Luscious Healthy Ends Challenge 2024

[Chicoro]

@keranikki
That's okay. We all have been there. That's why 102% of us are on this board. That extra 2% is for those of us who have to learn the hard way. AND you have the knowledge to get back on track. AND you now have documented information from your experience about what processes to avoid in the future.

 

[Chicoro]

I am on my third batch of sprouted fenugreek oil. Thank you, @newgrowth15 .

Using the Oil:
I like to mist my hair with warm water and then put the oil in my parts, then through the scalp of each braided section. Then, I pull my hair up and cover with a plastic cap and put a scarf over the plastic cap for bed. When I wake up my hair is super soft and moist.

New Challenge Arises:
My Hair Ends were getting tangles and I found myself getting knotted ends EVERY DAY. I was getting micro-breakage due to removing some kind of knot.

New Modification:
So, I grease up my ends, roll the hair up and then secure it with a coated rubber band that I put around the hair very loosely. The balled up hair is the same length as my front braids so I look like I have a braided 'bob'.

Pictures from Left to Right:

1. First picture shows how sprouted fenugreek oil keeps my hair soft, shiny and lubricated. My hair is less wiry when dry.
2. Second picture shows one of the balls or back braids rolled up and secured with a coated rubber band.
3. The last picture with my hand splayed open is showing how I ball up the back braids, which are the ones that get tangled on the ends and knot. But, I leave the braids in front as they are, the ones in FRONT of my ear parts, with curls on the ends because the front ones don't knot like my back braids. That is due to the fact that my hair in the front is a different texture than the hair in the back. The hair in the back is a coarser texture.

So, I am trying this until December. I was getting knots, breakage and tangles everyday even though the ends were lubricated. I tried to ignore it but got tired of hair tangling. My hair needs more protection. Hence, I've put in these balls 'back into my head/hair style" which is hair rolled up and secured with a coated rubber band. The balled up braids are only on the four braids in the very back of my head.

I've been refining and tweaking my hair process for years, and my hair says, "Still I Rise", and brings me another challenge I have to address and try to resolve with yet another modification to my hair regimen. I can't complain because as a result, my hair knowledge continues to get deeper and wider with every modification/challenge iteration.

 

[ItsMeLilLucky]

@Chicoro Your hair loves plot twists lol. It reminds of that commercial where the guy used to say "wait there's more" lol

 

[Chicoro]

@Chicoro Your hair loves plot twists lol. It reminds of that commercial where the guy used to say "wait there's more" lol

Absolutely! I used to get frustrated. But as I look back over my path, I realize that I have never been led too far astray. And even more importantly, if I diligently seek out the wisdom that is presented before me, the answer to my Hair dilemma always lies before me in front of my eyes to see. Those plot twists are my Saving Grace in that my hair challenges and triumphs have created opportunities for me of which I never imagined. It may sound lofty and trite, but it’s so true. “Hair, bring on those plot twists!” The adventure awaits! Like you, I too have come to learn that I am not lucky, but that I am blessed. Thank you for the reminder.

 

[ScorpioLove]

Anyone interested in a scalp focused thread (kinda like this one is focused on ends)?

I need someone else to have this scalp obsession like I do and we could talk about scalp routines and have in- depth looks into our scalp to see how it’s doing. Maybe comparing new growth based on different routines. That 30$ microscope changed so much for me

 

[Chicoro]

Anyone interested in a scalp focused thread (kinda like this one is focused on ends)?

I need someone else to have this scalp obsession like I do and we could talk about scalp routines and have in- depth looks into our scalp to see how it’s doing. Maybe comparing new growth based on different routines. That 30$ microscope changed so much for me

Microscope? What microscope? Did you post about in this thread? A $30 dollar microscope? What did it change for you? Sounds fascinating!

 

[ScorpioLove]

Microscope? What microscope? Did you post about in this thread? A $30 dollar microscope? What did it change for you? Sounds fascinating!

There’s a bunch of handheld microscopes that are really good at getting a picture of your ends/ scalp. I’ve posted in other threads about it, can’t recall if this was one of them.

