Stressed out about my layers

[HairQueen]

I had layers cut into my hair when I was 13. I'm now nearly 36 hair is still in layers.

I absoultely hate them and it actually makes me feel depressed (no seriously). Every time I make progress and start to edge towards APL I go for a trim and end up back at shoulder length and come out of the hairdressers wanting to cry. My progress always gets ruined.

Should I just go for a blunt cut (bob) and get rid of these layers? Is that the only way? I HATE HATE short hair on me and I am dreading getting a bob cut because I will HATE IT but will it be worth it?

I have fine hair and need all the thickness I can get somebody please help this is stressing me out!

 

[Bmack]

I know what you mean. I used to always exclaim, I hate layers; I actually only like blunt cuts. Now though, I have layers, but it is mostly because my hair is fine and this gives me maximum body.
Okay so, I think you should not cut your hair into a blunt cut since you've already said you hate short hair. I would continue to grow and trim lightly. Are the shorter layers growing at all? Perhaps, it has to do with how your beautician is cutting your hair too, if she is still cutting in layers. Perhaps telling her only to cut the very bottom?? I hope I helped.

 

[FlawedBeauty]

I say stop lettin hairdressers cut your hair. I would trim gradually til it is all the same length. Maybe a half in or inch trim every few months.

 

[HairQueen]

Thanks guys for the suggestions but I am just going around and around and aroudn in circles with my hair - the layers never go away no matter what I do. I would do the blunt cut if I know this will resolve the problem once and for all.

 

[HairQueen]

I know what you mean. I used to always exclaim, I hate layers; I actually only like blunt cuts. Now though, I have layers, but it is mostly because my hair is fine and this gives me maximum body.
Okay so, I think you should not cut your hair into a blunt cut since you've already said you hate short hair. I would continue to grow and trim lightly. Are the shorter layers growing at all? Perhaps, it has to do with how your beautician is cutting your hair too, if she is still cutting in layers. Perhaps telling her only to cut the very bottom?? I hope I helped.

The shorter layers are actually the unhealthiest. Even after a trim they never look as good as the longer ones that have been cut. I think that may be the problem because she cuts less of the shorter ones because she knows i get stressed about having my hair trimmed so actually even after a trim the short layers are still dry and split I think.Sigh..

 

[Funmiloves]

Maybe, try trimming yourself? I'm no expert, but it could just be the way your hair grows - not all at one lenght...When I was relaxed, my hair was never the same lenght all over.

 

[HairQueen]

Maybe, try trimming yourself? I'm no expert, but it could just be the way your hair grows - not all at one lenght...When I was relaxed, my hair was never the same lenght all over.

Hi there - I know that not everybody's hair grows exactly the same length but how big are the gaps in the length when your hair grows though? I am talking 3 or 4 inches differences in the length of some of my layers.

 

[FlawedBeauty]

Thanks guys for the suggestions but I am just going around and around and aroudn in circles with my hair - the layers never go away no matter what I do. I would do the blunt cut if I know this will resolve the problem once and for all.

Sounds like you may have a breakage problem around the crown. The top half of my head is so hard to grow out because it is a totally diff texture. It is more tightly curled and dry compared to the bottom half of my hair. Are you relaxed?

 

[HairQueen]

Sounds like you may have a breakage problem around the crown. The top half of my head is so hard to grow out because it is a totally diff texture. It is more tightly curled and dry compared to the bottom half of my hair. Are you relaxed?

Hi

Yes I am relaxed and I wash and deep con every week, minimise heat, wrap each night moisturise etc but STILL have these choppy layers all over my head.

Yes the texture at the top half of my head is different too, much thinner and more delicate -the bottom half is stronger and can grows and grows with no problem but then I never get to enjoy my progress because I always have to chop it back. It gets me down I can never reach much longer than shoulder length.

 

[FlawedBeauty]

Hi

Yes I am relaxed and I wash and deep con every week, minimise heat, wrap each night moisturise etc but STILL have these choppy layers all over my head.

Yes the texture at the top half of my head is different too, much thinner and more delicate -the bottom half is stronger and can grows and grows with no problem but then I never get to enjoy my progress because I always have to chop it back. It gets me down I can never reach much longer than shoulder length.

Ha! Sounds just like my hair in terms of texture. Patience is the key. You just have to be sure to be extra delicate with the top half of your hair and figure out what works. What is your regimine like in regards to daily styling? How much are you manipulating the hair?

 

[MsLauren]

do you have a picture so we can see how the layers look like? it may not be as bad as you think

 

[HairQueen]

do you have a picture so we can see how the layers look like? it may not be as bad as you think

Good idea - I am at work at the moment but will post some tonight.

I'm in the UK so I'm in a different time zone to most of you but please if you would log back on later tell me what you think once I have posted the pics I would really appreaciate it thankyou so much!!!

