Type 4 hair...Why did your hair grow? ~ Newbie

[justnotsure]

Please tell me the story of how your hair grew and what products you used or are using!! I'm struggling!

 

[HoneyA]

It's funny, my hair started to behave right when I started paying attention to it and figuring out what it needs. You first need to determine what your challenges are so you can start doing the things to address those challenges to make your hair healthy. Also determine what your goals are. We all have different hair goals. What are yours?
I can tell you has worked for me so far...just the basics really when you think of it.
Shampooing with my hair in 4 braids with both the Cream of Nature (CON) detangling shampoo and the nourishing conditioner mixed together
Deep conditioning 2x per week w/heat (ORS Replenishing Conditioner/ Hollywood Beauty Olive Cholesterol)
Wearing protective styles most of the time to retain length (buns, etc.)
Moisturising ( S-Curl)
Sealing with castor oil or a cream oil moisturiser
Protein treat as needed ( Jheri Redding is very good)
I use olive oil, glycerine, sage oil, peppermint oil, lavender oil, coconut oil as well. I add them to my deep conditioners.
Don't forget to take lots of pics to chart your progress. Perhaps every three months.
Keep scissor happy stylists away from your hair.
Take a good multi, drink lots of water and excercise...
oh... BE CONSISTENT

You'll get a lot of responses from the ladies here and lots of good advice. Try out different things to find your own regimen and what makes your hair happy. Have loads of fun on your journey! That's about it. Happy hair growing!

 

[gabulldawg]

Please tell me the story of how your hair grew and what products you used or are using!! I'm struggling!

Well, I am also somewhat a newbie, but I think I've found what works for my hair. I started here on LHCF with shoulder length hair with extremely thinning ends and now my hair is thickening up and I am almost arm-pit length! (Check fotki)

Anyway, the things that I think are really contributing to my hair turning around would be daily moisturizing. I came from the old school hair care system that basically entitled greasing my scalp! I never thought about moisturizing the actualy length of my hair. So now I moisturize my hair two times daily pretty religiously using Bronner Brothers oil moisturizer with aloe and castor oil.

Weekly deep conditioning I think is also contributing. I use ORS Hair Mayonnaise right now and I heat it up in the microwave before I put it on my hair.

Eliminating direct heat use has also helped tremendously. I had to basically retire my curling irons. Since then I have learned that your hair can look a lot better without even using them!!

Anyway, I hope that helps for you. I think these three things are important for all hair types.

As for products, I use Nexxus and Design Essentials products mostly. I also use castor oil, extra virgin olive oil, and silk elements megasilk leave in conditioner.

 

[remnant]

Hi lady I'm posting some links to encourage you:
http://www.longhaircareforum.com/showthread.php?t=82432&highlight=long+hair

http://www.longhaircareforum.com/showthread.php?t=82965&highlight=long+hair

http://www.longhaircareforum.com/showthread.php?t=76977&highlight=long+hair

http://www.longhaircareforum.com/showthread.php?t=105067&highlight=long+hair

 

[Dee Raven]

For me, the issue is not really about growth. Your hair is going to grow whether you want it to or not. I think the more challenging thing is like the hair that grows out. Accepting the your hair type, what it will and will not do, in my opinion is more important than anything. If you take the basic steps to care for your hair, wash, co-wash, deep condition, ocassional protein treatments. Try different things and be patient. Frustration and abuse are the #1 destroyers of a healthy head of hair. And I know that not everyone is a fan of this, but trims are my secret weapon. For me it's like a form of tithing. I'll cut off 1/4" or 1/2"in hair in the knowledge that my hair will grow at least 6 more inches in the year.

 

[kbfluff]

Yes, your hair IS going to grow whether u like it or not. Just make sure you are retaining all of that length.
If you are serious, serious about retaining all of your growth...try to be creative and think up some really nice protective styles. Some ladies here like buns, baggy methods.
For me...I simply luv cornrows. I usto think they were "butch", but I have grown to luv them and get compliments all the time on my cornrows....no extentions. I luv them because I just wake up take my silk scarf off, add one of my growth aids of choice and I'm done with the hair grooming portion of my getting dressed.

I'm sure there are alot of ladies on here who have grown their hair to great lengths without protective styles. Some of the ladies wear their hair out straight everyday I believe.
As for me...that's a no no. I want my longer hair as soon as humanly possible and I don't need it out and straight everyday to look good...in my opinion, so protective styling all the way along with moisture moisture moisture of those ends are my saving grace. HHG!!!

 

[atlien]

For me what helped me retain length is stretching relaxers 14-16 weeks, moisturizing so much that you can smell the moisturizer in my hair when I walk by and this may sound crazy, but I wash my hair every 3-4 weeks. I know alot of members wash frequently. I tried that... and my hair starting popping off like crazy

Welcome to the boards....!!!!!!