APL by Dec 2010!!!

[miss_cheveious]

Cream Tee your hair looks beautiful!!

 

[chasturner84]

Touched up today. Still not APL but just in touching distance now. I won't be doing a six month stretch again because I don't think I gained enough to warrant the work involved. I'll be going back to relaxing every 3/4 months.

Cream you're right there at APL! You should be there by your next relaxer...great job! Also thanks for your input on long stretches. I was actaully going to ask if you would be doing a 6 month stretch again because you saw tremendous progress.

One down, one to go...waiting on Salsa to relax and post pics!!

 

[LushLox]

Cream Tee your hair looks beautiful!!

Thanks very much. My stylist used way too much styling products though and my hair feels heavy and greasy - I really want to wash it!

Cream you're right there at APL! You should be there by your next relaxer...great job! Also thanks for your input on long stretches. I was actaully going to ask if you would be doing a 6 month stretch again because you saw tremendous progress.

One down, one to go...waiting on Salsa to relax and post pics!!

Thanks, although I need to have a trim though, I really should have got one today but I'm going to do it myself rather than let my stylist do it.

Nah I won't be doing another six month stretch, I think four months for me is absolutely perfect, it's a big enough gap between relaxers and enough time to see a decent amount of progress.

When are you going to relax or have you done it recently.

 

[chasturner84]

Thanks very much. My stylist used way too much styling products though and my hair feels heavy and greasy - I really want to wash it!



Thanks, although I need to have a trim though, I really should have got one today but I'm going to do it myself rather than let my stylist do it.

Nah I won't be doing another six month stretch, I think four months for me is absolutely perfect, it's a big enough gap between relaxers and enough time to see a decent amount of progress.

When are you going to relax or have you done it recently.

I definitely think 4 months is enough (that's my relaxer schedule: April-August-December). I usually get a nice length surprise when I relax so no need to risk breakage and do all of that extra work by stretching beyond 16 weeks. Besides, I'm too visual and shrinkage nearly kills me! I won't relax until early/mid August. I just found my new love: flexi rods! They are so quick and easy and do a WONDERFUL job at blending my new growth/relaxed hair with curls that I may stretch until Labor Day, but not beyond.

 

[Prinncipality]

I'm getting anxious. I'm taking my braids out next week after 8 weeks. I plan to relax in the beginning of July. Hope to be APL by then...

 

[LushLox]

I definitely think 4 months is enough (that's my relaxer schedule: April-August-December). I usually get a nice length surprise when I relax so no need to risk breakage and do all of that extra work by stretching beyond 16 weeks. Besides, I'm too visual and shrinkage nearly kills me! I won't relax until early/mid August. I just found my new love: flexi rods! They are so quick and easy and do a WONDERFUL job at blending my new growth/relaxed hair with curls that I may stretch until Labor Day, but not beyond.

I know what you mean about the shrinkage, it's so deceiving and soul destroying.

I love love LOVE flexi rods they are fantastic way to get lovely looking curls! I've got the grey ones but I want to upgrade to a thicker rod for some bigger curls.

 

[chasturner84]

I know what you mean about the shrinkage, it's so deceiving and soul destroying.

I love love LOVE flexi rods they are fantastic way to get lovely looking curls! I've got the grey ones but I want to upgrade to a thicker rod for some bigger curls.

I got the purple ones and when I tell you that they are great, believe me! With my new growth being thick, I am able to use larger sections of hair--which means less manipulation--to get really cute, bouncy curls. I only needed like 8 out of the 10 rods and my spirals are amazing. I live in TN, so the humidity is crazy all the time. My curls are really tight when I leave for work but by the time I get to my office, I have nice loose curls/waves. I'll probably buy 2 packs of the grey ones just because they are smaller but I only needed one pack of the purple.

 

[Salsarisma]

^^Wow! Beautiful results Cream Tee! I don't remember your old siggy to compare b4 the stretch, but your hair turned out great!! How does it feel to be relaxed again? And you look APL?? Are you there?

 

[Salsarisma]

I definitely think 4 months is enough (that's my relaxer schedule: April-August-December). I usually get a nice length surprise when I relax so no need to risk breakage and do all of that extra work by stretching beyond 16 weeks. Besides, I'm too visual and shrinkage nearly kills me! I won't relax until early/mid August. I just found my new love: flexi rods! They are so quick and easy and do a WONDERFUL job at blending my new growth/relaxed hair with curls that I may stretch until Labor Day, but not beyond.

