Hey Everyone

[Colliecole]

I'm new here! Before finding this site I honestly didnt even think black women could have hair past our shoulders. I'M AMAZED at seeing all of you so dedicated. I always wanted long hair but I gave up and got dreadlocks about 2 years ago. chopped it all! the dreads grew like weeds though. Anyways I combed them out about 6 months ago...I know I'm out of my mind for that one. It took like 3 weeks to comb out and for those three weeks I was looking like a crack head too My hair was pretty bad after all that damage though-tiny toothed combs are evil.... So after about of month of realizing natural aint my thing (popping an advil everytime I had to comb it out) I read a book, permed it and now it's doing ok. And this site is a BIG PLUS! right now my hair is about an inch past my shoulders. What I want to know is what are your deepest darkest most prized hair secrets?? This site is just too big to go researching. I believe I have type 4a hair so if your simular that's a plus.

 

[BrooklynSouth]

I'm new here! Before finding this site I honestly didnt even think black women could have hair past our shoulders. I'M AMAZED at seeing all of you so dedicated. I always wanted long hair but I gave up and got dreadlocks about 2 years ago. chopped it all! the dreads grew like weeds though. Anyways I combed them out about 6 months ago...I know I'm out of my mind for that one. It took like 3 weeks to comb out and for those three weeks I was looking like a crack head too My hair was pretty bad after all that damage though-tiny toothed combs are evil.... So after about of month of realizing natural aint my thing (popping an advil everytime I had to comb it out) I read a book, permed it and now it's doing ok. And this site is a BIG PLUS! right now my hair is about an inch past my shoulders. What I want to know is what are your deepest darkest most prized hair secrets?? This site is just too big to go researching. I believe I have type 4a hair so if your simular that's a plus.

Welcome aboard Colliecole! Enjoy the journey. The bad news is, you are going to have to do the work and read, read, read, read and then READ SOME MORE!! Joy comes when you do the research{ just break it down starting with the STICKYS at the top of the thread list} and the prize will come.
Happy Hair Growing to you.

 

[bravenewgirl87]

Welcome.. and cholesterol. Can't go wrong with cholesterol as a Deep Condish. I usually use Queen Helene, but LeKair is also very very good.
As well as Amla oil... its funky, but it works.

 

[camellia]

Welcome!

Everyone will have something slightly different that works for them but the key to growth for me is MOISTURE. I wash twice a week and spritz my hair with water in between washings.

 

[stargazer613]

Welcome CollieCole!!! You'll find lots of great info on this site!!!

and to answer your question.....I would say what works best for me is daily moisturizing, deep conditioning, and low heat.

 

[Cleve_gryl]

Welcome girl! You will find more info here than you can wrap your head around...or should I say hair? You have to start reading and experimenting with different products and reggies and you'll see what works for you!! You really can't go wrong with daily moisture, deep conditioning and protective styling! Good luck and happy hair growing!!

 

[Arcadian]

What may work for someone may or may not work for you, so reading the info here will really help you in the long run.

There are no secrets to hair growth. Hair does grow unless you have an illness, have a genetic problem or on medication which retards that growth.

I think what you're looking for is hair retention info.

The best kept secret to hair retention is; every head is unique and will require different things in order to retain hair. Thats what you'll find here.

The great thing about this site is that the information gets shared openly with no patting your head three times while hopping on one foot needed Lots of the information here is very common sense, quite a lot which is also science based too.

All in all, its shared to help everyone. I've never read a hair book and started my journey by doing tons of research over the years which lead me here.

For me some types of protien has been my friend I use them daily/weekly and have had the greatest time with them. Some women here can't handle as much as I do or not at all. But it comes down to what your hair likes or not like.

Flipside that, and I can't do Aveda nothin and not for lack of trying either! (so many here can...ugggg) That was a money waster but I did have to find out one way or another. I made my mother very happy when she got that care packageerplexed

Some women can use hair grease with no problem, some can't.

I'm a no-lye kind of woman, some are natural, some will only use lye.

