HELP PLEASE!

[laurend085]

I found this forum about a week ago and it got me thinking about going natural/being permless. I have alot of questions which I'm sure have been answered here but there are so many posts to go through. If you can answer my questions I would appreciate any responses.

Let me give you some background about my hair first...The longest its been is about a few inches past my shoulder blades. In highschool I allowed a girl to put a quick weave in my head so I could have different color hair without dying it. The glue she used was strong and she didnt glue it right. What ended up happening was when I went to the salon to get the weave removed most of my hair came out with it, it was in the glue. That made my hair short to wear I couldnt even put it in a ponytail. Luckily I recovered from that and my hair grew back to bein a lil past my shoulders. Fast forward to today I cut my hair into a short bob a few months to do something different. I am no eady to grow it back annd I want to be longer than it's ever been like I see on this forum. Preferably shoulder blade to bra strap at least. I have also lightened my hair over the past few years and will be going next week to dye it dark again and keep it that way for a while.

First off it seems that ur hair grows faster and longer. I see pictures on here where people have either cut there hair and started growing it back natural or it looks like they never cut there hair and it just grew longer for whatever reason..What is the difference?

For me to be natural/permless will I have to walk around with nappy hair for a long time? The ONLY reason I say nappy is because when I wash my hair, even if I don't need a perm it becomes unmanagable. I've tryed blow drying it, air drying it, flat ironing, and it just lays there like a limp mop. It will be all poofy and all over the place Yet, if I go to the salon the next day my hair will be straight and bouncy. I hate walking around with my hair unmanageable like that as it is. Plus Idon't really want to wear fake hair. And I don't want to have to wear an afro.

How do I know what my hair will come out as?

I think my hair may grow fast because when I've gotten it dyed/highlighted the color fades within a week or two because of my new growth.

This is all I can think for now but I would like for someone to please tell me my options. Thanks!

 

[sheba1]

Hey there, Laurend! Actually relaxed and natural hair grows at the same rate. It is the retention of the ends of the hair that causes the hair to seem as though it spurt in such a short period of time. Many of the ladies on this board had healthy relaxed hair and had learned all about retention at the time that they went natural. So two years in, they had retained all (most) of their length and their hair looks luscious and full.

You can have healthy relaxed hair, also. Going natural is certainly your choice, but since you don't seem all that crazy about natural styling, I recommend trying a nice long stretch as you learn about your new growth and how to handle your hair and retain like a champ. I would only recommend ceasing to relax altogether if you fall madly in love with your new growth, and decide you want to play with it without the limitations that come with transitioning hair.

Here are some threads to get your started, lady. Welcome, again! You're going to have the healthiest, longest hair you've ever had at LHCF. I can feel it!

Everybody needs a little inspiration From unhealthy to healthy MBL relaxed hair http://www.youtube.com/user/chinablk#p/u/17/nDB-_-qXzKE

Relaxer Stretchers Support Thread: http://www.longhaircareforum.com/showthread.php?t=118195&highlight=stretch+support

Transitioners Support Thread: http://www.longhaircareforum.com/showthread.php?t=312457

 

[Loveygram]

:welcome3:


Hi,
Have you tried doing searches for threads on your particular issues? So many factors figure into doing the best you can do for your particular hair type. If you are planning transitioning, you might check out those threads This should help you see your options.

After that, IMO, a lot of it is figuring out a regimen & products that work for you along with gentle handling.



Good luck and Happy hair journey!

 

[whitedaisez]

no offense but i dont think u r ready for going natural. I mean, u dont like afro, de nappy look, unmanageability, etc. I think u should stay relaxed because there are many women here with very healthy relaxed hair.
You just need to have good technique and products. If you want to go natural, u have to WANT your hair to look natural (ie nappy, afro-like, etc). There is no point having ur hair straight ALL de time as a natural wen u can jes relax.
So find out wat ur hair needs, experiment with diff products and get a good regimen.

 

[isabella09]

to the forum

 

[Platinum]

 

[soulie]

no offense but i dont think u r ready for going natural. I mean, u dont like afro, de nappy look, unmanageability, etc. I think u should stay relaxed because there are many women here with very healthy relaxed hair.
You just need to have good technique and products. If you want to go natural, u have to WANT your hair to look natural (ie nappy, afro-like, etc). There is no point having ur hair straight ALL de time as a natural wen u can jes relax.
So find out wat ur hair needs, experiment with diff products and get a good regimen.

Welcome to the forum!!

There are many women here who choose to be natural and still wear their hair straight; they have chosen to not relax their hair for various reasons such as styling versatility, thickness, non-chemical preference, etc. Choosing to be natural does not mean you have to want your hair to look natural and don't be dissuaded from choosing natural hair even if you want to wear it straight all the time.

 

[CTBhair]

First welcome to the forum. I am relatively new and know how daunting reading through all the threads can be. However, once you get used to navigating it becomes much easier to find what you want. Hopefully, you will keep seaching through the threads because it can be very helpful.

It seems you still need to do some research on natural vs. relaxed hair and decide which one is going to give you exactly what you want.

I know I love my natural hair because I can wear my curly hair, twists, straight, or pretty much whatever I want. A relaxer did not give me all these options.

I would also start taking pictures of your hair and posting them when asking for advice. I learned new techniques and styles after posting pics and asking questions.

Whatever you decide to do with your hair, just make sure you are keeping it healthy!

HHG! (happy hair growing)

 

[silenttullip]

Ookey dookey from what you said I'll be real with you it doesn't seem you should go natural. I'm not against natural hair I've been natural almost 5 years straight BUT it doesn't work the same for everyone and my hair has gone through phases like most naturals. The reason it seem you shouldn't is because you don't want a fro nor do you want weave now unless you love braids and twists or gels and spending hours at a time on your hair you will totally be limited in your style choices. If someone would have told me that before I cut my hair I would have been so grateful.
For your next question about growth... Natural hair shrinks so it won't look like its growing but it does.
As for what your hair will come out as you won't know for a while but odds are it won't be as unmanagable as it is now at the new growth because thats more like scab hair as some call it. Your real texture may take a few months to really develope and show it self but you may be pleasantly surprised. If you only want growth do product research and take hair vitamins. If you're looking for a total life journey that will have some smiles and tears then go natural. It's a healthier choice but no good deed goes unpunished. Hope I helped

 

[silenttullip]

i totally agree

 

[Br*nzeb*mbsh~ll]

Oh. Okay.

I don't have braids or twists and i use gels - sparingly on my edges.
I started transitioning almost two years ago. I wear my hair bunned and straightened - until i start experimenting with other options.

You can do this as well. I've never worn braids - well since childhood, and don't really plan on it. If i wear twists, it'll be in a twistout. Which may or may not be done.

I say all this to say, try to transition if you're curious about life on the natural side.
If it doesn't work for you, you can always stretch your relaxers.
There are plenty straight-haired naturals who went natural bcs there hair couldn't take chemicals and neither could their scalp.

Take Sheba's advice, she pointed out the best threads for ya.

Happy Hair Growing and Welcome.