My big day is Thursday...hopefully I get a nice suprise!! I hear you about 4 months. I think that is going to be my new relaxer schedule too! Ditto on the flexi rods, but my ends are not even and sometimes the ends come out looking scragglyerplexed

 

[chasturner84]

My big day is Thursday...hopefully I get a nice suprise!! I hear you about 4 months. I think that is going to be my new relaxer schedule too! Ditto on the flexi rods, but my ends are not even and sometimes the ends come out looking scragglyerplexed

I don't know why I'm getting so excited about YOUR relaxer, lol. Are you gonna trim with Thursday's relaxer or are you going to wait? Definitely try out the April-August-December schedule. April: spring is winding down and you're about to gear up for a summer moisture reggie. August: You can still use staples of your summer reggie but you begin to prepare your hair for winter weather. December-complete winter reggie plus your hair looks good for the "big" holidays

 

[Salsarisma]

I don't know why I'm getting so excited about YOUR relaxer, lol. Are you gonna trim with Thursday's relaxer or are you going to wait? Definitely try out the April-August-December schedule. April: spring is winding down and you're about to gear up for a summer moisture reggie. August: You can still use staples of your summer reggie but you begin to prepare your hair for winter weather. December-complete winter reggie plus your hair looks good for the "big" holidays

Lmao!!! I got so excited when I saw that Cream Tee relaxed!! Too funny!
I think I'm going to let him dust my ends, but no trim yet. I want a nice U shape and my hair is not long enough to get it the way I want to yet...so I'll probably hold off.

I'm getting on your schedule, girl. It makes perfect sense! I may stretch one more time to December and then pick it up with April, etc.etc..

I will def post pictures Tbursday night--good or bad!!

 

[redwilliams]

Hey guys...
I think I might have already asked, but is this group closed?
I'd like to join the challenge

 

[LushLox]

^^Wow! Beautiful results Cream Tee! I don't remember your old siggy to compare b4 the stretch, but your hair turned out great!! How does it feel to be relaxed again? And you look APL?? Are you there?

Thanks hun Oh god it feels lovely, it's so nice to be able to swing my hair again! No I'm not at APL yet, but should be by next relaxer or perhaps even earlier, next two months or so hopefully.

Looking forward to seeing your pics!

 

[chasturner84]

Hey guys...
I think I might have already asked, but is this group closed?
I'd like to join the challenge

Hey Red...the challenge may be officially closed but join us anyway! Just answer the questions at the beginning and jump right in!

 

[trendsetta25]

I was really expecting to be APL in Decmber 2009, but I never made it

I really need to make it this year, otherwise I don't know what I'll do I mean, it's been nearly 2 years of my journey, this is just ridiculous. I am so jealous of Robin from GrowAfroHairLong, she made it from shoulder length to waist length in two years!

Patting you on ur back...I feel you. I'm not in this challenge but I just wanted to let you know that I'm in the same predicament as you are. I started my HHJ in Dec 08 @ SL and its now June 2010 and I'm almost reaching APL. My lil sis BC in July 09 and her hair is my length now. Sometimes we need to stop comparing ourselves with others and focus on our own health and growth. We'll make it to APL eventually...lol...some day. And when we do, then we'll stress on making BSL! Lol
My point is...let's stop beating up ourselves because our hair isn't growing as fast as the rest on the board but focus on how wonderful our hair is growing as we travel on the HHJ (xoxo)

 

[chasturner84]

Patting you on ur back...I feel you. I'm not in this challenge but I just wanted to let you know that I'm in the same predicament as you are. I started my HHJ in Dec 08 @ SL and its now June 2010 and I'm almost reaching APL. My lil sis BC in July 09 and her hair is my length now. Sometimes we need to stop comparing ourselves with others and focus on our own health and growth. We'll make it to APL eventually...lol...some day. And when we do, then we'll stress on making BSL! Lol
My point is...let's stop beating up ourselves because our hair isn't growing as fast as the rest on the board but focus on how wonderful our hair is growing as we travel on the HHJ (xoxo)

I totally agree with the gist of what you're saying but it may not be a "growth" issue, but a retention issue. I'm a slow grower and only average and retain 3.5-4" a year because my hair grows waaay less than .5" per month (more like .25" per month ). My hair has hovered around SL for most of my life because it was breaking as soon as I'd hit SL. Since I started my journey last year (at SL) I started taking care of my ends by PS and low manipulation and I finally passed SL back in Apr. So it was nothing but retention that I was having a problem with. When we think that our hair isn't growing, that could be the a major cause as to why we're not seeing progress. But yes, definitely don't compare your hair growth to anyone else's because that is a sure ticket to disappointment. Just take note on how you are able to improve your reggie/techniques in order to retain ALL of your growth. HHG! *Sorry to hijack your post to Cherry*

 

[goodmorningruby]

Flat ironed my hair this week. And next week is my touch up/dusting/henna...I have come dangerously close to APL. I'm anxious to see my all of my progress by December...my hair is doing so well.

