2023 - SL/APL Challenge

[faithVA]

^^ It definitely looks longer.

 

[faithVA]

Having my hair in twist for a week was a nice break. I literally haven't touched my hair since I put it up last week. And having it up kept my hair from drying out.

Today, I shampooed once, conditioned, applied leave-in, put in a gel and put it in bigger flat twists.

I think I'm going to just enjoy my flat twists for a while and keep it easy.

 

[TLC1020]

Relaxed my hair over the weekend and it's back in a bun already. My hair is growing out of the pixie cut slowly but surely.

 

[faithVA]

I should have washed by now

 

[B_Phlyy]

My chunky Marley twists have been in for maybe 10 days? I washed them on Sunday and will do so weekly until April 1.

 

[Napp]

I think I graduated out of this thread. I'm claiming APL

 

[TamaraShaniece]

What length are you now?
Neck length

What is your goal for 2023 (SL or APL)?
Full Shoulder length and longer pieces nearly at APL

What's your plan/regime to reach your goal?
1. Low Heat Blow Dried Twists/Roller Sets/Protective Styles
2. Co-wash weekly and deep condition every two weeks
3. Exercise
4. Take Supplements
5. Massage my scalp

How will you celebrate/reward yourself when you reach your goal?
Get my hair flat ironed and then no heat until I'm full APL.

How long do you keep your twists in?

 

[GettingKinky]

I think I graduated out of this thread. I'm claiming APL

Yay!!

 

[faithVA]

I think I graduated out of this thread. I'm claiming APL

Congratulations. Great job!

 

[faithVA]

I finally shampooed. I didnt condition because I did my monthly K18 treatment. I added a love-in after that and then put in chunky flat twist.

Maybe next weekend I will do 2 strands and leave them in 2 weeks.

 

[TLC1020]

Just shampoo my hair, currently sitting under my hood dryer with conditioner, to give my hair a good deep condition for moisture.

 

[B_Phlyy]

Wash day way Saturday. Just used up some samples I had laying around. Did a leave in and sealed with grease.

 

[sunnieb]

Had trouble renewing my membership, so was unable to post for a while - but I'm back!

I relaxed on Monday after a 14 week stretch. My hair feels so flat after having all that newgrowth! I'll post pics this week. Glad to see everyone's progress!

 

[sunnieb]

Here's my March update. I need to dig out my official length check shirt!

December 2022


March 2023


I don't see much change in the pics, but I definitely have more hair. Noticeable length will come eventually!

 

[Bette Davis Eyes]

Your hair looks so glossyyyyy @sunnieb

 

[sunnieb]

Your hair looks so glossyyyyy @sunnieb

Thank you! Weekly honey/EVOO dc's do the trick. My hair used to be so dull looking.

 

[B_Phlyy]

Not directly hair related but very important. Had my annual exam on Friday and test results came back showing anemia, low protein, and vitamin D deficiency.

And here I was thinking skipping my bonnet was the cause of my dryness. My doctor sent me the high dose vitamin D supplement and recommended OTC iron. Which I was already on but not taking consistently. I'm doing it now.

About to wash my twists tonight. I've been using a lot of leave-in which means my hair is starting to get dry from being dirty.

 

[ItsMeLilLucky]

I think i finally made it to shoulder length without cutting it off

 

[Tangles]

I know I should've taken a pic for length check before I put in my braids two weeks ago. I'll keep this set in probably until middle/end of May and I'll do a mid check in at that time. I just couldn't take having loose hair anymoreand I was getting sick of my wig.

 

[faithVA]

I think i finally made it to shoulder length without cutting it off

Congratulations. You are right. You usually do cut your hair off before you get here.

 

[faithVA]

Not directly hair related but very important. Had my annual exam on Friday and test results came back showing anemia, low protein, and vitamin D deficiency.

And here I was thinking skipping my bonnet was the cause of my dryness. My doctor sent me the high dose vitamin D supplement and recommended OTC iron. Which I was already on but not taking consistently. I'm doing it now.

About to wash my twists tonight. I've been using a lot of leave-in which means my hair is starting to get dry from being dirty.

Glad you caught it and can get everything back on track quickly.

 

[faithVA]

The plan is to do a full shampoo, condition and then put in 2 strands. But it is almost 3 pm and I don't see anything happening right now

 

[ItsMeLilLucky]

Congratulations. You are right. You usually do cut your hair off before you get here.

Thanks

 

[GettingKinky]

Here’s my April check-in. My hair needs to be fluffed, but I’m not leaving the house today so I don’t want to mess with it.

 

[B_Phlyy]

Took my twists out and blow dried but forgot pictures. Will post tonight after I flat iron.

 

[B_Phlyy]

April update.

Considering what had happened with my health, I'm just happy to still have any hair on my head. My goal to thicken it up is still on and it looks like I gained maybe half an inch.

For this next quarter, I'll be doing more protective styles. I'm ditching my wigs as I'll also be doing way more deep conditioning. My derm said my hair was dry and deep conditioning would probably do me more good than trying to seal a lighter conditioner in with oil.

 

[faithVA]

April update.

Considering what had happened with my health, I'm just happy to still have any hair on my health. My goal to thicken it up is still on and it looks like I gained maybe half an inch.

For this next quarter, I'll be doing more ditching my wigs as a protective style. I'll also be doing way more deep conditioning. My derm said my hair was dry and deep conditioning would probably do me more good than trying to seal a lighter conditioner in with oil.View attachment 488633

The right side is looking a bit healthier and more lush.

 

[faithVA]

I think I shampooed and deep conditioned on Wednesday I rinsed out the deep conditioner on Friday and finally put in 2 strand twists. My twists are hanging a bit better.

I think 2 strands are going to be my go to style for a while. They take me 2 hours to put in but then I don't have to do anything to my hair for 2 weeks.

I really don't feel like being bothered with my hair. As my hair gets longer, I will test the waters for another go to style.

 

[faithVA]

I thought about redoing my 2 strands but decided against it. I rinsed my hair and then took 2 pumps of UFD on my twists and let it air dry.

I will do my hair again between Friday and Sunday.

It's almost time for me to color my hair again. Maybe I will do that this weekend as well.

 

[sunnieb]

My daily bun is back. I looked through some of my old hair journey notes and one thing was clear - I got my hair past BSL because of daily bunning. I got a lil happy wearing my hair out because after 5 years of recovery I finally have some!

I've had my fun. Now it's time to really get serious. Not just bunning 1-2 days a week. A. Bun. Everyday. Small price to pay to get my hair back. I should really see the progress when we do our year end pics!

Here I am today...and everyday for a long while.