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Do you retain 5 or 6 inches per year?

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I'm 4a/b. :)

I wasn't taking any vitamins.

I only do a full "wash day" with shampoo, dc and manipulation 1 - 2x per month.
In the past I did full wash days 1- 2x a week, but found I wasn't happy with the amount of manipulation and broken hairs given my tiny coils:nono:. Its not for everyone, but since I have switched to reducing manipulation I've retained nearly all 6" compared to the usual 4".
I also don't seem to have much breakage like before. Not sure why this is. :confused:

I keep my hair cornrowed/flat twisted under a satin cap with a wig on top daily. I remember those stocking wig caps contributed to a set back in the past. I don't mess with my hair most of the time basically, except to spray moisture in it.

I didn't use heat. I feel incorrect use of heat can set a lot of people back with retention. Along with too much manipulation. I only use a comb 2 x a month.

Recently I saw people scoffing at this but patience is definitely key. I do the same thing with my hair day in day out. This stops me doing impulsive things or trying products and processes that may give me a set back.

hope that helps someone lol
 
Sumra said:
I'm 4a/b. :) I wasn't taking any vitamins. I only do a full "wash day" with shampoo, dc and manipulation 1 - 2x per month. In the past I did full wash days 1- 2x a week, but found I wasn't happy with the amount of manipulation and broken hairs given my tiny coils:nono:. Its not for everyone, but since I have switched to reducing manipulation I've retained nearly all 6" compared to the usual 4". I also don't seem to have much breakage like before. Not sure why this is. :confused: I keep my hair cornrowed/flat twisted under a satin cap with a wig on top daily. I remember those stocking wig caps contributed to a set back in the past. I don't mess with my hair most of the time basically, except to spray moisture in it. I didn't use heat. I feel incorrect use of heat can set a lot of people back with retention. Along with too much manipulation. I only use a comb 2 x a month. Recently I saw people scoffing at this but patience is definitely key. I do the same thing with my hair day in day out. This stops me doing impulsive things or trying products and processes that may give me a set back. hope that helps someone lol
Click to expand...

How do you style it?

Sent from my iPhone using LHCF
 
My advice is to figure out whether your prefers low mani or protective styling. Whichever one works for you stick to it to maximize your retention. In addition, keep your hair M&S. Especially, the ends. :yep:
 
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Id like to think I do....

Regi...... protecting my ends w/ wigs.

Texture..... 4 something. Thick...

Vitamins..... No

Growth aid(s)...... No


The 1st pic is Dec 2011. 2nd pic is Dec 2012. And still trimmed in both pics.



ForumRunner_20130922_211214.jpg
 
I measured my hair last week and apparently the hair at the back of my head grows at a rate of 4 inches a year, and the front grows at a rate of 6 inches a year. But I've used growth aids regularly, especially at the beginning of my journey (around 2009-2011). For now, I'm only taking biotin.

Reggie - Shampoo and deep condition every 7-14 days. Glycerin and aloe vera mix as my moisturizer and leave-in. Oil to seal. Leave my hair alone in two big braids and spritz with my moisturizer as needed. I'm super lazy. :ohwell:

Texture - 4 something

Vitamins - 5,000 mcg biotin

Growth aids - see vitamins

Advice - As for retention advice, manipulate as little as possible. I'm transitioning so my relaxed ends are sort of "protecting" my new growth.
 
I have within the last year.

Regime: Protective Styling 90% of the time, heat-free


Texture: 3c/4a, coarse strands and dense


Vitamins: I am not consistent with my vitamins but the two I have been taking the longest; MSM and Chlorella.

Advice: Protect your ends and use less heat.
 
My last relaxer was Dec. 21, 2012 and as of now I have 5 inches of new growth. I am transitioning
Reggie: Protective styles, braids, weaves, and buns. Daily moisturize, weekly wash, monthly DC
Texture: 3C-4A
Vitamins: Biotin, MSM, Silica and Spirulina
 
I get about 6" per year - my hair was 3C but is now 3B from the henna.
I am the queen of simplicity.
I am natural.
I don't take any vitamins.
I henna about once a month, use grapeseed or rice bran oil on my ends, co wash every other day.
No heat on my hair and I sleep on a satin pillowcase.

My hair is BSL unstretched and WL stretched; I chopped it back to shoulder length for a change last year and it has already grown all the way back.
 
Yes, I do. I'd even gather to say I do about 7" a year. I don't have any pics to post as I am leaving work. I can post tomorrow.
 
I'm close barring no random setbacks.

Protective Style often
Wash 1x weekly
Moisturize & Seal daily
Don't go doing Team Too Much
Have fun but experiment in moderation

These pics show Jun 2012 - Sep 2013. I trimmed almost every touch or every other touch up.
 

