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First Straighten Since Big Chop!

So I decided on a whim to straighten my hair. You know, it's been 4 months since I last straightened it and that was when I did my big chop at the hair dressers. 4 months is a BIG DEAL for me considering I pretty much used to straighten my hair every week when I had my relaxed hair. 

didn't wash my hair, but I didn't think I had too much product in it. Considering my hair was already dry, and to me stretched out, I thought it'd be good "prepped hair" (not realizing my daily water-hair milk-oil routine) and that surely it had more product than I thought... And to add to that, I even put detangler product and thermal protectant serum in. So I started straightening it and it turned BRITTLE (looked like a serious case of split ends)! I thought I had to cut all my ends (more than an 1") off. 


damaged hair from straightening split ends


realized I was literally just burning the products in my hair, matching almost the smell of burnt weave. I freaked out once I got to my ears, and I started at the nape of my neck *so very lucky I started at the back and not the front*. I immediately saturated my hair in conditioner and I watched my hair stay limp and I almost cried. I had faith it would curl back so I deep conditioned over night. It seems like one side "burnt" more than the other and now it refuses to curl WAHHHHHHH!! 


heat damaged curly natural hair


I washed my hair about 4 times since and the section I straightened really relaxed my curl pattern and I pray it goes back normal. I had to fake it with a roller set in the back :( and pretty much tuck it into my headband when doing a wash n go. I read other forums with people's comments about dealing with bad straightening experiences, both at home and after visiting the salon. Some people said "you have to cut it", others said they've had good results with constant protein treatments. I've recently been doing an at home mixture consisting of: 1 egg, mayo, olive oil, warmed coconut oil (if not warmed prior to mixing, it's clumpy) & some times I add glycerin. It seems to be working for me, the straightened parts are still no where near the tight curl pattern I had before, but slowly getting there. And I refuse to cut my hair, other than a light trim, so be it. 

I just wanted to see my hair straight but I'm glad I didn't continue any further than I did and now I'm afraid to straighten my hair again. My boyfriend is somewhat upset saying I shouldn't have touched it and I should just leave it alone.. 

"Isn't that WHY you cut your hair.. Because of heat damage? I swear that's what you told me?" 

I tried to explain the reason why I big chopped because before I had chemically straightened my hair as well as flat ironed every week which is very different from a one-time straighten in 4 months. I don't expect him to understand everything but I totally get where he's coming from and I think I'll just leave it alone (away from that type of direct heat) for some time. 

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