Prettymetty
Natural/4b/medium-coarse
I’m enjoying my wigs this week and keeping my ends protected.
Luscious Healthy Ends Challenge 2024
- Thread starter Chicoro
- Start date
Chicoro
5 Year Shea Anniversary: Started Dec 16th, 2016!
Ah, the proof! You cut your hair? This is another clear clear sign that you are Super Serious about changing your life. First, you got back in school. Second, you decided to focus on your health and vitals. Now, the hair.
Stand back everyone, @ckisland is in the throes of an incredible metamorphosis! She’s moving faster than the Tasmanian Devil.
And we have been gifted with the privilege to be able to see it, front and centered!
ckisland
Well-Known Member
You are so right!! I am trying to level up my whole life
Chicoro
5 Year Shea Anniversary: Started Dec 16th, 2016!
You ARE leveling up, you are way beyond the ‘trying’ stage. Yoda would be proud. My understanding is that Yoda says, “There is no try. There is only do”. And you are definitely doing it!You are so right!! I am trying to level up my whole life
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snoop
Well-Known Member
I'm reusing some pictures: I micro-trimmed my ends last week. I didn't realize how taking off so little could make my hair feel so good. Previously, I was doing these trims on loose hair so I didn't really notice any difference. This time, since my hair was already in mini-twists I just trimmed my twists. I also trimmed on dry hair because I'd just done my hair and didn't want them to start shrinking. With all of the tiny little scraggles from twisting gone, my ends felt sooo good!
I was mainly wearing my hair in a low bun (for years) if I wasn't wearing my twists down and covered or in a loose goddess type twist (no pins), but I've started wearing a top knot. I need to give my crown a break so that I can strengthen that area in. I also need to figure out what's going on in the middle lower section. The sides seem to alternate who is longest. If memory serves, the first quarter of the year my left side tends to be longer then towards the middle of the year the right catches up, then it passes? I know they do, alternate, but I'd have to go through older photos to see if I'm making up the timelines.
I was mainly wearing my hair in a low bun (for years) if I wasn't wearing my twists down and covered or in a loose goddess type twist (no pins), but I've started wearing a top knot. I need to give my crown a break so that I can strengthen that area in. I also need to figure out what's going on in the middle lower section. The sides seem to alternate who is longest. If memory serves, the first quarter of the year my left side tends to be longer then towards the middle of the year the right catches up, then it passes? I know they do, alternate, but I'd have to go through older photos to see if I'm making up the timelines.
Chicoro
5 Year Shea Anniversary: Started Dec 16th, 2016!
Now these amounts look like micro trims to me!
Is the mid-lower section of your hair a different texture than the rest of your head/hair? What’s going on in this area? Is it breaking?
snoop
Well-Known Member
I probably remove the same amount or more with these trims than the ones in the shower. It just looks less scary because each coil is dry (not wet) and therefore compact. Trust me, I am still scissor phobic. I've only ever had two "proper" trims in 12 years.
I don't know if that section is breaking or if it's just how my hair is hanging or what. I'm not sure if I'm comparing like for like, because depending on how thick my clay mixes are, they will give my hair a different appearance.
December 2019 vs October 2023 vs Feb 2024
The twists look like they're around the same size in diameter. I've worn the same styles for about the past 10 years so I'm not sure.
According to my signature block, I reached WL in 2017 and again in 2020. I think that in both cases I was grazing. The first time I will count it, but the second one, judging by my hair, I was already into some diagnosed and undiagnosed changes with my health. In 2017, I had my last baby so my hair was probably fine. After that, my BP started to go up and so I'm medicated for that. However, this is when I started to lose both iron (which I'd suspected) and vit D (which I had no clue about). That remained unchecked until 2022. That's close to 5 years depending on when the issues actually started.
I'm also not sure what the texture back there is like because I'm almost always in twists. If I wear a twist out, my hair is back in twists before bed, then wash and neater twists. If I wash my hair loose, I immediately put my hair back in twists. I also don't twist my hair with a mirror. I don't think I know how to wear my hair loose and I don't really know what it looks like or what one section feels like compared to another -- with the exception of my crown which I've noticed is starting to feel more wirey.
I don't know if that section is breaking or if it's just how my hair is hanging or what. I'm not sure if I'm comparing like for like, because depending on how thick my clay mixes are, they will give my hair a different appearance.
December 2019 vs October 2023 vs Feb 2024
The twists look like they're around the same size in diameter. I've worn the same styles for about the past 10 years so I'm not sure.
According to my signature block, I reached WL in 2017 and again in 2020. I think that in both cases I was grazing. The first time I will count it, but the second one, judging by my hair, I was already into some diagnosed and undiagnosed changes with my health. In 2017, I had my last baby so my hair was probably fine. After that, my BP started to go up and so I'm medicated for that. However, this is when I started to lose both iron (which I'd suspected) and vit D (which I had no clue about). That remained unchecked until 2022. That's close to 5 years depending on when the issues actually started.
