Is it realistic?

[peachykeen]

I am reading through some of these threads and I am seeing so many far out hair regimens to grow hair and I am wondering if its possible to keep these up for the long run?

I mean is it realistic to believe that someone is going to for the rest of their life stand on their hands twice a day and co wash daily and only use high end au natural products that total 200 bucks a month for the rest of their life erplexed?


I have read numerous books where women have claimed to have had so much growth. Then a year later it comes out, their regimen cost them too much or their growing hairstyle had to change to suit their new life.

 

[ms.blue]

I think for long run success in hair growing is to keep the reginme as simple as possible.

 

[HKKelly]

I was sort of wondering something along these lines just the other day. Will I be obsessed with my hair enough 10 years from now to keep all of this up? I mean it's like a full-time job! Just the other night, my dh was talking to me while lying in bed and I couldn't tell you what he said because I was having a really loud thought that said:

"I wish he'd stop talking so I can put my scarf on, I can't move my head because of this stupid cotton pillowcase."

Then I stopped and thought, "am I crazy for constantly doing all of this and thinking about all this protective styling and finding the products that are just right?"

I decided, that Yes, I am crazy about my hair -- I don't know when, where or if the obsession with it will end. Until then I may go broke, at which time, I may have to rely on my looks to get me through, at least my hair will be on point.

 

[loveisnthehouse]

Ditto ms. blue. I think the people who may have the best success in the long run are the people who don't have very complicated regemines that it will be easier to maintain over time.

 

[BostonMaria]

I think it depends on the person. I don't see rollersetting every week and buying certain products as a chore or anything that will make me go out of my way. Its a lifestyle choice for some of us.

Did I really think back in 2008 that I would use Megatek forever? Nah! I did use it, it did work, I got tired of using it every day. I do have a simple regimen, but I tend to tweak things sometimes depending on how my hair responds.

 

[chelleypie810]

Agreed. Ha I was just thinking about this in the tub, looking at my hair supplies. Now that I'm done buying everything I realized I only need about 5-6 products to sustain my hair needs. Hair one or wen, a clarifying shampoo, ao honeysuckle rose/moisturizing condish, ion effective care treatment/protein condish, roux pc, leave in and some type of heat protectant. Ok that's 7 but still. All of my products are very affordable and at this point in my hair journey i'm just trying to use everything up so I can have room under my cabinet and just focus on the things that are actually working on my hair. You really don't need 500 things for your hair care journey to be a success.

 

[Salsarisma]

Another thing to consider is that a lot of people just starting to take care of their hair have hair that is damaged....sometimes severely. To start, the majority of their HHJ(including mine) is spent trying to improve the health of the hair. This is the active repairing stage, which definitely takes more time, patience, and products, and sometimes $$$! Once the hair is healthy, the maintenance stage begins. DCing twice a week may not be necessary for hair that is healthy! Or using a protein treatment every 6 weeks may no longer be needed. The women on here with healthy long heads of hair do tend to have simple regimens!

I'm hoping once my hair is healthy and thriving, I can push back on some things.

 

[loveisnthehouse]

I think Salsarisma has a good point about it taking more effort and time and money to make someones hair healthy. Once the health is there maintenance should be a lot easier.

 

[NIN4eva]

I'm using less products now and spending less money than I did before I had a regimen and healthy hair.

 

[classychic1908]

My reggie for healthy hair is far less complicated than what I was doing to my hair before I found the hair boards.

I spend very little on products in my opinion and the fact that I've switched to natural things means that I make the majority of what I use and the things that I buy are chosen with price and effectiveness in consideration.

I keep it extremely simple. I don't manipulate my hair nearly as much as I used to... I used to comb my hair or finger comb it every day. Now I only finger comb weekly. I used to try new products all the time, now I rarely buy anything because my stipulations on quality ingredients are high and my frugality won't let me go overboard on price.

When I started, I tried a few different things to see what I liked. Now, I know what fits into my lifestyle well. Basically, I'm not spending hours on my hair or tons of money because that doesn't work for me.

 

[NIN4eva]

My reggie for healthy hair is far less complicated than what I was doing to my hair before I found the hair boards.

I spend very little on products in my opinion and the fact that I've switched to natural things means that I make the majority of what I use and the things that I buy are chosen with price and effectiveness in consideration.

I keep it extremely simple. I don't manipulate my hair nearly as much as I used to... I used to comb my hair or finger comb it every day. Now I only finger comb weekly. I used to try new products all the time, now I rarely buy anything because my stipulations on quality ingredients are high and my frugality won't let me go overboard on price.

When I started, I tried a few different things to see what I liked. Now, I know what fits into my lifestyle well. Basically, I'm not spending hours on my hair or tons of money because that doesn't work for me.