There are ladies here that love henna and cassia, some that don't. I'm in the middle on that one.

Even if it dosen't work the knowledge you get here is beneficial because at least you'll know what not to do.

You get a good sense of what to try and what may work for you, and actually do learn a heck of a lot in the process!

Far as I'm concerned I don't have a journey end. I'll let my hair grow as much as it wants, and when it stops, then well, ok! I just enjoy the ride and do what I can to not stress about my hair. In doing that, my hair has thanked and rewarded me for that consideration several times over.

I've shared lots of info with the ladies here that have worked for some but not for others, and in return, have gotten lots of needed advice!

There just aren't any shortcuts to knowing whats on this site...seriously.

So with that I say welcome! So go get some tea and munchies and read on woman!


-A

 

[baby42]

hi welcome and happy growing and trying to find what works for you and keep reading there is so much too learn

 

[gymfreak336]

What may work for someone may or may not work for you, so reading the info here will really help you in the long run.

There are no secrets to hair growth. Hair does grow unless you have an illness, have a genetic problem or on medication which retards that growth.

I think what you're looking for is hair retention info.

The best kept secret to hair retention is; every head is unique and will require different things in order to retain hair. Thats what you'll find here.

The great thing about this site is that the information gets shared openly with no patting your head three times while hopping on one foot needed Lots of the information here is very common sense, quite a lot which is also science based too.

All in all, its shared to help everyone. I've never read a hair book and started my journey by doing tons of research over the years which lead me here.

For me some types of protien has been my friend I use them daily/weekly and have had the greatest time with them. Some women here can't handle as much as I do or not at all. But it comes down to what your hair likes or not like.

Flipside that, and I can't do Aveda nothin and not for lack of trying either! (so many here can...ugggg) That was a money waster but I did have to find out one way or another. I made my mother very happy when she got that care packageerplexed

Some women can use hair grease with no problem, some can't.

I'm a no-lye kind of woman, some are natural, some will only use lye.

There are ladies here that love henna and cassia, some that don't. I'm in the middle on that one.

Even if it dosen't work the knowledge you get here is beneficial because at least you'll know what not to do.

You get a good sense of what to try and what may work for you, and actually do learn a heck of a lot in the process!

Far as I'm concerned I don't have a journey end. I'll let my hair grow as much as it wants, and when it stops, then well, ok! I just enjoy the ride and do what I can to not stress about my hair. In doing that, my hair has thanked and rewarded me for that consideration several times over.

I've shared lots of info with the ladies here that have worked for some but not for others, and in return, have gotten lots of needed advice!

There just aren't any shortcuts to knowing whats on this site...seriously.

So with that I say welcome! So go get some tea and munchies and read on woman!


-A

Welcome!!! I second everything she just said. Get some snacks and read the stickys. Start with the 5th on down. Do some searches of some topics you are interested in and browse some photo albums.

As far as the best advice that works for me I would have to say that

1) Cut down on your use of direct heat and use heat protectants when you do
2) Deep Conditioning is a must, whether you wash twice a week like I do, once a week or once every two weeks; always deep condition

3) Learn new styling methods that are easier on your hair.

The most important one is

Learn about protien/moisture balance. Everyones is different. Learn your hairs signals that it needs more mositure or more protein.

 

[caribeandiva]

My biggest hair secret? Deep condition with every shampoo.

 

[Hair Iam]

Welcome
Trial and error ..the only way.
Moisture, oils, little to no heat ..balance the 3 and your on your way

 

[nelli711]

Welcome! Things that have helped me so far is balancing protein and moisture and low manipulation styles.

 

[dlewis]

WELCOME!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Miss*Tress]

Welcome to LHCF!

Check out this thread first, do not pass GO, and good luck. You'll be so glad you joined us.

 

[tiffers]

Welcome! I'm kinda a newbie too, so I'm still getting to know my hair. But so far, my hair seems to love baggying and condition washes. Oh, I'm a 4a too

 

[The Girl]

for me its leaving it alone/low manipulation. If I do too much my hair rebels

 

[honeybadgirl]

Welcome to LHCF!