I’ve been able to tell when my hair follicles looked clean, clogged, oily, flaky and irritated and I’ve been changing up what I do for my shampoo depending on what I see. I’ve always had an itchy scalp since being a kid and instead of fighting symptoms, I feel like I can see a root cause ( I.e my scalp is actually mor on the oily side rather than dry as I’ve always assumed).
It also helps with running the microscope through my hair, and actually visualizing the strands. I always knew I was high porosity but you can really tell on certain strands where my cuticles are a bit lifted. Just makes all the hair science I learn feel more real and decipher advice that’s well suited for my scalp/ hair

 

[Chicoro]

There’s a bunch of handheld microscopes that are really good at getting a picture of your ends/ scalp. I’ve posted in other threads about it, can’t recall if this was one of them.

I’ve been able to tell when my hair follicles looked clean, clogged, oily, flaky and irritated and I’ve been changing up what I do for my shampoo depending on what I see. I’ve always had an itchy scalp since being a kid and instead of fighting symptoms, I feel like I can see a root cause ( I.e my scalp is actually mor on the oily side rather than dry as I’ve always assumed).
It also helps with running the microscope through my hair, and actually visualizing the strands. I always knew I was high porosity but you can really tell on certain strands where my cuticles are a bit lifted. Just makes all the hair science I learn feel more real and decipher advice that’s well suited for my scalp/ hair

Thank you for the detailed response. Can you point me in the direction of the thread and post where you mentioned it? Or could you tell me which microscope you bought and from which site you ordered it, please?

 

[ScorpioLove]

This is the one I Bought from Amazon: https://a.co/d/bt4fCCb

 

[Chicoro]

This is the one I Bought from Amazon: https://a.co/d/bt4fCCb

Thank you!

Wireless Digital Microscope, Skybasic 50X-1000X Magnification WiFi Pocket Handheld Microscopes with Stand HD USB Microscope Camera Compatible with iPhone Android iPad Windows Mac Computer (White)​

 

[faithVA]

I received my splitender last weekend. I straightened on Sunday and then trimmed last night. My ends are much better.

I plan to stay in 2 strands for the rest of the year to retain as much as possible.

 

[snoop]

I dusted my ends on Tuesday. They didn't look bad at all. I've been neglecting my hair... and then wondering why I'm not seeing huge leaps in progress.

But really, I feel like my ends are consistently the healthiest they've been. I've not taken a super in-depth look at them, but when it's time to trim I don't notice that many knots or splits.

 

[MzSwift]

I dusted my ends on Tuesday. They didn't look bad at all. I've been neglecting my hair... and then wondering why I'm not seeing huge leaps in progress.

But really, I feel like my ends are consistently the healthiest they've been. I've not taken a super in-depth look at them, but when it's time to trim I don't notice that many knots or splits.

If your ends look good then you're on the ball - KUTGW!

Maybe you can increase focus on growth from the scalp or retention in order to see gains in length that you're looking for?
Although, I can absolutely see gains in the fullness and length of your hair!

Also, maybe spacing your length checks further apart? I'm personally NOT a fast grower. Sometimes it can be hard to observe length gains if the comparison photos are too recent and I can get discouraged. So I've been limiting my length checks to 6 months to a year, and only comparing photos with that sort of time lapse bc that's when I can see real change. In fact, I prefer yearly checks.

I only grow about 4" a year. It's also why I'm not a frequent trimmer. I can't be cutting off all of my little progress!!

 

[Lylddlebit]

I soft pressed yesterday and trimmed today.

 

[snoop]

I think part of the problem is that I need to check and take pictures. I'm just guessing by the pull tests on super tense hair -- you know how those ayurvedic herbs do sometimes. But yes, I think I need to focus on growth from the scalp. I'm going to follow @ScorpioLove and buy a microscope and look at my scalp. I might need to re-intoduce soap into my hair routine instead of just clay and ayurvedics. But we'll see. I've been waiting for Henna Sooq to offer a deal with free shipping to Canada since there's no way that I'm paying $50 in shipping on a $12 shampoo bar. (Plus conversion.) If I can find a soap bar local -- preferably created and loved by a Black business, I'll jump on that instead.

