New but Old and Discouraged.

hottopic

hottopic

Well-Known Member
I been gone for about three years because I hit my bra-strap goal. But, I want waist length and for some reason I am stuck. I am a 4 a/b relaxed.

new+hair+pics+jan+2+2005+092.jpg
- Start end of 2004/2005


DSC_0294.JPG
- current length...May 2011.

I honestly don't remember all I did to get to a little pass bra-strap. So, I am back to square one. One thing I do remember, was being addicted to LHCF. I hope my addiction the 2nd time around yield results.

I need challenge suggestions>> Please.

My current regime:
1) Perm once every 14-16 weeks
2) Wash once a week (no pre-conditioned wash, I know I know)
3) 1/2 wigs, buns, and leaving my hair out
4) Dominican Blowout at week 12 normally
5) Sometime I flat-iron... (YEAH...!!! I know)
6) I rarely oil my scalp... once a week :(
7) I don't protect my ends anymore when I sleep.

Ok... HELP....!!!
 
hottopic said:
I been gone for about three years because I hit my bra-strap goal. But, I want waist length and for some reason I am stuck. I am a 4 a/b relaxed.

new+hair+pics+jan+2+2005+092.jpg
- Start end of 2004/2005


DSC_0294.JPG
- current length...May 2011.

I honestly don't remember all I did to get to a little pass bra-strap. So, I am back to square one. One thing I do remember, was being addicted to LHCF. I hope my addiction the 2nd time around yield results.

I need challenge suggestions>> Please.
Click to expand...

My current regime:
1) Perm once every 14-16 weeks -- Have you considered stretching longer? Just something I've noticed with a lot of long-haired chicks. If touching up ever 4 months isn't working you've got to try something else or you'll never know what else could be.
2) Wash once a week (no pre-conditioned wash, I know I know) -- I don't think pre-pooing is necessary. I know a few people who don't pre-poo and their hair is doing fine.
3) 1/2 wigs, buns, and leaving my hair out--Not sure how often you leave your hair out, but some people can get away with it. Most do better keeping their hair up more times than not.
4) Dominican Blowout at week 12 normally--I dunno, but from what I've heard, the heat used here is damaging. So who knows how much breakage you get from this. Esp coz your hair is already chemically processed.
5) Sometime I flat-iron... (YEAH...!!! I know)--You know, so no comment. (Why so much heat????)
6) I rarely oil my scalp... once a week :( I don't think oiling scalp has any effect on hair growth. I haven't oiled my scalp in years and my hair grows all the same. You scalp produces it's own oil and can do well without your help in that dept.
7) I don't protect my ends anymore when I sleep. Not only do ends need protection from friction with whatever they come in contact with (clothes pillow etc) but they also need to be dusted regularly. You can't expect hair that is getting all the "abuse" we give it from combing, brushing, washing, straightening etc...to not have any damage. And the longer it's on your head, the more it endures the damage. Your ends being the oldest probably keep breaking off so you stay at the same length. Dusting would get rid of the weakness that transfers to the rest of your strands so you have stronger, more durable ends. You may say you never see broken strands. Most people don't coz the breaking happens so gradually at such a small scale, not unlike skin cells being shed naturally.

There are threads for ladies who made longer lengths whose regimens may help you tweak yours. Just a thought.
 
Nonie said:
There are threads for ladies who made longer lengths whose regimens may help you tweak yours. Just a thought.
Click to expand...

I agree a lot with what you are saying. The last part I plan to jump on tonight. You are right I do need to find ladies that have longer length asap. Thank you Nonie. All your feedback hit home. Its been so long that I am afraid to try but I know I have to if I want to hit my new goal. The only issue I may run into is going pass 16 weeks with no perm...!!! I haven't done that in so long I don't know if I can think of enough protective styles to get me there.
 
Last edited:
^ well there you go!!
I just came in to say Welcome back for the 2nd time around and I'm sure you will reach your goals with some tweaking in your regi. HHG
 
Your hair looks good but I think you may need to moisturize your hair especially when wearing it out. When I wear my hair out I moisturize 2x's a day.
Also think about moisturizing your hair before going to bed. A bit of condtioner on the ends will do you some good.


Start taking some pics of your hair more often so you can see your progress


Questions:
What are you combing your hair with
Who trims your ends
When they trim do you see what they are trimming off, you could be getting all your progress cut off.
When you do your braidouts what do you use and how are you detangling this style prior to washing
How often do you comb your hair
 
Myjourney2009 said:
Your hair looks good but I think you may need to moisturize your hair especially when wearing it out. When I wear my hair out I moisturize 2x's a day. (Great suggestion...I am using this one starting tonight..!!!)
Also think about moisturizing your hair before going to bed. A bit of condtioner on the ends will do you some good.