 

[SummerSolstice]

It may not be layers, it might just be a bad hair cut. can you show us a pic? also really be careful with stylists. most black stylists don't know how to cut... this is sad but I've been in the industry and there are some excellent black stylists with cutting skills, but this area is usually overlooked at "black" hair schools. It might not hurt to go to a non AA salon with your hair already styled and ask for a corrective cut. Do your research though.

 

[HairQueen]

Ok I

 

[HairQueen]

Ok I quickly went to the toilet at work and took some pictures of my hairluckily nobody came in or they would have thought I was crazy lol

I made my hair as messy as possible so you can see the layers and where they are more easily.

***There are more pictures in my post directly above this as I posted it in a rush as I am at work and was trying to do it discreetly.

Thanks!

 

[mscece1]

I definitely would not cut it into a bob you have nice hair. Do you have a friend, family member who could start trimming it for you? I would leave the top alone maybe just trim the length every 6 to 8 weeks.

 

[SummerSolstice]

if your hair has been that short for that many years on top, i think you have an issue of breakage.

 

[FlawedBeauty]

if your hair has been that short for that many years on top, i think you have an issue of breakage.

Yup. That's what I say as well.

 

[MsLauren]

it's not bad at all!!
I wouldnt suggest cutting a bob because that might be too drastic. I would just cut maybe an inch or so and then just let the layers grow out!

 

[QBOE2001]

Perhaps your hair doesn't like to be wrapped. I found that the only time I experienced crown breakage was back in the days when I was wrapping my hair. My crown is thin and a different texture / more prone to dryness than the rest of my hair and wrapping it proved to be too much manipulation. Just a thought..........

 

[manter26]

Are you protective styling at all? Your hair could be breaking where it sits on your shirt. You could also get breakage from wrapping the same way every night...

 

[HairQueen]

I definitely would not cut it into a bob you have nice hair. Do you have a friend, family member who could start trimming it for you? I would leave the top alone maybe just trim the length every 6 to 8 weeks.

I would be worried in case they did it wrong

 

[HairQueen]

it's not bad at all!!
I wouldnt suggest cutting a bob because that might be too drastic. I would just cut maybe an inch or so and then just let the layers grow out!

They never grow out - ever this is my problem

 

[HairQueen]

if your hair has been that short for that many years on top, i think you have an issue of breakage.

Yes I think you may be right but what can I do to stop it? I deep cond every week but nothing changes.

 

[Babysaffy]

I had a similar problem but with the hair near my ears and the front on the right side especially. People actually didn't believe me,when I said my hair just broke that way- they thought it was a layered style lol, even used to ask where I got it cut because they liked it! I didn't and thought I'd never get those sections to grow long like the back.

I finally stopped doing the same tight tied back styles, started using a satin hair wrap (but not wrapping my hair) at night and stopped using hair straightener every morning, wore loose moisturised (s curl) buns almost everyday for some months and it made a world of difference! I just leave my hair alone a lot of the time, so much less manipulation and now I actually trim the front as it grows so long it doesn't suit me!

Try low manipulation, it works wonders.

 

[SummerSolstice]

Yes I think you may be right but what can I do to stop it? I deep cond every week but nothing changes.

What else do you do with your hair during a 24 hour period, good and bad. I don't think we can really help you until we know whats going on. Deep conditioning is good but it isn't the only important part of retaining length.

 

[curlicarib]

You are relaxed, so I assume you get touch-up every so often? Unless you have zero new growth, then your hair is growing and your problem is probably breakage. Check your regimen and rebuild from scratch if necessary.

If it were me, I'd step away from the sissors for 12 months. No trims at all. I'd revamp my regi to include - protein (you're relaxed), serious moisture, protective styling, minimal heat and vitamins/nutrition. Don't worry about if the protective styling is boring - buns are beautiful. As long as your hair is neat and clean, leave it alone. Be like Nike and Just Do It for one year. Next Feburary you can take stock and trim/cut if necessary. But that's just me. BTW this is what I did in 2011 and finally made it to BSL. And I'm doing it again this year.

Good luck.

 

[yaya24]

Trim every few months until things are the way you want them.

I trimmed back in October 2011.. then got a little scissor happy and trimmed again in December 2011.

Yesterday (Feb 1, 2012) I did a 1.5 inch trim.


I'll probably do another trim in June.

Its just hair, it'll grow back in no time.

 

[*CherryPie*]

I cosign with curlicarib. You've said nothing about protein, so if you're not doing protein treatments, I recommend that you start. Relaxed hair need protein.

 

[Funmiloves]

Hi there - I know that not everybody's hair grows exactly the same length but how big are the gaps in the length when your hair grows though? I am talking 3 or 4 inches differences in the length of some of my layers.

ah ok, just seen the pics. I agree with the ladies who say it may be a breakage issue and also cosign with curlicarib on protein.