Now Forming an Army of SUPER-LONG HAIR 4B (or mostly 4b) NATURALS!! Come on in!

[lisajames96]

I'd like to join for my 8 year old daughter. I've been on a HHJ with both my daughters and it's been a challenge for my oldest with 4b hair. Not because her hair wouldn't grow, but I wasn't trying my best to learn to take care of it. She has thin strands and medium density hair, but it has that "thick" look when it's not stretched.
I don't put any heat on her hair anymore. I mostly keep it twisted and leave it alone. She is BelowSB now, and I want to retain as much hair as it continues to grow.
Thanks for the support thread!

 

[ceecy29]

Pics of my recent flat iron. First pic is before/shrinkage.





Time to wash it out

With my doctor and soon-to-be (Amen!) doctor friends

 

[winona]

ceecy29 WOW shrinkage is beautiful.

 

[Pharmgirl247]

Oh my! I tried two strand twist. It's not a good look for me. Anyways here is a pic of the madness lol.

 

[Valerie]

Love to see so many ladies with super long 4b hair, especially Coyacoy, Maracuya and Hanna Light, very good, Looking forward to join you with my long lengths.

 

[Imani]

What counts as super long? For ME personally, my hair will feel long at APL and super long at like BSL (or BSB) and anything past that.

 

[OndoGirl]

What counts as super long? For ME personally, my hair will feel long at APL and super long at like BSL (or BSB) and anything past that.

I'll take APL and couldn't nobody tell me nothing! Heck, I'll take SL at this point.

 

[OndoGirl]

:wow: Your hair is beautiful.

I am a 4b natural with fine hair strands checking in, anyone with find hair strands can attest to the fact that it makes your HHJ that much more difficult because they are more prone to breakage due to their very delicate nature but I aspire to be HL one day.

 

[Imani]

I'll take APL and couldn't nobody tell me nothing! Heck, I'll take SL at this point.

I felt the same way but now that I'm actually sl it doesn't feel very long at all. Its prob also bc I have layers so it still doesn't feel long. I'm thinking it will feel long by yr end once I'm full apl. When it can comfortably lay and hang down my back.

Hopefully more 4bs and esp those of us with finer hair that's hard to retain will start to see longer lengths now that there's better info on how to care for our hair. The biggest thing I had to let go was wanting to wear my hair out and straight all the time. Some folks can get away with that, but I can't.

Sent from my SGH-T839 using SGH-T839

 

[bride91501]

I'll take APL and couldn't nobody tell me nothing! Heck, I'll take SL at this point.

When I first joined the board I used to give the virtual side-eye to any thread about hairnorexia. But it's real

I just knew APL would feel super long to me (since my hair has never in my life been longer than NL), but now that I'm just about there, I don't feel anything lol. My new theory is that once I can easily reach around my back and pull down a piece without nearly breaking my arm, *hopefully* it'll feel long then.

*Hopefully*

 

[JayAnn0513]

I'm in for my daughter! I'll post a starting pic after I take down her cornrows Tuesday evening. You can see her puffs in my siggie. Assuming she gets 6 inches in a year she should be APL-MBL this time next year. She is currently SL. I plan to get it braided once a month, DC with ORS replenishing pack, Scurl to moisturize/detangle. We are keeping it super simple.

 

[bride91501]

I'm in for my daughter! I'll post a starting pic after I take down her cornrows Tuesday evening. You can see her puffs in my siggie. Assuming she gets 6 inches in a year she should be APL-MBL this time next year. She is currently SL. I plan to get it braided once a month, DC with ORS replenishing pack, Scurl to moisturize/detangle. We are keeping it super simple.

Welcome JayAnn0513 ! I didn't realize that was your daughter in your siggie....I actually thought she was a model She's adorable! And that face she's serving?? Spiiiiicy ....I LOVE spicy kids

My youngest DD is also a type 4 with super duper fine hair, and I've taken her hair from barely SL to BSL (if she actually wore a bra lol) in the last year with a reggie similar to the one you're using for your DD, so I'll be checking for your updates

Again, welcome!

