:::HOW MANY SETBACKS HAVE YOU HAD:::

[Anew]

So in my quest for long healthy hair, I keep screwing up

I just took my braids down and it grew! Yay me, but not really

I didn't spend enough time detangling I guess, AGAIN so after washing some of my hair was notted up. Ho HUM like a mug

Well I just cut those parts. I'm getting a relaxer this week sometime and I'm getting it cut right back to the length it is in my siggy. I guess I'll just update my siggy with my do anyway, lol. Even though it'll be the same.

Things I've learned, weaves and braids aren't for me any more. I never had these problems in the past. I did so much better DCing every three days and bunning last year, my hair grew like a weed. But I fell off the wagon and cut it, got tired of my hair after a while. Back to square one!

Share your stories please...

 

[janaq2003]

don't even get me started on that one.....setbacks are no good!

 

[vnaps]

well i'm not bsl (sorry)

just wanted to say i feel your pain.....i have washed my just unbraided hair WITHOUT detangling and WOW i nearly cried....never again have i done this....this was bout 4 years ago..

Recent setback was the "trim" i did ......i ahve done two others this year....have decided not to trim till the dec 2009 apl challenge is done.

 

[Anew]

Oh you don't have to be bsl, I should take that out...

Thanks for sharing ladies

 

[Anew]

See I have so much new growth so I guess I needed to take a little more time. I thought I got all the tangles out but its not as bad as the last time with the spritz. I don't know WTH I'm thinking sometimes, lol. I've never had problems like this in the past when I wasn't trying to grow my hair. I think keeping it simple is definitely best for me.

 

[LongCurlyLocks]

Well in the past before LHCF, my setbacks were not taking care of my hair i.e. not oiling enough, letting splits go too long, using heat, not conditioning, sometimes not washing enough. Also, it was getting braids/weaves too tight and when I took them out I did not take them out properly hence lots of shedding. Also the BC in 04'? after transitioning for about a year. Yeah I've had a lot-I really should be WL or better by now. I think the only setback since I've been here is the one when I cut an inch of dead hair from my ends last month. But when I co-washed last night I noticed that at least half of that is back now. And since I'm in the Bun for Growth challenge and I practically soak my hair in shea butter for moisture now. I expect my ends to stay good and for my hair to grow. I just have to keep up with my MT/OCT, my garlic and my moisturazing and co-washing. Can't get lazy now!

 

[TLC1020]

Don't get me started on setbacks
This is really my first one since being on LHCF but I am so pissed right now b/c my hair was so healthy and full until it started shedding . I really didn't know how healthy and full my hair was until I had my setback and I should've be happy with that but noooooo. I had to cut about three inches to get rid of the see thru-thin ends and I still have a little and I'm still trimming when I see them.. I am trying not to trim since I'm almost 8 weeks post b/c your ends tend to look more thin the further you stretch but I can't help it.

 

[Supastar]

I've had many set backs, but the most recent was the most devastating. I've been a member of this board for over 3 years and since I joined I had been growing my hair long and healthy. Well, about 6 weeks ago, I was so pressed to get my hair blown out for an event that I actually went to the dominicans. I stopped going to them a long time ago because they use too much heat for my natural hair. I knew better but I sat there and let them blow dry my hair dead. I knew my hair was damaged the moment I walked out of there. After, I was traveling a lot for work and waited to wash my hair. 3 weeks later my hair started to smell really bad, like burning hair. So, I washed it and it came out in clumps. My hair was about 2 inches from bra strap. I now have pieces of my hair that are about an inch in length. The damage is unbeleivable. I haven't seen my hair in such a state in many years. So, I didn't cry or anything--it's just back to the drawing board.

 

[locabouthair]

I've had about 6 since I've been on this board.

About 8 in total. Yes I'm serious

Most of ym setbacks was when stylists would not wash out the relaxer correctly and I would get bald spots. So now I'm doing m own relaxers and I think my hair will be much healthier. No one will care about my hair more than me

OP, I love your hair. It looks very healthy and thick.

