Skunk hair

[Aireen]

Something about this thread ain't right. :scratchch

 

[Aireen]

That's it for now.....but she could not stress enuff, wash your hair like you would wash your behind! Stop being lazy ladies...your hair is funky! Can you say skunk hair?

Throughout this whole thread, you've stated to wash hair at least once a week. There are ladies that do wash their hair once a week. I'll be damned though if I only wash my bum once a week.

 

[10WordzOrLess]

ehhhhhhh, this sounds like a personal agenda described as 'i have this friend....'

 

[Napp]

I actually think my hair smelled less when i wash it less frequently every 3 weeks.i thought of it like washing my face.i can only do it a certain amount of times or else my skin will counteract and get oilier. when i was washing every 3 days my scalp would get so oily and have a layer of oil and dirt that i could actually feel. Forget about waiting for a week.it smelled awful. When i dont wash my hair as often my scalp is drier and it doesnt have that sebum smell until about the 3rd week.

Now i plan on cleansing more often because i am rollersetting weekly.

 

[nappystorm]

This thread makes me want to wash my hair again.

 

[Aireen]

4. Whether natural or relaxed, trim your ends every 6 to 8 weeks. Keep those ends healthy so split ends don't run rampant in your head of hair.

No way am I doing this. I did it before and I'm not going back to no progress and SL hair.

I like some of your other points though... but like I said, this thread smells of fish.

 

[SheenaVee]

People who co wash their hair aren't using conditioner in the same way they'd use a shampoo. Yes, there will be build up regardless but I doubt people are slathering it on their scalps and massaging it in like they would with shampoo.

And most of the things you've stated... most people on this board know and do them anyway so I dunno why you're acting like this is new info.

 

[NaeChail]

...looks around.....chuckles....backs out of thread to go cowash lol.

"rules were meant to be broken" lol

 

[Nonie]

I don't understand the trim 6-8 weeks thing, you're only trimming away all your new growth. That's only necessary for women with relaxers who use too much heat IMO. A lot of women stay NL for years behind that advice.

@Raspberry, @blessedandlucky, @brg240, @cocosweet, @DDTexlaxed @DeeDeeMarie @GaiasDaughter24, @growinghealthyhair @JOI, @ksly4ever, @mEmYSELFaNDj, @mischka, @Mrs. Verde, @MsChelle, @Myjourney2009, @Poopiedo, @qchelle, @Rei, @shasha8685, @shortdub78, @SouthernStunner, @Willow00, @~~HoneyComb~~

About the 6-8 week trimming schedule, hopefully I can help you understand.

No you're not trimming your growth if you're not trimming the amount you grew but are trimming less than you grew in those 6-8 weeks. If you trim less than what you're growing, then you'd be ensuring you keep split ends at bay and thus strong strands that don't break and while it isn't the whole that you grew, it will show as improved healthy hair that will be longer than if you were just leaving weak ends that break on their own. It worked for Wanakee; it worked for Brenda; and it worked for me:

This was my hair when I never used to trim.
In 1990 when I rocked a jheri curl and considered it the longest it ever grew (about 5-6) in a pulled back puff:

My hair relaxed straight in 2000, still about the same length as 10 years before:

In the 2001 still about 5-6 inches long (This was Feb 2001):

By August 2001, my hair was so damaged that my new stylist suggested that maybe I'm not the relaxing kind. I was so insulted coz she didn't know my hair before it was damaged and I felt like she just called me a freak--I mean, what is the "relaxing kind of hair" and why isn't mine "normal" like that? I decided to transition so I could go back to her to show her how strong my virgin hair is and that my first relaxer not only is hard to do (my hair was always very resistant and stylists would have to use "super strength" relaxer after trying regular and not having any success. So yes, double application was the norm for me coz they'd assume my fine hair relaxes easily)...I wanted her to see how once it's done, it'd be so hawt and definitely relaxer-worthy.

I am not sure what stopped me going back for that relaxer, but I do think laziness had something to do with it, plus I saw my hair reach lengths I always dreamed of, which was really the only reason I relaxed--to see if my hair could get long if it's not so kinky it breaks when I comb.


So this this was my hair after a year of trimming every 6-8 weeks.
I was in braids and I'd undo a braid and snip about 1/4 inch. My hair grows about 6 inches a year, so at that rate of trimming, I would be left with 4.5 inches of growth. And I retained it all because I started to transition in August 2001 with one inch of growth and in a year I had 5-6 inches of natural hair--the relaxed hair having been snipped off or broken off during the course of the year. (BTW, in the past, the way I'd transition is braid my hair and let the relaxed hair break off. This time I had discovered a regimen that echoed Wanakee's and so was giving it a shot):

So again, this is a year's retention of 100% natural hair (relaxed gone) August 2002:

Again, following the same trimming regimen, this was August 2003--the longest my hair ever was in my life--never got this when I wasn't trimming:

So clearly I wasn't losing my growth by trimming 6-8 inches because I was trimming less than I grew.

