APL 2012 Challenge

[daae]

Thanks Lurkee
Will post pics ASAP.

 

[Angela4769]

So today I wore my hair out and straight to work for the first time all year. I'm so accustomed to having my hair up off my shoulders or covered in a scarf I was a bit uncomfortable all day erplexed *sigh* All I could think was "I wish I had some silk or satin shirts to wear" Guess those will be on my list for this summer. Does anyone else feel like this when they wear their hair down or am I just odd ?

I know exactly how you feel. I was so excited about my fresh straight hair...for about one day. I wore a silk blouse yesterday, so I had hardly any issues. Today is another issue. Every time I turn my head, I hear/feel a pop. Oh well...lesson learned. I guess I'll have to try to start experimenting with bunning. I don't want to waste this good straightness on a braidout at only 3 days post

 

[Mjon912]

Angela4769... I'm not APL yet...in my dreams maybe...you were pushing BSL in your pics...I won't knock you anymore though, just know I'm watching you Lurkee thank you!NikkiQ do you have a wig over your braids or your just out with your beehiveshortdub78 Thanks, we will all get there, no doubt about it! 2012 is our APL yr jprayze maybe it's your glasses, my mom has worn glasses since before I was born and is bald like that, before I got contacts my hair was thin over my ears Kb3auty you said you were NL right? ... NL to apl is a lot of inches...maybe other ladies who have started from NL can offer some input but I can't say I've seen it done, I cut all my damaged hair off and started at healthy SL in Oct 11 and I'm still not apl, I take supplements, drink lots of water, work out and use MN... Not saying it can't be done but maybe take a ruler and measure where your hair stops to apl, every inch is 2 months of growth ( on average you grow half an inch of hair a month) that should give you a rough estimate of when you'll get to apl without using supplements and growth aids

 

[jprayze]

@Angela4769... I'm not APL yet...in my dreams maybe...you were pushing BSL in your pics...I won't knock you anymore though, just know I'm watching you @Lurkee thank you!@NikkiQ do you have a wig over your braids or your just out with your beehive@shortdub78 Thanks, we will all get there, no doubt about it! 2012 is our APL yr @jprayze maybe it's your glasses, my mom has worn glasses since before I was born and is bald like that, before I got contacts my hair was thin over my ears @Kb3auty you said you were NL right? ... NL to apl is a lot of inches...maybe other ladies who have started from NL can offer some input but I can't say I've seen it done, I cut all my damaged hair off and started at healthy SL in Oct 11 and I'm still not apl, I take supplements, drink lots of water, work out and use MN... Not saying it can't be done but maybe take a ruler and measure where your hair stops to apl, every inch is 2 months of growth ( on average you grow half an inch of hair a month) that should give you a rough estimate of when you'll get to apl without using supplements and growth aids

Mjon912 Wow I never thought about that. I have been seriously contemplating getting LASIK and that's another good reason to go for it.

 

[JulietWhiskey]

Just stopping by to say my hair is retaining beautifully!

I think the weekly DCing/weekly co-wasing and bi-weekly DCing with heat are really helping me retain!

I also think the following things are helping, too:
*Not using products containing behentriomium methosulfate. I read on curlynikki.com that this product, while providing tremendous slip, is very hard to wash off, even with shampoo, and can cause build up. I only co-wash so I think this may have contributed to my breakage issues. I realized that when my hair was at its healthiest, I was not using this product and only using products that contain cetyl alcohol, which my hair seems to love.
*Vaseline to seal. Nothing and I repeat NOTHING seals the moisture in my hair like vaseline! In the past, bunning was the DEBIL for my fine strands but since adding vaseline to my line-up, I was recently able to bun with virtually no breakage. It protects those ends like Hope Solo on her best goalie swag!
*Consistency. Co-washing, DCing, M&S on schedule, no matter how tired, busy or put out I may be/feel. If I don't my hair suffers.
*Leaving my hair alone. Really no explanation needed for this one.

I believe, think, hope and pray I should reach APL by the end of this year.

Thanks for reading!