 

[NappyNelle]

JayAnn0513 I thought your siggy pic was a model too! Your daughter is so pretty.

I agree with bride91501 about hairnorexia. I'm almost BSL, but my hair feels average length. Maybe it's because I've always worn in it in a stretched, rather than straight, style.

 

[JayAnn0513]

Thanks ladies! "Spicy" is an understatement, lol. She's a really fun kid.

 

[Imani]

When I first joined the board I used to give the virtual side-eye to any thread about hairnorexia. But it's real

I just knew APL would feel super long to me (since my hair has never in my life been longer than NL), but now that I'm just about there, I don't feel anything lol. My new theory is that once I can easily reach around my back and pull down a piece without nearly breaking my arm, *hopefully* it'll feel long then.

*Hopefully*

Lol, I was the EXACT same way. When I first joined, I was just like please god, just let me be healthy SL and I will be happy (I hadn't had full sl since grade school and thats when my hair was "long"). And APL seemed like a distant fairy tale fantasy.

Then once it seemed I'd found a decent reggie and APL was starting to look like a plausible reality, I'm like, hmmm, is APL really that long So then I was like, I'll stretch my long term goal to MBL. Then I was like, heck, why not WL

 

[toiatoya]

lurking...

 

[MaraWithLove]

lurking...

I'll be here someday xD

 

[yaya24]

Great growth @bride91501!

I am currently weaved up for the next 3 months. Hopefully I am surprised with at least an inch in October.

EDIT*********
At the bolded...
I made it ALL of 1 month

CURRENTLY Weave free.
Sew ins are NOT my thing.
Wigs are the best PS for me..

I will be getting senegelese twists in October

 

[Imani]

^^^Be sure to post pics/details. I want some type of twists, however I am scared bc last time I had kinky twists, the synthetic extension hair made me itchy and was tangled and knotted with my real hair when I tried to take them down. Also my edges seemed a little shady. I only had them in for 4 weeks.

The only way I'd ever do them again would be if I could find some good quality human hair and a braider I really really trusted.

 

[ezina]

I'm on an indefinite stretch with intentions on going natural. I'd love to join you ladies!

 

[JudithO]

Guys I'm so sick n tired my 4b hair. This is just a rant anyway... i cant do anything with it.. currently @ apl... been in cornrows n PS'ing with wigs.... i just feel really unkept with this hair... i cant wear wash n go's... hair shrinks to 2 inches even though i have 11 inches.... everyone around my family has a perm, weaves and keeps talking down on me and my hair... i just need encouraged thats all.

Sent from my T-Mobile G2

 

[nzeee]

Guys I'm so sick n tired my 4b hair. This is just a rant anyway... i cant do anything with it.. currently @ apl... been in cornrows n PS'ing with wigs.... i just feel really unkept with this hair... i cant wear wash n go's... hair shrinks to 2 inches even though i have 11 inches.... everyone around my family has a perm, weaves and keeps talking down on me and my hair... i just need encouraged thats all.

Sent from my T-Mobile G2

judy4all your hair looks great. love your length i can't wait until my hair gets there. i've been waiting for APL for what seems like ages! and now that you've trimmed off the heat damage you're a nice blunt APL so you're doing well. just be patient and remember our hair loves moisture so don't deprive it hope you feel better soon. if not texlax or perm if you think you'll be happier. you're growing your hair for yourself so if you're miserable you should do anything to be happy again.

at Everybodyeverywhere up in this thread: i kinda hate the 'i hate my 4b hair' thing. why can't it be that you hate it 'when'. as in: i hate when my hair is dry. i hate when my hair shrinks... etc. it's so defeating to be all "i hate my hair for what it is". what do y'all think? do you ever hate your hair just because it's 4b?

