Have you been at this for 2+ years and are still unsatisfied/disappointed

[missnappylady]

My hair is definitely not the length I thought it would be by now but, it's so much healthier than I can remember it ever being.

 

[CHECKMATE!]

ladies don't be discouraged,just keep protective styling and not trimming,you will see progress

 

[Ladyhenri]

I was happy till november when a matted hair set back halved my fullness.

I'm still shocked at my current length(in a good way), but i need that fullness back to really be happy

 

[blazingthru]

I am both disappointed and yet not. I am disappointed that I haven't reached my second goal of Armpit. I should be over the moon I reached my first goal still, but it lost its flavor after 2.5 years still below shoulder I am about an inch or so from ARMPIT but its 5 months shy of 3 years. I had hoped to be BraStrap in three years. Oh well. I am not disappointed because my hair is healthy and I am happy its growing. slower then I would like but its growing. I am not using growth aids anymore. My scalp is to senstive, I have to let my hair grow at its own pace. I just have to grin and bear it and so I do. I been here since 2005 I transition 6 months before I did the BC I didn't have to many set backs, I colored my hair- horrible that tore up my scalp but I really didn't lose any hair but I have since trimmed all the color away but thats a total of three inches. I have only had three trims since I did the BC and still haven't reached Armp, then I had a set back in August when the braider cut my hair off. but MT brought it all back, but really didn't work much for me after that. So I stoppped using it in October. I just use natural oils and essential oils to nourish my hair and hope for the best.

 

[Caramela]

Well, we've all had setbacks at one point or another. I remember my first set back was when the back half of my hair (from crown to nape) had reached apl but the front half of my hair was thin and breaking due to using too much mousse with my wet sets and ripping through my crunchy stiff curls .. another time it was from heat damage from curling irons, then I had fried ends from blowdrying (although I thought the blowdrying I was doing was causing minimal damage because I was using the warm setting. I was wrong. Anyway, my hair is probably the longest it's ever been right now, but it's pretty boring. I keep it in a bun most days. But I acheived my hair goals, healthy long hair... I had to sacrifice style (until I learned the joys of 1/2 wigs) and I gave up heat (for the most part, I do get an occasional itch to flat iron or hot comb my hair) ... all in all, it's a journey and you'll have set backs, but don't give up. You'll get there eventually after you find out what works for you and your hair!!!

 

[Naturelle]

I did the big chop twice in 3 years and I wasn't disappointed until I came acorss this site early 2008.

So many beautiful heads of hair long and healthy. I thought mine was pretty good but after seeing hair that was long and natural only months after bc's I started to doubt my progress.

My hair is past SL maybe almost APL and that is stretched. I feel so stagnant tho and I don't want to be constantly badgering my hair to grow, but I just can't seem to let her do her own thing to grow.

I wish my hair was APL unstretched now or WL unstretched now...but then I have a feeling I'd be wishing for longer lengths too if I were to achieve any of those now.

Seems like a never ending cycle erplexed

 

[locabouthair]

Well, we've all had setbacks at one point or another. I remember my first set back was when the back half of my hair (from crown to nape) had reached apl but the front half of my hair was thin and breaking due to using too much mousse with my wet sets and ripping through my crunchy stiff curls .. another time it was from heat damage from curling irons, then I had fried ends from blowdrying (although I thought the blowdrying I was doing was causing minimal damage because I was using the warm setting. I was wrong. Anyway, my hair is probably the longest it's ever been right now, but it's pretty boring. I keep it in a bun most days. But I acheived my hair goals, healthy long hair... I had to sacrifice style (until I learned the joys of 1/2 wigs) and I gave up heat (for the most part, I do get an occasional itch to flat iron or hot comb my hair) ... all in all, it's a journey and you'll have set backs, but don't give up. You'll get there eventually after you find out what works for you and your hair!!!

my stylist used to do this to me. I stopped going...

 

[trinidarkie1]

I don't have the benefit of time to read through the entire thread, so I'm sorry if this was discussed and sorry for not acknowledging any one.

I've been on this board for 4 years, FOUR YEARS! I've tried some of every thing, as consistently as possible and I still have not even gotten to my nape. My hair still breaks a lot. If I touch my hair it breaks. It's not brittle, but I have split ends pretty high up my shaft.

I've deduced that my hair has been overprocessed almost to the roots, which means that I would have been donig horrible relaxers for the past few years. *hangs head in shame* Now I'm on the road to going natural again. I miss having that beautiful thick long hair that I had as a teen and a young adult. My hair isn't any thing like it used to be.

I'm not capable of donig the whole mega vitamins and all that hard core supplement stuff, I just can't keep it up and it becomes expensive. My hair is now up to about 2 inches of new growth since I began my road to transition in July.