Based on my rate of growth/retention, I predict that I'll be *satisfactorily* APL in the fall...will post pics then.

 

[chasturner84]

Flat ironed my hair this week. And next week is my touch up/dusting/henna...I have come dangerously close to APL. I'm anxious to see my all of my progress by December...my hair is doing so well.

Based on my rate of growth/retention, I predict that I'll be *satisfactorily* APL in the fall...will post pics then.

:waytogo: I wish I could see the future because I want to know what I will be working with in Dec

 

[Zedster]

So jealous of these pics! I don't think my hair intends to go past my shoulders.

I DC every week and keep my hair perpetually covered (so my fingers can let my hair rest/grow in peace). But it seems like my hair isn't growing. When I wash, I get a handful gift of shed hair—at least I think it's shed, because I see the little white roots. I'm reeeeealy hoping my growth is outpacing my shedding.

On a slightly different note, does anyone else have weird spots on their head that are ridiculously short compared to everywhere else, for no reason? After I washed I parted my hair in two and could feel little 2–3" hairs around the part that seem to always be there, never growing. Like I said, I do low/no manipulation, so I don't think they're broken…but I could be wrong.

 

[Aggie]

So jealous of these pics! I don't think my hair intends to go past my shoulders.

I DC every week and keep my hair perpetually covered (so my fingers can let my hair rest/grow in peace). But it seems like my hair isn't growing. When I wash, I get a handful gift of shed hair—at least I think it's shed, because I see the little white roots. I'm reeeeealy hoping my growth is outpacing my shedding.

On a slightly different note, does anyone else have weird spots on their head that are ridiculously short compared to everywhere else, for no reason? After I washed I parted my hair in two and could feel little 2–3" hairs around the part that seem to always be there, never growing. Like I said, I do low/no manipulation, so I don't think they're broken…but I could be wrong.

Hmmm, I'm wondering what your terminal length is. Also your growth cycle (anagen stage) may be short - like a year or two instead of 3-6 years. Don't lose heart though because I could very well be wrong.

Another thing that could be happening is, your hair might be in it's resting (or telogen) phase. Not all the hair on the head will be in a telogen or resting state all at once though. Some are resting, some are actively growing and some are new hairs or in their catagen phase.

Just keep on trying and don't give up.

 

[lovelexi]

So jealous of these pics! I don't think my hair intends to go past my shoulders.

I DC every week and keep my hair perpetually covered (so my fingers can let my hair rest/grow in peace). But it seems like my hair isn't growing. When I wash, I get a handful gift of shed hair—at least I think it's shed, because I see the little white roots. I'm reeeeealy hoping my growth is outpacing my shedding.

On a slightly different note, does anyone else have weird spots on their head that are ridiculously short compared to everywhere else, for no reason? After I washed I parted my hair in two and could feel little 2–3" hairs around the part that seem to always be there, never growing. Like I said, I do low/no manipulation, so I don't think they're broken…but I could be wrong.

right in the back of my head theres this line of broken of hair. idk what it is its about 2 inches short. i recently started taking extra caution with that area so it could grow back healthy

 

[CherryCherryBoomBoom]

I totally agree with the gist of what you're saying but it may not be a "growth" issue, but a retention issue. I'm a slow grower and only average and retain 3.5-4" a year because my hair grows waaay less than .5" per month (more like .25" per month ). My hair has hovered around SL for most of my life because it was breaking as soon as I'd hit SL. Since I started my journey last year (at SL) I started taking care of my ends by PS and low manipulation and I finally passed SL back in Apr. So it was nothing but retention that I was having a problem with. When we think that our hair isn't growing, that could be the a major cause as to why we're not seeing progress. But yes, definitely don't compare your hair growth to anyone else's because that is a sure ticket to disappointment. Just take note on how you are able to improve your reggie/techniques in order to retain ALL of your growth. HHG! *Sorry to hijack your post to Cherry*

