Why Am I Still the Same Length?

[wyldcurlz]

I think I'm doing everything right, so why am I still the exact same length that I was months ago?!? I'm using no or very low heat, i'm keeping my ends moisturized. i'm using protective styles, i've even used the baggie method a few times. I'm taking a multivitamin (not regularly, though.) What is the problem? I don't get it and i'm growing frustrated!!!!

 

[Cichelle]

What method are using to measure? And is your hair wet or dry when you measure...curly or straight?

Measuring curly hair can be difficult. Do you take pics periodically? Sometimes if you take pics every few months, you can see the way your hair changes, even if it seems like the measurements aren't changing.

Try not to be discouraged. Like I said, curly hair can be hard to measure and sometimes it seems like the longer it gets, the shorter it gets! Shrinkage is a b****. I know when I get very frustrated with my hair, the best thing I can do is put it up and go about my business. The more we watch it, the more we are likely to get frustrated because hair grows and changes slowly. Keep doing what you are doing...treating your hair with tlc, and it will grow. Just hang in there and try not to obsess over it. I know it's not easy!

 

[Mizani_Mrs]

Well if you are still trimming/dusting your hair, then this is the culprit. Its hard to grow perfectly even hair, so if u want it to grow, u gotta be willing to not cut it but every 4 or 5 months. Now I cut mines 5months now because i moisturize and i have stopped my breakage so my hair doesn't look terribly uneven. Its just not razor sharp straight. And i like it that way. So anyways, just continue on moisturizing and taking care of it, and stop trying to watch it grow and stop cutting it....it'll grow.

 

[wyldcurlz]

i haven't really cut it...although my evil stylist cut it in august - the last time i had it flat-ironed/pressed. maybe that's it. he's a scissor happy cutter. but, other than that, i'm leaving it curly and stretching it out to measure it. my goal in july was to reach my past bra strap goal length by october. now with the short face framing layers he put in the front, that goal is going to have to be pushed WAY back (i'm thinking april...hopefully sooner!) and i'll have to hope that the back will reach its goal length by january. i just can't keep up the no heat thru the winter. i'll try because i know heat was the culprit in me not breaking past length barriers. ugh!!

 

[lovelymissyoli]

i haven't really cut it...although my evil stylist cut it in august - the last time i had it flat-ironed/pressed. maybe that's it. he's a scissor happy cutter. but, other than that, i'm leaving it curly and stretching it out to measure it. my goal in july was to reach my past bra strap goal length by october. now with the short face framing layers he put in the front, that goal is going to have to be pushed WAY back (i'm thinking april...hopefully sooner!) and i'll have to hope that the back will reach its goal length by january. i just can't keep up the no heat thru the winter. i'll try because i know heat was the culprit in me not breaking past length barriers. ugh!!

Are you talking about growth since your hair cut, or before your hair cut?

If you’re stretching your hair while curly then you’re probably not going to see that much length. When I stretch my transitioning hair after being styled all I see are my raggedy relaxed ends, however, when I stretch my hair while wet with some conditioner or setting lotion on it, it’s inches longer. Shrinkage isn’t too good at showing length. Just my two cents…

 

[MeechUK]

I think I'm doing everything right, so why am I still the exact same length that I was months ago?!? I'm using no or very low heat, i'm keeping my ends moisturized. i'm using protective styles, i've even used the baggie method a few times. I'm taking a multivitamin (not regularly, though.) What is the problem? I don't get it and i'm growing frustrated!!!!

Wyldcurlz,
I think we spend so much time wishing our hair was longer that we forget our hair is always growing. Friends will notice your hair growth before you do! How are your ends? Do you dust or trim them regularly? If you have lots of split ends, you need to get rid of them asap. I used to hate trimming my hair, then I started dusting regularly and with good care practices I am gaining length regularly, not as much as I would like but it is growing more now than it has in years.

HHG,
MeechUK

 

[JaneBond]

how are your eating habbits?

