WHERE DOES IT (NG) GO

[blackhair]

Dear Ladies I am so confused.
I have been transitioning/ holding relaxer for about 8 months now. For easy maintenance and protectives styles, I have used cornrows, singles braids, and weaves. Anytime I would have them, I could see clearly how much my hair would grow. But whenever I take out the braids/cornrows it is always a TRAGEDY. My hair is shorter and Shorter . WHERE IS THE NEW GROWTH. WHERE DID IT GO

My hair is not breaking off. I can imagine that maybe it is shrunk but because my hair has still the relaxer it should not shrink that much. Is it all broken off gone for ever ???

For those who extended their relaxer could you see your lengh progress even without straightening your hair?

If my hair was all natural I wouldn't worry because I know that hair can shrink to its half lenght but it is not my case.
Also since I am not seing any lenght maybe I should stop the braids/weaves and try something else ?

I am desperate. Please advise.

 

[inthepink]

When you pull your hair away from your head - like a bunch of it at a time, can you see through it? Is it as thick at the end as it is at the roots? That's a good way to tell if you have breakage.

 

[JenniferMD]

Awww, blackhair don't worry. I think the problem is that you're going by your own memory of how much newgrowth you had and how much you think you ought to have now. I think it would benefit you to take pictures of your newgrowth and use those to compare how much newgrowth you're retaining or maybe even using a measuring tape.

When I was stretching out my relaxer I thought my newgrowth was "disappearing" too but since I document my progress with pictures I quickly saw that that wasn't the case. How much longer do you want to go without a relaxer? You're just stretching and not transitioning right?

 

[blackhair]

Hairlove the roots are much thicker althought the ends are not that "see throught". Maybe because they are still relaxed.

Jennifer yes measuring is a good idea. But What I will do is go to the salon friday for a wash and blowdry and see how long it will get. I do not want to go all the way to silver spring for a dom blowout. DO you think that a flatiron will do the same job.

thank you girls

 

[inthepink]

You should be able to get your hair straight with a flat iron.

I would advise against taking absolute measures b/c they can be so deceiving. If anything, maybe just compare pictures without inches. Just my personal opinion b/c I have too many times measured wrong and it makes me think my hair hasn't grown when it really has...or makes me think it's grown longer than it really is if I were to just look at it stretched compared to a previous picture or what I remember.

 

[JenniferMD]

I know for myself that if I want anything close to what the dominican salons produce then flat ironing won't due. But if you just want see where your length is now I think the flat iron is a good option.

 

[PretteePlease]

my daughter is transitioning and her pony tails seem to be shorter the only thing i can say is SHRINKAGE if the ends are there and still relaxed you hair is just experiencing shrinkage.

 

[GodMadeMePretty]

It's been over a year since my last relaxer and my hair looks to be the same length and shorter UNTIL I stretch it out. Check and see if your hair is growing OUT rather than down. That's what my hair does in some sections. Because it's growing east/west, the hanging anemic relaxed ends are pulled up making my hair appear shorter.

 

[blackhair]

Thanks Ladies. I will update after i go to the shop tomorrow. I will kill somebody if they even Think about trimming any strand. I am in that mood

 

[PretteePlease]

please Lord don't let her hurt anyone give her peace and a calm spirit.

 

[Victorian]

Shrinkage is VERY deceiving for me. I hadn't straightened my hair in over a year, and I swore my hair was getting shorter. I thought transistioning was causing major breakage. While I have been having SOME breakage (more caused by over manipulation, I think), my hair was not breaking off the way I thought it was. It was just shrinkage. The first time I blowdried this summer I was amazed. The length just came out of nowhere. I had some damage at the ends, but the length was way beyond what I thought. Don't let the shrinkage fool, you

 

[blackhair]

Thank you so much ladies. Ifeel much better.