Wow, looking at your photo timeline in your sig, even you have gained more length than I have . It looks like I do have some serious retention issues . Really need to get that sorted somehow. I just feel unlucky though, I drastically changed my regimen to make it much healthier for my hair, yet the results are turning out how I've wanted . Maybe when I take out these braids I'll have a pleasant surprise? Thank for the useful post though, HHG

 

[chasturner84]

Wow, looking at your photo timeline in your sig, even you have gained more length than I have . It looks like I do have some serious retention issues . Really need to get that sorted somehow. I just feel unlucky though, I drastically changed my regimen to make it much healthier for my hair, yet the results are turning out how I've wanted . Maybe when I take out these braids I'll have a pleasant surprise? Thank for the useful post though, HHG

I really don't think it's luck. I think it may be products and technique. Like I stated earlier, my hair was alway between EL and SL. It never grew longer than SL. I thought that I was the unlucky one in my family because my hair never got longer. It was definitely my products and technique. I also read a lot of articles by Sistaslick (some I read several times) and boy, did she help. Check out her fotki: http://members.fotki.com/sistaslick/about/

What type of braids do you have? How often do you wear braids? At one point I was using braids to try to retain and it was HORRIBLE. I finally came to the conclusion that any type of braids and my hair just don't mix. It sucks because I love braids but I had to find other low manipulation styles that kept my hair off my clothing/shoulders.

 

[Miss AJ]

Still on the quest. DCing every other day for the summer. Washing it at night and braiding it has kept away the ssk's

 

[CherryCherryBoomBoom]

I really don't think it's luck. I think it may be products and technique. Like I stated earlier, my hair was alway between EL and SL. It never grew longer than SL. I thought that I was the unlucky one in my family because my hair never got longer. It was definitely my products and technique. I also read a lot of articles by Sistaslick (some I read several times) and boy, did she help. Check out her fotki: http://members.fotki.com/sistaslick/about/

What type of braids do you have? How often do you wear braids? At one point I was using braids to try to retain and it was HORRIBLE. I finally came to the conclusion that any type of braids and my hair just don't mix. It sucks because I love braids but I had to find other low manipulation styles that kept my hair off my clothing/shoulders.

I have these type of braids, except slightly larger than hers: http://hairstyleschat.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/06/micro-braids.jpg
I wear them for 2 months, then take them out and have my hair braids free for two months, bunning or wearing a half wig in that time. Then the cycle starts again. I'm basically following the Crown and Glory technique, on http://www.growafrohairlong.com. I may stop the braids for a long while if I don't see good results after taking out this set in a few weeks.

 

[afrochique]

Hi guys!
As I had mentioned before I was disappointed by my length after my split ends were "trimmed" off.
I need some motivation to keep going til Dec.
Pic included of current length hair is slightly damp from moisturizing last night and the waves are from braiding plaits that I sleep in, kept them in all day under my wig. Also attached is a close up pic.

 

[Amerie123]

Hey ladies, I took out my braids yesterday (been in for 10 weeks).. and now they are in 9 big plaits.. lol.. i was trying to keep them in for 12, but due to lots of working out, I had too much NG and i don't think my hair was having me keep them in any longer. in fact, i'm glad i took them out when i did. the braids was hard to come out because it was buried in NG. so, i haven't washed yet, i just detangled and plaited them. I'm thinking about getting a BKT sooner than i planned. decisions, decisions. anyways, picture time is almost due, and i should have a pic for you lovely ladies by that time..

 

[dollface0023]

I'm giving myself another 5 months until I hit APL...Hopefully I wont have any setbacks

 

[Mystic]

I totally agree with this. Love braids but it doesn't work for me because it leave my ends chewed up always. I never could see any growth until I started cornrowing my hair w/out extention and doing other low manipulation styles.

I really don't think it's luck. I think it may be products and technique. Like I stated earlier, my hair was alway between EL and SL. It never grew longer than SL. I thought that I was the unlucky one in my family because my hair never got longer. It was definitely my products and technique. I also read a lot of articles by Sistaslick (some I read several times) and boy, did she help. Check out her fotki: http://members.fotki.com/sistaslick/about/

What type of braids do you have? How often do you wear braids? At one point I was using braids to try to retain and it was HORRIBLE. I finally came to the conclusion that any type of braids and my hair just don't mix. It sucks because I love braids but I had to find other low manipulation styles that kept my hair off my clothing/shoulders.

 

[Vonnieluvs08]

I forgot I was in this Challenge. For some reason I never subscribed.

I just did a set of twists this week for work and the majority of my crown is nearly to my shoulders. I'm going to post pics this weekend.

There are some beautiful heads of hair in this thread.