I thought I was a slow grower as well, except that stint where I upped my vit D/iron has me thinking that I have the potential to actually grow faster? But I think my growth rate is the same as yours, except I'm not entirely sure that I've seen 3 inches so far this year. But again, I've not properly measured. My loose, clay-filled hair looks like it's getting longer though, so who knows. It's possible that the sides and front are growing and retaining a lot more than the back.

I think that for the rest of the year, I'm going to study my old posts and see what sort of things I was ACTUALLY doing (not what I remember doing) and start aligning my routine to match.

 

[snoop]

I soft pressed yesterday and trimmed today.

Wow-weee!

 

[snoop]

You ladies with the straight hair have me drooling! I want to try, but I'm scurred!

 

[Lylddlebit]

You ladies with the straight hair have me drooling! I want to try, but I'm scurred!

Don’t be afraid, you can go at the level you are comfortable with. You can start with stretching…then maybe a blow dry/revair before you fully flat iron/press to get yourself comfortable with the process. One of the best perks of healthy hair is what it can withstand because it is healthy enough to handle enjoying it.

 

[GettingKinky]

@Lylddlebit

Your hair is beautiful!!

 

[ScorpioLove]

@snoop cant wait to see others scalps as weird as that is! Please post pics

 

[Chicoro]

I soft pressed yesterday and trimmed today.

Wooo! Looking good and getting longer, thicker and fuller!

 

[Chicoro]

Sunday, September 22nd, 2024
Micro- Trim #4 Out of #5:

Micro-Trim four (4) of five (5) in 2024 (Quarterly MicroTrims Every Three ((3)) Months) -Blow Dried and Trim Only (No Flat Ironing)

I am extremely tender-headed and it HURT to do my hair tonight. What I learned:

• I canNOT skip pre-poo which I did tonight. TANGLES.
• I must use high heat and high fan/air on my blowdryer. I did not use the high fan on first half of my hair and it felt like straw.
• Ball of hair was full but was NOT heavy so amount in hair was okay for me for not having combed in three (3) months.
• I must detangle my hair. I lost lots of hair and I broke my K-Cutter comb due to tangles.

Overall, hair continues to gain length and thickness.

 

[GettingKinky]

All this beautiful long hair

 

[snoop]

@snoop cant wait to see others scalps as weird as that is! Please post pics

It is weird... but I also was interested in looking at yours, so I'll post. Prime day is happening (again?) in two weeks, so I'm going to wait until then to order.

 

[Lylddlebit]

Sunday, September 22nd, 2024
Micro- Trim #4 Out of #5:

Micro-Trim four (4) of five (5) in 2024 (Quarterly MicroTrims Every Three ((3)) Months) -Blow Dried and Trim Only (No Flat Ironing)

I am extremely tender-headed and it HURT to do my hair tonight. What I learned:

• I canNOT skip pre-poo which I did tonight. TANGLES.
• I must use high heat and high fan/air on my blowdryer. I did not use the high fan on first half of my hair and it felt like straw.
• Ball of hair was full but was NOT heavy so amount in hair was okay for me for not having combed in three (3) months.
• I must detangle my hair. I lost lots of hair and I broke my K-Cutter comb due to tangles.

Overall, hair continues to gain length and thickness.

View attachment 498784View attachment 498786View attachment 498788View attachment 498790View attachment 498792

I can definitely see the increased thickness.

 

[Lylddlebit]

Thank you ladies!

 

[Chicoro]

Thank you ladies!

Your avatar is so cute, too. I love it!

 

[Lylddlebit]

Your avatar is so cute, too. I love it!

Aww thanks. My phone will convert my photos into a cartoon... very similar to getting my photo drawn at the fair or an amusement park. There are like three faces that look pretty similar to me...That avatar is pretty close. I can see my face in it and on few of the other options that look different, yet still look like me.

 

[MzSwift]

Be still my heart!!
TWO hair porn posts on the same page???

 

[Chicoro]

Be still my heart!!
TWO hair porn posts on the same page???

I thought about you. You lucky I lub you and the other ladies. Because I almost wet my hair back up halfway through and said forget it. I didn’t see @Lylddlebit ‘s photos until I was about to post. I guess great minds think alike!