Can damage cause straighter hair?

clickchick

I've noticed that the top layers of my hair are much straighter than the underside. As I go through my evolution to a curly girl, it looks like I am actually getting some wave closer to my root on top, but the ends are staying relatively straight.

Since I have been abusing my hair for the last several years, I am wondering if those top layers have taken such a beating that they have lost their curl power? I am a "do your hair at home" junkie, so I would guess this hair has been permanently colored, highlighted, and stripped of color (ouch) several times over the last year. Add to that shampooing every other day, blow drying and flat ironing and I am surprised I have any hair at all.

pedaheh

Any and all of the things you mentioned can cause your hair to be damaged/porous. If is is damaged, it will probably be straighter.
You can temporarily fix porosity with protein. Protein fills the "holes" in the cortex of your damaged hair. I'd try a protein treatment if you haven't already. Fine hair needs protein anyway, so it is a pretty safe bet that you will like one. Foll the PT with either a DT or a moisturizing conditioner.

clickchick

I did a PT a very long time ago after a bad, bad, bad perm (did I say bad?) and my hair was like a brillo pad. I think I used Aphogee from Sally. I know that was pretty intense. Any other recommendations?

(and thank you ALL for the help! I am a CG newbie and I really appreciate it!)

pedaheh

Mild: Aubry Organics GBP-protien heavy condish, strongly scented like pine, doesn't need a DT after
Ion effective hair care-mild, from sally's, 2$ a packet, not enough for many people
Joiko k-pac (and sally's knock off)- medium, have mineral oil in them and some people's hair hates mineral oil
Nexxus Emergencee-medium, at CVS, walmart and target (I think)
Aphogee 2 step- very strong as you know, 2nd step has mineral oil, most throw away the second step and use their own DT or moisturizing condish I wouldn't start with this one.
Spiral Solutions PT- I forget the exact name. I've heard many people who I know have tried absolutely everything think this is the best PT. You may be able to get away with not using a DT after this one in a time crunch.
Spiral solutions also has a protein spray and the catlin condish(has protein) that would be worth getting samples of if you get samples.
Curl Junkie PT-I can't remember this exact name either. This one is mentioned a lot as being good as well.

Giovanni Direct leave in- aloe based leave in with protein. Gets good buzz
I think ecostyler is worth trying. It is in the ethnic section of sally's and CVS. This has wheat protein and glycerin. Glycerin is bad in humid and dry conditions. Some peoples hair specifically hates wheat protein. Ecostyler is 3-4$ a giant tub and lots of people love it. It is a HG for me.
Giovanni smooth as silk condish-target has travel sizes in its natural product ailse.

Kathymack sells samples of CJ, SS, AO GBP and the GDLI.

You're welcome. I had lots of help when I started. I'm just paying it forward.

rymorg2

I would suspect that the highlighting did most of the straightening, that happens to me occasionally.

Here's a thread I did on PTs and DTs. There are some recs in there for my fave treatments as well. HTH!

http://www.naturallycurly.com/curltalk/showthread.php?t=105582

asianrunner

I'm a big fan of CJ Curl Fix! It's on the milder side of PTs and works wonders to bring back my waves.

I have samples of the SS PT, Caitlin's conditioner and protein spray and I will be able to report back on those soon!

pumkin

well, i can tell you from experience that i think yes,damage will cause hair to be straighter. to make a long story short(shorter) i had a couple back to back relaxers 3 yrs ago .i had thought i cut most of it out but still had a problem with my curls. they were barely there. i used to be a 3a -3b then turned to a 2a ish. even after cutting out the relaxers over the next 3 years.but,,,,,i was still flat ironing. not everyday, but enough.i have always used really good conditoners... and have always taken good care of my hair. i thought the texture changed and decided to forget about being curly. so a couple of weeks ago i got a hair cut.short and straight. it was very cute. i just blew it dry and sleek and smooth.
for about 3 days. then all of a sudden these curls started popping out everywhere. real curls. which look stupid with the style and length i have but, it made me realize that the flat iron, even though i took care of my hair ,had damages the crap out of it. so i may look rediculous for now, but can not wait for it to grow so i can enjoy my curls again.

clickchick

That makes sense, Pumkin. My hair is getting curlier by the day (started CGing last weekend) and I noticed that several places on my head today have actually pretty tight curl at the roots, but the ends are much more loose and wavy.

There is a Deva certified stylist close to my office, so I am going to book an appt to get a curly appropriate cut and hopefully get rid of some of these abused ends.

goobernut

My bleached out streak was almost straight compared ot the rest of my hair! That never really looked better until it grew out. I second the protein advice if you think its been damaged from services.

pumkin

i think i am going to let my hair grow a few inches(boy it looks silly now but scarfs,headbands and clips are helping)and see if i can find a deva or curly trained stylist too. i cannot wait.i look kind of like a poodle now. but the back is so short that it just sticks straight out in a fuzz ball,hence the scarfs and headbands.tell us how it goes if you get it done:)

curlyerika

It can absolutely make your hair straighten out. The last time I got my hair cut, I asked the lady to cut off everything that was damaged. She said she could tell immediately what was damaged/split ends because unlike the rest of my hair, it just wouldn't curl. :pale:

09robiha

Personally, it didnt take my hair too long to bounce back from straightening. However I think I have stronger hair than I think, its takeen a fair bit of abuse but still grows like a weed and looks healthy.

But yes. I would say damage can cause the hair to be straighter than the rest. Wether you cause it by straighteneing, bleach, dye..whatever. Try and extra DT or PT as others have suggested....but keep in mind some people NATURALLY have straighter top layers. Just like some have naturally 3 or more differant patterns of curl on there head

plunkybug

I would agree as well. I'd suggest a good cut to remove as much damage as you can and follow with both protein and moisture.