Need HELP!!!!!!!

[MizTay]

Okay so I'm new to this site and I'm not sure how to even BEGIN growing my hair out. I would love to go natural and give up the perms and weaves I have always wanted long natural healthy hair but I'm not sure where to begin or what to do!! How does one begin the long process of not only going natural-but growing out hair that is damaged from years of abuse?? How do you go about fixing hair that is overprocesed, fried, dry, dull and nearly unamangeable?? I constantly have to wear weaves because I don'y know what else to do!! I have been to the salon time and time again but she is starting to charge and arm and a leg( by arm and leg I mean ridiculous and exorbitant fees-- I once paid $189 for a perm and quick weave!!!!!! not including the cost of the hair itself!!!) and she is also scissor happy and wants to "fix up my split ends" every chance she gets!!! She has done nothing to help me grow my hair, aside from putting these anonymous "treatments" in my hair but she is never able to explain what they do or how they work but she just "knows that they will grow my hair"She also never gives me what I want but always has a "better" suggestion which usually involves more money for her!! The biggest thing with me is that I am CLUELESS as to how to care for my own hair. Sure I can style it with the best of them but when it comes to tru hair care I have no idea-which affects my daughter because I try my best to care for her hair and help it to gro as well. I have read the feature of the month forums and they are very helpful with lists of products but I'm just curious as to where to begin!! I don't even know how to go about getting my hair natural-I'm not sure that I can live without my beloved relaxer!! Any tips would be greatly appeciated--
Tay

My dream hair!!
I know its prolly a weave but it's beautiful and I would love to get my hair like this someday!!!
http://s233.photobucket.com/albums/ee172/MissTay1985/?action=view&current=MissToya.jpg

 

[growth2come]

I think this will be a nice starting point....also you need to set small goals for yourself...one could be getting your healthy state first and the regime and products to help you and work on length after you have healthy starting point to hair growth...goodluck.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jIKAfLv8Xfc
P.S she also has other great videos!

 

[locabouthair]

Hi! I suggest reading all of her hair articles. That ill help ylou a lot.

http://www.associatedcontent.com/user/83046/audrey_sivasothy.html

Also, if you click on the sticky thread at the top you will find a newcomer's thread in there as well.

 

[longhairdreamzz]

What helped me alot...was taking pictures...

-Set up a fotki or photo journal starting w/ your beginning point.

-Also build a wishlist...so that everytime you get a paycheck buy at least one product off that list that would work towards helping to maintain your hair.

-Visiting the forum frequently kept me inspired also, and also keeping a note on your favorite fotki's that ultimately inspire you.

-Also start eliminately slowly or one a time anything that you know is just not good w/ or for your hair. For example, my problem was flatironing my hair everyday. At first I made it a rule to only flat iron twice a week, then flatironing gradually made it's way out of my routine. I only use it when I get a fresh relaxer.

-Also you may want to find some staple hairstyles. At three minimum that won't stress your hair out.

-Also try to be patient. Look at it like this: We went all of our life (I went 20 years) thinking we couldn't grow our hair past a certain point and now that we do know I'm sure we can allow at least 2 to 3 years to get our hair back into tip/top shape and that length we want. Hell if I can wait 20 years, I know I can wait 2 or 3 more years.


If anybody wants to add to this jump right in, I know there's more. Help a newbie out!

Hope this helps MizTay!

 

[TrendySocialite]

These are all great things to do and consider!

I agree with one of the other LHCFers who said to concentrate on one thing at a time. Personally, I recommend concentrating on getting your hair healthy first, then possibly work on transitioning and length.

I am sure some of the naturals who transitioned can help you in terms of getting your hair healthy and transitioning at the same time. Since you think your hair is overprocessed, I would suggest trying to stretch your relaxers.

Co-washing will probably help you tremendously. It will help replace moisture and start your hair on it way.

Baggying is also a great way to moisturize your ends.

Definitely keep your reggie as simple as possible. Pick 2-4 things and do them consistently for a month. I'd recommend the following:

• co-washing (at least 2x a week)
• DC every wash (for at least 30 minutes, preferably an hour)
• baggying
• scalp massages with essential and carrier oils
• hide your ends as much as possible (buns or phony ponies)

I spent the first month or so on the sticky's, looking at fotkis and trying to determine which things would be most beneficial to my own hair and where I was trying to get to. So far it seems to be working.

