BSL by Dec 2011

checking in... I washed, protein, porosity control, DC my hair yesterday and also used Cassia Treatment powder that I brought from Ayurnatural. I was suppose to do a henna/indigo but my local indian market did not have Jamila Henna. My hair looks like I reached APL but I have not straightened to see. I also did my texlax on 3/1, my growth is moving at a snails pace like always. I will continue to do the Deep moisture method for the next few months while I am wearing my wigs.
 
grow Thanks for the link. I too am enjoying my hennigo treatments. My hair has always been so thin but now I actually feel some weight to it (not a lot but at least that's start). I also like the fact that I can cover up my grays naturally and without damaging my hair.
Since I bought a new hooded hair dryer, I've been rollersetting my hair and I have been enjoying it. I've actually gotten compliments on my hair for the first time in years. Did I look that bad?
I DC'ed this weekend using Mane n Tail as my base with the Cathy Howse recipe and really liked it. I didn't have to follow up with a moisture DC like I normally do when I use Aphogee 2 minute as a base. My hair felt moisturized and strong. I also used the the Mane n Tail leave in.
 
I have braid spray to use on the braids that my tracks are on I believe its African Braid spray its for moisture can I add oil to it like Tree Tea oil I love the way that smells plus isn't it for dry scalp, but I wanna know can I mix them?
 
I just relaxed maybe I will have a pick for you ladies by this weekend or so....gotta see how imma do it considering that I am in HYH.
 
grow said:
@esi.adokowa, so sad to hear about that breakage.
to assess what it could be, we need to first understand a few things:

-how often do you do dc treatments and how do you do them?
the aphogee is great for protein, but we need balance as Chicoro's book exerpt states.
i use a apHogee 2 minute and my CON deep conditioner every wednesday and thursday. I leave the apHogee in for just 2 minutes in the shower and i usually leave the CON in overnight and wash it out in the morning.

-do you clarify your hair? if you use cones (cantu), it might be preventing your moisture from actually entering the hair shaft.
cones are great for locking moisture in, but that means they also lock moisture out so once they've been applied, your hair might only be getting a "coating" of moisture.
i use a ALS-based (ammonium lauryl sulfate) shampoo, and it leaves my hair pretty squeaky.

-have you ever tried acv rinses to keep the cuticle smooth?
i haven't actually.

-have you tried garlic: pills, oil, supplements
i take gnc hsn and the active woman's supplement

-how do you seal your ends? alot of people use hair butter with braids...but on top of moisturizers and oils....how do you do it?
this might be the culprit. i usually have my hair in extension braids, so i never really started sealing my ends. i'll give it a try and see!

lastly, it's marvelous that you've given up the heat! surely that will keep your ends safe until we figure out what the culprit is, so it's surely not the heat!

hhj ladies!
Click to expand...

thanks for the in-depth response grow!
i'm going to try sealing this next month and see if that improves the condition of my ends at all.
i also have a hair appointment on the fifteenth of april, so i'll have fresh ends in a month with which to start with.
we'll see how it goes!
 
grow said:
IntheMix08, hey honey!

that mix you made sure sounds delicious!:lick:
rosemary always helps my itchies and i also add neem and tea tree eo.:lick:
i bet that rollerset came out gorgeous, too!:grin:
ok, that's yet another shamless attempt to get some eye candy!:lachen:
if you do take pics, please let us see so we can ooooh and ahhhh!:yep:
Click to expand...

I would share pics but I'm in the HYH challenge. After the rollerset, my hair went into a bun. :ohwell:
 
Just checking in! Looks like just about everyone is growing successfully towards BSL! I hope to have some photos posted soon. I need to buy one of the hair measurement shirts that I see so many of the ladies with, but it seems that my hair has grown about an inch and a half since I started February 4. Loving it!!
 
esi.adokowa said:
thanks for the in-depth response @grow!
i'm going to try sealing this next month and see if that improves the condition of my ends at all.
i also have a hair appointment on the fifteenth of april, so i'll have fresh ends in a month with which to start with.
we'll see how it goes!
Click to expand...

esi.adokowa, you've got a great reggie! sounds like you're doing everything very well already and adding something to seal your ends might be all you need!
the only other question i could think of is about this shampoo; how often do you use it?
the squeeky clean is a great feeling, especially if we are clarifying or chelating, but if it's a regular thing outside of those specific occasions, it just might strip our hair.

