I know it's frustrating, but there are some things you can do, and you've admitted yourself that you're seeing progress. Stay away from braids. For some people, they work, but more often than not, people experience hairline loss, matting/tangling leading to hair loss, etc., such that in the end, it's not really worth it to do them. Stick to other types of protective styles like buns, up-dos, etc.
Just because a salon is Dominican doesn't mean they know what they're doing. If you're going to do the salon route (vs. doing it yourself at home), you need to find someone you can trust, and then you need to 'train' them in the way of doing your hair. If that means bringing your own products, do it. If that means stopping them while they're detangling and showing them how you want it to be done, do it. Going the salon route while trying to have long, thick, healthy hair is NOT for the meek & timid. This is YOUR hair, and you're the only one that can speak up in defense of it!
Most weeks, I do my own hair at home, but when I do go to the salon, like next Friday before I go home for the holidays, I will go in for a touch-up after my second stretch (10 weeks last time, made it to 15 this time). When I go in, I will be bringing some of my own products. Before she starts de-tangling, I always make sure she uses the big-tooth comb first, then she can smooth it out with the smaller-tooth comb as she sections off each piece to roller-set it. When I go in for trims, I tell her a dusting only, then I actually have her hold up the first piece before she trims it to show me exactly how much she is trimming. Trust me, after a few times of 'showing & correcting' them, any hairstylist worth going to will learn how you like your hair to be done, and will start doing so without you having to tell them all the time. But you continue to watch them closely to ensure they're doing what you want. You NEVER turn your attention from what the hairstylist is doing when they're trimming your hair! If you hadn't or had spoken up, she never would have gotten away with trimming 2 inches of your hair off!
erplexed
Anyway, hang in there. The process can be slow & discouraging at times, but you ARE seeing progress, and will continue to do so if you get a little more diligent & defensive about who gets into your hair and how/what you let them do when they do get into your hair!
. I will be hitting the vitamins hard from here on out. 
I never thought of trimming my hair myself but it looks like I am going to have to start. Hopefully if I start taking my vitamins again and taking care of my hair on my own then I can readh my goal by my birthday in June. Thanks again and good luck to those of you that are on your own haircare journey.
