Calling LHCF Old heads (newer heads too!)

[Iluvsmuhgrass]

During your time at LHCF what have you learned about YOUR hair? I know that it's easy to jump on bandwagons and to continually try what works for someone else's hair. I am curious to know from some of the ladies that have been on the board for a bit:

1. How long did it take you to figure out what works for YOUR HAIR?
2. What works for your hair?
3. What doesn't work for your hair?
4. Are you happy with your progress?
5. Do you consider progress to be length, health, or both?


~~~~~


My answers.

1. How long did it take you to figure out what works for YOUR HAIR? Only two years or so It's all about knowing YOUR hair. For example, this last 16 week stretch I've blow dried with a comb and an ionic dryer once a week and used a glycerin/water/moisture milk mix. Would you believe I've lost almost no hair during this time? My stylist even complimented and told me that my hair is gaining the former fullness back. It took a minute for me to figure out which techniques and products work for me lol.

2. What works for your hair? I have to comb/gently detangle because my hair (at a certain point during stretching ) , will begin to knot on itself even though it's relaxed. Even though I've had success with air drying (up to 8weeks post) my hair prefers a little direct heat. The longer my stretch, the less manipulation I try to do. I still have to detangle (unless I wash, DC, blow dry, and braid/twist/knot up)

3. What doesn't work for your hair? Um....shower detangling is the spawn of SATAN. Seriously you guys I lost sooooo much hair even though I was very gentle.

4. Are you happy with your progress? Actually yes. I switched relaxers (Mizani BB is awesome for my fine hair), I fine tuned my practices and it's working well right now.

5. Do you consider progress to be length, health, or both? Both but I value health over length. When my hair's happy it'll flourish. (Even if my style isn't all that cute)

 

[WaistLengthDreams]

bumping...

 

[SherylsTresses]

1. How long did it take you to figure out what works for YOUR HAIR?
9 months

2. What works for your hair?

• Using water-based moisturizers during stretches
• Detangling in the shower with a shower comb
• Washing/conditioning in sections during stretches
• Bunning and baggying when hair doesn't want to cooperate

3. What doesn't work for your hair?

• Oil-based moisturizers
• For some reason, when I do a braidout my ends get extremely dry and frizzy. Since then I've changed to water-based moisturizers so we'll see when I do another one.
  ETA: Putting anything on my dry scalp, it gives me the extreme itchies!

4. Are you happy with your progress?
No, I'll be satisfied when I'm full WL

5. Do you consider progress to be length, health, or both?
Health as I've had very long, damaged hair and didn't like it

 

[Supergirl]

1. How long did it take you to figure out what works for YOUR HAIR?
not too long, I was already kind of hair-aware (but not always practicing what I knew)

2. What works for your hair?
rollersetting, airdrying, salon brands, self trims, stretching

3. What doesn't work for your hair?
no/low mani, cowashing daily (could work, but I see it as unnecessary)

4. Are you happy with your progress?
most definitely

5. Do you consider progress to be length, health, or both?
health first, then length

 

[mscocoface]

1. How long did it take you to figure out what works for YOUR HAIR?
As it grows longer and thicker I am still making changes but for the basics about 2 years ago.
2. What works for your hair?
All things ayurvedic, butters, oils and home made spritzes and WATER or moisture of some type.
3. What doesn't work for your hair?
Lots of protein, cones and regular HEAT.
4. Are you happy with your progress?
With the exception of the unbelievable shrinkage and moody growth pattern
5. Do you consider progress to be length, health, or both?
Both

 

[mzsophisticated26]

1. How long did it take you to figure out what works for YOUR HAIR? [B]about 3 mths[/B]
2. What works for your hair? weekly or biweekly washes and DC. Simple routines my hair can't take too much of anything so try to keep it simple, spray moisturizers
3. What doesn't work for your hair? My thin hair can't take alot of washing or cowashing during the week. Also if I wear my hair out, I can't put any cream base moisturizers like Elasta QP mango butter. Just a dab of CHI silk infusion every 3days

4. Are you happy with your progress? yes extremely happy because I started with an overprocessed damaged short cut
5. Do you consider progress to be length, health, or both? both but you can see the progress in health more than growth

 

[jetbeauty09]

1. How long did it take you to figure out what works for YOUR HAIR?
I'm still figuring out what works! When I first BC'd, I had an idea of what products worked but right now its going back and forth. I do know that I have to detangle every other day, moisturize daily & DC 1-2 times a week.

2. What works for your hair? I have to comb/gently detangle every other day or I will have alot knots and tangles to CUT out of my hair. Its ridiculous.

3. What doesn't work for your hair? Motions repair treatment totally caked in my hair and I had knots for days. I haven't found too many things that I just can't do as I try to stick with my own thing so I don't have any setbacks. I have found that I can't have any style in for more than 6 weeks or my hair will have massive shedding & matty hair.

4. Are you happy with your progress? Actually yes. I do regret texturizing my hair on 1/1/09 b/c I could have so much more length instead of having to trim the relaxed ends away! Thats what I woud encourage all naturals to do- Stick with the journey at least a year before deciding being natural isn't for you (kind of an oxymoron but you get my drift). You have enough hair to decide really whats best. I gave up when I had only a TWA and only after 3-4 months!