before my henna, i'd been having alot of problems with breakage and went back to read a thread on porosity.:yep:
here's the link: http://www.longhaircareforum.com/showthread.php?t=341855

it will also explain more about the acv rinse (i have hard water here, so i need acv's alot) and keeping our hair balanced because any kind of breakage is the hair looking for balance. (moisture/protein...ph balance, etc.)
i hope this can help you to find what it is because keeping your hair so well protected should be giving you great growth....without breakage, so let's just be glad you nipped it in the bud and are doing something about it immediately.

IntheMix08 said:
I would share pics but I'm in the HYH challenge. After the rollerset, my hair went into a bun. :ohwell:
Click to expand...

IntheMix08, i hear ya honey! i tried that french twist after my henna/indigo and after one day of rain, i said forget it! :nono:
it's back to the buns for me too!
it's so much easier, even if walking in the rain with no umbrella, it's a style that just cannot get messed up.:rolleyes:
don't cha just LOVE the convenience?!

i am so grateful to have discovered a love for the bun from my lhcf sistas! (amongst so many other goodies!:grin:)

hhj ladies!
 
Hey Ladies: I Need Help

I have been thinking & right now I'm not getting the hair growth that I want & my goal is to grow hair & I just seem to be at a stand still & I can't figure it out. All I do is kept my hair in protective styles such as braids & weaves for about 6 weeks at a time & I still have nothing to show for it.

What I'm learning is that:
I shouldn't really use shampoo & try to co-wash more
Keep my hair mousitured at all times
Use a leave in conditioner
Try to oil the scalp

The products I use are:
Tree Tea oil, Olive oil, JBCO, Mega-Tek, M-T-G, Dr. Miracles Nape and Temple and their hair grease.


This was my hair last March 2010
lengthmarch1st-3-1.jpg


This is my hair this March 2011
Hair051-1-1.jpg


Please tell me what I'm doing wrong grow chasturner84 AlliCat divachyk and anyone else willing to give advice... thanks :sad: :ohwell: :perplexed
 
I have been thinking & right now I'm not getting the hair growth that I want & my goal is to grow hair & I just seem to be at a stand still & I can't figure it out. All I do is kept my hair in protective styles such as braids & weaves for about 6 weeks at a time & I still have nothing to show for it.
Click to expand...


@ms.tatiana are you taking breaks in between installing new braids. I frequently get cornrows but I take at least a week off before rebraiding because I've read here that it is to much stress on your hair to keep it braided back to back. I think co-washing about 1-2x a week could benefit. Also do you use protein treatments? Are you relaxed?

ETA: I also always pour mane n tail detangler over my braids a day before I remove them and that makes it easier to remove.
 
Last edited:
ms.tatiana

It seems to me that you aren't keeping your hair moisturized enough while it is in braids/weaves. When I get my hair braided, I spray a leave in condish such as Jane Carter Solution Revitalizing Leave In of Taliah Waajid Protective Mist Bodifier onto the length of my hair. I find that this keeps my hair nice and supple while braided up. I do not use any oils or grease on my scalp while my hair is braided up.

Also, what is your braid removal process like? How are you detangling your hair? How long you you leave each set of braids/weaves in? I have found that, at least for me, I cannot wear braids for the maximum time suggested and I wind up taking them out about 2 weeks before I'm "supposed" to. I find that this minimizes any build up that may occur in my hair (I do wash my hair while it's in braids but build up still happens). It also helps with the detangling process. After I remove my braids, I slather my hair in conditioner and I gently detangle my hair in sections with a wide tooth comb. If you aren't doing this, it may help.

Like a previous poster mentioned, if you are getting braids back to back, with no break in between, that may hinder your progress. Seriously consider taking a week or two off between braids. During those weeks you can DC your hair and get your hair prepped for the next set of braids.

I hope this helps some. I have worn braids throughout my journey and I believe that they can help you to retain length but there are some steps you have to take. You can't just put them in and forget about your hair :yep:
 
ms.tatiana said:
Hey Ladies: I Need Help

I have been thinking & right now I'm not getting the hair growth that I want & my goal is to grow hair & I just seem to be at a stand still & I can't figure it out. All I do is kept my hair in protective styles such as braids & weaves for about 6 weeks at a time & I still have nothing to show for it.

