I just realized I have been on this site for 5 years and my hair has not really grew!

[CarefreeinChicago]

Help!! I want my hair to grow out like some of the other natural ladies!! I useally wear twist out or straight it every two weeks. I use olive oil ,coconut oil sometimes I henna. I also use kenra. I want the back to grow. maybe I need a routine? I am open to any and all suggestions. These pictures were taken about 2 weeks ago.

 

[tada1]

Re: I just realized I have been on this site for 5 years and my hair has not really g

I think a routine would be a good idea. that way, you know what you're doing right and what you're doing wrong. What's helping and what's hurting.

I'm sure your hair has grown several inches, it just didnt stay on your head. Is your hair dry? breaking? too soft? Lets get the growth on this year, kinchen!

 

[CarefreeinChicago]

Re: I just realized I have been on this site for 5 years and my hair has not really g

It stays dry. I use african pride braid spray for moisture. And I hate wash day because their are a thousand little pieces of hair in the shower.

 

[sharifeh]

Re: I just realized I have been on this site for 5 years and my hair has not really g

sounds like your hair is breaking...do you deep condition at all?

 

[nucienuce1]

Re: I just realized I have been on this site for 5 years and my hair has not really g

For me less is more. The less I do the more it grows!

 

[tada1]

Re: I just realized I have been on this site for 5 years and my hair has not really g

It stays dry. I use african pride braid spray for moisture. And I hate wash day because their are a thousand little pieces of hair in the shower.

hmmm. do you seal afterwards? that might be contributing to the dryness. also, how frequently do you deep condition?

i think you should try to incorporate things that will make wash day FUN for you so you dont focus so much on the breakage. think of it as a road to recovery for your hair.

lets try this: post what you are doing now and we can take a look and make suggestions to help you build a regimen

 

[TamedTresses]

Re: I just realized I have been on this site for 5 years and my hair has not really g

What do you use to do your twist outs? You may want to try something more moisturizing than African Pride braid spray. When I was natural (less than 2 years ago) I used Treasured Locks Locks of Curls Pomade & Gel. This kept my hair very moisturized. I still use it for my braid outs even though my hair is relaxed.

What DC are you using? How often do you DC? Also, steaming is great if you have not tried that. There is a "homemade" steam treatment posted somewhere on the board if you can't afford a steamer. Also, you may want to consider putting your hair in braids for a while to help you retain some of your length. HTH

 

[ceebee3]

Re: I just realized I have been on this site for 5 years and my hair has not really g

Well there's no time like the present. Just start doing it. There's a lot of great info here.

 

[BlackMasterPiece]

Re: I just realized I have been on this site for 5 years and my hair has not really g

What is your washing routine? What kind of shampoos are you using? Do you DC?

You seem like you may be one of those ladies that require a reggie thats much more heavy on protective styling, have you tried long-term PS?

 

[Mz.MoMo5235]

Re: I just realized I have been on this site for 5 years and my hair has not really g

i agree with sharifeh. sounds like you have a retention issue. maybe your moisturizer isnt moisturizing enough. maybe you need to dc more. maybe you need more protein. not sure since we dont know what your current reggie is.

maybe if you can tell use what you are doing we can have better input on how to help or tweak things to make it better.

also, how often do you wear your hair down? if you go to some of the challenges for the longer haired ladies (bsl and longer) you'll notice a lot of them wear protective styles and keep their hair up and off their clothes.... maybe something you would want to consider.

 

[sheba1]

Re: I just realized I have been on this site for 5 years and my hair has not really g

Maybe adding a DC on dry hair the night before wash day will help to rid those tiny broken pieces in the shower. Also, do you do any protein, at all? There seems to be many naturals that are finding they need a touch of protein in their reggie to keep balance in check.

 

[LadyRaider]

Re: I just realized I have been on this site for 5 years and my hair has not really g

I used to get those thousand little pieces. I don't any more. I think you probably need more moisture. And perhaps less heat. I usually got those pieces after using the curling iron (every morning.)

 

[CarefreeinChicago]

Re: I just realized I have been on this site for 5 years and my hair has not really g

I sit under my hooded dryer and dc everytime I wash. I was thinking about a steamer.
I put a little olive oil on and condish then wash then dc under the hooded dryer.
I can't wear the twist because I am interviewing and everyone is not as accepting of natural hair as I would like.

 

[CarefreeinChicago]

Re: I just realized I have been on this site for 5 years and my hair has not really g

I use afirm 5n1 sometimes but not regular. I have not straightned it in a couple of weeks.

 

[sharifeh]

Re: I just realized I have been on this site for 5 years and my hair has not really g

can you be a bit more detailed please? how often do you wash and with what products? do you moisturize etc....

 

[charmtreese]

Re: I just realized I have been on this site for 5 years and my hair has not really g

I just looked at your fotki, although you're not where you want to be you have made GREAT progress!!!!

It sounds like you're ends are breaking do to lack of moisture. How does your hair feel wet/dry?

As far as styling goes, have you tried rollersetting? Rollersetting will allow your cuticles to dry flat and smooth. Airdrying wrecked havoc on my natural hair because of the non-uniformity of my cuticles. After rollersetting I would recommend styling using your fingers instead of a comb. At night you can apply your oils and pin curl.

 

[CarefreeinChicago]

Re: I just realized I have been on this site for 5 years and my hair has not really g

I wash about once a week.

I use salerm 21 leave in or silicon mix leave in.

Olive oil and kenra DC. I have curlformers and I mostly use them on my sister I have used them once. Maybe I will try a rollerset.

 

[theprototype]

Re: I just realized I have been on this site for 5 years and my hair has not really g

I just looked at your fotki, although you're not where you want to be you have made GREAT progress!!!!