5. Do you consider progress to be length, health, or both? Both but I value health over length. When my hair's happy it'll flourish.

 

[Iluvsmuhgrass]

The main reason I wanted to post this is to attempt to let the newbies know that they don't have to go out and buy everything under the sun or continue to do something that doesn't work with/for their hair.

MSA's post about researching and doing what works for YOUR hair a while back struck a chord. I finally found my groove and it made me happy lol. Just wanted to share and help.

 

[butterfly_wings]

1. How long did it take you to figure out what works for YOUR HAIR?
About 1 year
2. What works for your hair?
Shea butter and Coconut oil on semi dry hair (not wet)
3. What doesn't work for your hair?
Stretching my relaxers
4. Are you happy with your progress?
Yes
5. Do you consider progress to be length, health, or both?
Both but at the moment I am only seeing health

 

[msa]

1. How long did it take you to figure out what works for YOUR HAIR?
I'm still trying to decide what works the best for my hair (and my lifestyle). I've been on the board for 1.5 years and in that time I've tried several different regimens for a few months each. I'm pretty sure I've found the best one right now but in the future it may be something different. I don't mind changing things if they're not working.

2. What works for your hair?
-Keeping it conditioned and moisturized. I can actually go for a month without getting my hair wet (though I don't often) as long as I moisturize my hair and scalp.

-Staying in "lazy" styles (protective styles that don't require daily manipulation/combing). They work the best for me because I don't like having to prep my hair every night and all the manipulation required just breaks my hair off.

-Not using synthetic products or anything that doesn't truly add moisture to my hair.

3. What doesn't work for your hair?
Being lazy with my regimen. That's the main source of all of my problems. Not tying my hair up, sleeping with loose hair, not moisturizing, not braiding my hair, etc. etc. When I don't do what I'm supposed to do, my hair suffers.

The biggest thing that doesn't work for me is being rough with my hair. If I'm not gentle with detangling (like super gentle) and braiding I break lots of hairs since they like to wrap around each other. So I'm trying to be more conscious of it and not rush when trying to do my hair.

4. Are you happy with your progress?
Yes. I haven't had the progress of some other people but I'm happy with what I have. A couple of years ago I had bald spots from shedding due to medication I was on and I don't have any bald spots now. And, my hair is much softer than it's ever been before and I'm really happy about that.

5. Do you consider progress to be length, health, or both?
In real life, progress to me is about having hair that I'm proud of. I like it to be soft and look good (so I guess health). On the hair board, progress is about length. I haven't had too much of that but the length will come so I'm not too worried about it.

Great thread!

 

[SVT]

1. How long did it take you to figure out what works for YOUR HAIR?
I think I hit my stride in 2003/2004. Been on hairboards since 2001.

2. What works for your hair?
wng, minimal heat, coconut oil, regular conditioning treatments

3. What doesn't work for your hair?
weekly flatironing

4. Are you happy with your progress?
I want my growth to be a little faster but I'm aight.

5. Do you consider progress to be length, health, or both?
I want results in both categories but I'm more for health so maybe 90% health and 10% length.

 

[Babygurl]

1. How long did it take you to figure out what works for YOUR HAIR?
I think it took about a year to fully figure out exactly what my hair needed, and that was simply to be left alone. In that first year I had to really narrow the products and methods down to what was working. Trying different products and methods was interesting but not always fun.

2. What works for your hair?
Bunning, low to NO heat, weekly deep conditioning, stretching relaxers, and minimal manipulation were the best methods for my hair.

3. What doesn't work for your hair?
Blow drying and direct heat in general are still enemies to me, I still keep direct heat usage to a minimum.

4. Are you happy with your progress?
I am VERY happy with my progress, and am happy to be at a place where Im maintaining and not having to stress so much about the length or health of my hair anymore. I can be a bit hair lazy at times, but thankfully I can bounce back with no problems.

5. Do you consider progress to be length, health, or both?
Progress is both length and health, my goal was always to have long hair, but I would not have been happy if it was long and didn't look healthy.

 

[Lovestyr]

Interesting responses..I am taking notes.lol

 

[mango387]

During your time at LHCF what have you learned about YOUR hair? I know that it's easy to jump on bandwagons and to continually try what works for someone else's hair. I am curious to know from some of the ladies that have been on the board for a bit:

1. How long did it take you to figure out what works for YOUR HAIR?

It took three years actually. My hair has always been at least shoulder length. If it was a good year, then it would grow to APL. I wanted my hair to be BSL, but it looked like I had the slowest growing hair even with diet and exercise. Well, it turns out that I had a medical problem that was preventing my hair from growing among other things. LADIES, IF YOUR HAIR IS NOT GROWING, PLEASE GET YOUR THYROID, GLUCOSE LEVEL, AND OVERALL HEALTH CHECKED. Really slow hair growth is NOT normal.

2. What works for your hair?
Exercise
Air-drying
Deep conditioning at least once a week

3. What doesn't work for your hair?
Gel
Co-washing

4. Are you happy with your progress?
Now, I am. I am SLOWLY inching past APL now that my health is a little better.

5. Do you consider progress to be length, health, or both?
I consider progress to include length and thickness. I am gaining both.

