I Think I Damaged My Hair

Alright so here's a little backstory before I ask my question.

I became a natural about 2-4 years ago and I found out I was a type 4. Throughout the years I really struggled to find out my curl pattern and my porosity as my hair looks matted, dry, and overall damaged no matter what I do with it. Recently, I decided I wanted box braids to grow out my hair so I washed, blow dryed and oiled it. The style didn't last long due to the fact that my hair was itchy, the braids looked loose but felt tight as if it was pulling at my roots, and my hair began shedding within the braids. When taken out, my hair got worse within the next week. More shedding, oily but itchy scalp, and matted strands. Currently, my hair is matted in the center, but straight on the crown/edges of my head.

Did anyone go through this problem? Do you have any products to use for wash day and styling? Your help is deeply appreciated!

FYI - if you see my profile pic/avatar, that isn't me I just don't want to show me on a public platform

Original author: lauren.