Back to the Basics: Roller Sets

My hair has been on a much needed R&R. I have gone back to the basics in my hair styles. I've been receiving more breakage due to my impatient detangling methods. Understand that my hair has not been this full and long since...oh...high school and before that 6th grade. So I'm not accustomed to having all of this hair to deal with.

My most progressive months during my hair journey was during my consistent rollersetting days. I washed, dc'd and set my hair twice a week. For daily maintenance, I wrapped or pincurled it while applying only a mist of JCS leave in and a few drops of JCS Hair Nourishing Serum-if that. My low maintenance, low manipulation (for me) regimen kept mechanical breakage at bay and my hair looked and felt great.

I've been doing alot of air drying lately since my discovery of the braid out and just being plain lazy or rushed for time. But I'm ready to enjoy my hair in big curls so its back to setting! What makes the process even more enjoyable is that I can play DJ Hero while I'm under the dryer! The time flies then!

Keep in mind, it wasn't the act of roller setting that helped my hair it was what it allowed me to do is what truly matters. And that is this method allowed me to get smooth curls that last without tangles and lots of manipulation. Tangles and manipulation are prime factors of breakage coupled with dryness and you're asking for a sink full of little hairs.

Another forgotten factor in rollersetting breakage is too much tension when rolling. Don't roll so tight that your hair dries and snaps. You'll know this happened if you unroll your hair and your ends come out with it. The best method of proper tension is one introduced to me on Healthy Textures, and that's the "roll, roll, pull" method. The results are smooth hair with no tension breakage.

So the key is doing what style method works for you to minimize breakage. Fighting with roller sets week after week is counterproductive. You'll find yourself overmanipulating fragile wet hair. Also, try to do to much to dry, damaged hair will be counterproductive. So when you admire someones hair who roller sets often, keep in mind that hair must be, at minimum, moisturized and strong enough to take the manipulation needed to set the hair. Don't rely on styles alone to get your hair healthy.

I think everyone should have a "fall back" regimen like the one I've described. When your hair needs a rest, what's your fall back?

Posted in: Healthy Hair Growth,My hair