Trim to jumpstart length retention?

[Galadriel]

ladies, in your opinion should i trim my hair to my struggling nape or keep going with the above plan?

If you don't trim, what you could do is keep your nape moisturized and protected. Some ladies make sure they've saturated their napes with moisture before putting their hair into a protective style. Other measures have been to make sure things like scarves, high collars, etc. don't rub against the nape. And of course not putting your hair into styles that will put stress on that area.

If you do trim, you will have thick blunt ends and can have your nape at the same length as your hair. Then your focus would just be to make sure your nape is well taken care of and healthy.

In my experience, I have trimmed in order to take off damage or to get rid of layers (I like blunt ends). If you're not particularly stuck on holding on to your current length and don't mind a trim, then I say go for the trim.

 

[HeChangedMyName]

Hey, ladies. Answering this question will help me and hopefully others decide what to do in the early stages of their hair journey.

Basically, my theory is that once you find out that your hair is damaged and have also determined the cause of that damage (for me it was weekly heat styling with my divorced CHI, no-lye relaxers, and lack of daily moisturizing) shouldn't you get a trim to start anew? I feel that my damaged hair will not and can not be rehabilitated/saved/anything. It's just continuously breaking off despite my best efforts. the roots are great though.

So is a trim necessary for length retention at least initially? Please feel free to share experiences, and hair theories.

In my case, yes. I started my healthy hair care journey last summer and through this forum and another, I discovered that I had serious heat damaged, overprocessed, jacked up hair. I started taking better care of the hair growing out of my scalp and I periodically trim off the dead damaged, stuff. I know better how to at least make damaged hair look better, but over the past year I have basically replaced all of the damaged hair with a new head of healthy, thick strong hair. I have about an inch or so left to trim and I will basically have all new hair. My length hasn't changed due to the trims, but that is a plus because when I started, it was breaking off and falling out by the handful.

I don't personally believe in holding on to straggly ends just to save face and maintain the length because damaged long hair is ugly to me and I'd rather have shorter healthy hair any day so I am a bit scissor happy until all of my hair is in tip top shape and these final ends are gone.

 

[BostonMaria]

When I made the decision to transition 2 yrs ago I had nasty split ends. I noticed that my hair was breaking off so I decided on my 4th month to get my hair cut. My stylist cut off about 3 inches (ouch!) and it was a great decision. My hair stopped shedding and transitioning was easier. I did the bc 5 months after that and my ends at the time were perfect. I haven't cut my hair in 15 months and my ends are fine, I'm retaining length. I will do a trim at the end of 09 once I'm finally waist length. That's assuming I need it. I protect my ends, take care of my own hair and I don't feel the need to trim if I don't have to.

 

[~VicTorIAn~]

I voted "it depends" before I read your post. After reading your post it's a definite YES because you don't want to hold onto breaking damaged ends. When I started out in April, I went to a stylist and took 2 inches off. My hair looked healthy but I was so eager to apply everything I learned that I was playing in my hair as often as I could. At one point I had a protein overload, then a moisture overload, product junkie issues.... I was all over the place. Here's what I would do differently:
-Find more inspiration similar to my hair type that started where I was- (research for guidance).
-Watch more Youtube how to vids
-Incorporate low manipulation? protective styles
-Follow a simple regimen to start out

 

[mightycute912]

I recently purchased a book by Cathy Howse and she explained different myths and theories about hair growth. She explained that trimming is not necessary to retain or gain length. In the book, she talks about how hair grows from the root, not the ends; therefore, cutting the ends of your hair will not cause your hair to grow faster. You should focus on maintain a healthy scalp to gain length. She explains she trims her hair to make her hair even and more neat. I never thought about it that way, until I read her book. It all makes sense now.

 

[nomadpixi]

I voted sometimes. I actually sort of regret shearing off 3 inches of ends due to what I thought was breakage in the back, only to discover 3 months later that my hair just grows this way. I would be at APL right now. However, my length does look somewhat better than it did. I did choose to really cut back on the heat along with upping my MT applications to the slow areas (temples, nape), so my ends have WAY fewer splits than they ever did, but I'm kind of rueful about the fact that I don't have that "sweep it over your shoulder" hair yet. It's coming though. 3 months of MT and I'm there!

