I don't know what I'm doing wrong! My hair has not improved in the last 2 yrs... :(

[Crystalicequeen123]

I was just looking over my fotki album, and I'm feeling sooo discouraged.

My hair (IMO) has not really improved in the past year the way it was improving in 2004, 2005, and 2006 during my "early years" at the LHCF. In those years there was a definite IMPROVEMENT from the way my hair looked at the beginning of the year compared to the end of the year...in growth and thickness.

Now days, ever since 2007, my hair seems to be growing sooo slowwwwwly! After my weave disaster of the summer of 2007 (still kicking myself for that one ) I really haven't seen much improvement in my hair. These days my hair feels so dry, my scalp itches, my ends are thin, hair is breaking, etc.

Now it's true, during the summer of 2006 and 2007 I went through a lot of things (relationship heartbreak, depression, my dog died, my mom got ill, etc.), and I notice that before 2006 I didn't have these "issues".
Could it be stress?? Could it be depression?? A bad diet?? All I know is that my hair seems to have suffered in the past few years, and I'm wondering if this could be the cause. I do tend to worry about a lot of things these days, whereas a couple of years ago I was more care-free, and less "depressed".

I'm wondering if constant worry, anxiety and stress can cause the hair to not perform to the best of it's ability? Or, does hair continue to grow no matter what?

 

[Hair Iam]

Re: I don't know what I'm doing wrong! My hair has not improved in the last 2 yrs...

Hi love, sounds like you have had more than your share of "valley" experiences. Stress, bad or good will affect health. I've seen people develop bald spots as a result of stress, in time the hair did grow back. I do believe you can help your body absorb stress better . Taking vitamins, praying, exercise, reading positive literature, sharing with people who will encourage you "not add to the problem". Also realizing at sometime or another we all suffer these kinds of emotions and losses, just don't let them become toxic. Just give yourself and your hair some time and TLC. I pray your load gets lighter in Jesus Christ name .

 

[soonergirl]

Re: I don't know what I'm doing wrong! My hair has not improved in the last 2 yrs...

Hey there!!! When my diet is off, and I am under stress, my hair suffers big time...I know hair grows, but its the retention that many of us have problems with. Try de- stressing..... scalp massages, meditation, writing in a journal, prayer, all of these things help me to calm down. I wish you all the best

 

[krikit96]

Re: I don't know what I'm doing wrong! My hair has not improved in the last 2 yrs...

poor baby... my hair seems to be stuck in a rut right now too.. although I know I just had a baby 10 weeks ago... we are in the midst of a foreclosure, I was in a car accident 5 weeks ago and my car was totaled.. PLUS the only other car we had is broken down and we don't have any money to fix it... my husband lost his job and we owe $1000 in payday loans by the end of the month.

Needless to say I am under a bit of stress... so I think that Hair I am is right in saying you need to de-stress. I believe once you change your diet, maybe start a de-stressing exercise regimen, and focus on what makes you happy, then you will find that things start to turn around.

Life happens, but don't let the moments that bring stress get you in a downward spiral girl! Keep it moving, and you'll be amazed at how fast you recover and see a change in your hair, mind, body and soul...

 

[Chicoro]

Re: I don't know what I'm doing wrong! My hair has not improved in the last 2 yrs...

Hi love, sounds like you have had more than your share of "valley" experiences. Stress, bad or good will affect health. I've seen people develop bald spots as a result of stress, in time the hair did grow back. I do believe you can help your body absorb stress better . Taking vitamins, praying, exercise, reading positive literature, sharing with people who will encourage you "not add to the problem". Also realizing at sometime or another we all suffer these kinds of emotions and losses, just don't let them become toxic. Just give yourself and your hair some time and TLC. I pray your load gets lighter in Jesus Christ name .

I agree 100%! Your hair can be a barometer of your health. Other parts of us can also be barometers of our health.

When I look at what you have written my thoughts are, "Gosh, she's gone through all this and she has made it through." I say, pat yourself on the back for having the strength to get here today and for having the sound presence of mind to be able to make the excellent assessment of your situation as you have done in your original post.

Now that you have visited the Valley, as so eloquently stated above, you are ready and equipped to move up that syncline to the apex of the hill. That's a fancy way to say it's time to get out the valley. Things are cyclical. I myself commend you. Things are rough and you've had your fair share of difficulties. It's good that you can say how you feel. Half the battle of conquering depression is being able to make an assessment. You've shown that you are already there. Blessings to you.

