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

[nomoweavesfome]

Although my hair is the longest it's ever been and I should be satisfied, I'm not. It's been 3 years and I should have been much much more ahead in my goals. I do want to give up and I just might as far as growing long long hair, but I'll always have healthy hair regardless because of what I have learned on here.

 

[TrueBeliever]

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?

I did the same thing you did except my hair wasn't even APL yet. After 7 months growing nicely and in good condition, I decided I could abuse it. Well, it broke off in 2 months and I had to start over with less hair than I had when I started in the first place.

 

[lexi84]

I did the same thing you did except my hair wasn't even APL yet. After 7 months growing nicely and in good condition, I decided I could abuse it. Well, it broke off in 2 months and I had to start over with less hair than I had when I started in the first place.

Wow that has to hurt, but thats what happens. I'll never make that mistake again.

 

[Chevelure618]

This is the end of my 2nd year. And I have to say that I thought my hair would be longer. But I am NOT disappointed with its condition. I had bone straight, thin, lifeless hair. My natural hair is thick. Now I am totally texlaxed with a few broken areas on my right side, but it it thick, thick and beautiful. So this year, my third, will be my year for growth. I'm really interested in seeing just how long my hair can get. I've never left it alone long enough to see its terminal length. I've learned that I have to baby, baby baby it. I've reconditioned myself out of bad practices that I think a lot of black women have with their hair, for instance thinking it is strong just because it is coarse so combing it too hard etc.

I know its been 2 years, but I'm not giving up... I LOVE long hair and I just need 4 more inches for all the heads to turn.

 

[Nayeli]

The end of August would make it two years for me. I'm satisfied. A bit disappointed because I am still looking for the perfect mix of products, and I thought I'd be past that stage by now. As far as my progress goes, I'm probably where I thought I'd be.

Need more thickness though.

 

[makea84]

This is the end of my 2nd year. And I have to say that I thought my hair would be longer. But I am NOT disappointed with its condition. I had bone straight, thin, lifeless hair. My natural hair is thick. Now I am totally texlaxed with a few broken areas on my right side, but it it thick, thick and beautiful. So this year, my third, will be my year for growth. I'm really interested in seeing just how long my hair can get. I've never left it alone long enough to see its terminal length. I've learned that I have to baby, baby baby it. I've reconditioned myself out of bad practices that I think a lot of black women have with their hair, for instance thinking it is strong just because it is coarse so combing it too hard etc.

I know its been 2 years, but I'm not giving up... I LOVE long hair and I just need 4 more inches for all the heads to turn.

does texlaxed mean texturizer? i am new to the forum. I'm debating getting a texturizer to see if my curls will loosen for better managability. I believe I am a 4b hair type.

 

[prospurr4]

does texlaxed mean texturizer? i am new to the forum. I'm debating getting a texturizer to see if my curls will loosen for better managability. I believe I am a 4b hair type.

First of all, welcome to LHCF!

Texlaxed means intentionally underprocessing the hair during a relaxer touchup. There are various degrees of texlaxing, depending on how straight your want your hair and/or how much of your natural texture you want to retain. Personally, I texlax for half the recommended time for my hair type (4b, not much curl, mostly kinks) to get straight, so I have quite a bit of texture when done.

 

[RedVelvet310]

No way. I haven't hit my 2yr mark yet (Next February will be the 2 year mark!) and I'm expecting my hair to be BUTTER then . Some days I wish I knew how to take care of my hair the 1st year, because that was all trial and LOTS of error for me. It's all about knowing what works for you, and understand what worked for you yesterday may not work tomorrow. You have to evole with your hair and its needs

 

[Kalani]

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.?

I've had almost the same experience. I started in 2003. I think my hair was barely shoulder length and I wanted to get to bra strap then waist length. Well here we are in 2009 and I'm barely bra strap. My set backs were mostly due to slacking off, and a couple occasions trial and error (things I tried that worked well for others but did not go over well with my own hair erplexed). Anyway, due to the damage I've had to cut it numerous times since my journey.

I'm okay with with right now as far as health but I just wish it could have been a lot longer by now (at least full bra strap, thick root to tip).

 

[Lady Esquire]

I started this journey in 2005, and mostly transitioned, kept trimming relaxed ends.

Late 2005, I did the BC.
In 2006, I relaxed my ear length hair.
In 2007, I was APL.
In 2008, I hit BSL.

Along the way, I had setbacks mainly dealing with texlaxed matting and airdrying. But I hit my true epiphany in 2008. My regimen was smooth, and I would go through months and barely see any breakage. But then I got pregnant in late '08 and now I am dealing with tons of postpartum shedding and some breakage, which has definitely stalled my progress.

But I look at this as a chance to revamp my regimen and trim off bone straight ends, since I am mainly texlaxed. Its a learning process and I am confident that I am approaching a stage where I truly understand my hair. Overall, to answer your question, I am satisfied because its been steady growth with setbacks that taught me something valuable each time.

 

[loulou82]

I'm "o.k" with my progress. I found the hair boards and decided to transition a few months later so I lost about 5-6 inches from transitioning to natural hair. I am anxious to see how far I come 2 years after my BC.

 

[beans4reezy]

Has there been a spin-off thread in response to this one? I'd like to see ladies who have been here for 2+ years and who are happy/ecstatic about their progress.

 

[curlcomplexity]

Healthwise...no. Lengthwise, yes.

My hair has thrived since I joined almost 4 years ago, its much healthier. It is thick and full, strong and beautiful! However, I expected to be at least waistlength last year and I stil haven't reached that goal. I am happy with MBL, but I would love to see my hair at WSL.