Start taking some pics of your hair more often so you can see your progress


Questions:
What are you combing your hair with? Wide teeth Combs mostly
Who trims your ends? Salon
When they trim do you see what they are trimming off, you could be getting all your progress cut off. ? No I don't. I use to watch but I need to start doing that again. Thanks for pointing that out. Actually I think I am going to go back to trimming my hair myself.
When you do your braidouts what do you use and how are you detangling this style prior to washing? This is a tricky question. The method changes all the time. Any suggestions?
How often do you comb your hair
Click to expand...
? If I am in a 1/2 wig... 1 for the month, because I braid my hair underneath.:) I am not in a wig unfortunately everyday.
 
hottopic I agree with Nonie on two counts. First, pre-pooing is not necessary, your hair will be fine without it. Personally, I get great results with it so I would recommend trying it but by no means is it a necessity. Second, I do not think oiling your scalp effects growth, unless you're talking about rubbing JBCO into a thin patch or something. It is not a must for a regular regimen, barring specific regrowth goals. Your hair looks beautiful! Good luck with you WL goal. What kind of relaxer do you use?
 
prettypithy said:
hottopic I agree with Nonie on two counts. First, pre-pooing is not necessary, your hair will be fine without it. Personally, I get great results with it so I would recommend trying it but by no means is it a necessity. Second, I do not think oiling your scalp effects growth, unless you're talking about rubbing JBCO into a thin patch or something. It is not a must for a regular regimen, barring specific regrowth goals. Your hair looks beautiful! Good luck with you WL goal. What kind of relaxer do you use? alter ego or mizani
Click to expand...

I think I mentioned prepoo because I remember doing it when I was growing my hair out. I also remember it being annoying, but I did it twice a week (sometimes 3 times). For some reason I blocked all what did...it was just so much. I was happy to hit goal so I can keep it simple, LOL. Do you know a WL 4a/b on the board I should look at. I use to know who was who, but I can't remember anyones name :nono:. Talk about falling off.
 
hottopic said:
? If I am in a 1/2 wig... 1 for the month, because I braid my hair underneath.:) I am not in a wig unfortunately everyday.
Click to expand...

hottopic

sorry it took so long to respond to the "detangling after a braidout". I would suggest using any store brought brand like sallys ion detangling spray or aphogee moisturizing spray. I use the both of these to take out my dd's braids.

If you want to go the home made route you can take equal amounts of distilled water and aloe vera juice and just spray it on, let it sit for a bit and then detangle from there in sections
 
hottopic said:
I need challenge suggestions>> Please.

My current regime:
1) Perm once every 14-16 weeks
2) Wash once a week (no pre-conditioned wash, I know I know)
3) 1/2 wigs, buns, and leaving my hair out
4) Dominican Blowout at week 12 normally
5) Sometime I flat-iron... (YEAH...!!! I know)
6) I rarely oil my scalp... once a week :(
7) I don't protect my ends anymore when I sleep.

Ok... HELP....!!!
Click to expand...

Welcome back!!! :welcome3:

I noticed that you didn't mention anything about deep conditioning. If you don't do it often, you should definitely up your dc game.

One challenge that I can't recommend enough is the Deep Conditioning Challenge.

http://www.longhaircareforum.com/showthread.php?t=554595

It seems like you burned out the last time, because you were doing so much. But growing your hair out doesn't have to be complicated.

Shampoo and dc once a week.

Moisturize daily.

Limit heat.

Protect your ends.

Sleep with a satin bonnet/pillowcase.

That's pretty much all you need to do, nothing fancy is needed. :) In fact, from what I've noticed, the members with the longest hair have the simplest regimens. Sometimes less is more. :yep:
 
I think the biggest thing is to protect your ends. At your length I'm sure it's brushing up against your clothes all day and at night it's rubbing against your sheets. I think with bunning or protecting your ends you'll see more retention
 
Welcome back OP. I just thought I'd add RE:Stretching. While it is heralded here as a great thing, you've got to be careful because it could be counterproductive if your hair can't handle stretches longer than 16weeks. Other than that, I think the ladies have given you great advice to work with.
 
OT: OP what part of Florida do you live? I'm in Northwest FL.

-I cannot stretch beyond 10-12 weeks as it results in breakage.
-I moisturize at least 1x daily. I seal as needed. I've found that using quality moisturizers result in the need to seal less. I use Bee Mine Luscious Balanced Cream Moisturizer.
-I protective style almost always and ensure my ends are well hydrated.
-I mostly bun and use a banana clip and good days hair pins. These are very gentle items on my hair and doesn't cause breakage.
-I DC weekly but no everyone has to DC weekly.
-I rarely use heat; I mainly air dry.
-I agree with Nonie and Myjourney2009. Journal and take pics to view progress.
HTH
 
Hey Hottopic,
It seems to me that I might not have much advice for you as I'm a natural and there may be some special considerations that only a relaxed head would understand. I'd suggest looking for someone who is the length that you want, with the same hair type and possibly previous issues.

I will say this:
1) You're not protecting your ends.

I think this is your #1 culprit. No head scarf= damage. Heck you don't want to do a headscarf then get silk or satin sheets...but not doing anything is not a good thing. You need to make it happen if you want to achieve your objectives.

You remedy this and I'm sure you will get closer (if not to) your goal (especially since you knew how to get this far (and I'm assuming you stopped protecting your ends because you said you don't anymore. And if I were to think in those terms before you did and you got to this goal and now you don't and you're stalling).

I'd suggest asking yourself, what else are you doing different, versus what you were doing when you were successful. AND recommit to those things to get yourself over the next hump.
 
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