What did 2011 teach you about your hair???

[yodie]

I learned the importance of having a HEALTHY scalp. I used to read posts where women said they never put anything on their scalp, there was no need, etc, keep in mind that HEALTHY has different meanings for different folks.

I have bombarded my scalp with many different creams, rarely clarified

I found my way over to Nioxin shampoo, follicle booster and scalp renew. My scalp feels better than it has in a long time. No more itching around the clock or waking up in the middle of the night to scratch my hair. my scalp/hair and thought 'the clean scalp girls' were missing out. Lol! Well, my scalp revolted. It started acting up with itching, flakes, rejected harsh sulfates and forced me to go another route. Ha!

I'm going to pack up some of these creams, potions, puddings, etc. and stick with jojoba, castor and grapeseed oils. My scalp tolerates these oils very well, but I'll use them on an as needed basis.

What did you discover about your hair in 2011?

Another major discovery...I'll be doing most of my own hair care in 2012. No one will love or care for my hair better than I can. What I don't know, I'll learn and prayerfully it will get better with time!!

 

[lilyofthenile]

I appreciate the point you've raised about a healthy scalp.

I have learned quite a few things but I think PATIENCE is the number one thing which I have learned and have to keep reminding myself of. Patience in handling my hair. Patience in carrying out my regimen and patience when it comes to hair growth. Just being more patient when dealing with my hair has reduced so much breakage and single strand knots etc.

 

[NaturalPath]

The most important lesson I learned was to never cut my hair as short as I did in January of this year.

Secondly, hair growth truly comes from the inner self; good diet and consistent exercise does help.

 

[yodie]

KumakoXsd, Great point. I have to remember patience.

 

[MsLauren]

I learned how to develop a good moisture/protein balance for my hair. My hair loves some moisture but I can only use protein maybe once a month.

I also learned how to tame my new growth and make it more manageable. Aussie Moist conditioner does the trick and gets me through my transitioning!!

 

[Akemi]

In 2011 I learned that my hair is fine and that it truly loves and thrives with protein. Just about all of my products contain protein and I've done regular protein treatments. My hair has retained quite a bit of length and I'm looking forward to 2012. I know my hair now.

 

[Royalq]

my hair actually tolerates protein very well, that has helped me retain some moisture.

 

[My Friend]

Accepting the fact that I liked cornrows but my hairline and edges don't

My hair loves moisture

 

[jerseygurl]

My natural hair is beautiful and she loves moisture and quality deep conditioners

 

[MyAngelEyez~C~U]

Simplicity.

 

[darlingdiva]

There are different ways to achieve a moisture/protein balance. For my hair, the best way to achieve a moisture/protein balance is to make sure most of the products that I use during my wash sessions have some sort of protein in them. My hair operates better when I save most of the moisture products for after the wash sessions.

My hair (especially my ends) appreciates not being sealed heavily. The more product that I use to seal, the more I weigh it down and cause unnecessary breakage.

 

[Ronnieaj]

My hair can't go months without a trim . I'm now on a 10-week trim schedule and my hair's already thanking me.

My hair doesn't need a lot of conditioner to detangle. Aloe vera juice and some oil works just fine and lasts a lot longer. It also makes me wonder how much more I REALLY shed during the winter. I've shed so much less using these products.

My hair makes amazing progress when left unmanipulated! I used to do twists every week; I've gotten them to stretch to 3 weeks and even my SO notices the growth at every retwisting.

I'm sure I'll remember more later .

 

[MsLauren]

My hair (especially my ends) appreciates not being sealed heavily. The more product that I use to seal, the more I weigh it down and cause unnecessary breakage.

I had to learn this the hard way.

 

[yodie]

^^^ I may have to pay attention to this.

 

[Cendra]

My hair loves moisture
Shrinkage is a ******
I have several "types" of hair
Getting weave checked is a compliment
Search and destroy is your friend
It's possible to have an all-natural regimen
Steam is my friend too
I LOVE MY PRETTY HAIR

 

[pinkchocolatedaisy]

I learned how much my hair loves cowashing.

I learned (again) simplicity works best for me. And that not all protective styles work for my hair. Bunning and my hair just don't get along. But my hair does enjoy being braided up under a wig- but no longer than two weeks before washing and doing it again.

My hair loves protein. I seemed to have forgotten this and my hair reminded me (mushy, stretchy hair is NOT the business).

My hair needs regular trims.

My hair likes when I wear WnGs but I better not go longer than three days without washing/cowashing.

Sent from my SPH-D700

 

[Kerryann]

I learned that vitamins are very important
H2o is my friend
Dont be afraid to try new things for ex...wigging

 

[yodie]

Lots of good comments in this thread. I plan on keeping it VERY simple in 2012. I have also learned that a million steps don't work for my hair.

 

[naheda72]

I learned that a trim is very important. I hadn't had a trim in over 1 1/2 years. I finally had a trim in 9/2011 where 2+ inches was cut off and I was quite upset because my hair hadn't retained much at that point. Not even 4 months later I have already gained those inches back. I truly believe my ends were not thriving because they were a mess. I plan to pay attention to my ends and trim at least twice a year if needed.

 

[SunySydeofLyfe]

That if I spend more time doing my hair instead of this board it would be longer ... I digress....

 

[BlkOnyx488]

i learned my hair is a hermit and likes to be left alone.

 

[keelioness]

That I can do my own hair, I don't need a salon ( unless I'm getting weaves/ braids).
I find extreme protective styling boring.
I can't O.D. with the flat iron.

Sent from my ADR6300 using ADR6300

 

[choctaw]

I keep notes on what works for my hair and use variations to improve results. I can dilute my conditioner with tap water, distilled water, or a hydrosol like rose water. I get better results with rose water and the increased acidity reduces risk of contamination.

 

[B_Phlyy]

Conditioner and moisturizer are my hair's friends
Trimming is not the debil.
Proclaim Natural 7 Oil is a true holy grail product.
Journal-ing works

 

[Kurlee]

that it wants to be left alone and that it hates hairdressers

 

[JFemme]

That its getting drier each decade & it needs more attention, tlc...period.

 

[MarieB]

I learned that complacency=damage for me. I had a major setback after reaching APL because I thought I was all that and didn't PS when I should have. That let to major breakage around my nape, and a mini-chop, back to SL. Lesson learned...

 

[LovelyNaps26]

that i need to protective style until i reach my goal length.

this will likely be my last full year of active length retention. i don't think i want more than 5 more inches of hair.

the tangle teezer is not my friend. some things are too good to be true

washing twice a month works for me.

deep conditioning makes a difference.

 

[naijamerican]

Protective styling is where it's at. I have not done it as much as I should have this year, and I know that I will likely need to cut at least an inch of hair once I take these braids out because my ends were already in poor shape before I got them in.

I also realized that if I continue to wear braids, I need to be willing to splurge on the good quality, 100% human hair. My scalp does not tolerate anything but that, and it's made this batch of braids the worst braiding experience I've had in my 11+ years of being natural.

 

[Kdiamond19]

I learned heat isn't necessary and air drying really works!