Okay, So Realistically Speaking....

[LoveCraze]

How much hair is an acceptable amount to retain in one year? Since my BC, it appears that I've retained about 4" in one year. This includes having a trim and occasional dusting? How much retention do you think is reasonable?

This is my progress so far. You think I should have retained more?

 

[ms-gg]

Everyone does not grow 6 inches of hair a year anyway. That number was an average so there are people who grow less and more than that amount. So I believe that four is fine. As long as your hair is healthy, and not breaking a whole lot (or at all), then I think you are okay.

 

[faithVA]

Retaining all your growth of course is desirable. If assuming you are growing at the avg of 1/2" a month, then it would be absolutely wonderful to retain all of that. But I think 4" is reasonable especially if the hair is very coily. There are a lot of factors at play especially at the shorter lengths.

I have a feeling watching some of the other naturals, that we probably will be able to retain much more as our hair grows longer.

I think you have done well and will do even better in your next year.

 

[Prudent1]

Agreeing with what the other ladies here have said. In the first yr of my HHJ I retained/ grew about 6" of hair. The following year it was 4". With all of the growth, shedding, PJism, stress from life, and general what's best for my hair learning curve, 4 to 6 seems reasonable.

 

[EbonyCPrincess]

I think retaining any length is good. There are a good number of women that have hovered around the same length their entire life...and since my HHJ I've only retained about 4" per year as well. I love those progress pics with amazing growth progress, but mine is much less remarkable than that.

 

[faithVA]

I think retaining any length is good. There are a good number of women that have hovered around the same length their entire life...and since my HHJ I've only retained about 4" per year as well. I love those progress pics with amazing growth progress, but mine is much less remarkable than that.

I think most are less remarkable than that. And although wonderful as they are, it may temporarily make us think that we aren't keeping up when we are actually doing pretty well. Just my opinion.

 

[LoveCraze]

Thanks for the feedback ladies. I just wanted a gauge on what was considered okay in regards to retention. We all want to think we are doing the right things with our hair to retain and so I was thinking that maybe I wasn't. But hair seems fine so far so I will just continue to let it do what it do.

 

[Roux]

through transitioning for a year I learned that I do get 5-6" of growth in a year so i'm trying to maintain that now that I know. I think 4" is good.

 

[RegaLady]

This sounds like me. I was very disappointed that I only retained 4" after BC last June, after trims, breakage, flat-ironed damage, but with PS and moisterizing. I thought I would retain a whole 6" or at least 5". But seeing it is normal, I guess I shouldn't feel so bad.

 

[BlackMasterPiece]

Whatever your growth rate is for the year is what is reasonable to expect. It's unreasonable to compare your growth rate to anothers and feel you're somehow "behind". I know what it feels like to be disappointed by your yearly growth rate, but try to resist the urge to compare unless you know you've been really off the HHJ wagon. If you want a boost try internal and external growth aids.

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[Stepiphanie]

I agree with what the other ladies have been saying. 4" is a pretty good retention rate, especially considering trimming and dusting. Some people may retain more, but a lot of times those who do aren't trimming/ dusting and that doesn't necessarily look good all the time.

 

[BostonMaria]

Agreeing with what the other ladies here have said. In the first yr of my HHJ I retained/ grew about 6" of hair. The following year it was 4". With all of the growth, shedding, PJism, stress from life, and general what's best for my hair learning curve, 4 to 6 seems reasonable.

Same here

My first year I retained all 6 inches. After that I'd say it was more like 4-5 inches a year due to dusting.


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