Solving my most pressing hair problems

[frida1980]

For the last two years I've been committed to growing my hair longer. I changed a lot of things in my life to ensure growth and retention. I only use expensive hot irons life my Amika, which I'm going to replace this year. I replaced all my thick greases with natural oils like grapeseed, safflower, olive, and coconut. I made a oil mixture of lavender and rosemary to apply directly to my scalp to reduce itching and shedding. I DC every week with heat, use natural shampoo with no sulfates, and wrap every night with a satin scarf. I trim every two months, using only people that I know that won't scalp me.

The first image was my hair in May 2009, after I got a hair dress that didn't know the meaning of a trim.

The second was my hair in January 2010.


I don't a current picture, because I twist my hair in the summer to give it a rest.

My current problems are shedding, thin and shorter hair in the front, and thinness. I'd love to have hair that's a little thicker, that's even all around. I'd also love to get past APL and BSL. What advice can everyone give me to take my hair to the next level?

 

[beana]

Your hair looks beautiful to me and has grown a lot!!!!

I trim often as well, but i have a feeling some of the ladies here may suggest trimming a bit less.

In terms of the shedding, it could just be that some of your hair has reached its life cycle and that's totally normal. I wouldn't worry about it unless you see an alarming amount of hair coming out. Try to use a garlic DC (nutrine, alter ego) or massage garlic oil into your scalp a few hours before you wash your hair.

It sounds like you're doing everything right and im sure your hair will grow to your desired length because you're making great progress!

 

[frida1980]

I think I'm jealous of some people's hair that I see here. I really want it to be as healthy as possible. So I'm getting as many tips as I can so I can get to MBL by December and stay MBL as long as possible.

The problem isn't the length. It's the front. My back gets long really fast, and the front has a lot of trouble growing. It stays thin, short, and is the most frustrating part of my hair. Often times it's stiff, refuses to straighten, or does other annoying things. I want my hair to be the same length all around. While the back is BSL, the front comes to around my shoulders just above my collar bone. I really want my front to be around the top to middle of my breast so it gives my hair an appearance of being long all around.

I have no idea why my front, especially the edges give me so much trouble. I don't use protective styling so I can avoid stress around the edges. It stopped much of the breakage I had due to bunning. But I really want it to be healthier, softer, and more manageable. Any suggestions.

 

[zamaih]

What's your regimen? You've made good progress, but I agree with Beana about the trimming. If your hair grows .5 inch a month and you're trimming every 2 months, you aren't seeing your growth.

Also, it seems like the back of my hair grows faster too, but this probably isnt the case. It just seems that way because it has a shorter distance to go to reach your goal. If you list your regimen, maybe more can chime in with suggestions. I take Garlic supplements and I think they help with shedding.

 

[frida1980]

This is my fall/winter regimen.

Wash hair with sulfate free shampoo, light condition to detangle.
DC with olive oil, oatmeal, mayo conditioner from Sally's.
Stay under heat for thirty minutes.
Rinse and then put sabino moisture block on wet hair.
Add some grape seed oil and lightly blow dry hair, until somewhat dry and allow hair to air dry the rest of the way.
Then I flat iron with an Amika iron, adding oil on each section. I normally press lightly, then return again to get a good press.
This first press rarely holds, so I need to add more oil and light press the next day, wrap and it holds for a week.
Each day I drop some oil on my scalp that has lavender and rosemary to soothe the scalp. It's not as effective as it used to be.
Every 2 weeks, use an avocado mixture to DC.

In the spring/summer I give my hair a rest and do two strand twist.
Every week, I start with detangling my hair. I do it dry, so the ends won't tangle. Once it's relatively combed, I wet and condition it to fully detangle the roots.
I still shampoo with a sulfate free, but with burt's bees since I need to get off more dirt and oil.
Then I DC without heat.
I twist with shea butter/coconut oil.
I spray an oil mixture my hair after showering.


I haven't really tried steaming, and this is the first I've heard of tea or garlic rinses. I may try those in the fall, since shedding isn't an issue right now. Right now, it's more about my ends thinning, and detangling with less hair loss. But my edges are really annoying me. There's about a 3 inch different between the front and the back. When I have to get my fall cut, can't cut the front properly without having a mullet! Last year when I tried to bun, I lost a lot of my right edges. Growing that back is just painful. It looks like not wearing pony hairs or pull back hair has really helped it grow back. I just need to know what I can do to get stay soft, healthy, and most importantly LONG.

 

[NicBenny]

Castor Oil helps thicken the hair, maybe try the Black Castor Oil that so many LHCFers rave above ... it will definitely add thickness.

You can't go wrong with garlic to eliminate the shedding.

HHJ.

 

[frida1980]

I bought some castor oil, but I'm not sure how to use it. Do you mix it with other oils or do you use it to press?