 

[lovinglength]

Before the forums, my major self setback was trimming too often and too much. Then, in 06, this evil "professional stylist" serverly burned my hair straightening it. I had to cut it down to 3 in long from almost APL. Since then, it has grown back even better and I am retaining length better by not cutting as much. With every gut wrentch setback, comes a learning experience. That's my way of staying positive.

 

[Hairsofab]

I've Big Chopped 3 times in my life. I've had numerous setbacks. Thankfully hair grows back.

 

[~*Tigget*~]

Even after joining and reading the forum over the past year, I still have my mishaps.

1. Lazy
2. Shortcuts
3. Budget contraints.

I recently removed my braids but I took my time, and made sure not to tangle. I gave myself a deep protein treatment (aphogee) and balanced w/ a moisturizing conditioner. After all that I applied leave in, and let air dry.....then I flat ironed. UUUGH shouldn't have cause it has dried my hair out because the heat was just too high for my thin hair. I can recover from this though. Just a side note to myself, ..watch the heat next time.

I plan to relax my hair either Wed or Thurs....can't wait. Ready to go back to simply bunning.

 

[DarkHair]

Last year I took out braids and my hair was maybe APL with a relaxer. I made the mistake of washing my hair after I took the braids out...tangle city!! I went to the stylist and she relaxed my hair. Her 'assistant' detangled my hair from the root. I thought that since they were professionals, they'd know better. Well after a long time of trying to detangle, she ripped that comb through my hair. To make a long story short, I walked out with a chin length bob and 1/2 inch spikes in the top of my head from where she ripped the hair. My hair was permanently damaged and thin in that spot. With the help of MN, Bee Mine, and scalp massages it has come back to a thick state.

Recently I went to my stylist and she trimmed my hair without me asking. I am giving her one more shot. Before I sit in her chair I plan to inform her to just relax my hair, no trimming. My hair has been this same length for what seems like all year.

 

[locabouthair]

Before the forums, my major self setback was trimming too often and too much. Then, in 06, this evil "professional stylist" serverly burned my hair straightening it. I had to cut it down to 3 in long from almost APL. Since then, it has grown back even better and I am retaining length better by not cutting as much. With every gut wrentch setback, comes a learning experience. That's my way of staying positive.

how could I forget that same thing happened to me and it still hasnt grown back

 

[Lanea87]

None so far, and I would like to keep it that way....we will see how that goes LOL.

 

[msa]

I haven't really had any setbacks. And from being on the board I know what not to do, so I don't expect any.

IMO, a lot of these setbacks seem self induced. Like if someone trims your hair and every time you end up with a hair cut, then don't go back. Or if you smell your hair burning as someone is straightening it then get up and leave. If you don't feel your hair is rinsed enough, rinse it more. Don't like the way they detangle? Bring your own comb, do it yourself, or go somewhere else. I know I won't be allowing any of these things to happen to me because I have learned from everyone else's mistakes.

I know the board is here for people to vent and what not but I no longer have sympathy for folks who have avoidable setbacks.

 

[jiyabree]

This is the first time I'm attempting to let my hair grow. I usually cut it off. For some crazy reason I decided to go to the salon and get my hair streaked "with bleach". Its been a disaster ever since. I've been trying to cut the color off gradually but of course that means I'm not getting any length. My plan is to continue to use mt and take care of my ends. So far so good. Well see what happens. I'm prayig ill at least be apl this time next year.

 

[Napp]

1st texturizer
matting incident 1
matting incident 2
1st bc
2nd texturizer
crazy braider
2nd bc

im transitioning now so i consider that my next set back because i have to trim out the rest of my texturizer. im not doing any new experiments and i want to be WL natural. i know i will have more set backs until i go completely natural.

 

[JustKiya]

Hrrrrrrmmmm.

Since I've started my hair journey, I had one, and really that one was what got me started (double processing *sigh*) on this journey, so - none, I guess.

No, no, that's not true! I did have one, when I was manipulating my loose hair daily! I don't think I lost any length, but I definitely didn't retain any over that period of time.

