Techniques For Hair Growth And Length Retention

[sheanu]

Demoralizing is correct! You go through so much during pregnancy and postpartum! I heard about postpartum shedding and thought I was mentally prepared for it but I was not expecting my edges and hairline to recede the way it did. I’m currently massaging nightly with oils putting a satin scarf over my hair, processing cap and night cap... I’m hoping my edges grow back soon because the only thing I can do in the meantime Is wear a wig.

That sounds good! I think all we can do is try to baby the area and keep it moisturized. I'm wigging as well till things get better.

 

[Holly007]

Can we have a detailed conversation about techniques specifically? I tried looking for a thread that focused solely on techniques but I can’t find one.

Let me give you some background. I have reached the conclusion that using the right techniques is actually a key factor for hair growth and length retention.
It’s not only about what products you use and whether you use tools or not, but more about how you apply the products you use and how you handle your hair.

I have been on here for 10 years and was natural for 7 years, out of frustration particularly with lack of quick styling methods, decided to get my hair texlaed in 2017. That was a big mistake. My hair got over processed. I decided to start over again. Now two years in with my natural hair got to between shoulder and APL and I’m stuck again!

So I decided to take a webinar from a lady I follow on Instagram. The webinar was about healthy hair care techniques and it was an eye opener for me.

I realised I had a lot of knowledge from being on here, but the issue was with my technique for my own hair. DD has hip length hair so my applied knowledge works on her, just not on me, probably because of differing hair types.

For instance, I always wash my hair in twisted or braided sections. But I had to keep unbraiding washing and braiding back up. If i didn’t undo the braids, the braided part was never fully clean. But then that led to over manipulation of my hair plus an over long wash day. I learnt that you should braid your hair with loose roots so you can access your scalp. You then sort of squeeze and massage shampoo or conditioner into the braided part to ensure it’s clean too. I tried that last wash day and wow! The difference is clear. Definitely one I’m keeping.

Another thing I learnt in the webinar was about how to detangle by elongating to reduce hair loss. And again wow!


So ladies, what techniques are you applying to washing, moisturising, detangling and styling your hair that has made a difference. Please share. Looking forward to finally breaking length limit retention limits together with you.

Tagging some people who likely have good tips to share.

@Chicoro @Maracujá @Theresamonet @faithVA
@ElevatedEnergy @caribeandiva @sunnieb

I started using a wash brush-specifically a tangle teezer whenever I wash, co wash, and/or condition my hair. It helped to keep from causing breakage from my nails. I do not have long nails but at times they can be chipped. It catches and snags on hair. The tangle teezer also massages and scrubs my scalp. Only technique I have to offer for now until I learn more LOL.

 

[ajoke]

I started using a wash brush-specifically a tangle teezer whenever I wash, co wash, and/or condition my hair. It helped to keep from causing breakage from my nails. I do not have long nails but at times they can be chipped. It catches and snags on hair. The tangle teezer also massages and scrubs my scalp. Only technique I have to offer for now until I learn more LOL.

Mm, that’s a good one. I should test it.

 

[Chicoro]

This is my Chicoro TailBone Length Technique:


Based upon your original post, I see that I need to go back and refine it even further. Thank you. Your post has helped me. Hope my repost below can help you, @ajoke !

https://longhaircareforum.com/threa...ir-in-protective-styles.808475/#post-23495089

Thread title: How to Care for TBL Hair in Protective Styles

Post #7



Hi @beingofserenity ,
So glad you asked... It's going to be long...

My observations pertain to hair that is squarely in the 4 range, or hair that looks like mine (3 range) and "acts" and grows like it is type 4 hair. I dislike hair typing but it helps to cut to the chase to get everyone one the same page quickly during a discussion.

My observations for many tail bone length women with afro-textured hair:

