Hair The Same Length for the Past 3+ Years...

[z3000zee]

I am at the beginning of my natural hair journey. Why are twists bad for the fine natural hair?

 

[kxlot79]

First off, you are totally right about the difference between accepting the existence of terminal length and accepting how few people will reach their terminal length.
*I only pointed out the high unlikelihood of anyone reaching terminal length because I feel like it is an overrated assumption connected with plateaus*

IMO, it's somewhat useless to argue "terminal length" scientifically because for practical purposes, that is virtually impossible. A more appropriate term is "practical terminal length" or something like that because few (if any) people are willing or able to do what's necessary to accomplish "terminal length" in the scientific sense (ie in a perfect vacuum). So even if a person has "average" growth, their RETENTION is what determines length, and for the reasons above, 100% retention is nearly impossible, therefore "terminal length," scientifically speaking, is nearly impossible.

Averages are great for generalizations. But by their very definition, are ineffective at describing a SPECIFIC case, such as OPs possible terminal length. So assuming, or considering, a SPECIFIC case by an average growth rate is, imo, ineffective for anything but comparison. Now if OP tracks and monitors her hair growth methodically, tracking shedding versus breakage and her hair's reactions to different products (which I hope she'll do so so she can get over her plateau), she won't need an "average" anything.

I agree with you, for the most part. There is a referenced average growth rate and range of growth time. It is reasonable to assume that someone in that range could be near their terminal length. But I wasn't saying that the OP was at her terminal length (though she could be), just that there is a off switch for hair growth. Not believing in terminal length (something that common sense and science confirm) and believing that most people haven't or won't hit their terminal length are two totally different things.

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[caribeandiva]

Not a bad length to be stuck at.

I know you were all thinking it.

 

[ckisland]

I am at the beginning of my natural hair journey. Why are twists bad for the fine natural hair?

Because the ends of twists are likely to wrap around themselves and knot. I don't even have fine hair and I can't do twists unless they're pretty small . I lose a lot of hair when twisting it up, from the manipulation, and I lose a lot of hair untwisting my hair from the ends catching on each other. Also washing after a twistout is the only time my hair wants to mat up when water hits it .

 

[Mskraizy]

Pretty hair!

I'm currently at a stall. Well, have been for the past two years or so at freakin MBL. I was stuck at "above BSL" for what seemed like my entire life. After I did a decent trim and switched up my products and regimen, my hair HAS been growing like crazy but since then I feel like I'm stuck at yet ANOTHER plateau. I won't know for sure cause I haven't done a length check in like 5 months so I'll see then. But like the other ladies just dished out every single question I could think of, my MAIN one is maybe your hair needs a REALLY good trim. You may have trimmed off what you thought was enough, but maybe your hair requires a little more take off. That was the issue with my hair. If you're getting more little bits of breakage pieces in the sink than you long for, that's a good indicator you're still holding on to scraggly ends that are just trying to "camoflauge" with your hair....

 

[ManeStreet]

I suggest moisturizing & resealing every 2-3 days while in the twists. Also consider a different protective style maybe trying bunning for 2 months in a row & you will probably retain length. When I bunned I would undo the bun once or twice a week remoisturize & seal. Frequent moisturizing & sealing was very important to my retaining length. My guess is that your hair is definitely growing from the scalp but its breaking at the ends which is preventing you from retaining length.

 

[Super_Hero_Girl]

I can't mention everyone since I'm replying from my phone, but you ladies are FANTASTIC! Thanks for all of the feedback and for sharing your regimens. I'm working on a new routine based on everyone's advice and I'm going to give the twists a rest. I did my first protein treatment ever yesterday and my hair responded very well to it.

Again, I really appreciate everyone's help so far!



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[BraunSugar]

Hi OP! You hair is pretty! Your curl pattern & density look very similar to mine. I've just passed BSL at my longest length. I wear wash & gos 99% of the time unless I've joined the twist/braid/and bun for growth challenge. Here's what I have learned about my hair:

My hair benefits from low manipulation better than protective styling. I only throw in a protective style if I am tired of wearing my hair out and want a break from it.

I only wash my hair twice a week max. I will alternate between a cowash and a shampoo (or black soap).

When I wash & go, I make sure I have enough product in my hair to define my coils and curls so that they clump properly. This also helps me to minimize my tangles. I have no issue with converting my wash & go into a bun or a ponytail if I feel like the style isn't going to hold up before my wash day.

I always use some kind of protein in my hair. I tend to use lighter proteins on a frequent basis instead of doing a hard protein treatment once a month.

I started oil rinsing my hair this year and it's made a world of difference with detangling and with moisture retention.

Twists are not my friend, so I don't do them often. When I do twist my hair, I can't keep them in longer than a couple weeks.