Need Encouragement; Growing hair in layers

[chellee]

Hi Ladies,

I am trying to grow my relaxed, fine, 4a hair to my shoulders and beyond! Currently, the longest length is approx 8 inches, give or take a split end or two. It has always been longer in the back half.

I am so frustrated b/c of how thin my hair appears. If I wear it down (which at the time is never) it lacks body unless I style it in a braid-out or rollerset using smaller rollers. I see people with blunt cuts and their hair appears so much healthier than mine. I guess fuller is a better word. Also, sometimes I feel that protective styles while wearing layers put more stress on the longer lengths (I currently pin my hair back with a couple hair pins).

With a blunt cut, aren't you dooming your hair to grow as fastest as the slowest area b/c you keep punishing the faster sections by constant trimming? Fuller-looking hair that grows at a snails pace is not a fair trade-off (IMO). At the rate these strands are going, I would NEVER make it to shoulder-length.

Have any of you been discouraged at this in-between phase? Did your hair just surprise you one day or was there something that you changed about your routine to get you over the hump?

 

[Barbi]

I had the same problem, but realized that trimming my hair was very important. The more you trim, the faster your hair will grow. I have noticed that my hair grows like wild grass when I trim it. It is now full of body and looks really healthy. Although I do find a split end or two, but you really cannot get rid of every split.

Before you roller set your hair, do you use a leave in conditioner? I love IC Treatment. It works wonders on my hair and has hair growing properties in it. I was my hair 2-3 times weekly.

 

[Jewell]

The last time I had layers was April 2003. My previous layers had grown to be one length, and i had the layers cut in again. After the layers from April 03 grew out, I didn't cut anymore in, I just maintained a blunt cut. My hair has been easy to maintain this way. I just have it trimmed straight across, but this just takes off the scragglies usually, and not my good ends. The scragglies tend to get caught by the shears, because they grow out of line with the other hair.

Don't get discouraged. Your layers will grow out faster than you think. As soon as I had my layers recut, I immediately regreted it. Therefore, I will maintain a blunt cut from now on.

 

[Poohbear]

I've been discouraged about growing out my layers as well. I have fine, 4a type hair as well but the longest lengths are past my shoulders. I have bangs and chin length sides which drive me nuts when styling in a bun. I can't wait either to grow out my layers and have mostly even length hair all over.

 

[caramelty]

my hair is in layers now and it is very thick full and full of body I guess b/c the textures of our hair.....

 

[Stormy]

Chellee,

I also have fine 4A hair in layers. Very soft and It appears thick and course, until you actually touch it. Like your's, it also grows longest in the back. Anyway, I love the fact that my hair grows this way, but I too would like for my layers to grow out longer. I've had some set backs, but at one time, all of a sudden my layers started catching up and the sides of my hair was growing one length. I started with a very short cut (think Halle Berry short length) then it grew to my shoulders in a little over a year. I did regular trims about an 1/8th of an inch every two months. I never went more than three months without a trim. I get body from roller sets and braid outs. Yes, I do believe the protective styles also put stress on my ends. I noticed the ends started looking thin. So, you have to be careful with the styles you wear. I wore the buns too often. Now what I do, (when I'm not wearing braids) is wear an updo with one or two bobby pins. Once I got to a certain point, I did a big chop. Now, I'm working back to shoulder length then on to shoulder blades.

To see what my hair looks like visit: stormysteele.com

 

[Mariaat40]

my hair is in layers now and it is very thick full and full of body I guess b/c the textures of our hair.....

I think that's true. I have fine hair and it just looks too thin with layers. I still have layers from breakage when my hair was dry and damaged. It's almost a blunt cut now. Rather than cutting to the shortest layer, my stylist has just gradually trimmed the longest layer a little more than the others. I don't necessarily agree that trimming your hair makes it grow faster - unless of course you have damaged ends. Then your hair is growing at the same rate but you're not retaining it because the ends are breaking off.

 

[SandySea]

I definitely feel your pain. You can take a look at my album and see how thin my hair was when I started on the board. Just keep babying your hair and find styles that are flattering. Also, if your hair looks thin because it's growing out, try wearing braids for a period of time. This will help you to forget about your hair for a while and you will be shocked at the growth because you won't be watching grass grow every day by constantly checking length. I have fine hair too, but it is thickening up as the damaged areas grow out. It takes time, but you'll see improvement.

 

[sharee]

I definitely feel your pain. You can take a look at my album and see how thin my hair was when I started on the board. Just keep babying your hair and find styles that are flattering. Also, if your hair looks thin because it's growing out, try wearing braids for a period of time. This will help you to forget about your hair for a while and you will be shocked at the growth because you won't be watching grass grow every day by constantly checking length. I have fine hair too, but it is thickening up as the damaged areas grow out. It takes time, but you'll see improvement.

I have the layers issue too. I never wear it out because it almost looks like a mullet (or however you spell it). My hair is really fine and thin but like SandySea, it is slowly thickening out. I guess patience is the key. I am going to try more updo's and just wait it out.

 

[chellee]

Thanks to all for responding. At least now I know that I am not alone. SandySea, your hair is definitely coming along. I notice a significant improvement. How often do you relax? Right now my hair looks like your pics from the beginning of your journey. I hate those fly-away strands!

Sandy, Sharee, what have you been doing differently (routine-wise)? Your hair has shown so much improvement? HELP ME!!!

These layers/thin ends have definitely hindered my growth. I should be so much further along by now.

 

[chellee]

I am so frustrated. I originally had my hair cut in layers due to damage (I tried to salvage the healthier hair). Now I am damaging (thinning) the healthier hair by placing too much stress on it. Go figure.