1. Hair is rarely washed more than 1x per week
2. Hair is washed in braids or twists or sections(one on one attention is given to either each section and/or each braid in that section). This one may seem obvious and well known. But the difference is that these women don't take all braids/twists out at once and combine the hair on a regular basis. Either they undo the hair and leave it in its own section, or they wash, condition and leave all hair in braids/twists. To detangle and comb out, they do one braid at a time, leaving the rest braided or twisted or sectioned but tend to not combine all the hair together.
   • Note: I overlooked this. I have always washed and conditioned my hair in braids. But after I detangled a section, I would combine it with the other sections. Hence, I would always need to use a comb to detangle it and get it back into sections. With these ladies, fingers are used more than the comb.
   • Also, I realized that I have been damaging my hair NOT at the detangling stage, but before, during my braiding and unbraiding. I pull and snatch my hair apart and the force or tension maximized at the ends of my hair causing tangling and breakage. I have been damaging my hair before I even began the detangling process.
   • For the first time EVER in my hair care process, I did not need to use a comb because I washed, oiled and conditioned my hair in braids. I carefully and gently undid a braid, while leaving the rest braided. I put in my leave in and gently re-braided that one braid. Surprisingly, the unbraiding/leave-in/braiding took a long time even without detangling with a wide, toothed comb.
3. Hair is sectioned / done in sections-See detail above, point #1.
4. Hair is stretched before it is styled(bantu knot, banded, heat stretched). Some women let there hair dry in
   • braids or twists
   • bantu knots
   • banded hair
   • put on rollers
   • Some women lightly blow dry
5. Hair is kept stretched after it is styled (These ladies tend to gather their twists and pin around their heads or combine the twists creating some kind of stretching on the hair.)
6. Shea butter is often used (protects hair and organic tissue like hair and skin from the break down of proteins on the exposed surface by the environment, specifically protects against the sun.) It may not be used throughout the entire journey, but during significant time frames or points in the journey (transitioning only, washing, sealant, etc)
7. Extremely low maintenance styles(For me, low maintenance styles are not necessarily protective styles! I define low maintenance styles as those where the hair is manipulated as little as possible.)
   • Some braid or twist hair until it dries and leave it for three days to a week, then undo the hair to wear braid outs or twist outs until the next wash day.
   • Some leave the twists or braids in until the next wash day.
   • Some do up do's
8. Specific daily hair end regimen (or frequent as in 2 or more times per week, ends given special attention)
   • Even if the entire braid or twist is redone , they tend to have a specific regimen for the ends
   • Ends are wetted or spritzed with water, an oil is added (Water + oil) (Usually castor oil or shea butter).
9. Protective Styles (For "me" , protective style is determined by what you are doing with the ends of the hair. If the ends are not up and out of the air, I do not consider the style protective.)
   • Ends are twisted up, covered, tucked and/or kept from the air like Wanakee Pugh taught years ago
   • Hair ends or the entire head is kept covered or protected during the day and/or at night
     • Head scarves for night
     • Tucking or hiding hair during the day or night
10. Trimming
    • Trimming done on a fairly regular basis
    • Trims tend to be done in braided or twisted styles (Unevenness not an issue as most of these women rarely or ever wear heat straightened hair styles)
11. Time (2 to 8 year journeys. The average seems to be 5 years.)

That's all! It's enough, I know!

Edit: Forgot some form of protein is used whether be in a commercial product, treatment or DIY. Frequency depends on the head of hair.

I stopped washing frequently. Problem.
I don't have any castor oil in my house. Problem.
My ends are not protected any more. Problem.
I stopped doing my ends routine. Problem.
I don't cover my hair at night. Problem.
I stopped deep conditioning. Problem.
I haven't been consistent with protein treatments. Problem.
Changed up products because could not find them or they no longer exist or I can't get them in whatever country. Problem.

Italicized is @ajoke comments and the blue comments are my comments [Chicoro]

• So let me see if I get the technique right: you take down your braids regularly and do the following. 1. wet hair with water 2. moisturise with scurl and 3. coat with Shea butter.-Done 1x per week. It is not done daily. I re-braid my hair weekly which is one time per week. My hair is not re-braided daily. Yes, hair is taken out, 1 braid at a time. I apply Shea butter 1 time per week to my hair, from root to tip. I do not unbraid, put in water and Shea and re-braid. I take out my braids, put in bantu knots, wet with water, Scurl and gel. Then, I go back to the first bantu knot, coat it with Shea butter and braid it. Then, I repeat with the rest of the bantu knots.

• Or is that the purpose of the warm water, to dissolve the shea butter? The purpose of the warm water is that I don't like COLD water. The hair is re-wet to make it more pliable, to make it softer, so that it does not BREAK when I handle it. The goal is not to melt or remove the Shea butter. The goal is to keep the hair moist. The Shea butter on top of afro-textured hair holds in the moisture (water) of the hair. The water does not evaporate as fast, from the hair, with the Shea butter. The goal is to keep afro-textured hair moist and protected. Shea and braids are the product and vehicles that help with this.

• I happened to have scurl at home which I have not used in a while. I applied it this morning after wetting my hair. And then coated with butter. I will admit. My hair feels more moisturized than it has in a long time. I will start doing that daily and report back to you. Before you wet your hair was it washed? Was it braided? Was it detangled? Was it breaking? With afro-textured hair, it's not just enough to put a product in. There is no magic product, not even my beloved Shea butter. It's really about authentically embracing and accepting your hair, and getting to know your own hair. To know your hair, it is important to know the answer to the following. How are you styling your hair? How are you treating the ends of the hair? What do you use to wash your hair? What do you use to condition your hair? Do you use protein or not? Are you caring for and protecting the ends of your hair? How often does your hair like to be washed? What is your attitude when you touch your hair? How do you feel about your hair? All of this, and more impacts the hair and determines whether it will thrive or not. Lastly, it is important to document your process with pictures and text.

