kwicherbichen
Member
MY HAIR IS IMPOSSIBLE: It never grows past 5 - 7 inches. No matter what.
note: to follow my journey, subscribe to this thread. Updates within!
Hi all! Long time lurker, first time poster.
I am on a mission. I am determined to figure out how to grow my hair long. I have the toughest, roughest, most fragile hair in the world. I give others hair advice and their hair grows to lengths mine cannot even begin to imagine. My hair is ear/chin length and has been so MY ENTIRE LIFE (whether relaxed or natural). I am constantly fighting set backs or staying stagnant. I really need your help. (If this is too long to read, scroll to the end of this post)
Here's my regimen:
I've determined that at this point, what is holding me back is my horrible split ends. They're not just any kind of split end. I have every sign of damage described in the below graphic:
At first, I started with the basics:
To my dismay, it didn't work. My hair is still had the issues in that picture!! I then found out about the terms I mentioned above. I have bubble hair. Incomplete splits. Mid-shaft splitting. Trichorrhexis nodosa. Whatever you want to call it. I even made a video about it out of desperation (click here)!
Here is the advice I am reading about this condition that I am working on, but I need help because this is a bit confusing.
Those two are the only two things I have yet to address. So I'm addressing them. Except for the whole do not stretch your hair thing. I don't understand wtf to do about that at this point.
Would love love love love opinions or shared experiences. Thankyou
*for those googling*
Bubble Hair/Incomplete Split Hair/Mid-shaft Splits/Trichorrhexis nodosa
note: to follow my journey, subscribe to this thread. Updates within!
Hi all! Long time lurker, first time poster.
I am on a mission. I am determined to figure out how to grow my hair long. I have the toughest, roughest, most fragile hair in the world. I give others hair advice and their hair grows to lengths mine cannot even begin to imagine. My hair is ear/chin length and has been so MY ENTIRE LIFE (whether relaxed or natural). I am constantly fighting set backs or staying stagnant. I really need your help. (If this is too long to read, scroll to the end of this post)
Here's my regimen:
Once or twice a month, I wash with bentonite clay, condition with coconut creme + yogurt, use diluted Trader Joe's conditioner + oil as a leave in. Stretch while wet into flat twists and use a low-tension wig with some leave out in the front. Leave hair alone (with occasional oil + moisture application and scalp massage) and wear wig daily. Repeat next month.
I've determined that at this point, what is holding me back is my horrible split ends. They're not just any kind of split end. I have every sign of damage described in the below graphic:
At first, I started with the basics:
- maintained good moisture/protein balance (took me FOREVER, but finally figured out how to get my hair to not feel like a brillo-pad as I worked with "pinkecube" and "miss dee kay" to create the max hydration method)
No more use of combs (finger detangle only)
Trim ends regularly
Co-wash (no shampoo) and use only natural products that do not leave build up
Protect hair at night and use of protective styles 99% of the time
Absolutely no heat
Use ph-balanced hair products (except for bentonite clay. I notice using too much baking soda causes more split ends, so I just stopped using it all together)
To my dismay, it didn't work. My hair is still had the issues in that picture!! I then found out about the terms I mentioned above. I have bubble hair. Incomplete splits. Mid-shaft splitting. Trichorrhexis nodosa. Whatever you want to call it. I even made a video about it out of desperation (click here)!
Here is the advice I am reading about this condition that I am working on, but I need help because this is a bit confusing.
"Avoid or reduce frequency of stretching. This one can be hard to avoid or give up, especially if you have extremely kinky hair and/or long hair, since those particular groups (myself included) tend to utilize stretching to diminish tangling. Stretching kinky hair puts strain on the kinks, the weakest part of afro hair where the strands themselves twist within the curl, and leaves the cuticles, which are accustomed to lying as flat as possible against curls and kinks, partially raised in those areas. The kinkier the hair, the more prone to damage at those weak points, hence mid-shaft splits." - what.the.HELL?? How are we supposed to prevent tangles and breakage WITHOUT stretching? We're damned if we do, damned if we don't??
4) Diet low in zinc, iron, and/or Vitamin B-12:
A deficiency in any of these nutrients can result in weaker strands (and thus breakage) or even hair loss. Taking a good multivitamin on a daily basis can ensure that you are receiving a sufficient amount of these nutrients. If you are severely deficient in zinc or iron (e.g., anemia), I highly recommend that you see a doctor. - I've been working on this and already I *believe* there is a reduction in hairs I find on the floor when I co-wash. But not sure yet
Those two are the only two things I have yet to address. So I'm addressing them. Except for the whole do not stretch your hair thing. I don't understand wtf to do about that at this point.
Would love love love love opinions or shared experiences. Thankyou
*for those googling*
Bubble Hair/Incomplete Split Hair/Mid-shaft Splits/Trichorrhexis nodosa
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