 

[TruMe]

*Consistency. Co-washing, DCing, M&S on schedule, no matter how tired, busy or put out I may be/feel. If I don't my hair suffers.!

This is so true, no matter what you are doing.

 

[NaturalfienD]

jprayze ~ I experienced something similar in the front area of my head. I had a fingertip length plug all of a sudden. I damn near cried, it was a shock. I decided to go to a dermatologist and discuss the matter. I discovered I had traction alopecia and to revitalize my follicles, he had to give me scalp injections every six weeks and I had to apply a cream ointment to that area to get my hair to grow. I went about six times before being discharged. Now that plug has grown back and is catching up with the length of my hair. It is something to consider trying for yourself. What I learned from my experience is that if I wouldn't have gone to the dermatologist for the juice that there was a possibility that my hair would have grown in very, very slowly and not full at all. Best of luck to you- please keep us posted.

 

[itsjusthair88]

Hey ladies! I haven't been here in awhile (the least of my concerns are hair these days) I have been in weekly protective styles (twists, mostly) and I am seeing some progress, I thought out progress pics were due on the 1st of June, so I took a few, and here are some comparisons:

The one on the left is March 31st and the one on the right was yesterday, June 4th.

I have also come to the conclusion that I am having breakage problems, I know because I BC'd 20 months ago and I trimmed once, about 1/2"-3/4" of hair, so I should have about 9.5" of hair, in some places, I only have 8" and in the nape, I only have 6" perplexed) it has to be slow growing, breakage or both...but I am leaning towards breakage because I have seen some serious breakage in the past month or so from combing. My resolution? only finger detangle from now on and put the comb down. I don't want to lose all of my progress, does anybody else do this? Thanks ladies!

 

[lamaria211]

Its only day 2 but I can honestly say I loove my minis there even easier than my celies I just DCd, rinsed then added my leave in(giovanni direct) & my seal EVOCO and my hair feels great and there was NO shedding! Im keeping them for atleast 4 weeks and I plan to redo them after that
Thanks again manter26

 

[pookaloo83]

Hey ladies! I haven't been here in awhile (the least of my concerns are hair these days) I have been in weekly protective styles (twists, mostly) and I am seeing some progress, I thought out progress pics were due on the 1st of June, so I took a few, and here are some comparisons:

The one on the left is March 31st and the one on the right was yesterday, June 4th.

I have also come to the conclusion that I am having breakage problems, I know because I BC'd 20 months ago and I trimmed once, about 1/2"-3/4" of hair, so I should have about 9.5" of hair, in some places, I only have 8" and in the nape, I only have 6" perplexed) it has to be slow growing, breakage or both...but I am leaning towards breakage because I have seen some serious breakage in the past month or so from combing. My resolution? only finger detangle from now on and put the comb down. I don't want to lose all of my progress, does anybody else do this? Thanks ladies!

Great progress!

Sent from my iPhone 4s using LHCF

 

[TruMe]

finger detangle from now on and put the comb down. I don't want to lose all of my progress, does anybody else do this?

That's all I do, just finger detangling using olive oil one day and then conditioner and essential oil mix another day each week.

 

[jprayze]

@jprayze ~ I experienced something similar in the front area of my head. I had a fingertip length plug all of a sudden. I damn near cried, it was a shock. I decided to go to a dermatologist and discuss the matter. I discovered I had traction alopecia and to revitalize my follicles, he had to give me scalp injections every six weeks and I had to apply a cream ointment to that area to get my hair to grow. I went about six times before being discharged. Now that plug has grown back and is catching up with the length of my hair. It is something to consider trying for yourself. What I learned from my experience is that if I wouldn't have gone to the dermatologist for the juice that there was a possibility that my hair would have grown in very, very slowly and not full at all. Best of luck to you- please keep us posted.

Thank you so much NaturalfienD. I was thinking about going to the dermatologist and I definitely think it won't hurt.

 

[Angela4769]

Y'all, what am I going to do with my hair now? I got my relaxer Saturday, wore my fresh straight hair for two days, but I need it off my clothes now. I don't really like how buns look on me...too small. What else can I do with this straight hair besides a ponytail?