Yep... cleanse, strengthen, condition, water, oil, bun.

 

[hair4romheaven]

I am doing all i can during this transition to get it over with and have healthy full natural hair. I call this my growing phase. LOL... once i reach my goals i will maintain and keep a simple but healthy regi. just like when u go to the gym at first you go hard to loose or tone then when you reach ur goal you can ease up a bit to maintain what you've obtained. ;-)

 

[Lola Laughs]

Every hair decision I make, be it product or practice, I ask myself--is this sustainable for the long term concering (1) $$$ (2) time required (3) accessibility (is it a product I can buy or make locally). Unless the answer is yes to all three, it gets rejected.

Also, I try to think of healthy hair practices as a lifestyle change. Similarly, I don't want to be on a diet for my entire life, but rather adopt healthy eating habits that I can maintain into my golden years.

 

[NJoy]

I was sort of wondering something along these lines just the other day. Will I be obsessed with my hair enough 10 years from now to keep all of this up? I mean it's like a full-time job! Just the other night, my dh was talking to me while lying in bed and I couldn't tell you what he said because I was having a really loud thought that said:

"I wish he'd stop talking so I can put my scarf on, I can't move my head because of this stupid cotton pillowcase."

Then I stopped and thought, "am I crazy for constantly doing all of this and thinking about all this protective styling and finding the products that are just right?"

I decided, that Yes, I am crazy about my hair -- I don't know when, where or if the obsession with it will end. Until then I may go broke, at which time, I may have to rely on my looks to get me through, at least my hair will be on point.

I'm often thinking the same thing. "I wish he'd stop talking so that I can finish..."


Hey. This is not just a journey, it has to be a new way of life; A new way of thinking about my hair just as properly maintaining my face and skin should be. You either continue to take better care from henceforth or don't and see whatcha get.

And I agree with the poster who said that a lot of the expense is upfront trying to take damaged hair to healthy hair. The rest is maintenance. Not as complex but, still needed, as in anything else. JMO

Oh, and even if you make it look effortless, being fabulous ain't always cheap, easy or convenient. But, let's choose to be fabulous anyway. Or not. And see whatcha get.

 

[Salsarisma]

Hair4, I was thinking the same with the gym analogy! When you first start working out, boy are you sore. But after a while, it's a breeze!

 

[MsBoinglicious]

FOR ME: I feel like, "If I have to do 101 different things just to have/grow long hair, then dammit maybe it’s just not meant to be."

I keep it tooooo simple. Deep Condition once a week, moisturize/seal and PS! I have become lazy and ‘laxed with my hair. And it loves me back for that.

 

[carib_n_curly]

from what i see usually when people get longer hair there reggy gets simple because they're not trying to GROW or REPAIR there hair just maintain what they have

plus by then you would know what works for you and its unlikely you're using 50-11 products to get 1 inch a month and you would have your staples.

If they keep there 50-11 step reggy it probably has become 2nd nature so by then it doesn't feel like an effort

 

[beans4reezy]

I can tell you that the regimen I have right now, is not the regimen I will have once I hit my final hair goal. Right now, I am in retain and restore mode. But after I reach MBL - my regimen will look like- a wash/cowash once or every two weeks with a DC and moisturize and seal every day. That's it.

 

[peachykeen]

Every hair decision I make, be it product or practice, I ask myself--is this sustainable for the long term concering (1) $$$ (2) time required (3) accessibility (is it a product I can buy or make locally). Unless the answer is yes to all three, it gets rejected.

Also, I try to think of healthy hair practices as a lifestyle change. Similarly, I don't want to be on a diet for my entire life, but rather adopt healthy eating habits that I can maintain into my golden years.

I really think simple regimens are the best. You can always tweak or add this or that according to need. But for me a circus regimen will not do. And y'all are right, you may do somethings in the beginning trying to get your hair healthy that you wouldnt do in the end. But, to me that's just tweaking.

 

[peachykeen]

Sorry for the double post.

 

[peachykeen]

I was sort of wondering something along these lines just the other day. Will I be obsessed with my hair enough 10 years from now to keep all of this up? I mean it's like a full-time job! Just the other night, my dh was talking to me while lying in bed and I couldn't tell you what he said because I was having a really loud thought that said:

"I wish he'd stop talking so I can put my scarf on, I can't move my head because of this stupid cotton pillowcase."

....

That part right there made me laugh out loud. I so understand that thought though. Everything revolves around your hair.

 

[30something]

I like to think of it as a diet or a person trying to achieve a weight goal. They do more then necessary to lose weight to speed up the process. Once they reach their goal weight they slow down or stop and are in the weight maintenance mode.