Yes, the progress is AMAZING! You're definitely doing something right. And with the advice you'll get in this thread, you'll surely see a lot more growth (and retention) this year.

 

[Honey Bee]

Re: I just realized I have been on this site for 5 years and my hair has not really g

OMG- I just looked at your fotki, and let me just say, you have made MILES of progress!

Your hair looks beautiful.

Now, about that breakage, do some moisture/protein research, that's usually the first problem. Also, when was the last time you had a trim (sorry if you already answered that), cuz I notice sometimes that angry ends will flee in protest.

 

[Mimi22]

Re: I just realized I have been on this site for 5 years and my hair has not really g

have you tried bunning? you can still look professional with a nice bun

 

[Chevelure618]

Re: I just realized I have been on this site for 5 years and my hair has not really g

Stop using the African pride. It doesn't work for you. Try straight-up Extra Virgin Coconut Oil.

I've found that the products with ethnic names on them are just to lure us into thinking it is for our type of hair which is not necessarily true.

 

[**SaSSy**]

Re: I just realized I have been on this site for 5 years and my hair has not really g

Stop using the African pride. It doesn't work for you. Try straight-up Extra Virgin Coconut Oil.

I've found that the products with ethnic names on them are just to lure us into thinking it is for our type of hair which is not necessarily true.

ITA, and while you are using the EVCO incorporate some avocado butter. It sounds as if your are using a lot of protein and not enough moisture. You should do one good clarify shampoo, follow by Roux Porosity control just to get your hair on the right track.

 

[AfroKink]

Re: I just realized I have been on this site for 5 years and my hair has not really g

It stays dry. I use african pride braid spray for moisture. And I hate wash day because their are a thousand little pieces of hair in the shower.

Try African Royale Braid Spray. It's in the same price range and is as easy to find as African Pride.

I baggy at night with African Royale and it leaves my hair moisturized all day.

African Royale:
Deionized Water , Glycerin , Propylene Glycol , PPG-12-PEG-50 Lanolin , Dicetyldimonium Chloride , Polyquaternium 32 & Paraffinum Liquidum , Tea Tree (Melaleuca Alternifolia) Leaf Oil , Polysorbate 80 , Oat (Avena Sativa) Kernel Extract , Allantoin , Silk Amino Acids , Sheep Sorrell , Yarrow , Slippery Elm Bark , Sage , Henna , Comfrey , Burdock Root , Goldenseal , Cherry Bark , Ginseng , Black Walnut , Chamomile , Alfalfa , Hyssop , Wheat Germ , Methyl & Propyl Paraben , Fragrance

African Pride:
African Pride Herbal Complex (Aqua (Water), Apocynum Cannabinum (Indian Hemp Extract), Urtica Dioica (Nettle Extract), Rosmarinus Officinalis (Rosemary Extract), Arctium Lappa (Burdock Extract), Betula Alba (Birch Extract), Rosa Canina (Dog Rose Hips Extract), Chondrus Crispus (Carrageenan Extract), Tussilago Farfara (Coltsfoot Extract), Prunus Serotina (Wild Chery Bark Extract), Taraxacum Officinale (Dandelion Extract), Sambucus Nigra, Equisetum Hiemale (Horsetail Extract), Echinacea Purpurea (Coneflower Extract), Propylene Glycol, Glycerin, Dimethicone Copolyol, PEG-8, Oleth-20, Glycereth-26, Silk Amino Acids, PEG-75 Lanolin, Panthenol, Acetamidopropyl Trimonium Chloride, Parfum (Fragrance), Diazolidinyl Urea, Methylparaben, Propylparaben.

Lys

 

[Whimsy]

Re: I just realized I have been on this site for 5 years and my hair has not really g

Hi Kinchen, I just checked out your fotki and boy oh boy your hair has come a long way!!! I hope you're proud of your progress! I am! lol. Maybe these past years were the years you needed to get your hair healthy, and the next years are the ones for mega growth!

I'd suggest a simple routine without a million different products, just: a shampoo you like, a moisturizing dc, a butter for moisture and an oil to seal.
I'd also suggest bunning (loose) for a bit to experiment with retention. Buns are a good interviewing style and require no heat.

 

[CarefreeinChicago]

Re: I just realized I have been on this site for 5 years and my hair has not really g

Thanks ladies for all your tips!!! Please keep them coming. I am making me a plan for retention. And I made a mistake I am using African royale braid spray. I am going to head to whole foods to get the oils tomorrow. I love you ladies.!!

 

[CarefreeinChicago]

Re: I just realized I have been on this site for 5 years and my hair has not really g

I also about once every two months use Alma cassia obative(sp) mix as a treatment should I stop?

 

[LadyRaider]

Re: I just realized I have been on this site for 5 years and my hair has not really g

Kinchen,

Good luck with babying those ends. I know you can make the little pieces go away. I remember them and they are just frightful!!! You have already accomplished so much! What a terrific accomplishment!

 

[CarefreeinChicago]

Re: I just realized I have been on this site for 5 years and my hair has not really g

With all the great tips on the site I realize I have not been consistent. I am going to make a list from this thread.

 

[CarefreeinChicago]

Re: I just realized I have been on this site for 5 years and my hair has not really g

I am sure I need a trim. I think my last one was in November. And I don't have enough to bun wet. Did you mean I should bun straight?

 

[HeChangedMyName]

Re: I just realized I have been on this site for 5 years and my hair has not really g

For me less is more. The less I do the more it grows!

I'm finding that to be true for me also. All the latest products, treatments, and such are fine, but in reality our hair will grow whether we do anything or not. less of all the hair stuff means less agitation in general, which imho leads to greater retention.

All the extra stuff may be necessary if you have damage that you are recovering from though.