My changing hair as I attempt to grow it

I'm trying to grow my hair long, and have been since September. It seems to have stopped growing though! I have pictures charting its progess:

September:

I'm on the right

I had it cut again in early october and by early December it was this long:



The last time i attempted to spike it up was 27th of December and it was this big:


Now, im currently wearing an alice band and want it down by back long, but it seems to have stopped growing!!



How long off having it Paul Hunter long am I?



I straighten every day, shampoo and condition twice a day (Toni&Guy detox it shampoo and straight and protect condition?)

Last time i had it cut was early October and am thinking whether i should get it thinned out and maybe just have the ends snipped to keep it healthy? Will that help it to grow faster?

When using an alice band should i put anything on it after i've straightened to make it look better? I usually put a bit of bedhead on the top to keep it back and Dax on the back to keep it nice and straight.

Any advice much appreciated!

Thanks

Hi,

I ask because I was wondering if it is normal for hair to stop growing or grow so slowly. I'm starting to wonder if all the crap I used to put on it to keep it spiked has killed my scalp or something.

Thanks anyway

James