Hair Growth Potential

[Sianna]

Hello all. I am very new to this site so if this thread was started incorrectly, someone please let me know!

I wanted to ask about hair growth because my hair has been short ever since I can remember. When I was a girl, my hair was longer then than it has ever been in my adult life, but was still nothing to brag about. I'm thinking that even at its longest point it never have surpassed shoulder length.

Since adolescents and into adulthood, my hair has probably never exceeded four inches of length! Recently, I've decided that this may have been due to chemicals that do not agree with my hair. Or improper care for relaxed hair. Not sure which.

Now that I have gone natural and am learning to take better care of my hair, I am optimistic that it will retain length better than it has in the past. I have also discovered that my hair grows faster than I thought it would, and it is healthier than it has ever been. My question is, has anyone here gone from always having really short hair, to having longer hair due to better treatment or going natural?

I am hoping to one day at least get to shoulder length, and hopefully as far as APL and slightly beyond, but I really don't know if this is a realistic aspiration for me.

Now I don't expect anyone to tell me how long my hair can grow, but I would like to hear your stories if you've been where I am now.

In short, I guess I just want some encouragement!

 

[Tif392002]

all i can say is i wish i would have went natural sooner. i see a 360 turn around in the health of my scalp and hair.. my hair had never been pass neck length really, but now im necklength and retaining the length so saying that, i know i will have no issue reaching shoulder length by dec 2010( 1 yr natural), and beyond.

keep positive and taking care of your hair, and u will be where u want to be.

 

[Eclass215]

I will testify that ever since I've joined this site, my hair is longer than it has ever been in my life. When I was relaxed, I think the longest was CBL - pre-LHCF natural, it was probably the same.

Now, I am past APL and so sure that I can grow further. Stay encouraged!!!

 

[YaniraNaturally]

My mom told me that as a child her hair never grew past EL (ear length). It was so short and damaged that her aunt had to use safety pins to attach ribbon at the end of her pigtails (when she was in elementary school). After coming to America, she had bouts of carelessness but eventually she got on board with her hair. Now, due to her constant protective styling, my mom's hair is probably scraping APL unstretched.

 

[My Friend]

I don't have a story yet but on my 1 yr anniversary I think I'm going to like my results

 

[Sianna]

I thank you all for responding! I really appreciate all the positive feedback!

My mom told me that as a child her hair never grew past EL (ear length). It was so short and damaged that her aunt had to use safety pins to attach ribbon at the end of her pigtails (when she was in elementary school). After coming to America, she had bouts of carelessness but eventually she got on board with her hair. Now, due to her constant protective styling, my mom's hair is probably scraping APL unstretched.

This was especially encouraging because I had always believed that childhood, pre-processed length dictated the length one could achieve as an adult.

Again I thank you all and hope to hear more stories of length turnaround!

 

[nymane]

Here are a couple of threads that should motivate & inspire you..enjoy:

http://www.longhaircareforum.com/showthread.php?t=327721

http://www.longhaircareforum.com/showthread.php?t=102697

 

[Nonie]

^^

And here's another thread with stories like the one you tell, and updates that squashed any doubts people had about their growth potential: http://www.longhaircareforum.com/showthread.php?t=449594

 

[jerseygurl]

Welcome newbie!!

I believe that all hair grows, it's what we do to it that determines how much it will grow. I used to get a touchup every six weeks and not wash my hair for weeks on end. At one point I had to cut to chin length and then discovered Cath Howse's book which helped turn my hair around.

After a disatrous braid takedown, my hair thinned out and broke off and I went from brushing APL back to just grazing SL. Then I discovered LHCF in 2008 and learned more about my hair and now I'm just brushing MBL and I grew my hair without growth aids and other help but good old common sense.

Now I'm transitioning and I'm learning all I can about my natural hair and I believe that I can grow my hair to MBL using the techniques I learned here.

Keep your chin up and everything will be okay

 

[Sianna]

Thanks for the thread links ladies! I really enjoyed reading the different stories!

Hopefully around this time next year or so, I'll be able to share my own!

 

[GL925]

I'm rooting for you Sianna.

 

[caribeandiva]

...My question is, has anyone here gone from always having really short hair, to having longer hair due to better treatment or going natural?

You are in the right place then. All you have to do is do a search and you'll find tons of encouraging threads. This is Long hair care forum after all. where all the blacks ladies with ridiculously long hair reside. Do a search for Macherieamour, Redhotlala, among others.

Some albums to get you started:

http://public.fotki.com/MsKibibi/

http://members.fotki.com/redhotlala/about/

http://members.fotki.com/ashleyhair/about/

 

[Sianna]

You ladies are AWESOME!!!

I really appreciate all of your comments, links and words of encouragement! I feel so welcomed and encouraged!

I'm going to stick to my current routine, "listen" to my hair, and let it grow to whatever length it can! I mentioned that my ultimate goal is APL, but if it wants to get longer than that I'll let it.

Least until it starts getting on my nerves.

And I know it will... :Blush2:

 

[teysmith]

welcome!
I'm in the same boat as you. I've never ever had long hair!! Still dont but I am so inspired. I believe withthought a doubt that my hair will grow long. Im just so excited and I cant wait!!! before I did the BC I was seeing a major change in my hair thanks to all of the advice and info I was getting here. But in the end I realized that the best thing for me to do was to just start over fresh.

You can do it!! your definately in the right place!!