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I'm pretty sure i do but I had a habit of over trimming and cutting off progress because I never suffered breakage until I had this one setback
 
I do!
Regi:
Changes from time to time but it's basically shampoo, condition, deep condition.
I only finger detangle when my hair is dry but mostly don't even bother detangling between wash days
I detangle with a wide tooth comb in the shower with conditioner
I then blow dry (roller set or blow dry it straightish)
Flat iron

Texture:
Natural 3b/3c


Vitamins:
None

Growth aid(s):
None, although I do exercise and drink plenty of water which helps

Advice.
Keep things simple.

Note: I think my hair goes through growth spurts when i'm really healthy and drinking lots of water, which makes it easy to retain 6 inches
 
I just started tracking my growth in inches this year and at the rate I'm going I will average 5-6 in of growth at least this year.


Regi......really simple: wash, protein, dc once a week then braid up with a leave in, oil and Shea butter. Wear a wig cap at night with my scarf to keep hair stretched and flat. Take that down the next day and rock a bun for the week. Take down bun maybe 2x a week to m&s with juice and berries.


Texture.....4/3/1 ish. I have a lot of weird textures and some hair that has always grown in straight.


Vitamins.....no consistent hair vitamins. More just for my body. Calcium chews and the occasional vitamin B


Growth aid(s)......none

I think my main help is that I went on a protective styling kick from January to August which got me to the length that I could comfortably bun and I've been bunning since then. Additionally, I've adjusted my diet and been eating consistently healthier, juicing, did a vegan detox, included a lot more fresh fruits and vegetables with tons of water daily.
 
Shoot I wish! I think I'm a slow grower. I've retained about three inches so far this year. I'll come back and update at the end of the year if I get those last two to three inches. :lol:
 
when I was relaxed YES ... as a natural for the last 2 years its been a frikkin pain to retain even 3 inches a year.

I dont know what Im doing wrong ... my hair grows a good 6 - 8 inches a year (from my henna colouring) but aparently everything breaks off and I have not been able to find a solution.

Im gonna try braids as a last resort
 
Lucie I have noticed that your hair grows fast! Yes, I've been stalking... I mean following your journey:yep:. You have gorgeous hair. Soooooo jealous:sad:
 
[USER=244830 said:
SimJam[/USER];19006103]when I was relaxed YES ... as a natural for the last 2 years its been a frikkin pain to retain even 3 inches a year.

I dont know what Im doing wrong ... my hair grows a good 6 - 8 inches a year (from my henna colouring) but aparently everything breaks off and I have not been able to find a solution.

Im gonna try braids as a last resort
Click to expand...

Are you sure your hair likes henna?
 
I have retained on average 4.5 a yr since my last relaxer. But this includes my big chop, shape up cut, 1 inch trims when I didn't know what I was doing. I will try and measure this coming year.
 
faithVA said:
Are you sure your hair likes henna?
Click to expand...

hmmmmmm now thats something I had not thought of.
you know the more I think about this, the more I think this may be the issue.

my hair breaks off right up to about 0.5 inch of hennad hair ... then I henna my hair thinking it will strengthen it ... and it breaks off again leaving just a small bit of hennad hair followed by unhennad hair

MIND BLOWN

thanks faithVA I'll lay off henna (i was actually planning to henna this weekend) for the rest of the year and see if I get some progress.
 
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I transitioned for 11 months. When I BC my nape measured 3 inches, my front and edges 2.5 and my crown 5 inches. So I don't even grow 6 inches a year. Now 8 months post BC and after 4 trims for the year (1/4 to 1/2 inch each), my nape is 5.5, crown 8, front 5.5, edges/sides 5. So my growth has increased this year, and I believe it to be from the inversion I do 2 to 3 times a week. Topical growth aids make me shed like a beast, and I only take a multivitamin daily.
Next year I plan to PS more so I can trim less. This year I manipulated my hair a lot, so I kept a tight trimming schedule to protect my ends. The bad thing is I also trimmed away my progress. From next month I am in a personal hide my hair challenge for at least 6 months.
 
I wish! I may retain about 2-3 inches a year - maybe. I'm a slow grower and I wonder if my hair dislikes henna. I haven't hennaed in about 4 months so time will tell.
 
divachyk said:
I'm close barring no random setbacks.

Protective Style often
Wash 1x weekly
Moisturize & Seal daily
Don't go doing Team Too Much
Have fun but experiment in moderation

These pics show Jun 2012 - Sep 2013. I trimmed almost every touch or every other touch up.
Click to expand...

Reading is fundamental...pics posted upthread.

Regi......
Protective Style
Scalp Massage
Wash 1x weekly: tea soak/ cleanse / DC with steam
Don't overmanipulate and be excessive

Texture.....
Medium Density
Coarse

Vitamins.....
GNC Be Wholesome vits

Growth aid(s)......
Yes / No. I have tried them but never stick with anything as it's just too much work.
 
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