~~~~~

 

[tocktick]

I've been here by 2007, so I'm not old-head status but I've been here for a while.

1. How long did it take you to figure out what works for YOUR HAIR?

I had the basics figured out pretty quickly. However, I personally think that it's only over these past few weeks that I've really fine-tuned my hair care regimen. Most importantly, I've learnt that there is no point knowing what works for your hair if you're not going to be consistent.

2. What works for your hair?

* Careful protective styling. When I don't protective style properly, my hair suffers.
* Bentonite clay - it makes my hair more manageable
* Oils (castor oil & olive oil)
* Low manipulation in general. I only comb every 2-3 weeks and finger comb the rest of the time.
* Lots of moisture!

3. What doesn't work for your hair?

* Not following the above
* Butters

4. Are you happy with your progress?

I believe if I hadn't trimmed so much in the first year and at other points during my journey, I could have been grazing MBL but I'm APL now (in fact, I got to APL in March but cut in May to between SL and APL, my hair has only just got back to APL this month). When I think of it that way, it is very easy to be disappointed. However, I think about how I have now fine-tuned my regimen and have learnt more about my hair within these few weeks than I have at any other point in my journey. This year taught me that I don't really want to lose length through frustration and I've finally learnt that if I want to see length, I have to put the scissors down and care for my hair properly. When I reach WL next year (fingers crossed), it will be very healthy!

5. Do you consider progress to be length, health, or both?

Both. When you neglect the health of your hair, you will most likely eventually end up having to sacrifice length! I learnt the hard way. If I focus on health, the length will come.

 

[brucebettye]

1. How long did it take you to figure out what works for YOUR HAIR?
About 6 months

2.What works for your hair?
SCurl, Motions, Olive oil, castor oil, hair grease on my ends and I sometimes grease my scalp (once a week), deep conditioning my hair, ACV, Assuie Moist, and Eco Styler Olive Oil gel(I love this stuff). I also texlax my hair twice a year.

3. What doesn't work for your hair?
Heat and combing my hair daily since my curls look better without doing that(even though I end up with a hair ball when I do comb)

4. Are you happy with your progress?
Yes and I love my texlaxed hair

5. Do you consider progress to be length, health, or both?
Both and my hair is happy healthy and growing.
__________________

 

[Highly Favored8]

1. How long did it take you to figure out what works for YOUR HAIR?
When I first joined this board 1 year.


2. What works for your hair?
Protien Treatments I was hyped on Aphogee now my hair is responding very well to Dudley DRC **thank you Gymfreak**, Alma oil, JBCO, Patience hair oil, beemine, lacio,lacio. Protective styling.

3. What doesn't work for your hair?
Stretching without seeing how long my hair can stretch. Co-washing daily.

4. Are you happy with your progress?
Yes, when I started on the board I was APL then I went back to SL and then I was APL again and now I am at NL so I will be full thick, healthy, APL by this time next summer. Even with my setbacks I know why the setbacks happened and what I can do to prevent them from comming back in the future.

5. Do you consider progress to be length, health, or both?
I consider them to be both. I cannot have one without the other. What good is length when my ends look raggley.