HELP, super SETBACK!!

[Sweet1977]

Good Morning Everyone,
I had braids in my hair a little over a month and took them out this past weekend. I saw that my hair had grown and everything, but it was SUPER uneven and I couldn't do ANYTHING with it. I ended up going to a woman barber after washing and everything and now I am back to mini FRO (around length in pic from 10-7-09). Can you say DEPRESSED? I didn't know what else to do and my hair felt like wire. How do you get through the hard to come out, etc faze? It would have been a year since BC in July, but I messed it all up and have to start over basically. Any help would be GREAT!! Oh, I am going to learn to press hair, never did it before, mom did it when I was young and when I started doing my own hair, had a relaxer. Trying NOT to go back to a relaxer, it thinned my hair out and my hair is super thick.

 

[Ciacia]

was it uneven because of some breakage or just because it is the way your hair grows?
I wouldn't have cut it if it was just an uneven growing issue......

 

[Sweet1977]

Ciacia - It was super uneven. I got even more frustrated when it was hard for me to comb through it. My hair grows much faster on the top and back, like a mohawk or something and slow on the sides.

 

[supermodelsonya]

Well if it just GROWS that way, you're cant keep chopping it off or you'll never get anywhere. Maybe a good protective style with all of your hair tucked away would be better. Like braids, a wig, or a sew in.

I would suggest hiding your hair in one of these protective styles until your sides catches up. I wouldn't have chopped it off either.

 

[MsKibibi]

Sorry to hear about your setback. I don't know anyone whose hair grows in evenly. It took me years of trimming to remove my V shape. Perhaps braids aren't the best option for you if you think its not helping. I wore braids for 3 months when I did the C&G technique to jump start my hair journey. But I got tired of the braids and found that half wigs work better for me in the winter time.

Setbacks suck and I've had enough setbacks to know that you always have a chance to learn something new and not make the same mistake twice. I did a slideshow on my setbacks that may be encouraging. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eRmMJnpg9yI

 

[Pompous Blue]

I BC'd April 4th (finally cut the last of the perm out). My hair type is 4Z or whatever is the kinkiest hair (I have no coils or curls -- just kinks, LOL)

My length is 2 1/2" and I have no difficulty in combing my hair. I do wash 'n gos twice a week, baggy 3 times a week, henna once a month and deep cond weekly.

I added oil rinsing to my hair washing routine when I read Sareca's thread about it. This leaves my hair tangle-free, soft and moisturized. My seamless combs glide through my hair and I love it! (I now have a serious HIH disease).

 

[shenitab]

I second what everyone else said. Next time don't cut it. Just think of what it is that you want to do next. Most people's hair does not grow evenly.

What's your plan now that you cut it?
If you want to grow it out but do not like the way that it looks (due to uneven growth)- maybe you could go with twists, another set of braids, wigs, etc. until it grows out more?

We thought you had cut (after the braids) due to damage or something. Since it is the summertime, I think cowashing may help with dryness.

 

[lovenharmony]

So sorry you had a setback. You had it cut out of frustration and unevenness? I hope that you ask for help here before making any drastic hair decisions next time. Maybe you'll get a summer spurt to get you started back on your way to your goal length.

 

[Sweet1977]

Everyone,
Thanks for reading and responding. I SO regret cutting it now, but it was definitely out of frustration and I looked like buckwheat. Now that I am back to a mini fro, I am going to think of ways to deal with it and maintain until I get to a length that I can work with. yes, my hair definitely grows unevenly, the sides are always shorter. I will DEFINITELY get back on here when I have that type of moment again. Until then, happy growing and I can't wait until I get more length again. I have to practice PATIENCE.

 

[Hair2Here]

Wish you the best. Keep us posted!

 

[Sweet1977]

Hair2Here: Will do!

 

[loveable37]

look how long my hair were i tried SPORTIN micro accidentally cut all HAIR to neck length by mistake its been 3 months now its growing GREATLY with protective styles

 

[BostonMaria]

OP, somebody explained my uneven hair like this... once I did the BC I had 5 inches of hair all around. That meant that the back was growing in uneven and would continue to do so until I gave myself a trim in the future. My hair was crazy uneven for about a year or so, actually it still is and I'm WSL! LOL My nape area and crown area is about 18 inches+ long BUT for a normal woman with a normal hair cut, the nape area should be shorter or equal to the crown area. Until I give myself that hair cut my hair will always be about the exact length all around.

Braids don't work for you so I wouldn't go back to them. I don't know how long your hair is now but maybe a wig would be a good option until you feel comfortable wearing it out. Plus it'll give the chance to play with your hair on the weekends and deep condition it. Oh and don't buzz off anymore hair without our permission! LOL

 

[Sweet1977]

BostonMaria: Very interesting. I am going to do this again and see how it goes and TRY to have more patience. I basically freaked out after I took my braids out and washed my hair. I will definitely get back on here before cutting again .

loveable37: Aww, sorry to read that. Happy that your hair is growing out nicely though.