 

[Prettyeyes]

Re: I don't know what I'm doing wrong! My hair has not improved in the last 2 yrs...

ITA with everyones kind words and just want to say go back to the basics in your regimen. HTH

 

[SunnyDelight]

Re: I don't know what I'm doing wrong! My hair has not improved in the last 2 yrs...

WOW - you have been through a whole lot chica!! Find an outlet for the stress. If it is exercise and eating healthy, those 2 things alone will improve the quality of your health and your hair and thus help it grow. Also, while you are working out the other areas of your life, baby your hair and give it its basic needs to thrive, a clean scalp and moisture. Keep Your ends protected. Also, keep a journal for all areas of your life. You will see that as things start to clear up in personal areas, your hair will also take a turn for the better.

Please keep us posted.

 

[LiLi]

Re: I don't know what I'm doing wrong! My hair has not improved in the last 2 yrs...

My hair grows very slow as well. You self relax correct? How often are you relaxing? What are you doing to protect your previously relaxed hair when you do relax? Where is your hair breaking?

All of these answers will help you to come up with a program to start on the path to retaining length and slowing down the breakage.

For instance, if the breakage is further down the shaft, it may be due to severe overlapping. Also, as far as fullness is concerned, people (such as myself) with fine hair (and not a lot of it) have to "trick" their hair to look full. Things such as bantu-knot-outs, twist-outs, rollersets, etc. will make the hair appear fuller.

Also, when you give yourself treatments, you may need to massage the conditioner in very small sections of your hair. It may take an hour to do it, but it will allow the conditioner to penetrate every single strand. There is a youtube video on a salon doing a Kerastase ritual like this.

Also, almonds will improve the health/strength of the new hair coming through. I have been eating almonds for like a year now. I notice my roots are much stronger than they were before. I eat raw whole natural almonds. There are many other benefits of almonds as well. Dabur (the Vatika Oil company) has a video showing how their almond shampoo shampoo makes the roots strong. So I figured, well I might as well eat almonds and I feel that it's working very well.

Anyhow, I am sure you will figure it all out and your hair will start flourishing.

I agree with the other ladies as well. Your strength just to get through everything you have been through shines more than anything. Be proud of yourself for that.

 

[Crystalicequeen123]

Re: I don't know what I'm doing wrong! My hair has not improved in the last 2 yrs...

Thank you all so much for the heart-felt sympathy and kind words of encouragement. It means a lot to me. I'm glad to also see that I'm not the only one who has probably been in "the valley" (haha...I like that term). I have been through quite a lot these past couple of years. I'm slowly starting to heal however.

although I know I just had a baby 10 weeks ago... we are in the midst of a foreclosure, I was in a car accident 5 weeks ago and my car was totaled.. PLUS the only other car we had is broken down and we don't have any money to fix it... my husband lost his job and we owe $1000 in payday loans by the end of the month.

Oh wow! What you're going through is very stressful as well! Maybe I need to quit complaining!

Needless to say I am under a bit of stress... so I think that Hair I am is right in saying you need to de-stress. I believe once you change your diet, maybe start a de-stressing exercise regimen, and focus on what makes you happy, then you will find that things start to turn around.

Life happens, but don't let the moments that bring stress get you in a downward spiral girl! Keep it moving, and you'll be amazed at how fast you recover and see a change in your hair, mind, body and soul...

Yes...I agree. I think I DO need to de-stress. I have just started going back to the gym again after not going in 4 or 5 months. I find that it's really helping. I'm going to make a more conscious effort to eat better too.

Also, while you are working out the other areas of your life, baby your hair and give it its basic needs to thrive, a clean scalp and moisture. Keep Your ends protected. Also, keep a journal for all areas of your life. You will see that as things start to clear up in personal areas, your hair will also take a turn for the better.

Please keep us posted.

Thanks for the good advice!

My hair grows very slow as well. You self relax correct? How often are you relaxing? What are you doing to protect your previously relaxed hair when you do relax? Where is your hair breaking?

In answer to your questions: I do get my hair relaxed, but I don't self-relax. I've never self-relaxed before...I'm too scared! I only relax every 12-15 weeks. *sigh* Unfortunately, I think it's hair RETENTION that is my problem...not so much hair growth. I guess I don't really protect the previous relaxed hair during my touch-up days. I really do need to improve on protecting and babying my hair even during my stretches because my hair tends to break at the crown and side areas.