What I'm learning is that:
I shouldn't really use shampoo & try to co-wash more
Keep my hair mousitured at all times
Use a leave in conditioner
Try to oil the scalp

The products I use are:
Tree Tea oil, Olive oil, JBCO, Mega-Tek, M-T-G, Dr. Miracles Nape and Temple and their hair grease.

Please tell me what I'm doing wrong @grow @chasturner84 @AlliCat @divachyk and anyone else willing to give advice... thanks :sad: :ohwell: :perplexed
Click to expand...

ms.tatiana I have questions, questions, questions!

Are you keeping braids/weaves in at all times? You may need to take a break from them until you figure our what'd going on...

How does your hair feel? Are you keeping the protein/moisture balanced in your strands? I know you said that you keep your hair moisturized at all times, but if you're not doing anything to strengthen your hair, all the moisture you're pumping in it could be counter productive. How do you feel about the products you're using? Why are you using them? It seems that you are using a lot of oils, what moisturizer are you using with them?

How are you detangling when you take down your installs? Your hair is pretty fragile at this point and you can do more harm than good if your not careful and if your hair is too soft or too dry.

You may not be gaining as much length as you want but are you gaining thickness? How is your hair's overall health compared to last year?
Don't give up! There are too many of us here who have been at the point of not knowing what our next step is; we will definitely help you figure out the problem. :yep:
 
I would like to join this:

What's your regimen? Im still working that out really, lol. But It will be washing with poo once a week, DC’n once a week, Co Washing, Bi-weekly protein, quarterly trims and light heat.
What Products are you using? A lot of cerimides, Motions Moisture Plus, SE Mega Cholesterol, CON Argan Serum
What are you specifically doing to achieve BSL in 2011? A lot of moisturizing, light heat, low manipulation hair styles (braid outs specifically,love those!)
In what month are you hoping to achieve BSL?.....I'm gonna say December to be safe, I will be trimming a lot this year. I may reach it before that, Im pretty close
Please include a Starting pic: I will post one tonight.
 
ms.tatiana said:
Hey Ladies: I Need Help

I have been thinking & right now I'm not getting the hair growth that I want & my goal is to grow hair & I just seem to be at a stand still & I can't figure it out. All I do is kept my hair in protective styles such as braids & weaves for about 6 weeks at a time & I still have nothing to show for it.

What I'm learning is that:
I shouldn't really use shampoo & try to co-wash more
Keep my hair mousitured at all times
Use a leave in conditioner
Try to oil the scalp

The products I use are:
Tree Tea oil, Olive oil, JBCO, Mega-Tek, M-T-G, Dr. Miracles Nape and Temple and their hair grease.


This was my hair last March 2010
lengthmarch1st-3-1.jpg


This is my hair this March 2011
Hair051-1-1.jpg


Please tell me what I'm doing wrong @grow @chasturner84 @AlliCat @divachyk and anyone else willing to give advice... thanks :sad: :ohwell: :perplexed
Click to expand...

First off those 2 pics are decieving...in the second pic your hair is half up so I'm sure it's a lot fuller. I think the 6 week protecitve styling you're doing is great.

Perhaps you should reduce the time between weave installs? like keep them in for 4 weeks instead of 6. I know when i cornrow my hair underhalfwigs I can't leave them in for more than 3 weeks.

Like the others asked, hows your takedown like? You should make sure you're gentle with your hair if you're not already....it can be really frustrating to take down braids (i can onyl imagine after 6+ wks of new growth) but its important to take your time. Also never wash your hair when it's even slightly matted because that will only make things worse.


At the end of the day, you might just be a slow grower. I remember one year I barely got any growth and stayed around APL. I also trimmed that year so maybe stop trimming this year to see how your progress goes?
 
@ms.tatiana - @chasturner84 and @AlliCat provided you with great ideas, tips and words of encouragement. From my perspective, I think protective styling is awesome but I question the type of protective styling you're doing. Several years ago I had braids. Kept them in for about 6 weeks. I lost so much hair during the take down process it practically negated all growth. My edges suffered and it was just horrible. I refuse to get braids again. Do realize, this is just one woman's perspective. Braids might work for you and for others but it doesn't for me.

