I read this thread in one sitting. It has def. convinced to take out this "protective style" braids that has thinned my edges (which took me 6 months to grow back from my last braid installation....SETBACK) and has cause bumps in my nape. I was trying to hold on cause my "middle" of my hair is fine, I wanted a break from styling and figured I'll address this issue later. Now, I see that's not in my scalp or hair's best interest...
Things I've learned over 8 years of my hair journey:
1) It's okay to like short hair. I originally came to this site because I am obsessed with hair and wanted to grow it long. Along the journey I realized... I love bobs, short cuts (like in my avatar). I think it compliments my personality, face and suits me. Tips I learned here and from Cathy Howse have helped me to maintain healthy "short/med" hair. Maybe one day I'll grow it to longer lengths. I'm actually striving for an even should length bob. (my shero/hair inspiration is Michelle Obama's current style)
2) Going natural: I'm glad I did it although I have completely BC'ed about 7 times in the past 8 years or so (yes, straight cut it all off about 7 times). My hair would be to my waist by now if I just made a decision eitherway. I would grow to like 5-6 inches, would have a relaxer set back, then cut it all off saying I need to be natural anyway lol.
Also, I had a difficult time between the mental challenge of Black pride and trying to have my hair reflect my values with my preference for straight/rollerset styles. I finally realize that though I learned "kink" is not the end of the world and how to have my natural hair flourish-I don't dig twist, cornrows, afros for too long. I really do like rollersets and wraps. So whats best for my hair is learning to have healthy relax hair (although I understand chemically altered hair isn't "healthy"). I do believe in doing whats best for me and my lifestyle and I not longer feel that I am "selling out". So I can wear my nubian prints, attend my african dances classes, and rock a relaxer and I'm okay with that now.
Part B: If you are natural and frustrated, do not run to CVS and get a box perm. I knew my fine medium hair didn't thrive on No lye, but I felt so stressed and need to feel okay with my hair. If you are deciding to change a style (relax to natural, natural to relax, to braid or not braid etc...) Try to wait 24hrs and plan properly. I am now dealing with 2 inches of thinning no lye hair and about 2 inches of stronger LYE hair at the roots. I created this "challenge". I may just sacrifice the "length" to get rid of the frustration.
3) As another said, DIY is not always the best. I have learned that I shouldn't self relax. My hair thrives and does much better when someone else (with experience) applies my relaxer. Out of cheapness and a need for control...
If someone messes it up it might as well be me....I have "thinned" out my hair and over processed it. Now I am going to to budget for professional touch-ups, but bring my own lye relaxers.
4) Family stylists are great,but know their limits. My cousin does great weaves, braids, and relaxes HER hair perfectly...but having her relax and
"style", i.e. cut my hair, was a disaster. She cut my hair so uneven, I lost 6 months worth of growth after I had to have a professional fix it. Lesson: don't allow people to experiment on your hair because they are good at other things. Play to their strenghts..lol otherwise ask to see proof that they know how to do what your asking. This is really for any stylist, not just the "home" stylist.
5) Despite my above setbacks. I learned that KISS is the best. I have grown my hair from TWAs to about 5-6 inches in a year as well as thickened edges by simply washing twice a week, DC'ing 1x week (alternating protein and mositurizing conditions), rollersetting after every wash or airdrying then pressing with a curling iron (Cathy howse method) once a week. Then, creme moisturizing or spraying UBH Dew 2x day and pin curling at night. No protective styles, and wearing it out every day.
It's only when I get lazy and move from this by using the curling iron too much or stop DC'ing that my hair gets damaged or starts breaking.
My aplogies for the long post. Just wanted to add to this thread. It also was very therapeutic because it helped me realize I have all this knowledge and just need to stick the KISS plan to achieve my hair goals. Sometimes the best choice is the obvious choice.
Ultimate setback lesson: Don't be afraid to LET GO!!! It's just hair, it really will grow back