 

[Neith]

I vote sometimes for a lot of reasons.

Imo unless your have SEVERE breakage... I mean if you went from shoulder to chin in a week or two, you NEED to trim. Hair with mild-moderate damage can be worked with for a while, even if it does break/split.

It won't hurt any, and it probably will make your hair look better to trim, but it is unnecessary and a morale killer. Cutting off the old hair can make you feel as if you aren't getting anywhere even a year or two later - from personal experience.

As long as you aren't running around with two strands of hair at APL and the rest at nape...

I don't believe that damage travels upwards. If you are taking care of your hair well, you won't end up having to cut new hair. People transition to natural with damaged relaxed hair, and sometimes do it for years without having to cut any of their roots off.

Also, holding onto the ends can HELP you retain length at times through protective styling. The shorter your hair is, the less you can do with it (generally).

So to wrap it up, I say the choice is up to you, unless your hair is HORRIBLY damaged (in that case, there is no "saving" it, it needs to come off or it will all off anyway). There are pros and cons to both. Trimmed hair looks better, but is shorter. Longer hair will not look as neat or behave that well, but gives you more styling options.

 

[aja1121]

Dusting and Trimming are essential to my own personal length retention. I tried to do the "no trim" route and had a major setback. However, I know people that never trim and retain length, but their ends are all jagged and uneven. I hate that look, I would have to trim even if they aren't split.

 

[aja1121]

I recently purchased a book by Cathy Howse and she explained different myths and theories about hair growth. She explained that trimming is not necessary to retain or gain length. In the book, she talks about how hair grows from the root, not the ends; therefore, cutting the ends of your hair will not cause your hair to grow faster. You should focus on maintain a healthy scalp to gain length. She explains she trims her hair to make her hair even and more neat. I never thought about it that way, until I read her book. It all makes sense now.

Of course trimming the hair does not make it grow faster. However, for some of us on the board, regular trimming and dusting helps us to retain length, by saving us from cutting due to splitting and breakage. Some of us have ends prone to breakage regardless of protective styling, moisture, protein etc.

I focused on a healthy scalp for years and wondered why 5 inches of color had grown out, but my hair was still the same length. And then, when I did gain some length it was thin and scraggly looking (to me).

For some of us, it isn't only about a healthy scalp. Cathy Howse skipped a chapter.

 

[Pooks]

I vote sometimes for a lot of reasons.

Imo unless your have SEVERE breakage... I mean if you went from shoulder to chin in a week or two, you NEED to trim. Hair with mild-moderate damage can be worked with for a while, even if it does break/split.

It won't hurt any, and it probably will make your hair look better to trim, but it is unnecessary and a morale killer. Cutting off the old hair can make you feel as if you aren't getting anywhere even a year or two later - from personal experience.



I voted sometimes, and totally agree with the bolded.

My hair has not had a real trim in over 2 yrs! A yr ago I was NL. 2 mths ago @ just past CBL weird I had damaged ends from flatironing so I kept up my moisturising and DCing, but found that right at the ends some of my hair was still v dry, thinner and prone to breakage despite the extra care and protective styling so I decided to dust - less than 1cm at the end of braids I had in. My hair feels great now.

My point is, I tried to nurse my ends back to health, but a small portion was beyond saving. I delayed trimming so I wouldn't feel I had made little or no progress. Its definitely possible to save ends if they're not too far gone. If there's no hope trim when you're ready.

 

[Chevelure618]

I recently purchased a book by Cathy Howse and she explained different myths and theories about hair growth. She explained that trimming is not necessary to retain or gain length. In the book, she talks about how hair grows from the root, not the ends; therefore, cutting the ends of your hair will not cause your hair to grow faster. You should focus on maintain a healthy scalp to gain length. She explains she trims her hair to make her hair even and more neat. I never thought about it that way, until I read her book. It all makes sense now.

