In your opinion, what has been the key to retaining length of YOUR hair?

[PinkSunshine77]

Do you mind sharing with the class? and if you don't mind, tell me what type of hair you have, coarse, curly, straight etc. I want the goodies.

For me it is:

Low manipulation
No cowashing
Regular washes with a sulfate shampoo (regular meaning 1x weekly at least)
No heat
Lots of Moisture
Weekly DCs
Weekly light protein treatments.

If I could go with just one of these: Low manipulation it is

 

[MileHighDiva]

Low Manipulation and M&S using the LCO variation of the LOC method,

 

[FollicleFanatic]

I agree with low manipulation, I get way less breakage and splits by just leaving it be.

Other helps have been:

Oiling scalp regularly(helps when detangling on wash day)

Heavy sealing ends

Stretching hair(easier to manipulate and style)


Oh and I have no idea my hair type, will post a pic for review when I'm back in town. I do know I'm low porosity with fine hair if that helps.

 

[Mahsiah]

moisture.
protein.

 

[Blairx0]

All of the above in addition to calling on jesus when i detangle

 

[Saludable84]

I mostly moisturize and seal when needed, deep condition regularly, keep my scalp clean and clarify on a regular basis, dust frequently and protective style.

I used to have lots of retention issues, but for me and low po hair, I have learned that keeping the hair clean (but not too clean) along with keeping it moisturized is the key to keeping the hair from breaking. Then protective styling it keeps it from drying out.

 

[D.Lisha]

I would say:
-Regular DC's (after every 'poo wash and BEFORE every co-wash)
-Moisturizing and Sealing nightly
-Wrapping my hair in silk scarves every night
**-Shower Detangling**<--This recent discovery has saved me ALOT of shed hair over the past few months. I swear by it

 

[FollicleFanatic]

Blairx0 I thought it was just me! I'm in the shower talking bout Lawd Jesus hammercy don't let me be bald at the end of this amen lol

 

[SavannahNatural]

Low manipulation
LOC method (using water, oil combo (coconut, jojoba, sweet almond & castor), and shea moisture curl enhancing smoothie)
Nightly moisturizing

Buns, twists, and french braids are my styles of choice.

 

[FoxxyLocs]

Protective styling (not just low manipulation)
Deep conditioning
Tying my hair up at night

 

[candie19]

2013 was my year for hair. I've never grown and retained so much in a year. In Jan. my hair was an inch below shoulder now it's it's grazing my bra.

My growth came from:
- vitamins
-water
- stretching my relaxer to 20+ weeks
- sulphur hair oil on scalp

My retention came from:
- wearing cornrows or buns ( no manipulation)
-LOC method every night
- castor oil on my ends every night
- no heat

 

[virtuenow]

Weekly protein reconstructor DC's, umm hmm

 

[QueenAmaka]

Moisturizing and sealing at least 3 times per week and low manipulation. I have had a great hair year

 

[Angelbean]

Yes low manipulation has helped as well as heavy moisturizing and sealing nightly I am high porosity so my hair can never have enough moisture...and I have thick curly/coily hair

 

[kxlot79]

The main thing, the real turning point, for me was realizing that I could be super whimsical with my hair, or I could have long hair, but I can't have both. Changing my style every day or every couple days, being careless with the products and techniques I experiment with, and letting my poof blow freely in the wind whenever I'm too lazy to deal with it... All of those habits were major fails. They were fun, but they kept me at BSB. Once I realized I needed "long hair habits," retention became a non-issue. My hair is fine, dense, coily, MBL, cottony, normal porosity, uniform O coils, and generally a beast to detangle, or at least since I passed BSB.

 

[marta9227]

All of the above in addition to calling on jesus when i detangle

Lol! Love this answer!

 

[nymane]

For me:

- it's being consistent, not straying from staple products.
- Mastering protein/moisture balance.
- trimming (not cutting) hair every or every other relaxer...I relax every 3-4 months.

 

[msbettyboop]

Protective styling in braids and during breaks between braids. I tried weaves and wigs but I don't like what they did to my edges and I still had issues with hair loss but with braids, I get the most retention. This is a test process over the last 18 months and I've returned to braids. I spray my braids with a mix of infusium 23, aloe Vera juice and tea tree oil. Good stuff!

Sent from my iPad using LHCF

 

[msbettyboop]

And scalp massages .

Sent from my iPad using LHCF

 

[daae]

no idea............

 

[Renewed1]

Relaxing my hair this year. I plan to relax quarterly.

Braiding my hairline (the back) has done wonders.

Trimming my hair every 2 months (or as needed)

Weekly DCing using protein or re-constructors

Low manipulation hair styles - buns

Oiling my hairline EVERY NIGHT!

I recently learned that I need to detangle my hair everyday. Once a week detangling is freaking me out and leaving me with alot of shed hair.

Using sulphur to grow my hair but oiling my ends has helped alot.

 

[lesedi]

Honestly not doing too much. ...I cowash during the week, shampoo once a week, deep condition once a week and oil with castor oil when needed.

 

[RegaLady]

Bunning, moisture and sealing. No heat. Thats it! When I stay on that path, I retain like crazy.

 

[youwillrise]

protein.
moisture.
heavy sealing.
keeping ends protected.

 

[m_wink]

moisturizing and sealing
bunning (or just keeping the ends protected)
Regular Deep Conditioning between protein and moisture

 

[Napp]

My hair grows as long as i stay away from the scissors and be patient

 

[Honey Bee]

Pre-pooing and, oddly, heat.

 

[Ogoma]

Moisture-protein balance. I see breakage when I venture too far into one or the other.

Not over-trimming.

 

[Beamodel]

*Moisturize and seal everyday
*Keep protein/moisture in check
*DC twice a week
*Henna or protein rotating

 

[koolkittychick]

low manipulation + stretching relaxers to 12 weeks or more = mad retention for the year.