Luscious Healthy Ends Challenge 2025

[MzSwift]

@MzSwift ,

You mentioned that you use the fenugreek sprouting and rinse water for your hair. Do you use it as a leave-in or do you wash it out?

I leave it in.
I've also added it to my daily tea spritz. I think I like it better that way bc it's less messy and my hair isn't drenched. I plan to just do the rinses 1-2 times a week. I spray my spritz daily - twice a day on days when I don't do a drenching rinse of some sort.

 

[Chicoro]

I leave it in.
I've also added it to my daily tea spritz. I think I like it better that way bc it's less messy and my hair isn't drenched. I plan to just do the rinses 1-2 times a week. I spray my spritz daily - twice a day on days when I don't do a drenching rinse of some sort.

Ok, thank you for responding. I appreciate it.

Water based products like these leave an odor in my hair. I’m not sure what I may be doing incorrect.

Do you have any suggestions for me?

Thank you in advance!

 

[MzSwift]

Has anyone reached their desired length and now want to only focus on thickening and cultivating their ends?


I'm still trying to get more length, myself.

Call me crazy but I actually prefer the look of tapered ends. Maybe once I reach a certain length, that will change.

If I do cut/maintain my hair at a length, I anticipate that I'll try to mimic a more natural look of tapered ends. Maybe I'll just do a V shape or something.

 

[snoop]

Has anyone reached their desired length and now want to only focus on thickening and cultivating their ends?


I'm still trying to get more length, myself.

I'm not sure if I'll ever reach my desired length.

But, if I'm being honest, my goal length was APL. Thanks to this board, I was able to reach and surpass it. I'm thankful for every inch that I've achieved thereafter.

Right now, I'd like to get to someplace between HL and TBL and then I'll work on cutting back to thicken up my ends.

 

[BeautifulRoots]

Has anyone reached their desired length and now want to only focus on thickening and cultivating their ends?


I'm still trying to get more length, myself.

I am at my goal length and now I'm trying to see how long my hair will grow past goal length.

At the moment, my main issue is scalp health and density. I've lost a lot of my previous density in recent years. I would like to regain as much density as possible. (Sorry it's a little off topic as far as ends are concerned)

 

[Chicoro]

I am at my goal length and now I'm trying to see how long my hair will grow past goal length.

At the moment, my main issue is scalp health and density. I've lost a lot of my previous density in recent years. I would like to regain as much density as possible. (Sorry it's a little off topic as far as ends are concerned)

No it's not. If it comes up, it comes up for a reason.

@GGsKin
You got any suggestions for @BeautifulRoots ?

 

[GettingKinky]

Has anyone reached their desired length and now want to only focus on thickening and cultivating their ends?


I'm still trying to get more length, myself.

I don’t think I will ever have enough length to be completely satisfied. I’m hair greedy

 

[Chicoro]

This is Ms. Gertie Brown wearing an updo, protecting those luscious ends. It's hard to clearly see the style. She's a cutie, though!


She is about 20 years old here. This film is from 1898. The handsome gentleman is named Saint Suttle and he is about 30 years old.
The is entitled, "Something Good- Negro Kiss" . The 29 second film is nothing but cute-ness, fun and charm!

 

[Chicoro]

I don’t think I will ever have enough length to be completely satisfied. I’m hair greedy

You have a desire to have something, a certain length. Nothing wrong with that!

 

[snoop]

I am at my goal length and now I'm trying to see how long my hair will grow past goal length.

At the moment, my main issue is scalp health and density. I've lost a lot of my previous density in recent years. I would like to regain as much density as possible. (Sorry it's a little off topic as far as ends are concerned)

You can't get those thick ends unless the hair comes out of your scalp, first.

 

[IDareT'sHair]

All these DIY Concoctions, Potions and Elixirs makes me wanna steep a pan of Cloves for tomorrow's Wash Day

@MzSwift I wish I had some of that delicious looking Oyl!....

 

[MzSwift]

Ok, thank you for responding. I appreciate it.

Water based products like these leave an odor in my hair. I’m not sure what I may be doing incorrect.

Do you have any suggestions for me?

Thank you in advance!

