Hair length - is it just me?

[Social.Buttahfly]

As I look at various pictures and read the stories behind the ladies with length, it seems as though the relaxed ladies achieve growth faster. Anyone else notice this?

**This is not a natural vs. relaxer thread, just checking to see if I am noticing this or maybe the relaxed just have more stories/pictures. **

 

[naturalgurl]

I'm not a real lurker on fotki's. But based on MY personal experience I'm achieving thickness and length really fast. Much faster than my permed days. I wasn't as educated as I am now, but I would think that chemically broken down hair would grow slower, but I don't really know that for sure. Also you have to think about the shrinkage. My afro hair unstretched is a little past SL, stretched it's almost BSL. I don't know, maybe, maybe not...

 

[_belle]

I was thinkin actually the opposite. . . it seems like chicks that come from TWA get to APL in NO time.

 

[hothair]

it seems that way too me too- I think it's because the strands probably don't knot and tangle as much so they tend not to break as frequently. I'm now texlaxed for more styling options and I'm thinking of going straighter once I meet my immediate goal of APL

 

[_belle]

I'm not a real lurker on fotki's. But based on MY personal experience I'm achieving thickness and length really fast. Much faster than my permed days. I wasn't as educated as I am now, but I would think that chemically broken down hair would grow slower, but I don't really know that for sure. Also you have to think about the shrinkage. My afro hair unstretched is a little past SL, stretched it's almost BSL. I don't know, maybe, maybe not...

I am confused as to how chemically broken down hair would grow slower because the hair that actually GROWS is coming out of my scalp and has no chemicals on it.

 

[silvergirl]

wow,, i was noticing the total opposite lol.. myself included i got the most growth and my hair grew the fastest while natural.

 

[Social.Buttahfly]

Girl let me know you secret, LOL my first goal is thickness.

I'm not a real lurker on fotki's. But based on MY personal experience I'm achieving thickness and length really fast. Much faster than my permed days. I wasn't as educated as I am now, but I would think that chemically broken down hair would grow slower, but I don't really know that for sure. Also you have to think about the shrinkage. My afro hair unstretched is a little past SL, stretched it's almost BSL. I don't know, maybe, maybe not...

 

[Social.Buttahfly]

Hmm, okay so far everyone is seeing different things, LOL.

 

[silvergirl]

I was thinkin actually the opposite. . . it seems like chicks that come from TWA get to APL in NO time.

i noticed that too

 

[naturalgurl]

I am confused as to how chemically broken down hair would grow slower because the hair that actually GROWS is coming out of my scalp and has no chemicals on it.

But it's broken down making it weaker thus not able to retain as much length. That's just MY opinion and MY experience. When I was relaxed the new growth was lovely but the relaxed ends just blew away in the wind...

Like the other ladies, I see lots of TWA's that are moving along quickly to new lengths.

Edited to add, I see lots of healthy relaxed heads here and I think everyone is growing nicely, but then again, I don't lurk for those reasons. I lurk for health advice on growing healthy hair. My goal is health of hair versus length...

 

[SheenaVee]

yh i thought it was opposite too

 

[tenjoy]

I could/would not make it with natural hair. But dont ask me, as some of you know that I am Pro-Relaxer

 

[naturalgurl]

Girl let me know you secret, LOL my first goal is thickness.

From what I've learned here, castor oil. I just think that my hair just hated relaxers. My hair has quadrupled in thickness since I went natural, mostly since I've been "educated" on how to take care of it. I also use vatika oil on my scalp and neelibhringadi, both are Indian oils. I love my natural hair versus my weak limp days. If I would have had the knowledge I have now!

 

[daniemoy]

I don't think relaxed heads are growing faster, I think it is just easier to see. I noticed some natural ladies are looking to reach their hair goals without pressing their hair.

 

[FlawedBeauty]

I don't think relaxed heads are growing faster, I think it is just easier to see. I noticed some natural ladies are looking to reach their hair goals without pressing their hair.

i agree with this, i was thinking the same thing

 

[Traycee]

Well here... I see more natural women with the longer hair then relaxed...I think some length on some women go unnoticed because of shrinkage

 

[ChocolateSoda]

I see some naturals that look like they have a little afro... then they stretch it all down their back. :notworthy

It's an illusion.