I'm also not sure what the texture back there is like because I'm almost always in twists. If I wear a twist out, my hair is back in twists before bed, then wash and neater twists. If I wash my hair loose, I immediately put my hair back in twists. I also don't twist my hair with a mirror. I don't think I know how to wear my hair loose and I don't really know what it looks like or what one section feels like compared to another -- with the exception of my crown which I've noticed is starting to feel more wirey.
snoop
Well-Known Member
Yes. Even when I try not to do medium twists or large twists along the centre part... it happens. And moisturizing, even if done on smaller sections, always ends up in halves.
MzSwift
Well-Known Member
Yes. Even when I try not to do medium twists or large twists along the centre part... it happens. And moisturizing, even if done on smaller sections, always ends up in halves.
I've seen ladies have that shape/gap in the middle like that when they habitually part their hair in halves for various steps in their regi. I'm not sure it's damage as much as it seems to be just trained to part away like that even in styles. I'm not trying to take away from the legitimate health concerns you expressed though, I just noticed a pattern among hair care ladies.
But you rarely wear your hair out/down, is the split a big problem for you? Your hair seems to be thriving! Even when you had that long stretch of "neglect" it ended up pleasantly surprising you when you finally checked in!
snoop
Well-Known Member
I've seen ladies have that shape/gap in the middle like that when they habitually part their hair in halves for various steps in their regi. I'm not sure it's damage as much as it seems to be just trained to part away like that even in styles. I'm not trying to take away from the legitimate health concerns you expressed though, I just noticed a pattern among hair care ladies.
But you rarely wear your hair out/down, is the split a big problem for you? Your hair seems to be thriving! Even when you had that long stretch of "neglect" it ended up pleasantly surprising you when you finally checked in!
Thank you so much for this. It's one less thing to stress out about. I'll keep watch and see if it eventually goes away, but now I won't automatically jump to the conclusion of damage.
It's definitely not a problem and I only notice it if I take a picture. Because my hair is so textured, I'm sure if I wear a twist out, it wouldn't be noticeable.
This is last month. I took the twists down and didn't try to style it. It looks like the gap is off to the side.
It holds whatever shape it feels like. It was the same when I was relaxed. It wouldn't "hang" so much as it could be laid down. All that to say, I think the gap is blend-able even without trying.
GettingKinky
Well-Known Member
After my last blow out trim I measured my hair in a systematic way. I don’t know how accurate or repeatable it is, but at least I have a method/metric.
My hair is not very long. The longest part is the crown in the front and that is around 15 inches.
I think going forward I’m going to do my own trims/dusting on blown out hair, or maybe even on wet hair. I just need to learn how.
My hair is not very long. The longest part is the crown in the front and that is around 15 inches.
I think going forward I’m going to do my own trims/dusting on blown out hair, or maybe even on wet hair. I just need to learn how.
Chicoro
5 Year Shea Anniversary: Started Dec 16th, 2016!
15 inches is not short. That's a lot of length. Good luck with the trimming. Start slowly!
GettingKinky
Well-Known Member
15 inches isn’t short, but with my shrinkage and my goal of shoulder length curly hair I need a LOT more inches.
Chicoro
5 Year Shea Anniversary: Started Dec 16th, 2016!
Okay, I understand!
Chicoro
5 Year Shea Anniversary: Started Dec 16th, 2016!
I don't put any or add any additional water based spray to my baggie. When I do my weekly take-down, my ends continue to be lubricated and soft. I am still in awe of @keranikki and her gorgeous and jaw dropping micro-trimming, end of year results. My goal is to micro-trim my hair ends every two months, or every eight weeks and have the trims coincide with my Two Step Aphogee Treatment. Today is the day for an Aphogee Two Step Treatment and micro-trim. I'm emboldened and looking forward to it because of the positive results and the enjoyable session I had in January, using my new blow-dryer with the great comb attachment.
Wish me luck!
Wish me luck!
keranikki
Natural, 4a, Fine, medium density
I completed a microtrim last week. I went back to a two-product combo that allows me to rock a WNG. The only issue is, the more I work out, the more I have to reset my hair. I also had to cut 4 single strand knots. I haven’t had the time to install micro braids.
Otherwise, my ends are doing great and my hair is growing well.
I hope everyone is doing well!
Otherwise, my ends are doing great and my hair is growing well.
I hope everyone is doing well!
MzSwift
Well-Known Member
Aww man! Your gifs make the thread! We've gotta fix this!
OK, forgive me if this the way you already do it...
I do a Google search for the emotion of the gif I want to find.