I'm so sorry I missed this. I've been popping in and out bc I'm taking a break from doing our taxes. (actually, no, my hair is protected under my men's satin skull cap and bandana )

I've ALWAYS added lavender oil to my water mixes. I'm not sure if this will help you any but I remember the tip from 2009 that lavender oil (and Vitamin E) is a natural preservative. And I've been including it in my mixes ever since. Of course YMMV, but I've not had any problem with odors or moldiness in any of my mixes (daily spritz, cleanser, condishes, oils) even if they sit for a long time... months... a year or two. I mix mom's poo and condish and she's been using the same mixes for YEARS. I keep telling her to let me mix up another batch for her but she washes her hair once a month so the bottles are only half empty. She's got beautiful, long white and gray natural hair (she's never had very long hair in her life either) so it's not adversely affecting her hair.

I'm not saying that everyone should do it - but it's worth a try.

In your specific case, though, you're a baggier. Like, you baggy your braided hair for days at a time, right? I've been sooo fascinated by your process! If I were mimicking your process, I would NOT use water underneath my baggies either. So I think you're doing right to leave it out of your process. Otherwise, you'd definitely have an odor. If you only baggied overnight, I'd say try the lavender oil in your water mix and then make sure your hair totally dries before your next baggy.

I know you'll let me know if I didn't answer your question, , but I hope I did!

 

[Chicoro]

I'm so sorry I missed this. I've been popping in and out bc I'm taking a break from doing our taxes. (actually, no, my hair is protected under my men's satin skull cap and bandana )

I've ALWAYS added lavender oil to my water mixes. I'm not sure if this will help you any but I remember the tip from 2009 that lavender oil (and Vitamin E) is a natural preservative. And I've been including it in my mixes ever since. Of course YMMV, but I've not had any problem with odors or moldiness in any of my mixes (daily spritz, cleanser, condishes, oils) even if they sit for a long time... months... a year or two. I mix mom's poo and condish and she's been using the same mixes for YEARS. I keep telling her to let me mix up another batch for her but she washes her hair once a month so the bottles are only half empty. She's got beautiful, long white and gray natural hair (she's never had very long hair in her life either) so it's not adversely affecting her hair.

I'm not saying that everyone should do it - but it's worth a try.

In your specific case, though, you're a baggier. Like, you baggy your braided hair for days at a time, right? I've been sooo fascinated by your process! If I were mimicking your process, I would NOT use water underneath my baggies either. So I think you're doing right to leave it out of your process. Otherwise, you'd definitely have an odor. If you only baggied overnight, I'd say try the lavender oil in your water mix and then make sure your hair totally dries before your next baggy.

I know you'll let me know if I didn't answer your question, , but I hope I did!

I used to baggie for days when I had a ponytail. Now, I baggie only at night. I was using water by itself. I think that's a no no. Before, I would always put essential oils in my spray bottle. So, I see I have to make sure I have some essential oils in my mixes. I like rosemary, basil and sage.

Thank you!

 

[snoop]

I did a clay wash my hair today. The full moon is tomorrow morning, so I micro-trimmed my ends under the running water after washing it. It's funny how I've gone from being afraid to have any scissors near my hair, to dusting/trimming quarterly, to micro-trimming monthly.

Eventually, I'll work up the courage to cut/trim/shape my ends.

 

[GGsKin]

Hi @Chicoro and @BeautifulRoots, I don’t have much tested advice to offer when it comes to increasing density. If you have any background information to add @BeautifulRoots, it would definitely help me and the other members here to tailor some guidance. As is, I would suggest good dietary habits, keeping up with your washing and moisturising routine, low tension, scalp massages and inversion, thorough trims- including any shorter lengths throughout your hair, and patience.

 

[BeautifulRoots]

Hi @Chicoro and @BeautifulRoots, I don’t have much tested advice to offer when it comes to increasing density. If you have any background information to add @BeautifulRoots, it would definitely help me and the other members here to tailor some guidance. As is, I would suggest good dietary habits, keeping up with your washing and moisturising routine, low tension, scalp massages and inversion, thorough trims- including any shorter lengths throughout your hair, and patience.

Thank you for sharing!

As far as background info, I know part of it was health related due to an unhealthy diet, lack of exercise, stress, etc. I also had anemia from heavy cycles. Got my iron back up, but I noticed excess shedding and slight thinning during this time. (About 7 years ago)

Over a period of 2 years, my scalp began being irritated, sore, and itchy in certain spots along with the shedding. I did not know at the time these were signs I needed a dermatologist. So this continued for about 3 years before I went to a derm. She said I have an early case of CCCA. Went home with some medicated shampoo and scalp drops and my journey to stop its progress began.