 

[Lurkee]

Y'all, what am I going to do with my hair now? I got my relaxer Saturday, wore my fresh straight hair for two days, but I need it off my clothes now. I don't really like how buns look on me...too small. What else can I do with this straight hair besides a ponytail?

You can try pin curling and then doing a messy updo. Even bantu knots work well in an updo. Good luck

 

[kristaa.10]

I'm now in the same boat as faithVA. I chopped about 1 1/2 -2 inches of hair last night. My ends have been feeling tangly for awhile, and even though I was probably only an inch or so away from APL, I felt like I was always dealing with breakage/retaining problems and I would have had to cut again when I got there. So now I'm a little past NL with 3.5 inches to go. Even though I feel like I should know it all by now, do y'all have any tips for retaining length with fine hair? I have never been to APL, even with relaxed hair, and this plateau is super frustrating!


My regimen: I wash/DC once a week, leave-in, and seal. I usually braid to stretch and then pin up into some sort of updo, remoisturizing and rebraiding to stretch every other day before going back into the updo. I also mostly finger detangle, and use my denman every once in awhile. My problem is mostly ssks/breakage, even though I feel like they are moisturized, they are still gross. Idk. I attached a pic of my length after the cut and I'm pushing my APL goal date back to December.

 

[lamaria211]

I'm now in the same boat as faithVA. I chopped about 1 1/2 -2 inches of hair last night. My ends have been feeling tangly for awhile, and even though I was probably only an inch or so away from APL, I felt like I was always dealing with breakage/retaining problems and I would have had to cut again when I got there. So now I'm a little past NL with 3.5 inches to go. Even though I feel like I should know it all by now, do y'all have any tips for retaining length with fine hair? I have never been to APL, even with relaxed hair, and this plateau is super frustrating!

My regimen: I wash/DC once a week, leave-in, and seal. I usually braid to stretch and then pin up into some sort of updo, remoisturizing and rebraiding to stretch every other day before going back into the updo. I also mostly finger detangle, and use my denman every once in awhile. My problem is mostly ssks/breakage, even though I feel like they are moisturized, they are still gross. Idk. I attached a pic of my length after the cut and I'm pushing my APL goal date back to December.

What are u using to wash and dc?
M&S?
Do u ever use protein?

 

[faithVA]

kristaa.10[/USER];16108089]I'm now in the same boat as @faithVA. I chopped about 1 1/2 -2 inches of hair last night. My ends have been feeling tangly for awhile, and even though I was probably only an inch or so away from APL, I felt like I was always dealing with breakage/retaining problems and I would have had to cut again when I got there. So now I'm a little past NL with 3.5 inches to go. Even though I feel like I should know it all by now, do y'all have any tips for retaining length with fine hair? I have never been to APL, even with relaxed hair, and this plateau is super frustrating!


My regimen: I wash/DC once a week, leave-in, and seal. I usually braid to stretch and then pin up into some sort of updo, remoisturizing and rebraiding to stretch every other day before going back into the updo. I also mostly finger detangle, and use my denman every once in awhile. My problem is mostly ssks/breakage, even though I feel like they are moisturized, they are still gross. Idk. I attached a pic of my length after the cut and I'm pushing my APL goal date back to December.

Fortunately you are not in the same boat as I am. I cut my hair all the way back to nape length in the back and EL for the rest of my hair. I will be doing good to make it to SL by the end of the year. I'm only still in this challenge cuz I'm cohosting and I know NikkiQ would give me grief.

Sorry you had to trim so much. Hope you get some good advice to help you recover

 

[lamaria211]

Does anyone in here use hair grease?

 

[Evolving78]

I'm now in the same boat as faithVA. I chopped about 1 1/2 -2 inches of hair last night. My ends have been feeling tangly for awhile, and even though I was probably only an inch or so away from APL, I felt like I was always dealing with breakage/retaining problems and I would have had to cut again when I got there. So now I'm a little past NL with 3.5 inches to go. Even though I feel like I should know it all by now, do y'all have any tips for retaining length with fine hair? I have never been to APL, even with relaxed hair, and this plateau is super frustrating!