When I didn't trim for 4 months (16 weeks) my hair looked like the top pics below (thin ugly ends that had to go--hence the bottom pics coz I can't stand thin ends (December 2003))--BTW, thin ends are a sign of splits having broken off, or whole strands having broken off, so that there are gaps/holes when you hold hair up. So clearly my not trimming wasn't saving my hair like I had thought it would:

And while I haven't been trimming on a regular schedule--but I did trim whenever I thought of if, (I started a regular schedule again in Jan this year), my hair hasn't suffered a growth standstill. This is what I had in Feb 2007 after a scissor-happy stylist went to town on my hair and left me with about 3 inches stretched:

March 2007: (the front part gives you an idea of the stretched length because when I do puffs, I usually push the Goody elastic as far back as it'll go w/o the hair springing out, so it's usually right at the very ends of the front strands):

And this is what I had in Feb/March 2010 with a trimming schedule that might not have been as regular as 6-8 weeks but still regular enough to make my hubby ask why I'm always cutting my hair:

And the reason that schedule works is hair is only perfect when it's first borne: in a baby and after a bald head. But as the hair exists on earth, the ends start to endure the elements and start to wear away. The oldest parts (the ends) suffer this the most and it gets worse as time passes, with the ends being the worst at all times. And like a cancer, if you leave them there, they spread. But if you snip them away, you slow down the spread of damage. If you wait too long to trim, then you find the cancer spreads over more of the strand and you will need to trim more as I show in this image:

This person waited too long so trim C (I should really call this a dust) will not really get rid of damaged ends. Trim A does a better job but notice some strands are still not w/o damage. Only the center one is. Had this person dusted sooner, she might've been able to just do the C cut and had all strands looking like the middle one does after the A cut. And it doesn't take half a brain to see that of the three strands, the middle one has a better chance of survival. That's the logic behind the schedule that baffles the mind: that you strike while the iron is hot. Just trim as little as 1/4 inch, which for those who can't picture it is only this much__ and do it regularly enough for it to make a difference by stopping things from getting to the state of the top strand^^ or worse.

So really does anyone really believe that trimming that __ much every 2 months (that's 8 weeks folks!) would really thwart your progress? If you do, then do you: Don't trim--Some people can get away with it. But hopefully those not against trimming but just couldn't wrap their heads around the schedule, got something from this post. And if your hair seems to be a standstill, like mine was, don't knock it till you try it; just be sensible in how you do it, and you might just discover the missing link, like I did.

 

[hairmaster]

I have had the skunk hair client that think the perfume the sprayed (showered) their hair with smells good. you have to spray the hair with water to penetrate the oil and dirt.they usually apply a new relaxer claiming that the hair is braking off, the cape has ring around the collar.

 

[DDTexlaxed]

We know this friend of hers wasn't talking about US on LHCF, but we all know folks who don't wash their hair because they believe dirty hair grows hair. I know tons of black folks who did this and they would use grease every day to ease their itchy scalp. This woman is not insulting me because I wash my hair and butt every day! I never followed the trimming thing even when I was relaxed. I seem to BC every time I get to shoulder level. I am past taking advice from professionals. They have some good points, but it seems that they feel their views out weighs the person's hair they're doing. Even if a person does not want a trim, they sneak it anyway. I've seen it plenty of times. I only go to a pro when I need a hair cut. That way if I jack up my hair, I have no one to blame, but me.

 

[cocosweet]

Nonie, I love how your posts are so generous with the visuals.

I understand your point. At 8 weeks, I'd have about a inch. Unfortunately, your average scissor happy stylist is taking off at least that much. Heaven forbid your hair grows unevenly in the first place, they'll try to even it up and next thing you know "poof" growth gone!

Its official, I've got issues.

 

[NikStarrr]

I agree with SOME of the things that she says. I don't think one needs to trim that often. That recommendation tends to be for people trying to MAINTAIN their hair healthily at whatever point it's already at--but if you are really trying to grow your hair at, you have to trim your more infrequently.

I also think think using conditioner as shampoo is okay--that it's best to clarify regularly (every 2-3 weeks has worked for me) to avoid too much build up.

 

[Bluetopia]

@Nonie, I love how your posts are so generous with the visuals.

I understand your point. At 8 weeks, I'd have about a inch. Unfortunately, your average scissor happy stylist is taking off at least that much. Heaven forbid your hair grows unevenly in the first place, they'll try to even it up and next thing you know "poof" growth gone!

Its official, I've got issues.