And here I am, 7 months later. My derm says I am "making good progress" and my scalp "does not look inflammed anymore". I see a little progress, but I continue to experience excess shedding.

I'm on a jouney to get my scalp health under control and regain as much thickness as I can. I honestly don't think it's that noticeable to others, but I know my hair and how thick it was before. Any suggestions or advice is greatly apppreciated.

 

[Chicoro]

Hi @Chicoro and @BeautifulRoots, I don’t have much tested advice to offer when it comes to increasing density. If you have any background information to add @BeautifulRoots, it would definitely help me and the other members here to tailor some guidance. As is, I would suggest good dietary habits, keeping up with your washing and moisturising routine, low tension, scalp massages and inversion, thorough trims- including any shorter lengths throughout your hair, and patience.

I invoked and heralded you @GGsKin because you successfully resolved a situation with a bald spot you had and grew back your hair healthy and full.

 

[keranikki]

I don’t think I will ever have enough length to be completely satisfied. I’m hair greedy

Same…same

 

[GGsKin]

I invoked and heralded you @GGsKin because you successfully resolved a situation with a bald spot you had and grew back your hair healthy and full.

Thanks @Chicoro. I’m always happy to share, and try and help. I don’t always see tags straight away, but I’m always in and out so will respond, eventually lol.

I’ll start by saying I’d never had scalp issues. It’s not particularly sensitive and doesn’t tend to get irritated.

I did have several spots but that one at the front was the largest. They were caused by wearing clip-ins, and not removing them when I went to sleep. I believe it could be tension, and most likely my scalp reacting to the metal of the cheap clips in constant contact with my scalp.

To recover my bald spots, I did use somewhat intense or unconventional methods with the 24hr baggying -(IIRC it was like 3-4 months), massage, and inversion and frequent washing/ rinsing. I know not everyone is prepared to do that. Also, that intense GHE could have a negative effect on the hair, and I wouldn't want to risk the integrity of anyone’s hair. For me, I believe that it was the baggying that kickstarted the growth. I did post pics on here at the time- probably buried deep within the mammoth original MHM thread (pre-hangout spin off thread). I adopted wigs for the first time in my life. As someone who’d always worn my own hair, excluding the clip ins phase, I wasn’t comfortable but it was a means to an end. When I removed the baggy at home, my head would smell foul, but while I had the bag on, that smell was contained. I say all that to say, the method wasn’t pretty lol but it worked for me.

 

[mzteaze]

Thank you for sharing!

As far as background info, I know part of it was health related due to an unhealthy diet, lack of exercise, stress, etc. I also had anemia from heavy cycles. Got my iron back up, but I noticed excess shedding and slight thinning during this time. (About 7 years ago)

Over a period of 2 years, my scalp began being irritated, sore, and itchy in certain spots along with the shedding. I did not know at the time these were signs I needed a dermatologist. So this continued for about 3 years before I went to a derm. She said I have an early case of CCCA. Went home with some medicated shampoo and scalp drops and my journey to stop its progress began.

And here I am, 7 months later. My derm says I am "making good progress" and my scalp "does not look inflammed anymore". I see a little progress, but I continue to experience excess shedding.

I'm on a jouney to get my scalp health under control and regain as much thickness as I can. I honestly don't think it's that noticeable to others, but I know my hair and how thick it was before. Any suggestions or advice is greatly apppreciated.

I also have a CCCA diagnosis. I'm also working on density before I go for length.

The main things that have helped me:
1) Getting 7.5 + hours a night. This has truly helped reduce my inflammation the most & generally helped me overall feel better.

2) Regularly (daily) eating a high protein and vegetable diet.

3) Frequent exercise for blood circulation and stress relief

4) Nightly scalp massages (this is really new) but this really helps with hair fall. I use a water based serum and a handheld scalp massager for 5 minutes.

5) Address nutritional deficiency though I highly recommend you do this with professional help.

6) Patience! None of the products or techniques work quickly. Many require using over 3+ months before potentially seeing results.


Things I've tried along the way that helped BUT aren't required:
- Acupuncture - this helped me tramendously as it improved blood flow to my scalp. However, it can be a bit uncomfortable as needles are inserted into the scalp.
- Microneedling - right now I'm having it done as I'm concerned about DIY
- Red Light cap - I have one and it's no miracle product. Only invest if you have the disposable funds
- Nutrafol -
- High Frequency wand - this seems promising but I need more time before I'd be able to say yes or no.
- Trichologist - I've had some decent help from involving one

 

[Chicoro]

@GGsKin and @mzteaze thank you so much for sharing your experiences and successes. The transparency and honesty also make what you’ve said invaluable and priceless information; it’s worth a million bucks!!