You know them crazy band wagon diets, most of the people who start just want to lose a few pounds, I don't think they really want to eat nothing but celery and peanut better everyday for the rest of their life, same thing with hair.

 

[peachykeen]

Exactly 20something, but thats what got me thinking. Most of "diets" dont work because they are too

drastic. Then when the person goes off they end up gaining even more than they started off with.

I know I have tried some grow hair quick schemes in my life. Only to end up worse off then before. I knew a girl

who was told that she could get a curl to grow her hair then switch to a relaxer and have long hair. (I know it

sounds crazy). But this is a true story.

 

[SmilingElephant]

FOR ME: I feel like, "If I have to do 101 different things just to have/grow long hair, then dammit maybe it’s just not meant to be."

I keep it tooooo simple. Deep Condition once a week, moisturize/seal and PS! I have become lazy and ‘laxed with my hair. And it loves me back for that.

Same here....and i buy affordable products only. No $15 shampoos on me

Except for the Banana Brulee....and even tho i do like it...i find that LustraSilks Mango & Shea Butter cholesterol does the job even better

I have the same reggie as you boingboing...only i like to co-wash during the spring and summer.

 

[MsSonya]

I am barely two months in and I am ready to throw in the towel...and conditioner....and vitamins....and... erplexed I am nowhere close to my goals. Oh, I came out the gate strong. But now I just make sure I moisturize and seal and keep it conditioned, and try to exercise. IRL I am doing an amazing job, but on this board, I am a lazy failure. Well, when I didnt wake up with WL hair in two weeks of using Megatek, I knew I was in for a long 'journey' ahead. I bow down to the ladies that can keep this up for longer than a year and never slack off.

 

[JJamiah]

Before I BC'd my hair was past my goals. I'd use any cheap conditioner on sale that moisturized, Thermasilk was my friend Aphogee was my special shampoo and conditioner for years. Meaning I'd only use that when I saw damage. I blew dry every shampoo and shampooed every 2 weeks. That is it! (FOR YEARS) Phony Ponies were my best friends until my MBL/WL hair wouldn't fit the large pony nets anymore. I really kept it simple. No Fancy name brands, anything in the clearance isle with a discount sticker and said moisturizing LOL!

I shop for hair products because mainly I think I am a shoppaholic. I go from one buzz to the next. I think as my hair gets longer I will fall into the same similar habits of stretching my washes back out to 2 weeks if it becomes a hassle like I felt it was back then. Maybe I will feel different this time around. I don't know only time will tell! I will let you know this time next year

 

[LaFemmeNaturelle]

Exactly 20something, but thats what got me thinking. Most of "diets" dont work because they are too

drastic. Then when the person goes off they end up gaining even more than they started off with.

I know I have tried some grow hair quick schemes in my life. Only to end up worse off then before. I knew a girl

who was told that she could get a curl to grow her hair then switch to a relaxer and have long hair. (I know it

sounds crazy). But this is a true story.

Well with the whole "dieting" thing, the key to getting and staying healthy is to develop a healthy lifestyle. Not go on a diet but to change your habits by changing the food you eat and exercise. So like changing one's diet, the key to having healthy hair is to develop healthy hair practices and that can be very simple. It doesn't and shouldn't be extra complicated like grow hair quick schemes. Everyone should know that quick-schemes never really work.....be it dieting schemes, hair schemes, get rich quick schemes, whatever. IT doesn't work. So I think healthy practices are a lifetime thing and is something I'll definitely keep up with, as I've never had a complicated regimen with expensive products.

 

[Nonie]

I am reading through some of these threads and I am seeing so many far out hair regimens to grow hair and I am wondering if its possible to keep these up for the long run?

I mean is it realistic to believe that someone is going to for the rest of their life stand on their hands twice a day and co wash daily and only use high end au natural products that total 200 bucks a month for the rest of their life erplexed?


I have read numerous books where women have claimed to have had so much growth. Then a year later it comes out, their regimen cost them too much or their growing hairstyle had to change to suit their new life.

That's why my regimen is so simple. Shampoo, condition or DC, ACV rinse...two times a week. Baggy every night. Dust regularly. The end.

Been doing it for years now, it's become second nature.

 

[Mz.MoMo5235]

i think everyone starts their journey as a pj lol because you have to learn what works for you. but with practice, knowledge, and a budget lol you eventually turn into a kiss person.

i know when i started i had all kind of stuff... i'm now down to a third of what i started with

 

[prospurr4]

I know I couldn't maintain some of some complicated regimens that I read here. I just have no desire to spend that kind of time (or money) on my hair.

I started my hair journey "simple," and I gotta keep it simple...I have a busy lifestyle, so my hair is "doing good" to get a weekly cowash with VO5 and an airdried-rollerset.