After doing this for a month, you may want to consider adding a growth aid to your regimen. I use vitamins and MN. The MN is tha truth!!!!!!

Hope this helps!!!!

What helped me alot...was taking pictures...

-Set up a fotki or photo journal starting w/ your beginning point.

-Also build a wishlist...so that everytime you get a paycheck buy at least one product off that list that would work towards helping to maintain your hair.

-Visiting the forum frequently kept me inspired also, and also keeping a note on your favorite fotki's that ultimately inspire you.

-Also start eliminately slowly or one a time anything that you know is just not good w/ or for your hair. For example, my problem was flatironing my hair everyday. At first I made it a rule to only flat iron twice a week, then flatironing gradually made it's way out of my routine. I only use it when I get a fresh relaxer.

-Also you may want to find some staple hairstyles. At three minimum that won't stress your hair out.

-Also try to be patient. Look at it like this: We went all of our life (I went 20 years) thinking we couldn't grow our hair past a certain point and now that we do know I'm sure we can allow at least 2 to 3 years to get our hair back into tip/top shape and that length we want. Hell if I can wait 20 years, I know I can wait 2 or 3 more years.


If anybody wants to add to this jump right in, I know there's more. Help a newbie out!

Hope this helps MizTay!

 

[Platinum]

Hi there! Welcome to the site. You're definetely in the right place for info to get your hair back on track. The other sisters have given great advice. I'm a newbie so I really can't offer much advice other than FIRE YOUR STYLIST! Anyone that's charging an arm and a leg but cannot improve the condition of your hair isn't worth visiting.

Happy Hair Growing!

 

[TrendySocialite]

co-sign!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Hi there! Welcome to the site. You're definetely in the right place for info to get your hair back on track. The other sisters have given great advice. I'm a newbie so I really can't offer much advice other than FIRE YOUR STYLIST! Anyone that's charging an arm and a leg but cannot improve the condition of your hair isn't worth visiting.

Happy Hair Growing!

 

[mscocoface]

Hi there welcome aboard. The ladies have given you some very good advice about steps.

I am going to talk to you about the psychological aspect of this.

First, remember and understand that if you decide to learn about your hair, as well as go natural this will be a journey. You will have some ups and downs and some frustration but don't worry that is normal.

Second, if you don't know what your natural hair looks like, you will be developing a relationship with it. Learn to love and accept whatever texture you have on your head. Whether it is a 2A or a 4z you just have to learn how to handle whatever texture it is and accept that it will only do certain things or take certain products because of it's texture.

Third, always ask questions before you do anything you are not 100% sure of. These ladies will not only tell you what you want to hear but what you need to hear.

Fourth, set a good foundation for your journey. Don't be afraid to deal with getting the discipline now that you will need for the long haul in dealing with your hair.

All of these things deal with you having the mindset to handle them, you are going to have to change your behavior and get some understanding of your hair. Don't judge it just accept it and learn how to handle it.

If you can deal with this part it is a major part of your battle.

Happy growing happy journey.

 

[TrendySocialite]

EXCELLENT ADVICE!!!!!!!!!

Hi there welcome aboard. The ladies have given you some very good advice about steps.

I am going to talk to you about the psychological aspect of this.

First, remember and understand that if you decide to learn about your hair, as well as go natural this will be a journey. You will have some ups and downs and some frustration but don't worry that is normal.

Second, if you don't know what your natural hair looks like, you will be developing a relationship with it. Learn to love and accept whatever texture you have on your head. Whether it is a 2A or a 4z you just have to learn how to handle whatever texture it is and accept that it will only do certain things or take certain products because of it's texture.

Third, always ask questions before you do anything you are not 100% sure of. These ladies will not only tell you what you want to hear but what you need to hear.

Fourth, set a good foundation for your journey. Don't be afraid to deal with getting the discipline now that you will need for the long haul in dealing with your hair.

All of these things deal with you having the mindset to handle them, you are going to have to change your behavior and get some understanding of your hair. Don't judge it just accept it and learn how to handle it.

If you can deal with this part it is a major part of your battle.

Happy growing happy journey.