@BeautifulRoots I am sure you’ll be able to find something useful in these testimonies.

This is why I say, if and when something comes up in this thread, it is ALWAYS important and NEVER a true ‘digression’. Eventually, whatever it was will circle back to the topic of ends.

And when that circling back happens, we are all the richer because of that discussion. On the surface, the topic may seem like a digression, but at the heart and soul of that discussion is something that was intentional and necessary and valuable for ALL of us to see, who are within this thread.

All this to say and to remind us all, if something comes up for you while perusing and/or participating in this thread, acknowledge it and share it with us if you feel comfortable doing so.

I know in my heart of hearts it came up for a reason. And it always proves to be beneficial for us.

 

[snoop]

The main things that have helped me:
1) Getting 7.5 + hours a night. This has truly helped reduce my inflammation the most & generally helped me overall feel better.

2) Regularly (daily) eating a high protein and vegetable diet.

3) Frequent exercise for blood circulation and stress relief

4) Nightly scalp massages (this is really new) but this really helps with hair fall. I use a water based serum and a handheld scalp massager for 5 minutes.

5) Address nutritional deficiency though I highly recommend you do this with professional help.

6) Patience! None of the products or techniques work quickly. Many require using over 3+ months before potentially seeing results.

This right here was has been seen and noted. This is everything that I keep telling myself that I need to do, but keep slacking on. Time to add reminders to my calendar.

 

[BeautifulRoots]

I also have a CCCA diagnosis. I'm also working on density before I go for length.

The main things that have helped me:
1) Getting 7.5 + hours a night. This has truly helped reduce my inflammation the most & generally helped me overall feel better.

2) Regularly (daily) eating a high protein and vegetable diet.

3) Frequent exercise for blood circulation and stress relief

4) Nightly scalp massages (this is really new) but this really helps with hair fall. I use a water based serum and a handheld scalp massager for 5 minutes.

5) Address nutritional deficiency though I highly recommend you do this with professional help.

6) Patience! None of the products or techniques work quickly. Many require using over 3+ months before potentially seeing results.


Things I've tried along the way that helped BUT aren't required:
- Acupuncture - this helped me tramendously as it improved blood flow to my scalp. However, it can be a bit uncomfortable as needles are inserted into the scalp.
- Microneedling - right now I'm having it done as I'm concerned about DIY
- Red Light cap - I have one and it's no miracle product. Only invest if you have the disposable funds
- Nutrafol -
- High Frequency wand - this seems promising but I need more time before I'd be able to say yes or no.
- Trichologist - I've had some decent help from involving one

Wow, thank you! Such great info and wisdom on strategies to help with this condition. I definitely need to implement these. I'll be writing this down in my notes app to refer to.

Do you mind if I PM you to ask some details about a few of your suggestions?

 

[mzteaze]

Wow, thank you! Such great info and wisdom on strategies to help with this condition. I definitely need to implement these. I'll be writing this down in my notes app to refer to.

Do you mind if I PM you to ask some details about a few of your suggestions?

Sure, feel free to ask away.

 

[mzteaze]

So, I had my 2 month (~ 10 week) visit with my new stylist. One of the big things I wanted was someone to take regular pictures for me to use and track in 2025. Photos are one of the BEST ways to track your progress and judge if products/techniques are working, no matter how small the change may be. In my case, here are my differences based on my hair in 2025 vs 2018.

Left = today (Feb 2025)
Right = 2018


As you can see, that last area at the crown is what I'm hoping to improve. What gives me hope is that I have baby hairs growing, which means I still have active follicles to reactivate.

This tells me that I really need to go hard with my amla & fenugreek masks to help rescue as many follicles as I can and keep them nourished.

 

[snoop]

So, I had my 2 month (~ 10 week) visit with my new stylist. One of the big things I wanted was someone to take regular pictures for me to use and track in 2025. Photos are one of the BEST ways to track your progress and judge if products/techniques are working, no matter how small the change may be. In my case, here are my differences based on my hair in 2025 vs 2018.

Left = today (Feb 2025)
Right = 2018

View attachment 501274
As you can see, that last area at the crown is what I'm hoping to improve. What gives me hope is that I have baby hairs growing, which means I still have active follicles to reactivate.