As previously mentioned, I think you are using a lot of oils and not enough moisturizer. I have/had better success with bunning as it provided me with an opportunity to protective style during the day and access to my scalp at night. This is less stressful on my hair, IMO.

ETA: With bunning, I can properly wash/condition, moisturize/seal, scalp massage, etc my hair. I could never accomplish that with being in braids. Maybe I just didn't have the right skill for it.

I think keeping it simple is wonderful but sometimes I think you can keep it too simple (leaving braids and weaves in for too long), thus being counter productive. Not every hair texture can keep styles in the same amount of time. You have to factor in your texture and it's ability to matte and get tangled. If you're a tangler and suffer from matting when in your protective styles, you might should reconsider.
 
Carisa:

I am going to be completely honest & say I usually get my installs put back in within 3 to 4 days after taking them down. I have never been the type to do my own hair, so it’s constantly braided I never wear ponytails or anything. 90% of the time its weaves and braids and for the other 10% I will wear my own hair.

I have heard a lot about co-washing and even watched some videos on youtube are there any conditioners you would suggest I use? I don’t use protein treatments (I don’t know what that really actually means). And no I am not relaxed, last relaxer was back in 2006. I never use a detangler when taking my braids out, maybe I should start.
 
shasha8685:

Before I got this new install I used Cantu Shea Butter leave in , but everyone said that it has cones and cones aren’t too good for the hair, with that I mixed my oils and let that sit in for a day before my hair was put back in a weave.

My braid removal process is just me taking the braids down I don’t put on thing on my hair while I’m taking them down and I use a wide tooth comb and after I wash and condition my hair. I usually leave my installs in for a month or 6 weeks it depends on how the hair looks after I have washed it. [It also helps with the detangling process. After I remove my braids, I slather my hair in conditioner and I gently detangle my hair in sections with a wide tooth comb. If you aren't doing this, it may help.] I’m not doing this and this might be a problem.
I am getting braids back to back which means I am going to have to think of another protective style. I wanted to try half wigs but I don’t like the way the rub up against my edges, maybe I can fix that.
 
chasturner84:
You have questions I have answers lol :grin:

My hair is in braids and weaves 90% of the time. I need to use different protective styles, but I don’t know what to do I don’t wear ponytails, because my edges aren’t in the best condition.

My hair feels pretty good, I am staying moistured but as for protein (don’t know what to do there). [I know you said that you keep your hair moisturized at all times, but if you're not doing anything to strengthen your hair, all the moisture you're pumping in it could be counterproductive] THIS IS EXACTLY MY PROBLEM, I BELIEVE!


My products as for the Dr. Miracles products I can say that I really love them, because they are keeping my hair healthy. As for the oils I love Tea Tree oil, the Olive oil is whatever probably won’t use it again once this bottle is done, and the JBCO is really good on my edges, with Mega-Tek I only use this on my edges before I condition my hair and wash my hair. The moisturizer that I use for my braids is African braid spray.


When I take my braids down I just take they down with no products at all and my hair as always been thick, like nice bouncy thick. Last year’s hair and this year’s hair: last year it was dryer and not as shiny this year it seems healthier.


Don't give up! There are too many of us here who have been at the point of not knowing what our next step is; we will definitely help you figure out the problem. THANKS :yep: :drunk:
 
AlliCat:

First off those 2 pics are decieving...in the second pic your hair is half up so I'm sure it's a lot fuller. I think the 6 week protecitve styling you're doing is great.

hair2.jpg


hair1-1.jpg


I know everyone is probably like you don’t use anything on when you take down your hair and I’m like nope, but I see that I might just be pulling the hair out because it’s so weak at that point (WHEN WILL I LEARN).

I believe I am a slow grown but I’m trying my hardest to correct my mistakes so that I can at least see a difference and I did get a trim because my ends were just all over the place but I guess I can stop doing that too.
 
divachyk:

This is my problem [Several years ago I had braids. Kept them in for about 6 weeks. I lost so much hair during the take down process it practically negated all growth. My edges suffered and it was just horrible] I just don’t know what I will do is I don’t have braids, as you can see I live and die by fake hair.