I have so much new growth but my hair looks the same length... my length won't actually show until my next relaxer.

 

[CenteredGirl]

I'm not a real lurker on fotki's. But based on MY personal experience I'm achieving thickness and length really fast. Much faster than my permed days. I wasn't as educated as I am now, but I would think that chemically broken down hair would grow slower, but I don't really know that for sure. Also you have to think about the shrinkage. My afro hair unstretched is a little past SL, stretched it's almost BSL. I don't know, maybe, maybe not...

I concur with bolded. My hair is in really good shape. I have seen a number of relaxed heads that fair well with growth despite chemicals. But I also have read many many complaints on both sides of the fence complaining of breakage.

It comes down to finding and sticking to a regime that works for your hair.

 

[chebaby]

I am confused as to how chemically broken down hair would grow slower because the hair that actually GROWS is coming out of my scalp and has no chemicals on it.

its not that it grows slower its just that since the hair is relaxed (and may break more from chemicals) you dont retain as much legnth.
im guessing thats what she means because like you said the hair thats growing doesnt have chemicals on it.

 

[Avyn]

I just BCed and I don't know if my hair is growing faster or if I'm just retaining the length. I suffered with breakage on my ends b/c I used a lot of heat. Within 6 months after my last relaxer my hair was back to ear/neck length. But my hair is much healthier and thicker.

I also think that the ratio of naturals to relaxers on this site might contribute to that also. It seems like ehbody and they momma is going natural so I think we will see more long haired naturals soon. A lot of us are newly natural, so give us time. We bout to crank that mbl!!!!

 

[SouthernTease]

Ditto... It's shrinkage.
Relaxers get the hair bone straight...
I'm transitioning and even when I flatiron my roots
I see waves... and then after a few minutes after
ironing it waves up a bit...
it's super hard to get it bone straight
so... yes... I thinks it's an illusion.
I was even thinking of getting a relaxer
I want length before I want to be natural...
it's a constant debate... I just think
it would be way easier to transition with BSL

 

[Wishin4BSL]

I was thinkin actually the opposite. . . it seems like chicks that come from TWA get to APL in NO time.

I totally agree with this. I think it just looks like relaxed ladies are growing fast because our hair is pretty much straight most of the time.

 

[~~HoneyComb~~]

Personally, I retained more length as a natural and not relaxed, but then, when I was relaxed, I didn't have this site to show me what I was doing wrong .

 

[MariposaSexyGirl]

I'm relaxed and I have been 9 months without a trim. I've been retaining my length pretty well. I haven't had any problems with splits and breakage hasn't really been a problem. And I'm surprised my hair is thriving so well. Before I decided to relaxed(age 12) I only wore my hair in buns and ponytails. So there wasn't much manipulation. I think its all about how you care for your hair if it has been treated with chemicals or not. I also like to see naturals stretch their hair out and it's much longer than it appears.

 

[Christa438]

Ditto... It's shrinkage.
Relaxers get the hair bone straight...
I'm transitioning and even when I flatiron my roots
I see waves... and then after a few minutes after
ironing it waves up a bit...
it's super hard to get it bone straight
so... yes... I thinks it's an illusion.
I was even thinking of getting a relaxer
I want length before I want to be natural...
it's a constant debate... I just think
it would be way easier to transition with BSL

This is how I see it too.

 

[dicapr]

I think it is individual. Everyone's hair retains lenght better by different methods. I think long haired women across the board have just found what worked for them.

 

[ladylibra]

seems like it has varied by the individual more than by natural/relaxed.

 

[Napp]

I think its the same. i just could see growth better when i texturized

 

[Sunshine0801]

I don't think relaxed heads are growing faster, I think it is just easier to see. I noticed some natural ladies are looking to reach their hair goals without pressing their hair.

Exactly.

Personally, I have been able to retain length much better since I have been natural.

 

[silkii_locks]

I have to say that I feel the opposite way of the OP. I'm relaxed now but when I was natural, my hair grew so fast it was unreal and it was very healthy. I think it just seems like relaxed hair grows faster b/c it's always completely stretched out. No shrikage....that's my 2 cents.