 

[Bublin]

Guys I'm so sick n tired my 4b hair. This is just a rant anyway... i cant do anything with it.. currently @ apl... been in cornrows n PS'ing with wigs.... i just feel really unkept with this hair... i cant wear wash n go's... hair shrinks to 2 inches even though i have 11 inches.... everyone around my family has a perm, weaves and keeps talking down on me and my hair... i just need encouraged thats all.

Sent from my T-Mobile G2

I watched one of your youtube videos and i think you have very nice, healthy looking hair and you have great length which means you must be doing something right.

Personally i think you hate your shrinkage, not that it is 4b, because not all 4b's shrink as much as your's - some do, some don't.

If i'm right then perhaps start looking into ways you can stretch your hair, including a little heat perhaps.

 

[virtuenow]

Guys I'm so sick n tired my 4b hair. This is just a rant anyway... i cant do anything with it.. currently @ apl... been in cornrows n PS'ing with wigs.... i just feel really unkept with this hair... i cant wear wash n go's... hair shrinks to 2 inches even though i have 11 inches.... everyone around my family has a perm, weaves and keeps talking down on me and my hair... i just need encouraged thats all.

Sent from my T-Mobile G2

My hair was 15 inches and still shrinks to 2-4inches. All you have to do is blow it out. I always blowdry or press. Otherwise I would never get to enjoy my length. Stretching in braids or twists never worked for me b/c my shrinkage is so extreme. I guess if you're afraid of heat then I can't help you.

 

[youwillrise]

ya know,

ive always seen this thread, but never took a peek in.

i like this. i wanna join this. fun tiiiimes.

my current regimen:

wearing twists for 2 to 4 weeks at a time
shampooing every 2 weeks
rinsing/conditioning twice a week, with one being a dc
moisturizing with conditioner, sealing with oyin burnt sugar pomade


ultimate goal:

about 3 inches below my bra and maintain. (will that goal stay the same once i get there? who knows...i dont see myself growing past my waist, though)

a picture i took yesterday for another challenge (pardon the filthy mirror):

 

[lushcoils]

Heat users, how do you keep your hair healthy?

 

[NappyNelle]

at Everybodyeverywhere up in this thread: i kinda hate the 'i hate my 4b hair' thing. why can't it be that you hate it 'when'. as in: i hate when my hair is dry. i hate when my hair shrinks... etc. it's so defeating to be all "i hate my hair for what it is". what do y'all think? do you ever hate your hair just because it's 4b?

Dontcha know Type 4 hair looks like this:

We are all walking around looking crazy.

judy4all Welcome! I just perused your albums... girl your hair looks great! It's all full, thick and healthy. Watchu talkin' bout?! Have you tried stretching it, as others have stated? How do you usually wear your hair? It looks great IMO.

 

[toiatoya]

"moisturizing with conditioner, sealing with oyin burnt sugar pomade"
youwillrise would u consider that "heavy sealing"? I've been wanting to try the burnt sugar pomade but wasnt sure. the only oyin product i have used was the Honey Hemp conditioner and I don't think my hair like it too much, but I've been wanting to try the pomade. anyone else know either?

 

[NappyNelle]

toiatoya I've heavy-sealed with Burnt Sugar Pomade and I LOVE IT. However, I may be biased. I'm an Oyin and Qhemet Junkie.

 

[mousee09]

My hair was 15 inches and still shrinks to 2-4inches. All you have to do is blow it out. I always blowdry or press. Otherwise I would never get to enjoy my length. Stretching in braids or twists never worked for me b/c my shrinkage is so extreme. I guess if you're afraid of heat then I can't help you.

before you blow dry your hair do you put anything else on it first? like heat protectant? or anything that prevent for heat damage?

I am thinking of blow dry my hair too! my hair hasnt touch heat in 15 months of me being natural and i figure it time to see the real length of my hair too!