Help me save my hair. I'm at a loss.

If your hair is crunchy, there's a chance that it's overloaded with protein at the moment and is having trouble absorbing moisture. From your photos, it doesn't looks as frizzy as some of the most damaged hair I've seen, so I think this might be likely. I've never found a really good way of getting through it except to just let it gradually wash out. Co-washing seems to be a bit better than shampoo washing, but it all takes time. It hasn't happened to me for more than a year now, so I can't quite recall how long it usually takes, but for now, I'd just let your hair alone and wash it every few days when it gets greasy. I'd also avoid heat treatment, since it's damaging and always seems to worsen protein issues for me.

I know it sucks, especially if you can't brush it. Can you manage to get a wide-tooth comb through it when wet and conditioned? On the bright side, I think you've got a fun Joker look going. :)

I have a slight Joker obsession.

But yeah, I thought about the protein thing too. I have been trying to leave my hair completely alone for the past 3 weeks or so, and no change at all. I just feel like nothing is going to make it better. When I went to the salon, the girl said "How can you stand your hair like this?" and sold me some stuff she said would help it.

It didn't.

I also thought by cutting the majority of the damage off it would help, and instead it almost seems to have made it worse. I'm so sad.

Part of the issue is probably the weight of your hair was probably keeping it a bit straighter before you cut it off. It does take quite a while for protein issues to resolve themselves (sometimes months), but are you finding that your hair ever gets greasy from just the oils produced by your scalp? Or does it sort of stay crunchy regardless?

Perhaps to try and look for hidden silicones and protein in your products! I found the avocado oil it helps me a lot when my hair feels too dry and damaged! I used one product that supposed is the best for very wild hair but that has protein and thats why never feeling it good on my hair.. so is very important what we use to our hairs!! hmm:)) my self understsand that better is the natural bproducts, like the avocado oil already mentioned. this link may can be helpful if you not already know;) http://m.wikihow.com/Determine-if-a-Hair-Product-is-Curly-Girl-Approved I like your Joker green btw

Just thought I'd add that too much coconut oil gives me the protein overload feeling. A blast of cold water after washing then some argan oil usually helps when mine used to go like that. Check shampoo's /conditioners too as some of them contain protein too, like some of the tigi ones.

Maybe while you wait to get rid of the protein, you can do moisturizing treatments every week. My ends look like that and like you cuting them didn't seem to help. I noticed that olive oil worked a lot better for me than coconut oil. Using flexi curlers, or any heatless curling method made it look and feel much better too. Combing your hair with a wide tooth comb while you have conditioner on. I also feel like a boars hair brush helps spread the oils on your scalp to the rest of your hair.

Good luck, I know it sucks :/

Protein overload is my guess too. If it's cumulative build up (which it appears yours is) I've read it can take up to 6 months to reverse.

Definitely check the ingredients lists of all your products and check for any hidden proteins. This article can help you figure out what to look for. http://www.nenonatural.com/hair-blog/a-comprehensive-list-of-proteins-found-in-hair-products-for-the-protein-sensitive

I would try to avoid any and all protein products for a while, it will be a while before you notice improvement. I'm just on the tail end of dealing with protein overload in my hair and most things make it feel like shit. I have tresemme naturals coconut conditioner and I work it in really well around all the strands until I can feel it softening my hair, I let it sit for my shower and then rinse it in cool water. I noticed that the hot water left it feeling crispy still but cool water and not over rinsing helps. It still looks dry but I can comb it and style it and it feels softer. I'm not afraid of it snapping off if I bump it.

Another thing you could try if you're brave is adding salt to your conditioner. I added about a tsp of salt to my conditioner and worked it in and let it sit for an hour. It seemed to work, I could tell the areas where the salt was more concentrated were much softer. I've read the salt breaks down the protein BUT it's possible for it to break it down too much and your hair to go the other way (I've read). @Vivienne shared that she experienced it improved swimming in the ocean. If you try it though start slow. And don't leave it on your hair more than 2 hours. Read more here. http://relaxedthairapy.com/correct-protein-overload-hair-salt/

Once you break the protein overload, and for future suggestion after washing let the hair air dry. This would give time for moisture to absorb onto the scalp and hair follicle. Cold water closes the cuticle while hot water opens the cuticle.

