Help out a newbie!

[mzdivadonna]

Hello everyone. I'm new to the forum and need help. I've been looking at many of the post and can't figure out a regimine that will work for me. I have very very short hair and want to grow it out but cant seem to. I have no problem with cutting it and would love to transition but cant make it 4 or 5 weeks without a touch up. Would love to stretch time between relaxers but don't know how. Please help!

 

[ceebee3]

Hey MzDiva

Welcome!!!

I just wanted to say take your time when building a regimen and don't try too many things at once.

If your hair is in good condition now just keep deep conditioning it and keeping it moisturized. If it's breaking and you need protein do some research on that.

You don't need a whole bunch of products or a lot of heavy maintenance for your hair to grow healthy and long.

Once you learn how to balance your protein and moisture you should be fine and your hair will thrive.

Stretching isn't for everyone. Just add one week everytime you stretch until you and your hair are comfortable with the amount of time.

You'll find many great tips here.

 

[Bettina]

Welcome MzDiva!
I really agree with all cburney has noted... really before you get length the health of your hair should be first. I know you will find loads of tips--- you can probably start with the relaxer stretchers support for more tips on stretching . HHG!

 

[TyHill21]

Here is a post that I subscribed to that Msa posted. I hope this helps you out Welcome

Something happened to the other thread...so here's a new one. These are all the links that I find important, though there are many more out there. But these should help you get started (if you're a newbie) or brush up on your haircare knowledge (if you're a veteran).



Basics:

Favorite threads/stickies

Newcomer's guide to starting out

Regimen Building for Newbies

Mane and Chic 101-Beginner's Guide to Hair



Now that you've learned a little something, you're probably itching to go buy some new shiny products. STOP. Sit down. Read this first!



Breakage:

Hair Breakage 101

Doing Everything Right and Your Hair is Still Breaking



Protein:

Protein/Moisture Balance

To Clear the Air About Protein

Protein in the Ingredients Does Not Necessarily Mean it's a Protein Conditioner

Please please please read the articles on protein!



Porosity

Gymfreak's Porosity Blog Series: Part 1, Part 2, Part 3

CurlChemistorosity and Curly Hair

Porosity: The Forgotten Step

Porosity: The Uses of Baking Soda and ACV



Co-wash/Pre-poo/DC:

What is a cowash?

Prepoo vs. Cowash vs. DC

Definition of Deep Condition

Not All Conditioners Can Deep Condition!!!



Moisturizing/Sealing:

How do you moisturize/seal?

How do you moisturize?

How often do you moisturize?

What is the best, most moisturizing natural oil?



Ayurveda/Henna:

Ayurveda Support Thread

Do y'all henna?

A new henna thread



Braids/Weaves:

Braids 101

New to weaves, here are some definite don'ts!



Heat:



Why is it bad to use oil when pressing/flat ironing?: http://www.longhaircareforum.com/showthread.php?t=114270
Weekly Heat. What are you all afraid of? : http://www.longhaircareforum.com/showthread.php?t=354025
Folicular degeneration from using heat: http://www.longhaircareforum.com/showthread.php?t=328589
Relaxers



The science of preventing relaxer damage by using silk: http://www.longhaircareforum.com/showthread.php?t=112817&highlight=silk+proteins
Your Complete Guide to Safely Applying Chemical Relaxers: http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/320975/guide_to_safely_applying_chemical_relaxers.html
Relaxers: Lye? Or No Lye? Which is Better for you?: http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/352470/is_lye_or_nolye_chemical_relaxing_better.html
Self-Relaxer Support Thread: http://www.longhaircareforum.com/showthread.php?t=157899
Stretcher’s Support Thread: http://www.longhaircareforum.com/showthread.php?t=118195

Lye V. No Lye, Protein v. Ceramides (Everyone should read this, relaxed or not).



Naturals:



Naturals: worst mistakes you ever made as a natural: http://longhaircareforum.com/showthread.php?t=223081
Best Pics of Natural Hair/Heads: A thread of encouragement: http://www.longhaircareforum.com/showthread.php?t=168146
Naturals that Straighten: http://www.longhaircareforum.com/showthread.php?t=298845
2009 Natural Support Thread: http://www.longhaircareforum.com/showthread.php?t=329109
Do’s and Don’ts of Natural Hair: http://www.longhaircareforum.com/showthread.php?t=54752
Must Have’s for Maintaining Natural Hair: http://www.longhaircareforum.com/showthread.php?t=266511
Transitioner’s Support Thread: http://www.longhaircareforum.com/showthread.php?t=312457

Inspiration (for natural & relaxed): Waistlength & Beyond: Names and Regimens

Blogs (These are just the ones I could remember off the top of my head and definitely not a full list.)


www.urbancurlz.com
http://thenaturalhaven.blogspot.com/
http://keepitsimplesista.blogspot.com/
http://www.maneandchic.blogspot.com/
http://www.blackgirllonghair.blogspot.com/
www.curlynikki.com
http://www.longhairdontcare.net/
http://www.theantihairslave.blogspot.com/
http://www.relaxedhairhealth.blogspot.com/
http://www.afrobella.com/
http://www.hairsmystory.com/

If there are other links, please please add them to this thread. That way we can have it all in one place!



Happy Hair Growing!

 

[Taina]

Hi and welcome
I think the basics are moisturize and DC so you can retain your lenght. You can use a grow aid to increase your growing. Some girls here are using Miconazole Nitrate (MN), MTG (i don't really know whta it does stand for). I also recomend to increase your protein intake, as the hair is a protein it will help it a lot.

You might wanna try different stuff untill you find what your hair loves, believe me simple is better. I just got crazy when i made my big chop with DC every other day, and Night DC almost everty nigh ... it was good at that time because my hair was dry, but now i found a balance and i don't have to do all that things.

Not all the products and all the regimens works equal to everybody, but you can do as i did. I lurked A LOT in the fotkis of the girls here to find girls with my same hair type, and then started to see what they used and how they used so i can have an idea on what to do.

Good luck and happy growing. Wlecome again =)

 

[isabella09]

to the forum.

 

[MummysGirl]

Welcome!!!

Newbie Manual: http://www.longhaircareforum.com/showthread.php?t=389082

 

[wannabelong]

When I first started, my hair was a tad bit longer than yours. I built a simple regimen that just consisted of weekly washing and DC, daily moisturizing and sealing. I also did protein treatments when my hair felt mushy. I didn't worry about stretching too much because my hair was so short, however I wore half wigs during my first year of my journey and that help me stretch a little.

 

[Platinum]

 

[MrsSmitty77]

Hello and welcome. I am a newbie also and cannot off up too much advice, but I'm sure you will find everything you need here. Good luck.

 

[mzsophisticated26]

Welcome I am a newbie here, when I started my journey last year my hair was about your length just a smidget longer. I just started protective styling, I had bought a lacewig just to try and get away from bond in weaves since my hair was not long enough for a sew in. I wore those consistently for 6mths straight it help with stretching also. I actually started with just weekly washing and DC I really did not learn about the sealing and the other stuff until months later when viewing hair growth forums. Just be patient and you will see growth. HHG

 

[LaBelleLL]

Welcome to the board!