Then click on "images" of the Google search results.
Once I find the one I want, I right click on it and select "copy image ADDRESS"
Then I come back here and click the "insert image" icon in the reply menu
At the top of that small window is a tab with a link icon that says "by URL" when you hover over it and I click on that
And then paste the copied image address into the text bar.
This one:
HTH!
newgrowth15
Well-Known Member
Last week I celebrated my one year big chop anniversary. I straightened my hair just enough for a trim. I will be cornrowing my hair this week, so that I can continue to get good growth and retention. I will post pictures.
Napp
In hair purgatory
I’ve decided to leave the donut bun alone for a while. I noticed some breakage in the center of my hair. It broke all the way to the new growth so I had to do something. Right now I’m stealing @Chicoro technique of braiding my hair that’s on the inside or my bun instead. This area keeps on matting for some reason. Still tweaking my regimen. My goal is to reach BSL by June
Chicoro
5 Year Shea Anniversary: Started Dec 16th, 2016!
Thank you!Aww man! Your gifs make the thread! We've gotta fix this!
OK, forgive me if this the way you already do it...
I do a Google search for the emotion of the gif I want to find.
Then click on "images" of the Google search results.
Once I find the one I want, I right click on it and select "copy image ADDRESS"
Then I come back here and click the "insert image" icon in the reply menu
At the top of that small window is a tab with a link icon that says "by URL" when you hover over it and I click on that
And then paste the copied image address into the text bar.
This one:
View attachment 494807
HTH!
Chicoro
5 Year Shea Anniversary: Started Dec 16th, 2016!
Have you considered fortifying the breaking area with some time of leave in protein perhaps, too?
Chicoro
5 Year Shea Anniversary: Started Dec 16th, 2016!
I just finished blowing out my hair to check on the status of my ends. There were several splits and breaks. I didn't see any knots. I trimmed away about five (5) splits on the ends of my hair. I decided not to trim the ends as they did not need it.
The last time I trimmed was in January 2024. This search and destroy was two months later. The next time I blow out my hair will be in four (4) more months, instead of two (2) more months. That will be the end of July 2024.
I am going to continue what I am doing. I have lots of breakage from the hairline to where I secure my ponytail. I probably would do better if I left my hair blown out and did a twist out. But, hate twist outs and the twists fall out of my hair. My hair is too soft and too straight for a twist out to last.
But the ends are holding up pretty well with the Shea butter, Vaseline and baggie.
The last time I trimmed was in January 2024. This search and destroy was two months later. The next time I blow out my hair will be in four (4) more months, instead of two (2) more months. That will be the end of July 2024.
I am going to continue what I am doing. I have lots of breakage from the hairline to where I secure my ponytail. I probably would do better if I left my hair blown out and did a twist out. But, hate twist outs and the twists fall out of my hair. My hair is too soft and too straight for a twist out to last.
But the ends are holding up pretty well with the Shea butter, Vaseline and baggie.
Napp
In hair purgatory
I spray it with protien daily but to think that’s the problem. It’s only the center of my hair is matted after spraying it daily. I have been neglecting my hair and leaving my hair in for 2 weeks because it’s just convenient that way. The blue wetline has not flakes on me year so I may even stretch between wash days even long. I don’t like messing in my hair no more
Chicoro
5 Year Shea Anniversary: Started Dec 16th, 2016!
It seems to me that you are doing a great job refining your processes. You have the breakage problem resolved for the bulk of your hair. Now, you have discovered there's an issue with the hair in the center of your head. And now, you can refine and modify your process to address the matting hair in that small section. It sounds and seems to me that you are on track and getting down to the small things. It's the small things that can create the biggest shifts and get you to that dream length!
GettingKinky
Well-Known Member
What products do you use when you do a twist out? Maybe you need something with stronger hold. Do you start with wet/damp hair or dry hair?
Chicoro
5 Year Shea Anniversary: Started Dec 16th, 2016!
Thank you for asking! My hair is too soft when I blow it dry and try to do a twist out. I absolutely love the results when I wet or wash my hair, braid it up and take it out. That's cute. But I don't like the 'aftermath' of these styles. They leave my hair tangled at the ends and I lose length, EVERY TIME. But I am open to being schooled about what I may need to do to have more success in the future.
I have not done a braid it from wet hair in about five (5) years. When I did do one, I did it on freshly washed hair. I used S-curl and a bit of gel and it came out gorgeous. The hair was shiny, had body and it held the braid-out texture. But again, those are not my styles. I like low manipulation hair that is not in danger of tangling.
newgrowth15
Well-Known Member
Here is my one year big chop anniversary collage. This year I plan to keep my hair in cornrows and I am considering crochet braids, too. My hair does not like commercial protein treatments, so I will be going back to homemade remedies.
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