Also for your information, protein treatments take out moisture form the hair and cause the hair to become drier.

These are my suggestions.

Hay_jules wrote: Protein overload is my guess too. If it's cumulative build up (which it appears yours is) I've read it can take up to 6 months to reverse. Definitely check the ingredients lists of all your products and check for any hidden proteins. This article can help you figure out what to look for. http://www.nenonatural.com/hair-blog/a-comprehensive-list-of-proteins-found-in-hair-products-for-the-protein-sensitive I would try to avoid any and all protein products for a while, it will be a while before you notice improvement. I'm just on the tail end of dealing with protein overload in my hair and most things make it feel like shit. I have tresemme naturals coconut conditioner and I work it in really well around all the strands until I can feel it softening my hair, I let it sit for my shower and then rinse it in cool water. I noticed that the hot water left it feeling crispy still but cool water and not over rinsing helps. It still looks dry but I can comb it and style it and it feels softer. I'm not afraid of it snapping off if I bump it. @Hay_jules when your hair is wet and you need to brush please don't do with out put any natural oil first....i already say from mine experience and only that from a natural oil what it helps my hair is the avocado oil but you can choose yours. I believe even the best conditioner it doesn't helps all alone for damaged hair. pff sorry for the letters dunno why comes this way

Thanks guys, I will give it a bit longer to see if it sorts itself out. Right now literally all I am using in my hair is my oVertone conditioners. I don't use heat at all, always let my hair air dry, and only use cold water to rinse. Hopefully I see an improvement soon because its killing me.

I'd give an SMT a go from long hair care forum... it's silicone&protein free condish (cheap suave vo5 ok), honey, & clear aloe Vera gel warmed slightly applied to clean damp hair bagged for as long as you can stand. Oft prescribed intense moisture treatment for over proteined hair (if that is the problem) (but good for hair no less) google for specific ratios. I think your hair looks rad though I love the greeeeen!!!!

@angi, don't worry, I never brush my hair when it's wet, just a wide tooth comb (I never brush at all actually). I oil frequently. I just find that when my hair is crispy or extra compromised that often treatments that are supposed to help don't feel good at all.

I second the SMT suggestion. It feels quite lovely.

Hi,

When you already have damaged and dry hair. If you are going to bleach and color your hair you are damaging your hair even more. Since your hair is damaged to a very bad extent. It will take time for you regain your hair. You need to be patient now. Try home remedies like banana with milk, avocado, mayonnaise hair packs. You can even heat coconut oil slightly and massage into your scalp.

Yes Hay_jules, sure i cannot to worry more than you but we all have pass several things with our hair lol so sure we have the feel how is it and thanks to this side here, gives so much help to everyone with advises at least to not be the same with the only what is different is the link and fill the page, as get confused the person who asking for advise.

You're all making me think my hair is over-proteined now as my hair can look quite wild unbrushed and at the back it is a bit stiff feeling. I always blamed it on having lots of thick, coarse hair though!

I definitely tried all the banana, avocado, mayo, egg stuff. That just makes my hair feel even worse. Like someone else said, all the things that are "supposed" to make my hair feel good, have always made it feel worse. I can't even get a salon to touch it now, lol. Oh well. I haven't bleached my roots in a while. I don't even have to, because my hair refuses to grow now. I can't even remember the last time I lightened my roots and there's barely any regrowth. When I do have to lighten my regrowth, I use Age Beautiful Creme Lightener and it is amazing. Soooo much better than normal bleach.

It's been 6 days since I posted this and no change. Looks like I'll be buying some new product!

sachin771 wrote: A balance between water, moisture and protein is a must for optimal health of hair. As per my opinion, you are having protein overload. Your hair is unable to absorb moisture because of excessive protein and that's why they are dry. Staying away from protein for some time is the best suggestion for you

You do realise this topic is over 2 years old don't you?. I think the problem would be rectified by now.