 

[wyldcurlz]

Hi ladies,

thanks for all your replies. to address your questions, i'm talking about my total hair growth, not just the growth since my stylist cut it...now that i'm writing it i see how it sounds absurd, but my hair really should be at my goal length by now...it should of been at goal a long time ago.

as for dusting, i don't really do it. i usually only get trims/dustings when i'm at the salon...but i WON'T be doing that anymore. to save length i'll do it myself or have friends or family do it. i'm usually pretty good with split ends - now that i've stopped using so much heat! for me, the heat was causing my ends to split.

so, when i stretch my curls, i'm not getting a true picture of how long my hair is? never thought of that. i'll have to see how long it is the next time i get it flat ironed.

i realize my hair grows all the time, i'm just wondering if i'm doing something to sacrifice the length...without realizing it. its so frustrating. this has been a years long journey! i'll stay faithful, though. i've learned SO MUCH in the 4 months here at LHCF.

 

[Amarech]

Are you dusting? More than likely that is the cause. My hair barely grew long because i was dusting from Jan-July. Other than that, I dont understand why your hair is not getting longer....

 

[Lioness]

Hi,

Sometimes hair growth doesn't reach its full potential if we have a vitamin and mineral deficency. A healthy body will produce healthy hair and so on...
What about your diet - do you drink plenty of water, eat fruits and veg regulary?
If you are not getting enough important vitamins and protein for hair growth and health, you can take supplemnts (you may want to confirm with your Dr) such as Biotin, Essential Fatty acids (Flaxseed EPO etc),Silica, Amino acids which are the building blocks of protein, MSM to name a few.
I found that when I began to watch my diet (as in adding more protein, less fat and more supplements) my hair growth rate improved, as did my general health!
Prayer is always good too!!!!

HTH.

 

[BAILEYSCREAM]

I think I'm doing everything right, so why am I still the exact same length that I was months ago?!? I'm using no or very low heat, i'm keeping my ends moisturized. i'm using protective styles, i've even used the baggie method a few times. I'm taking a multivitamin (not regularly, though.) What is the problem? I don't get it and i'm growing frustrated!!!!

If your ends are breaking off faster than your hair is actually growing then you won't really see a difference in length.....also if you constantly keep looking at the hair for growth, you won't actually notice the growth unless you give it a little time (like watching a kettle boil).

Just keep doing what you're doing and try wearing it up (protective styles) continuously for a long time (months). After a few months you will see amazing growth as long as you protect and pamper it. Don't forget to tie it up at night with a satin durag, silk scarf or similar so it doesn't rub against the pillow or use a satin pillowcase.

Have fun.

Hi ladies,

thanks for all your replies. to address your questions, i'm talking about my total hair growth, not just the growth since my stylist cut it...now that i'm writing it i see how it sounds absurd, but my hair really should be at my goal length by now...it should of been at goal a long time ago.

as for dusting, i don't really do it. i usually only get trims/dustings when i'm at the salon...but i WON'T be doing that anymore. to save length i'll do it myself or have friends or family do it. i'm usually pretty good with split ends - now that i've stopped using so much heat! for me, the heat was causing my ends to split.

so, when i stretch my curls, i'm not getting a true picture of how long my hair is? never thought of that. i'll have to see how long it is the next time i get it flat ironed.

i realize my hair grows all the time, i'm just wondering if i'm doing something to sacrifice the length...without realizing it. its so frustrating. this has been a years long journey! i'll stay faithful, though. i've learned SO MUCH in the 4 months here at LHCF.

As far as the dusting, I noticed that once my ends have been well protected from the elements, I don't get tangled ends so much and the frequency of my dustings have decreased, saving more hair.

Oh, and it's a lot harder to see length in curly/wavy hair....It's best to measure it if it's blowdried or flat ironed (as you already said).

 

[wyldcurlz]

thank you summa bliss and baileys cream for your replies. i DO need to watch my diet better and that always has good benefits (mind, body, health and HAIR!!...sadly, with me, hair being the most important right now.)
I will get better with taking my supplements and nutrition. i abhore wearing my hear up. upstyles do NOT look good on me. but i know its best for growth right now, so i've been doing it. mostly i'm avoiding heat. i've been wearing braidouts and wearing it down and curly too. like i said, just avoiding heat.

and you're all right - A WATCHED POT NEVER BOILS! and that's what i'm doing. eyeball measuring it every week...not good. so, i'll keep doing what i'm doing. i guess its all right. i just better see some serious growth between now and december!

AND PRAYER NEVER HURTS ANYTHING so i'm all over that!!!
thanks everyone!