Flat-ironed hair won't bounce back?!

[NATuralinCO]

Okay, so I had my hair flat-ironed for my annual "how long did it grow in the past year" adventure...I'm only on year 2 so this is only the second time I've had it done.  Problem.  When I was ready to bring my coilies back I decided to do a hot oil treatment (olive oil + honey under hooded dryer) - but when I went to wash all this out (shampoo, condish, style) I noticed MAJOR loosening of my curl pattern and in some areas I have barely a WAVE!!!! Has anyone else experienced this? I'm panicking for real.  I know, it's "just hair" like my permie mom likes to say, but I love my coils and THIS isn't gonna work.

Granted I have washed it once, plus co-washed it once since the flat-iron job so it hasn't met THAT much water - but the last time I had it straightened it bounced right back! Has this happened to anyone else!?! What can I do? Just wait it out and hope...pray my coils ALL return? 

[pixie]

How long has it been like that?

You may have to baby it for awhile.  Lots of moisturizing and strengthening deep treatments.  It probably just needs a little time.

[NATuralinCO]

I had it straight for about a week; it's been this looser curl/no curl/wavy mess since Friday, so about 4 days.  I'll definitely keep up the deep conditioning and hopefully, in time, it'll bounce back. Thanks for your reply!

[krismuldrow]

This happened to me recently after having gotten kinky twists and wearing them for a month. It took my hair about a week to bounce back.

[NATuralinCO]

I'm still struggling. I'm doing an oil treatment as we speak, but I think I'm going to go all out and cut it short again. It's been a bit of a hassle lately anyway, so OFF it goes! Thanks ladies, I hope no one has this happen - I miss my coily curls but hopefully a shorter coif will help them bounce back  Longer is different and what I wanted to work toward the past 2 yrs but now I think natural and shorter is way easier for me....ah well, it's been fun!

[pixie]

Oil doesn't actually provide moisture.  It just locks it in.  I would suggest a pre-made deep conditioner, honey/molasses, mayonnaise cholesterol treatment, ORS, or even an egg mixed into your conditioner (cold rinse with that one or you'll be sorry).

[yellagrlwithcurls]

I don't know if this will work as I don't straighten  my hair ,  and even when I did it was only for one day but when my hair is misbehaving/ not looking it's best/ looking looser I use a Rhassoul or any other kind of natural clay mask and that seems to restore my curls.
Like I said I don't straighten so I don't know if it would work for you but it's worth a try and may save you having to cut your hair if you really don't want to.

[NATuralinCO]

Actually, I want to get my hair cut into a fun style, but this straight hair thing is just an incentive to do it now I will definitely look for a clay mask while I'm out today - my hair really does sadden me because I LOVED the coils!! WTH?!?!

Pixie - Your hair in your avi looks really cute, can you post pictures or do you have a site where I can see some of the pictures as your style might work for me? And as for the deep conditioner, I'll definitely try the homemade mixture and see if I can infuse some moisture into this hair of mine. I definitely feel like I've never nailed down a good winter routine, only had one other winter but still!! LOL!

Thanks ladies...I'm feeling much less a Happy Curl girl these days, but I'm sure the curls will bounce back at some point!!

[NATuralinCO]

Nevermind Pixie, I found your site!

[pixie]

Yeah... I kind of don't update my Fotki as much as I should.   

I was just thinking about you:  Avocado and banana is a great deep treatment.  Just make sure you strain it so you don't get banana chundks stuck in your hair.

[peajai]

Elasta QP Breakage Control Serum brings my curls and coils back when they start looking limp and extra frizzy.

[NATuralinCO]

I'm so glad I have you ladies here to help me out!

Pixie - Just mash the two together? It might be in my "Thank God I'm Natural" book, I can check there. 

Peajai - I'll definitely write that one down, I'm willing to try any and everything that this point. Thanks so much!

Of course today I was out and saw so many ads w/women wearing natural hair (typically in the twist out look) and wonder if I'm really ready to take the "cut my hair" plunge....I'm going to talk to my stylist and see what we come up with...I did a deep condish treatment last night (a new brand by Oil of Olay? Bio - something) and it worked SO well.  My previously straight strands have some wave to them after that, but I twisted it because it's the only way my hair looks uniform.  Thanks ladies! I'm taking it ALL in!