Hi Guys,
So a few months ago I had my first major hair setback since my last relaxer three years ago. I was going to my friend’s traditional wedding and I decided to slick my hair down with (a fair amount of) Eco Styler gel into a low bun to make my hair flat for the gele. A few days days later my scalp started to itch and when I would scratch it I could feel the gel in my nails (gross) so I decided to wash it out. But my scalp kept itching! Over the next few days I started this vicious cycle of washing my hair, it itching me like CRAZY, and washing it again. I tried sulphate-free shampoos at first but quickly after that I realised I needed a sulphate shampoo and my regular brands just didn’t seem to be getting all the gel out, and whatever I did, it would itch worse. And I even started to develop a rash on my neck and ears.
I was so incredibly miserable. I tried apple cider vinegar to clairfy my scalf, tea tree oil to help with the itching -both helped but only alleviated my pain for a short while. I eventually went to the pharmacy (I was convinced I had lice at one point you guys) and they prescribed a sulphur-based shampoo called Sulfur 8 and a cream for a fungal infection. Which again, didn’t work. Shortly after, a friend of mine told me to try taking some allergy medication (she’d experienced something similar) and after taking Clarityn for a few days I started to feel a lot better. I also found that calendula cream helped with the rash on my ears. I could finally go out and not worry about how I looked scratching my head every 5 seconds (yes, it was that bad). At this point my scalp was so raw, it actually hurt. My hair was so dry it was breaking and shedding everywhere. I was so heartbroken but more importantly, I was just tired of my hair.
So I decided to just put it away. After a home steaming session I visited Saavy and Chic salon for a weave which I left in for a few weeks during my trip to Durban. During that time I soothed my scalp with rosemary oil, and it slowly started to feel better. After I took my weave out I went back to Saavy and Chic and I had a new problem – white flakes all over my scalp, dry, brittle and weak hair. I chose to try out their moisturising treatment with palm oil and fresh aloe vera gel. After that the stylist trimmed about 2-3 inches of hair off. My ends were so damaged and irreparable.After the treatment my hair felt the closest it’d felt to ‘normal’ in a while.
Since then, I’ve had bouts of wig wearing, worn another weave and have been wearing my own hair out more. I’ve noticed that my hair still isn’t back to normal. It’s a lot more susceptible to dryness and I’ve been noticing more split ends and single strand knots. For the past few weeks I’ve decided to leave the wigs and weaves alone to let my hair ‘breathe’. I’ve been dusting my ends, moisturising and wash it regularly and I’ve noticed a huge improvement already.
The crazy thing is, I’m not entirely sure what I reacted to. The gel I used wasn’t expired and I have used the brand since I went natural and never had any issues. Nevertheless, I threw that tub away and have only just now started to use gel again (sparingly I might add lol) As far as hair setbacks go, this was my first major one and very scary! This whole ordeal lasted over 2 months and my hair still isn’t the way it used to be. I took measurements of my hair and I’ve lost over 4 inches of length which takes me back A LOT. So stay tuned for more posts on natural hair as I try to nurse my hair back to health.
Here are some recent pictures of my hair:
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| Wash And Go |
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| Semi Successful Twist Out |
PS: I swear I’m not upset (in these pictures) lol
Has anything like this ever happened to you? Have you had any major hair setbacks? Share any feedback you have below I need all the help I can get!
OMG!!!! How on earth did you deal with that? I would have been crying my hair out for weeks!
Sawry you had to go through that. Scary!
Berry Dakara Blog
Thanks doll!
Wow! that's really scary. I was just thinking, since you've used that gel before, it could have been anyone it happened to. Man, I'd never want to have lice in my life if that's the price I have to pay. 4 inches is lot and that's a real big setback. I'm so sorry about that. But Nevertheless, You look so pretty as usual, long hair, weave, short hair or not. You go girl!
Coily Head of Hair
Aww thanks hun!
ive not experienced itching just that eco styler gel flakes on me like crazy. sorry u went thru all that!
http://www.folasoasis.com
Thank you! I've heard the Olive Oil one is the best for flaking.
I can totally relate to the flakes. Makes me wonder what the hype is if my hair looks like a dandruff pool after.
http://www.barbara1923.com
So sorry to hear what you went through. Could it have been the heat from the gele and the gel caused some sort of reaction? Glad it's all getting better now!
So smart! I hadn't thought of that, that must have been it!
Ooooh, that sounds like a nightmare. Sorry dear!
Thank you!
I used the eco gel, but not only did it make my hair itchy, my scalp developed scabs and I thought I had lice and was freaking out. The scabs were everywhere and very itchy.
I reacted to the olive oil one. It was just my scalp. I am sorry it was your neck and your ears too.
Used this product for three years. I use it on my edges and recently ive noticed that ive been getting tiny little clusters of bumps around my hairline. Im freaking out. I love this product but these bumps gots to go
I googled allergic reaction to eco styler gel n came acrossed your post..i to am natural n have been using ecostyler since..but recently developed a nasty reaction..the rash was on my ear..neck and face..my whole body itched..was terrible.
I started using Eco Style Black Castor Oil and Flaxseed a month ago. I loved it until I began to react same as you. My doctor prescribed some kind of dandruff shampoo with cortisone in it. It didn't do much. I soon realized that I was reacting to the Eco. Whenever I apply it – even sparingly, it felt like I was driving sharp needles into my scalp. I can't use it anymore and now I don't know what to replace it with. I have a twa. What will work the same without hurting me? Thanks.
I'm glad I'm not crazy! I very seldom use ecostyler gel but I am one, dry itchy chick! I too, used apple cider vinegar and tea tree to clarify and have been washing every 2 to 3 days….I thought it was my diet! I'm over the hype and as soon as I am done typing I will be seeking the garbage. …thankful no face rash…#thanksforsharing
I bought the coconut oil eco styler this morning and that has my head itching like crazy. I've used the olive oil and had no problems but I don't know why I'm having this reaction with the coconut oil. Will stick to the olive oil.
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OMG! So, sorry that heppened to you. I found this article because Just now noticed that my scalp gets really itchy when i use the eco styler… Umm… And also started noticing my edges are super red. Done with it! !
I literally have the same issue!! Its on my ears and my scalp has scabs and I have bumps all over my body I think it’s an allergic reaction but it won’t go away I’ve stopped using it completely