My regimen: I wash/DC once a week, leave-in, and seal. I usually braid to stretch and then pin up into some sort of updo, remoisturizing and rebraiding to stretch every other day before going back into the updo. I also mostly finger detangle, and use my denman every once in awhile. My problem is mostly ssks/breakage, even though I feel like they are moisturized, they are still gross. Idk. I attached a pic of my length after the cut and I'm pushing my APL goal date back to December.

dusting once a month. get rid of that denman. i thought i could use that thing, but it did me wrong too. finger detangle dry with oil and while soaking with conditioner use a wide tooth comb wear the ends/tips of the comb are rounded. what are you using to moisturize with? keep a spray bottle of some sort of moisturizing spritz to hydrate your hair throughout the day.

my hair is very fine and my natural texture is very coily. it was always a struggle to detangle the Beast! when i decide to come back to the natural world, i am going back to locs.

these are the last pics i have of my natural hair last year

excuse my back fat!

check out Nonie's posts in this thread
http://www.longhaircareforum.com/showthread.php?t=623643

 

[NaturalfienD]

Does anyone in here use hair grease?

Girl, you asked a great question. I use hair grease to seal my hair and I found it very effective in keeping my hair moisturized and reducing SSKs. That was the advice that I was going to give to you Ms. kristaa.10, I have fine, 4B hair and I noticed that the longer my hair got the more it would twist on itself at the ends, creating SSKs. After I started jocking LadyPanilo's regimen, I have not had the problem as much as I used to. I moisten my hair, add leave-in, and seal with Softee grease. My hair is overly porous and moisture is gone if I use any oil to seal after one day (if that), so grease is my homie.

 

[coolsista-paris]

hey ladies ! you all ok?
after getting mad at my hair...im trying to be positive now. here are 2 styles i like wearing :

 

[NaturalfienD]

shortdub78, your hair is too pretty in those pix. Chuurch!!

 

[Evolving78]

hey ladies ! you all ok?
after getting mad at my hair...im trying to be positive now. here are 2 styles i like wearing :



View attachment 153121

cute! glad you are feeling better!

 

[Evolving78]

shortdub78, your hair is too pretty in those pix. Chuurch!!

oh thank you! you made me blush today!

 

[NaturalfienD]

hey ladies ! you all ok?
after getting mad at my hair...im trying to be positive now. here are 2 styles i like wearing :



View attachment 153121

coolsista-paris ... I cannot wait until my hair is as full as yours ...

 

[coolsista-paris]

cute! glad you are feeling better!

im trying not to think of my hair that much... im looking for à new ps cause im tired of thé wig. although that whats good on me....

 

[Evolving78]

im trying not to think of my hair that much... im looking for à new ps cause im tired of thé wig. although that whats good on me....

i really like your loose pic! somebody in this thread has a cute ps and it's an updo. seems like i could last for a few weeks. i'll go bump it for you when i get a chance, but i think it is on two pages before this one.

 

[coolsista-paris]

coolsista-paris ... I cannot wait until my hair is as full as yours ...

girl you will make it. i had to fight to reach this. i only learned this year that i have fine hair...ive been leasing it all out like crazy since big chop ! silly me...no wonder i was going nowhere !

listen to your hair Well. ;-)

 

[coolsista-paris]

i really like your loose pic! somebody in this thread has a cute ps and it's an updo. seems like i could last for a few weeks. i'll go bump it for you when i get a chance, but i think it is on two pages before this one.

thanks. of you do have the time please do. im getting.kinda tired right now (its midnight 37 here and i must wake up at 6h00 for work)...boooo wanna cry . feel like staying on bed

 

[NikkiQ]

This beehive is driving me. I discovered tension bumps on my hair where she started the braid

Time to come out! I'm thinking it's time for mini braids!! Plus the wig was getting on my nerves on the beach out here lol

Sent by me from my Android phone.Boom