Some thing has to give! I feel so ashamed of my hair

 

[septemberbaby]

I dont want this to be a sad thread, but I'm just curious. I see alot of you have been at this for a long time and still arent completely satisfied with the current state of your hair. I for one am unhappy. But I cant blame anyone but myself. I started this journey in 2005 with Neck length hair. I was able to get to APL in 12 months....and then I stopped with the TLC. I really thought I was hot stuff with my little old APL hair. I was getting stares, compliments, and a whole lotta attention from Men so I said, "to hell with all that bunning." I wanted to wear it down EVERY DAY and started blowdrying twice a week and pretty soon I ended up cutting alot of it off and starting over at shoulder length. Now my hair is back to where it was when I stopped before(APL), but had I never stopped in the first place I KNOW I'd be BSL+ by now. I could slap myself

So whats your reason for not being where you thought you would by now? What set backs or road bumps have you hit along the way?

So whats your reason for not being where you thought you would by now?

Reason: Health issues (thyroid disease) and my own neglect. My hair has gotten very thin and dry since having thyroid disease. I lose a lot of hair (broken & shedded) everyday. I get VERY frustrated because no matter what/how much/how little I do, it just won't stay on my head. So I stop caring for it, it gets worse, then the cycle just continues.

What set backs or road bumps have you hit along the way?
Setbacks: I know over the summer I was blow-drying after every wash because it was too hot to do rollersets and sit under a dryer.

Recently, I've been inspired by DLewis's hair blog as she grows her hair back to BSL. So, I'm back to taking my vitamins everyday, drinking my water, eating lots of fruits/veggies/protein, deep conditioning every week, no direct heat. Rollersetting is too much manipulation for me right now. I'm going back to protective styling with half-wigs.

 

[wish4length]

I would be at BSL by now, but I am at the base of my neck....
My close friend from childhood died of cancer and a cut all of it off.
I don't regret it, but I'm getting tired of this "short" length

 

[beans4reezy]

Lexi, girl I know what you mean. I've been on the hairboards longer than you and I'm nowhere near my goal. I think my setbacks are overprocessing and airdrying. I also got slack im my hair regimen. Hopefully one day soon I'll get it right......being a PJ does not help.

*********************************************

Why would air drying cause a set back? I thought this was more beneficial to your hair than drying with heat.

 

[FunkyDiva]

I was disappointed until I BC'd now I am 100% satisfied and looking forward to it growing faster and healthier

 

[Galadriel]

I made APL in August, but then I got a big trim b/c I'm getting rid of some weird layers (they're gone now) and scraggly see through ends. I have a blunt cut, and I'm about 1.5 inches away from APL.
One setback I had earlier this year was using a product (that I didn't know had stripping qualities) and stripped my hair dry!!! It took me a month or two to bounce back from that.
This is how I wore my hair for Thanksgiving. I'm satisfied, and I'm hoping to make APL within two months (sorry about the big pic size):

 

[JessCNU]

very pretty!

 

[malachi74]

I made APL in August, but then I got a big trim b/c I'm getting rid of some weird layers (they're gone now) and scraggly see through ends. I have a blunt cut, and I'm about 1.5 inches away from APL.
One setback I had earlier this year was using a product (that I didn't know had stripping qualities) and stripped my hair dry!!!

Just curious, but what product were you using that caused your hair to be stripped?

I am happy with my progress. I just got a trim last night and I'm in the same spot Galadriel is now. I hope to make BSL or more in 2009.

My major issue is that I still haven't figured out the frequency at which I should be doing protein treatment. My hair feels fine one day then the next day I have breakage and have to rush to do a protein. I want the breakage to stop or at least I want to be able to gauge the frequency at which to apply so my hair never has a weak period.

 

[chicacanella]

No, I'm happy.

BSL and happy after 2 years of being on here. I guess I shouldn't be in the thread if I am happy, huh?

 

[Galadriel]

Just curious, but what product were you using that caused your hair to be stripped?

I am happy with my progress. I just got a trim last night and I'm in the same spot Galadriel is now. I hope to make BSL or more in 2009.

It was this:

I guess it just wasn't for me?

 

[Faith]

I voted for my hair is doing well and is where I expeect it to be..but actually it's doing better than I expected it to be. Last time I went natural I was about 21" from hairline back at month 27. This time round at month 27 (which was in Sept 2008) I was 23" from hairline back. So I'm about 2" ahead of the game.
What I kind has helped this time around is staying consistent. I tried some foolish things last time around. Nothing this time. I just moisturize and protect. Nothing fancy. I also know what my hair likes and doesn't lilke. Just keep it really basic.

 

[BrooklynSouth]

Nah, not really. I am so sorry I was not sure about transisitioning when I started on the forum. I was transfixed by the beautiful,long, relaxed hair ladies like KIniKakes, Sylver, etc.so decided to keep relaxing. I studied the transitioners like SouthernTease, LynnieB and a few others but was so scared to deal with natural hair. I love the way they've progressed both natural and relaxed. I am sorry I didn't take the plunge earlier but I've learned a lot during the years about care and products. I can only imagine where I'd be in my natural hair length now but..hey..dems da breaks-literally and figuratively.