 

[Lenee925]

I have had one since LHCF involving Infusium 23

 

[BrownEyez22]

I've had a "millie" LOL

My hair has never been longer than a little past shoulder length

What would happen is:

Grow out hair with micros~> get relaxer~> All break Off
Grow out hair with micros~> get relaxer~> All break Off
Grow out hair with micros~> get relaxer~> All break Off
Grow out hair with micros~> get relaxer~> All break Off

Sooooo Now I'm natural, we'll see how this goes

Also the first few times I had bad hair habits, too much heat etc. Then when I corrected that and started to rollerset, I got bad breakage behind my ears. I believe was due to relaxer not washed out well.

 

[BrownEyez22]

I've had about 6 since I've been on this board.

About 8 in total. Yes I'm serious

Most of ym setbacks was when stylists would not wash out the relaxer correctly and I would get bald spots. So now I'm doing m own relaxers and I think my hair will be much healthier. No one will care about my hair more than me

OP, I love your hair. It looks very healthy and thick.

The bolded is sooo true. All my hair behind my ears on both sides breaking like crazy and turning bald.

 

[asummertyme]

SETBACKS.... Oh...thats my middle name.. I dont even wanna count or I may cry...

 

[Anew]

I've had about 6 since I've been on this board.

About 8 in total. Yes I'm serious

Most of ym setbacks was when stylists would not wash out the relaxer correctly and I would get bald spots. So now I'm doing m own relaxers and I think my hair will be much healthier. No one will care about my hair more than me

OP, I love your hair. It looks very healthy and thick.

Thank you. I hope it'll still look that way when I go get my hair done this week

 

[Anew]

I haven't really had any setbacks. And from being on the board I know what not to do, so I don't expect any.

IMO, a lot of these setbacks seem self induced. Like if someone trims your hair and every time you end up with a hair cut, then don't go back. Or if you smell your hair burning as someone is straightening it then get up and leave. If you don't feel your hair is rinsed enough, rinse it more. Don't like the way they detangle? Bring your own comb, do it yourself, or go somewhere else. I know I won't be allowing any of these things to happen to me because I have learned from everyone else's mistakes.

I know the board is here for people to vent and what not but I no longer have sympathy for folks who have avoidable setbacks.

LOL, okay...

 

[SoCalli]

...many. I can't even recall all the mishaps I've made. You just have to learn from your mistakes and keep on plowing ahead!

 

[locabouthair]

The bolded is sooo true. All my hair behind my ears on both sides breaking like crazy and turning bald.

Yes, it would happen near my ears. For some reason they neglect that part..

 

[alyn308]

Too many!

OP I'm with you no more weaves and braids for me. I've noticed that I don't take care of my hair when I'm in those styles...I get lazy and then end up paying for it.

 

[thickness]

March 07 - bad stylist said I needed a trim, I figured I should be okay since I had not been to a salon in 3 years and she was a client of mine. BIG MISTAKE!! She trimmed off 5 inches! The only thing that kept me from fighting her was the fact that I was 6 months pregnant!!
Fast forward to September 07 - After I had my baby all of my edges and sideburns on the right side of my head came out and my hair was shedding like crazy. So, after the shedding ceased in December, I got 3 inches trimmed off But, now my hair is thriving and I am about 4 inches from BSL, which I hope to be by summer of next year......Oh, I completely forgot about the color fiasco, had my naturally black hair dyed and the bleach she used straightened certain parts of my hair permanently. I only have about 1 inch of color left on the ends which I plan to cut in December right before I get my next weave. So, I guess that means that I will be 5 inches from BSL .......

 

[TaraDyan]

I haven't had any setbacks per se, but in my quest to go natural, I had to have two major cuts:

• 1st major cut: cut 4-6 inches of my hair about six months into my transition
• 2nd major cut: cut my relaxed ends off for my big chop in September (again about 4-6 inches)

Both of those certainly affected my journey, since I went from BSL back to shoulder length each time. But now that I'm natural, I'm strictly on a grow out plan. No.more.big.chops.for.me!!