I agree with Cocosweet Nonie I love your posts!!!

And still have to push back that the trim "rule" isn't universal by any means and something that should be assessed on an individual basis.

I have the same story as you but the reverse. I had hair that I used to get trimmed every two months and it grew but the trims curbed my retention immensely. to the point where i mistakenly thought i was a slow grower.

Now I get it trimmed once (twice TOPS) a year and I'm BSL with no split ends, headed to WSL.

You upped your trims and I almost halted mine altogether.

We did the exact opposite thing and got the same results (i.e., great retention).

I think the trimming thing makes sense for those who are prone to split ends - in order to curb a problem before it gets out of hand. But for those of us who don't fall into that category....we'd just be trimming perfectly healthy hair for no reason - just to be following some "rule".

no bueno

 

[Nonie]

@Nonie, I love how your posts are so generous with the visuals.

I understand your point. At 8 weeks, I'd have about a inch. Unfortunately, your average scissor happy stylist is taking off at least that much. Heaven forbid your hair grows unevenly in the first place, they'll try to even it up and next thing you know "poof" growth gone!

Its official, I've got issues.

@cocosweet, that's why you should not trust anyone to do your trims. Learn to do them yourself.

You know my story of trusting someone to do a trim, right? This is what I had in January 2007 when straightened:

And this is what is was like not straightened in Jan 2007:

And this is what I ended up with after I let a stylist trim my hair Feb 2007

 

[blueberryd]

May I ask how long and in what condition her hair is in?
When i used to go to salon's they were always preachin bout this and that but their hair was always overdyed, over processed, 1-inch long, and/or wigged/weaved up. That's why i would never take what they say seriously because their hair was RAGGEDY!! My hair was ALWAYS BSL and healthy (to the untrained 'non-professional' eye)...I am more apt to and have taken advice from non-cosmetologist LHCF ladies bc u can look at their hair and their regimen and see that it works...whether its co-washing, or shampooing their hair every 2 weeks (like haircrush), or not trimming... Advice from these salon 'professionals'/stylists on the other hand...not so much

 

[Guitarhero]

I'm wondering if this thread were a passive-aggressive way of insulting the women on this board as ignorant of haircare. :eyebrows2 I also note the emphasis on men having to endure stink head. Hmmm, I wonder if women have to endure not only stink head, but stink balls?

 

[cocosweet]

@cocosweet, that's why you should not trust anyone to do your trims. Learn to do them yourself.

You know my story of trusting someone to do a trim, right? This is what I had in January 2007 when straightened:

And this is what is was like not straightened in Jan 2007:

And this is what I ended up with after I let a stylist trim my hair Feb 2007

Oh, I am the only one who comes near my hair with scissors these days. But I still have flashbacks!

 

[Nonie]

I agree with Cocosweet Nonie I love your posts!!!

And still have to push back that the trim "rule" isn't universal by any means and something that should be assessed on an individual basis.

I have the same story as you but the reverse. I had hair that I used to get trimmed every two months and it grew but the trims curbed my retention immensely. to the point where i mistakenly thought i was a slow grower.

Now I get it trimmed once (twice TOPS) a year and I'm BSL with no split ends, headed to WSL.

You upped your trims and I almost halted mine altogether.

We did the exact opposite thing and got the same results (i.e., great retention).

I think the trimming thing makes sense for those who are prone to split ends - in order to curb a problem before it gets out of hand. But for those of us who don't fall into that category....we'd just be trimming perfectly healthy hair for no reason - just to be following some "rule".

no bueno

@Bluetopia, I do agree some people can get away without trimming. But I do not believe there is such a thing as "perfect ends". Just because splits are not visible, it doesn't mean they didn't happen and are long gone or are at a small extent that you can't see them. No one's hair is invincible. But some people can hold onto strands that are split better than others.

Below is a strand of mine which would not look split if you were looking at my ends. But if you zoom in as I did (that's my thumb you see, to give you perspective of how much I have magnified the pic) the end is thinner than the rest of the strand because it split and broke off.

BTW, ^that strand photo was taken during 2010 when I was still dusting although not on a regular strand. To someone looking at my hair, it'd seem like I didn't need to dust because the ends look great, but I know better. Had I not done it, I'd not have the hair I have now. I know that because I have over 30 years of not trimming and never getting anywhere, and a few years of trimming with progress. Clearly I'm not one of those who can get away without trimming. And I may not be alone.

 

[cocosweet]

I'm wondering if this thread were a passive-aggressive way of insulting the women on this board as ignorant of haircare. :eyebrows2 I also note the emphasis on men having to endure stink head. Hmmm, I wonder if women have to endure not only stink head, but stink balls?

Oh noes!