 

[hothair]

Signed up July 2006 didn't really start anything till February 2007 my hair condition has improved greatly, it's not dry anymore (CHRONIC problem) my hair's grown - not yet to any length its never been b4 but once I get to APL i'll finally begin to feel all this is worth it - I hope!

 

[hothair]

Signed up July 2006 didn't really start anything till February 2007 my hair condition has improved greatly, it's not dry anymore (CHRONIC problem) my hair's grown - not yet to any length its never been b4 but once I get to APL i'll finally begin to feel all this is worth it - I hope!

 

[trinidarkie1]

*********************************************

Why would air drying cause a set back? I thought this was more beneficial to your hair than drying with heat.

I'd like to know as well.

 

[BirdieGray]

I made APL in August, but then I got a big trim b/c I'm getting rid of some weird layers (they're gone now) and scraggly see through ends. I have a blunt cut, and I'm about 1.5 inches away from APL.
One setback I had earlier this year was using a product (that I didn't know had stripping qualities) and stripped my hair dry!!! It took me a month or two to bounce back from that.
This is how I wore my hair for Thanksgiving. I'm satisfied, and I'm hoping to make APL within two months (sorry about the big pic size):

That sure is a purdy color. I love the blunt cut, too.

 

[Mortons]

I have yet to reach anywhere past APL. No matter what i do.

 

[Junebug D]

That is so me. I first joined hair boards in 2002 (this one in 2003) and I'm still not satisfied. I've gone through FOUR big chops since 2003.

 

[asubeauty]

I made APL in August, but then I got a big trim b/c I'm getting rid of some weird layers (they're gone now) and scraggly see through ends. I have a blunt cut, and I'm about 1.5 inches away from APL.
One setback I had earlier this year was using a product (that I didn't know had stripping qualities) and stripped my hair dry!!! It took me a month or two to bounce back from that.
This is how I wore my hair for Thanksgiving. I'm satisfied, and I'm hoping to make APL within two months (sorry about the big pic size):

OMG, that color is beautiful!!! How did you get it?

 

[fivetimestwo]

I've been here since Aug. 06 and I started out as a half-hearted lurker. So I was "sorta" taking care or my hair (which was natural at the time). My hair gradually got healthier, but it didn't seem like I was gaining any length. Once My hair got to bsl, I began having problems with knots and breakage. I felt that the solution to this (along with my disdain for shrinkage) was to texlax in June of this year. I feel that I did the right thing, but I still wasn't seeing as much progress as I would've liked. Then a light bulb went off in my head! I realized that I had been working out for about 18 months and I sweat A LOT in my scalp....yet I didn't always rinse/cowash/wash my hair after a workout (I know, gross ). I think that the sweat was doing something to hinder my progress and now that I cowash almost everyday, I am finally seeing progress.

 

[I_shure_do_wish]

I dont want to sound so drepressed, but I feel like im going in circles with no end in sight. I haave been neck length for 3 long years.

Lets see I first found the site in 2005 and lurked for almost a year before getting a paid subscription. Unfortunately in that year all I picked up was a ton load of products with no full understanding of the benefits of each product and the age old saying (on this board) that not every product works for everyone. Unfortunately I learned that miles down the road.

2006 : I joined and learned so many new things unfortunately I still didn't grasp basic conepts and did everything carelessly. By this time I was still doing the same ol habits that I knew were harming my hair. Lesson learned, and I finnally established the idea of creating a REGIMEN....although I still didn't sit down and look at a routine to follow.

2007 The year I started to become a little more focused you could say... I learned and shared my new found knowledge with my friends. I started to see changes but I still managed to fall back too many times. And I was a PJ I had no set regimen which became my downfall.

2008 This year was the year reality struck for me. I realized I wasted two years on nothign my hair hadn't improved but got worse. No one to blame but myself. FINALLY I took on a regimen and motivated myself to keep going. Now that I know what I know I should be able to see results in 2009!

TODAY Almost had a heart attack today when I took out my single braids and did finger comb my hair before washing it. Unfortuantely it all matted and I spent the last 3 hours brushing the knots out....result two tennis ball sized clumos of hair. Im devasted but I will keep going. I learn from mistakes so I wont make them again.

LESSON HERE: Becomming a PJ doesn't help, keep learning, stick a regimen. "Dont show off cause it will only fall off." <- something I told a friend, and experiment in moderation to see what works best for you.

 

[FAMUDva]

Yep, but my goals have changed.

I'm disappointed that I don't have hair down to my waist, but last year, I decided I'd rather natural hair down to my bra (MBL straightened). So, hopefully I can check back in another 2 yrs and feel more successful .

 

[Galadriel]

OMG, that color is beautiful!!! How did you get it?

Colorshowers! (It's the Rojissimo, I believe). I shoved it in my hairstylist's face and had her put it on for me.