I am not doing any of bullet point 3. Got the answers right in my face and I have the nerve to be crying about my hair not acting right.

 

[Chicoro]

In Hair Process Re-Vamp Mode!

 

[snoop]

This is my Chicoro TailBone Length Technique:


Based upon your original post, I see that I need to go back and refine it even further. Thank you. Your post has helped me. Hope my repost below can help you, @ajoke !

https://longhaircareforum.com/threa...ir-in-protective-styles.808475/#post-23495089

Thread title: How to Care for TBL Hair in Protective Styles

Post #7



Hi @beingofserenity ,
So glad you asked... It's going to be long...

My observations pertain to hair that is squarely in the 4 range, or hair that looks like mine (3 range) and "acts" and grows like it is type 4 hair. I dislike hair typing but it helps to cut to the chase to get everyone one the same page quickly during a discussion.

My observations for many tail bone length women with afro-textured hair:

1. Hair is rarely washed more than 1x per week
2. Hair is washed in braids or twists or sections(one on one attention is given to either each section and/or each braid in that section). This one may seem obvious and well known. But the difference is that these women don't take all braids/twists out at once and combine the hair on a regular basis. Either they undo the hair and leave it in its own section, or they wash, condition and leave all hair in braids/twists. To detangle and comb out, they do one braid at a time, leaving the rest braided or twisted or sectioned but tend to not combine all the hair together.
   • Note: I overlooked this. I have always washed and conditioned my hair in braids. But after I detangled a section, I would combine it with the other sections. Hence, I would always need to use a comb to detangle it and get it back into sections. With these ladies, fingers are used more than the comb.
   • Also, I realized that I have been damaging my hair NOT at the detangling stage, but before, during my braiding and unbraiding. I pull and snatch my hair apart and the force or tension maximized at the ends of my hair causing tangling and breakage. I have been damaging my hair before I even began the detangling process.
   • For the first time EVER in my hair care process, I did not need to use a comb because I washed, oiled and conditioned my hair in braids. I carefully and gently undid a braid, while leaving the rest braided. I put in my leave in and gently re-braided that one braid. Surprisingly, the unbraiding/leave-in/braiding took a long time even without detangling with a wide, toothed comb.
3. Hair is sectioned / done in sections-See detail above, point #1.
4. Hair is stretched before it is styled(bantu knot, banded, heat stretched). Some women let there hair dry in
   • braids or twists
   • bantu knots
   • banded hair
   • put on rollers
   • Some women lightly blow dry
5. Hair is kept stretched after it is styled (These ladies tend to gather their twists and pin around their heads or combine the twists creating some kind of stretching on the hair.)
6. Shea butter is often used (protects hair and organic tissue like hair and skin from the break down of proteins on the exposed surface by the environment, specifically protects against the sun.) It may not be used throughout the entire journey, but during significant time frames or points in the journey (transitioning only, washing, sealant, etc)
7. Extremely low maintenance styles(For me, low maintenance styles are not necessarily protective styles! I define low maintenance styles as those where the hair is manipulated as little as possible.)
   • Some braid or twist hair until it dries and leave it for three days to a week, then undo the hair to wear braid outs or twist outs until the next wash day.
   • Some leave the twists or braids in until the next wash day.
   • Some do up do's
8. Specific daily hair end regimen (or frequent as in 2 or more times per week, ends given special attention)
   • Even if the entire braid or twist is redone , they tend to have a specific regimen for the ends
   • Ends are wetted or spritzed with water, an oil is added (Water + oil) (Usually castor oil or shea butter).
9. Protective Styles (For "me" , protective style is determined by what you are doing with the ends of the hair. If the ends are not up and out of the air, I do not consider the style protective.)
   • Ends are twisted up, covered, tucked and/or kept from the air like Wanakee Pugh taught years ago
   • Hair ends or the entire head is kept covered or protected during the day and/or at night
     • Head scarves for night
     • Tucking or hiding hair during the day or night
10. Trimming
    • Trimming done on a fairly regular basis
    • Trims tend to be done in braided or twisted styles (Unevenness not an issue as most of these women rarely or ever wear heat straightened hair styles)
11. Time (2 to 8 year journeys. The average seems to be 5 years.)

That's all! It's enough, I know!

Edit: Forgot some form of protein is used whether be in a commercial product, treatment or DIY. Frequency depends on the head of hair.

Sadness. I've been carry a summary of these tips on my phone since you posted them.

If I'm being completely honest with myself, #7 is the only one that I do without thinking. I kind of dropped the ball this year on trimming because I wanted to re-evaluate my trim schedule, but I'm not sure if that counts. Even though I wear my hair in twists 99% of the time, I've been terrible when it comes to protective styling. I also need to improve my moisturizing game.