I think I’m just going to stay using my JBCO on my edges and keep my Tea Tree oil, I’m like whatever with my Olive oil. Yeah I think I need to do a style that will let my hair be out so that I can do the necessary treatments to it while still being protected.


I get what everyone is saying I need to basically find some new protective styles.
 
@ms.tatiana - You will be fine without "fake hair." Have you ever attempted bunning and/or using lobster clips to just clip up the hair? Jbco is great for your edges. It worked wonders for me. I don't have a use for TTO though. What are you using yours for? Evoo, evco and avocado are the oils that penetrate the strands so try to come to love your evoo. Check my blog for how I bun. YOU CAN DO IT! :yep:

ETA: Ceramides are good also. I use hemp and wheat germ. I have some sunflower oil but I don't rely on it often. I mix ceramides in my DC.

Not wearing "fake hair" will force you to find a weekly regi if you don't already have one. Do you have one? If so, what is it?
 
ms.tatiana said:
@AlliCat:

First off those 2 pics are decieving...in the second pic your hair is half up so I'm sure it's a lot fuller. I think the 6 week protecitve styling you're doing is great.

hair2.jpg


hair1-1.jpg


I know everyone is probably like you don’t use anything on when you take down your hair and I’m like nope, but I see that I might just be pulling the hair out because it’s so weak at that point (WHEN WILL I LEARN).

I believe I am a slow grown but I’m trying my hardest to correct my mistakes so that I can at least see a difference and I did get a trim because my ends were just all over the place but I guess I can stop doing that too.
Click to expand...

Thanks for posting more pics. Your hair looks healthy. for braid takedown I reallly really reccomend Mane n Tail detangler...that saves my hair every time: it has so much slip. Your ends look good so stop trimming for a while. Unless you have splits which you can always search and destroy to save length.

pleaseee try giving your hair a break between installs, at least 1-2 weeks. Maybe you feel naked without weave (so do i sometimes) but you have a decent hair length to put in a sock bun between installs...add hair to your bun if you have to. Or try a halfwig between installs (for problems with your edges try cutting out the combs...dont worry it will still stay secure and if anything a couple bobby pins will keep that sucker in place al day).
 
ms.tatiana said:
@Carisa:



I am going to be completely honest & say I usually get my installs put back in within 3 to 4 days after taking them down. I have never been the type to do my own hair, so it’s constantly braided I never wear ponytails or anything. 90% of the time its weaves and braids and for the other 10% I will wear my own hair.

I have heard a lot about co-washing and even watched some videos on youtube are there any conditioners you would suggest I use? I don’t use protein treatments (I don’t know what that really actually means). And no I am not relaxed, last relaxer was back in 2006. I never use a detangler when taking my braids out, maybe I should start.
Click to expand...



@ms.tatiana I like cheaper conditioners like vo5 (strawberries n milk), suave, or herbal essences for co-washing. Below I put links about/for protein treatments:

http://www.longhaircareforum.com/showthread.php?t=502376&highlight=protein+treatment

http://www.longhaircareforum.com/showthread.php?t=490488&highlight=protein+treatment

http://www.longhaircareforum.com/showthread.php?t=510232&highlight=protein+treatment

I also included some threads of advice from others who are growing their hair in braids-

http://www.longhaircareforum.com/showthread.php?t=457506&highlight=braids

http://www.longhaircareforum.com/showthread.php?t=528957&highlight=braids+for+growth
 
Last edited:
Here is my starting picture. After Clarify, and DC with KeraPro Intense Treatment. BTW , I love that conditioner, it is the best I have EVER used!!

IMG_0339-1.jpg
 
@divachyk
I have never tried to bun my hair, because my edges aren’t in the best shape to be shown, but I see you get your really slick maybe I can do a side bun or something like that. I can’t do hair at all. I use the Tree Tea oil for dry scalp, because the weaves make my scalp dry.
I just looked up ceramides and there is a lot of great things about them so I will have to look into some of the products that have that in them.

I don’t have a regimen at all as far as weekly, because I always have braids.


@AlliCat
Things to do:
-Get a detangler Mane n Tail.
-Relax on getting trims.
-Give my hair a break (From all my weaves & braids the real hard part).
-Try out half wigs [I have been eyeing Yasmine]

@Carisa
Thanks for all the links.
 
Last edited:
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top