This tells me that I really need to go hard with my amla & fenugreek masks to help rescue as many follicles as I can and keep them nourished.

That's amazing progress! Do you only use ayurveda as a hair mask or are you doing oils and tea rinses as well?

 

[mzteaze]

That's amazing progress! Do you only use ayurveda as a hair mask or are you doing oils and tea rinses as well?

Really only use my Ayurveda masks. My trichologist asked that I not use oils on my scalp, but I started back using oil on my ends. This year I will add hot oil treatments under the steamer because that used to do wonders for my hair. I'm curious about using tea rinses but in the past never really saw noticeable changes enough to keep up with it.

Now, the main difference between my trichologist plan and my plan is her plan didn't include any protein for my hair. It focused a lot on the scalp but not much on my hair. This year, my aim is use what I know works for my hair length & density (lots of protein plus henna strengthening treatments) in alternate with my scalp treatments.

 

[Chicoro]

@mzteaze

It looks like the texture of your hair has changed in the recent photos. The hair looks curlier and your beautiful curls are amazingly uniformed in that that are the same length, going the same direction, with the same amount of texture. I've never seen hair and hair strands that looked so symmetrical before!

Congratulations on your wonderful progress and your SUCCESS!!

Where @BeautifulRoots at? I told you, whatever comes up in this thread, always proves helpful! And, always brings us right back to luscious hair ends.

 

[Chicoro]

Now I'm showcasing my lower back braid today.

I have learned some hard lessons about my hair. It is NOT enough to braid my hair and leave my ends out.
I MUST:

1. Grease the last 1/2 of my braid.
2. Roll up my braids and secure with a coated rubber band.
3. Re-braid my hair every 3 days, or the fuzziness breaks off and my hair frays and creates a web of tangled hair and strangles the braid in tangles.
4. Keep my ends in the center of the rolled up ball of hair to keep it moist or it will get matted and I have to tear and break it to undo my braids.

If I want to preserve the hair and not tangle it, I have to slick and slather it with Shea butter
or petroleum jelly and then roll it up neatly.


If you look closely at the base of the braid in the back,
you can see the fuzzy broken hair. It was worse
before. The more I cover my hair at night, the less
breakage and fuzzies I have back there.



This is another view of the same braid. It looks like it is thickening and becoming
the same thickness from root to tip. Many stylist and other people say I need
to trim and cut away the thinner part of the braid until it is all the same thickness.
NOPE. I will trim every 4 months as my hair gains length. When I get to my goal or
ideal length, I will trim my hair there at that length. I will 'hold' my hair at that length
by trimming all hair a that length until all the hair reaches that length and the bulk
of my hair is the same thickness up and down the length. THEN, my braids will
be the same thickness from root to tip.


I slather unmixed Shea butter and slick my hair down from where my pinky
is to the ends of my braid. Then I roll it up and a secure it with a rubber band.


Here's my braid after it has been greased up, balled up, rolled up and secured with
coated rubber bands.



The hair looks 'juicy' because I have used a spray bottle concoction of
water, Scurl, cheap conditioner. I add more ingredients to my spray
concoction but I plan on washing this weekend and don't want to waste
my products and ingredients. That white stuff is the residue of conditioner
and Scurl from my spray bottle. It usually absorbs into my hair and dissipates
by the time I leave the house.



I have always loved and to this day, LOVE my braids. My beautiful,
accomplished Auntie who I adored, who has since passed on, used to
express her disappointment that I never wore my hair down. I used to
feel kind of guilty like maybe I was missing out. But, now I have embraced
wearing braids because it is simply a style that I just very much enjoy.

 

[mzteaze]

@mzteaze

It looks like the texture of your hair has changed in the recent photos. The hair looks curlier and your beautiful curls are amazingly uniformed in that that are the same length, going the same direction, with the same amount of teacher. I've never seen hair and hair strands that looked so symmetrical before!

Congratulations on your wonderful progress and your SUCCESS!!

Where @BeautifulRoots at? I told you, whatever comes up in this thread, always proves helpful! And, always brings us right back to luscious hair ends.

@Chicoro Thanks for the compliments! My curls have been transformed with this new stylist. Yesterday she talked the shape she's planning to take my hair over this year including silk press (once we both think it will look nice).

Now, your hair is GORGEOUS! Do you trim your own hair?