 

[Nonie]

The more people say that the 6-8 week trimming is for maintenance of a certain length not gaining more, the more I realize folks are trimming more than they need to. The only way to maintain a length is to trim as much as you grow. If you trim less than you grow in that time--which is the right way to do the 6-8 weeks--you will not maintain your length. Unless you're ill or malnourished or have bad hair practices, you will not be able to stop your hair from growing longer with this schedule. Again, I think this schedule has the most impact in some folks than others.

 

[davisbr88]

I'm wondering if this thread were a passive-aggressive way of insulting the women on this board as ignorant of haircare. :eyebrows2 I also note the emphasis on men having to endure stink head. Hmmm, I wonder if women have to endure not only stink head, but stink balls?

Well, why not? It IS Sunday!

 

[mischka]

why are people trying to convince others to trim their hair when they don't want to?

 

[Mrs. Verde]

@None - I totally get what you are saying. I don't think women should ignore their ends and think that they should not trim their ends. My issue (as I stated up thread) is with stylist who recommend this technique then cute off too much hair. Trimming split ends is one thing. Trimming a little bit of weak brittle hair is one. Cutting of 1-2 inches every 6-8 weeks of healthy hair is counter productive.

 

[Ms Lala]

I think how frequently you wash depends on your activity level, how much your scalp sweats and the products you use. I totally disagree w/the cowashing it seems to work for some folks and I haven't smelled their hair stinking. Also the trimming, it would depend on styling etc... if I wear my hair up in protective styles all the time I probably won't need to trim as much as the person who is flat ironing and wearing their hair hanging straight every day. JMO

I actually think my hair smelled less when i wash it less frequently every 3 weeks.i thought of it like washing my face.i can only do it a certain amount of times or else my skin will counteract and get oilier. when i was washing every 3 days my scalp would get so oily and have a layer of oil and dirt that i could actually feel. Forget about waiting for a week.it smelled awful. When i dont wash my hair as often my scalp is drier and it doesnt have that sebum smell until about the 3rd week.

Now i plan on cleansing more often because i am rollersetting weekly.

I have had the same issue. My scalp would flare up and flake so bad when I tried frequent washing. It was also itchy. It just didn't work for me. I had the same issue w/cowashing. I'm an every 2 week washer and I ain't changing it. Trust my hubby will tell me if I stink and no complaints thus far.

 

[~~HoneyComb~~]

I'm an every 2 week washer and I ain't changing it. Trust my hubby will tell me if I stink and no complaints thus far.

Same here, I'm trying to stretch it to 3 weeks if I can . My DD goes almost a month and this has been for years and her hair doesn't stink at all, if she had that problem I'd definitely wash regularly.

 

[~~HoneyComb~~]

@None - I totally get what you are saying. I don't think women should ignore their ends and think that they should not trim their ends. My issue (as I stated up thread) is with stylist who recommend this technique then cute off too much hair. Trimming split ends is one thing. Trimming a little bit of weak brittle hair is one. Cutting of 1-2 inches every 6-8 weeks of healthy hair is counter productive.

I agree with this. Nonie explanantion makes a lot of sense, and that works for her, and like she said, it could work for someone else who is experiencing no progress in growing hair. But how many times have we read a thread when a woman went in for a trim and the stylist cut off a year's worth of growth

 

[Nonie]

@None - I totally get what you are saying. I don't think women should ignore their ends and think that they should not trim their ends. My issue (as I stated up thread) is with stylist who recommend this technique then cute off too much hair. Trimming split ends is one thing. Trimming a little bit of weak brittle hair is one. Cutting of 1-2 inches every 6-8 weeks of healthy hair is counter productive.

@Mrs. Verde, I concur. You cannot cut more or even what you grew in that time. (BTW, I almost didn't see your mention coz you gouged out the only "eye" I have in my name when you typed @None. Freudian slip perhaps? )

@~~HoneyComb~~ couldn't agree more. Stop trusting strangers with your prized possessions people. Some of them don't even know what dimensions are so telling them to cut a 1/4 inch is just as good as telling them to close their eyes and go to town.

 

[Myjourney2009]

Nonie

The thing is most stylists DONOT know to cut the teeniest amount off. This is why most of there clients remain stagnant.

I do not nor will I ever trim my ends every 6-8 weeks. I will continue with what I am doing now which is to trim every a 1/2 inch every relaxer until my color is gone and then I will switch to trimming a half inch 2x a month

 

[Myjourney2009]

Same here, I'm trying to stretch it to 3 weeks if I can . My DD goes almost a month and this has been for years and her hair doesn't stink at all, if she had that problem I'd definitely wash regularly.

I wash my DD's every 2 weeks and that is fine for her as well.

I wish I could go over 7-10 days but my scalp cant handle it