 

[Sharpened]

I just need to quit being lazy and leave the scissors alone. My last "professional" cut (an uneven disaster!) hopefully has cured me for good.

 

[KynniB]

yes. im disappointed that i didnt know dye would straighten my hair into loose waves. Im disappointed i keep wanting to try new techniques instead of sticking to what i know works for me. Im disappointed that im a PJ with a bad memory and i keep buying the same products over an over again because i forgot if i liked/ didnt like them.

 

[DaPPeR]

Me!Justtt reachin SL after 2 years.smh

 

[Firstborn2]

I've been on my journey for 2yrs now and I have myself to blame, don't get me wrong, my hair is extremely healthy and I couldn't be more happy. But it's the length that I lack, I've been stuck at armpit for a while. It's my addiction to the scissors. If I can keep them out of my hands I will be fine...I'm trying hard to obtain a few inches by the end of the year, so I will be braiding just so I don't have to look at my ends...

 

[kinkycotton]

Minor setback.
During training I had some breakage on my right side. But it's just hair, it'll grow back.
>>shrug<<

But I'm fine. I'm well past SL....maybe 2 inches from APL.

But I'm transitioning right so I'm cutting anyway. I could really care less about length. So long as the hair is healthy and thick.
I'ma be in sew-ins for a good 6 months (with intermittent breaks in between).

Off topic: congrats on not deploying. This would of been #3 for my DH if his unit didn't change mission. "whew".

 

[Liege4421]

Well I haven't been at this for even a year yet, and I already have started to fall off the wagon. I guess I'm disappointed that I haven't been disciplined enough to prevent "life" from overcoming my hair/fitness goals. Oh well, tomorrow's a new day so I can always start fresh again!

 

[JollyGal]

Group hugs for all you ladies.

Your experiences are inspiring because you are not giving up.

Keep your heads up and your hair flowing.

You will all reach your goals soon.

I haven't been on this board or BHM long enough to comment (1 year) I'm a bit disappointed about my progress thus far but know that if I tweak my regimen a little or remain patient, healthy and positive- my hair will reward me.

Lawd knows I've had many setbacks.

 

[Lovestyr]

At this time my hair growth success has been okay. I dont have any discouragements or regrets I think it will be the length I want it to be in time.

 

[hothair]

Ignoring my join date my active participation in HHG was Feb 2007 like a few posters have mentioned, I grew my hair to almost APL my longest ever and started feeling myself and it all chopped off (Dec2008) so I restarted earlier this year and i'm not ecstatic with my length but very happy with the condition of my hair...

 

[Neith]

I would be nearly full shoulder and partial APL if I had not BC'd.

If I would have kept my hair natural instead of texlaxing 2 years ago, I would have APL - BSL natural hair.



Ah well. I'll get there. There is no way a relaxer will touch my hair.

If anyone ever sees me talking about relaxing... smack some sense into me please!

 

[imanc84]

I can't say that I am completely dissatisfied, just a little disappointed. I go on hiatus' all the time and wear weaves and don't take care of my hair as much as I should, so I am the one to blame for that. I just get sick of my hair sometimes, but I just took my monthly pic after going at my hair hard for the past two months, and my hair is the longest it has ever been. Sooooo.... My hair has broken a lot in the back, but I am going to continue to work on it over the winter so that it is all caught up.

 

[chebaby]

well when i started i was relaxed and sl. if i would have stayed relaxed i would be bsl by now. i did the bc and am very happy with my hair, my choice to cut and go natural and im happy with my growth so far. it has been 4 months since i chopped and i coudlnt be happier. i will never relax my hair again.

 

[Kirei]

Eh...

I am not disappointed per se but, I am not all that satisfied either. I think, after looking at other people's progress, I have had a few set backs and have over trimmed at times and I also think I have cut off what I thought were rough ends only to realize they were healthy...

I hope I make APL my December but, I don't know b/c I need to dust my ends due to actually *really* having some splits now from straightening and being to rough with the comb! *Humph*

 

[scarcity21]

Im disappointed bcos of my middle nape that refuses to catch up with the rest of my hair....given Ive had a few setbacks in the beginning and last yr, that middle area is my greatest challenge...ive tried to even it all out in the back, didnt work bcos the left and right nape grew back to original length, leaving middle 4 - 5 inches shorter...im honestly at my wit's end

 

[MizAvalon]

My hair is healthy and a lot longer than when I first arrived here so I am very happy about that.

I still know very little about styling and most products that are discussed here though.

 

[foxieroxienyc]

December of this year will make 2 full years of hair care for me. I would have been way passed APL at this point, however, my nape had been shorter than the rest of my hair by a good 1-1.5 inches. It drove me insane. Particularly because I started riiight at the base of neck length going into shoulder and it made the longer ends of my hair look thin. So I trimmed away until it all grew out to an even shoulder. Now my hair is on track, the nape has finally caught up, and my length is coming in full.

I got caught up in being disappointed at one point, and embarrassed funny enough that I didn't make my goal of being APL by Dec of 08. However, I would have chopped it anyways to even it off. Now I stick to only trimming 2x/yr (every 6 mons), and I'm retaining everything just fine. In fact, I expect to be full APL by Dec '09, and I can't wait. I must say too that my hair is the healthiest it's EVER been in my entire life.

 

[Renewed1]

I'm undecided about my hair. First I wanted to grow my hair with a relaxer; then I stopped doing that. I turned around and changed my mind and chopped it all off. Now, I'm thinking about texturizing......so I'm going to wear a wig to keep from touching my hair.

But overall my hair is healthy.