Check out this thread first, do not pass GO, and good luck. You'll be so glad you joined us.

thanks for giving that thread miss tress!!!

 

[EbonyHairedPrincess]

I handle my hair very gently I treat it like I would silk threads, no more tugging, scrubbing and raking through my hair.

I use wide toothcombs, sleep on a satin pillow case, at night wrap hair in satin bonnet or head scarf.


I detangle in the shower weekly. I also let my hair lay straight and smooth in the shower (don't pile it up on your head). If I am deep conditioning. I smooth on the conditioner really thick then gather, twist up and cover with a plastic cap.

PROTECT THE ENDS find some protective styles you like (bun, ballerina bun, french roll, clamps, chopsticks, braids) and stick to them until your hair is well past shoulder to avoid breakage. I plan on sticking with it even past APL because I like updos.

Increase moisture by rinsing and conditioner washing at least 2x a week and I deep condition at least 1x a week.

Reduce the heat especially blowdryers.

Experiment with different products and techniques that people recommend. I faithfully use Neutrogena Triple Moisture silk Therapy in a.m. & p.m. followed by sealing with coconut grease.

Stretch your relaxers. When I am stretching my relaxers at about 6 weeks the hair starts to break at the demacration line easily. Try protien treatments like Keraphix 1x a week to help keep your hair strong.

I keep a journal of my goals and what is working and not working: products, mixture formulas, etc. (I am a writer). I also write down the steps I did whenever I get good hair results so I can repeat it again later.

 

[RZILYNT]

Welcome CollieCole!!! You'll find lots of great info on this site!!!

and to answer your question.....I would say what works best for me is daily moisturizing, deep conditioning, and low heat.

Co-signing!! Glad you joined.

 

[locabouthair]

daily moisturizing is important. and having a protein/moisture balance. some people use a light protein treatment every week and it works for them but others dont like protein. you have to do a lot of trial and error. a healthy diet is good also.

 

[seraphinelle]

I thought cholesterol was a protein treatment.

Oh evay!

 

[Mestiza]

Being gentle w/ my hair and keeping it moisturized has been great for it!

 

[Isis]

I am retaining my growth by:

Using no heat, just airdrying my hair (usually overnight) in rollersets to straighten and smooth out my hair.

Keeping the ends moisturized-very important! When the ends are babied and taken care of daily, your hair will get longer and longer. Many women (black or white) can't seem to get past shoulder length because the ends keep rubbing on their shoulders and clothes, causing them to break off. That's when keeping the hair off the shoulders (buns, updos, ponytails, etc.) allows the hair to get long enough so that isn't so much of an issue.

Combing only on wash days when my hair is wet, to detangle under the shower. After that, I just use my fingers and hands to style.

Drinking 1/2 my weight in ounces of water each day.

Eating enough protein daily along with a good, healthy diet

Having sulfur in the diet each day really helps, like eggs, onions, garlic. Many are taking MSM which is a sulfur that occurs naturally in food.

Daily exercise (keeps blood circulating to the scalp)

 

[Mom23]

Welcome. I would say get enough protein and moisture.

 

[LaNecia]

Welcome!!! I second everything she just said. Get some snacks and read the stickys. Start with the 5th on down. Do some searches of some topics you are interested in and browse some photo albums.

As far as the best advice that works for me I would have to say that

1) Cut down on your use of direct heat and use heat protectants when you do
2) Deep Conditioning is a must, whether you wash twice a week like I do, once a week or once every two weeks; always deep condition

3) Learn new styling methods that are easier on your hair.

The most important one is

Learn about protien/moisture balance. Everyones is different. Learn your hairs signals that it needs more mositure or more protein.

Welcome and I'm co-signing what SHE said!! That and be sure to love your hair along your hair growing journey!

 

[KiniKakes]

Welcome to the board girl!!!!

The thing thats worked for me........... protective styling/low manipulation. If you just throw it into a bun and leave it alone, you'll grow and retain it all!

Thats my story and Im sticking to it!