Cathy Howse transitioned to natural from bone-straight relaxed with MBL hair... quite a feat. The main thesis of her regimen is NOT scalp health though, it is MOISTURIZED ENDS. She advocates a clean scalp, shampooed twice a week with NO grease. (Petrolatum or mineral oil). Other than that it is about regular DC, moisture, and NO TRIMS!

 

[Artemis]

The link [by Sistaslick] below is referring to what I said in my previous post (See the section called "Remove the Damage"):
http://www.associatedcontent.com/ar...ses_thinning_hair_ends_and.html?page=4&cat=69

Of course just by reading this thread, we can all see that everything isn't for everybody, but this is a good discussion.

 

[Hot40]

I vote yes, I needed to start with healty ends, just no way to fix the old damage.

 

[SelfStyled]

OOOh chile, I am the poster child for advocating a trim or cut to get you jump started. Assess your situation I do think some end can be saved- mine however, no way! I got depressed looking at those straggly ends so away they went. Even though my hair was short afterwards, it was short and healthy. Good luck OP.

 

[Junonia]

Dusting and Trimming are essential to my own personal length retention. I tried to do the "no trim" route and had a major setback. However, I know people that never trim and retain length, but their ends are all jagged and uneven. I hate that look, I would have to trim even if they aren't split.

I believe this is the major reason I had my setback. I need to trim because my nape is thin and slow growing. If I don't trim, my nape will be NL while the rest of my hair is BSL, which will cause my hair to look thin and scraggly.

 

[MiWay]

I think it depends on the situation. I was a non-believer when it came to trims. Trim=cut, to me, and I was not having it. My hair was past BSL, and my ends were JACKED, but nobody could tell unless they really looked at it. Then I started wearing my hair straight, and it was like . My hair started getting rebellious too. I finally got a really good trim last month, and my hair is growing, acting and looking so much better now. In 6 weeks I can really tell the difference! I think a good trim can change everything.

 

[Lucky's Mom]

I will never cut my hair. I don't believe in trims- only dusting of knots and splits.

 

[anniev2]

I'm on the market for scissors. Can anyone recommend some? Also, my hair is shoulder length. how in the world do y'all S & D in the back? Does anyone trust someone else to do it?

 

[Artemis]

I'm on the market for scissors. Can anyone recommend some? Also, my hair is shoulder length. how in the world do y'all S & D in the back? Does anyone trust someone else to do it?

Really good quality shears (that's what hair 'scissors' are called ) are at Sally's. I found a nice pair for like $15. I wouldn't use those cheap ones from the regular BSS

 

[CHECKMATE!]

I voted no since I believe that the whole "trim your ends for growth" thing is why most people seem to not be able to pass SL...just my opinion

 

[blasianbeauty]

OOOh chile, I am the poster child for advocating a trim or cut to get you jump started. Assess your situation I do think some end can be saved- mine however, no way! I got depressed looking at those straggly ends so away they went. Even though my hair was short afterwards, it was short and healthy. Good luck OP.

I would much rather see short and healthy over long and stringy anyday. You did the right thing.

 

[NYAmicas]

I voted no since I believe that the whole "trim your ends for growth" thing is why most people seem to not be able to pass SL...just my opinion

ITA...

 

[Luscious Locks]

trimming for growth is entirely different from trimming for length retention. i understand that the primary thing people can do to make hair grow faster is feed their body well, but as for retaining length, it just seems that healthy hair has a better shot of staying on your head than damaged ready to snap hair.

 

[ajacks]

I voted no since I believe that the whole "trim your ends for growth" thing is why most people seem to not be able to pass SL...just my opinion

I agree with this when it comes to trimming every 6-8 weeks, as a lot of stylists would like for us to believe. But when you first start that journey towards healthy hair some people are starting off with damaged hair, so a major trim in the beginning may be necessary.

 

[chebaby]

i dust my ends once every 2-3 months. is that too much?
my ends arent damaged but i do use heat once a week.