I've stretched for as long as four months,-- the longest was eight months, but my hair was in braids.
I'm actually in a quandry, because the last time I stretched for 3 months, and I had a lot of hair loss. It didn't seem to effect my length or thickness, but my hair sheds a lot and when I stretch it gets tangled. Since I don't use any heat on it during the week I have to comb and brush daily, or I get mats. Many ladies here swear by the no comb method, but I am not sure what is worse, mats or combing in terms of length rentension. Lately I have stopped co-washing all together and just started moisterizing my hair with Profectiv DC cream, and Fruitese leave in. I also use their glosser for shine. I wet my hair with that and I gently brush the tangles out and bun it. That seems to work better than co-washing every other day.
Recently at the advising of my best friend I went after six weeks to get a touch up, and I didn't like it. I think that it damaged my hair.
I have course 4a hair that is super thick and super porus. Anybody have suggestions on how you deal with this issue?