Relaxation damage:
http://www.pg.com/science/haircare/hair_twh_77.htm

[Bellydancer<3]

Wow. Those chemically treated pix are disgusting. I feel bad for doing this to my hair all in the name of vanity. Actually seeing all of this adds a new dimension to my understanding of why may hair is breaking off. Eww.

[Bellydancer<3]

I do straight ACV, but not on the same day we pre-oil. I think the ACV takes the oil right away or something.

Thats what I would like to do but I read that I need to leave the herbs I wanted to use in the oil for at least a week in the sun. And to top it off, I think the coconut oil I used is past its due date! I just posted in the Rancid Coconut Oil thread that you happened posted in. Turns out me and that chick purchased the same brand of coconut oil!

[Bellydancer<3]

I meant to add that thats the reason I want to get this off my head asap! I figure an hour is a decent enough time to get some benefit and a short enough time that I wont start to get nauseous. LOL

[Naluin]

Nice. Wow 3 years is a long transition. How are you doing it?

Well, I never really planned to transition. More like my last relaxer made me so miserable that I just never went back for another one. So from there, I tried one thing and then another. I let my hair grow out for a while, then I started cutting the relaxed ends off myself. I experimented with braids and cornrows for a while. I did my own box braids in weird colored extensions for a while.

Then I got tired of that and tried a texturizer. That was okay, but then I decided to bleach and dye my hair because... well, because I was temporarily insane. Combined damage from the bleachings and the texturizers made it necessary to cut off all of my hair.

Then I decided to try not destroying my hair. It's been fun so far!

[Bellydancer<3]

I just finished my hair and its so oily. I either used way too much oil mixture, or I needed more baking soda in the solution. I also noticed that alot of hair broke off as opposed to fell out. I guess its good that what ever weak points I had a gone. All the shine looks pretty though.

Is there any way to get some of this oil out without getting it wet again? I am gonna go wrap my head in a old t-shirt. I am worried about the pillows that I will be sleeping on tonight.

[AntiHairSlave]

I'm a 4a/4b relaxed/texlaxed head. My hair just made apl...I'm learning so much!