should I give up?
Printed From: HairBoutique.com
Category: Long Hair Happenings
Forum Name: Long Hair Support
Forum Description: Growing it long takes commitment and support.
URL: https://talk.hairboutique.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=1094
Printed Date: October 29 2025 at 2:15pm
Topic: should I give up?
Posted By: akasara
Subject: should I give up?
Date Posted: October 18 2004 at 10:51pm
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I have never had it longer than a couple of inches passed my shoulders. It is fine and damages easily, I always have breaks. I want long hair soooo badly. Should I stop the trims, even though I have split ends? It seems that even if I get the ends cut, they always split anyway. My hair is very frustrating, I wish it were different. Also, since I am trying to avoid getting a trim, I started this habit of picking through my hair and snipping off the individual split ends. I was told this is a disgusting habit and that i am probably doing more damage. Should I make myself stop? Do I have any options or should I give up on ever having long hair? |
Replies:
Posted By: sarondie
Date Posted: October 18 2004 at 11:05pm
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there's nothing wrong with snipping off individual split ends. i have split end problems since i use a straightener. i get a 1/2" to 1" trim about every six months too keep it from getting too raggedy at the bottom. growing your hair out takes a lot of time and a lot of patience, but in my opinion it is definitely worth it. ------------- |
Posted By: Unregistered Guest
Date Posted: October 18 2004 at 11:07pm
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I say dont trim it or the split ends anymore. Just dont focus on it . Take a time out. Just wash it as you normally do. Try not to scrutinize your hair. Give it a few months and see how much it grows. If it still looks like hair you dont like then you can always reconsider the length, |
Posted By: Susan W
Date Posted: October 19 2004 at 1:49pm
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Snipping the individual hairs is exactly what long haired people to do keep it long without having too much damage. There's even a word for it - "dusting". So, no, it's not a disgusting habit. I probably wouldn't do it in public just because so many people can be annoyed by so many things, and you don't want to leave little snipped hairs all over someone else's place, but in the privacy of your own home, I believe it's good for your hair. You should use only scissors that are very sharp, and make sure to cut straight across the hair, not at an angle (to help prevent it splitting so soon in the future). If you go to a salon for your trims, make sure they aren't taking too much off. Hair only grows a half an inch a month, so if you take off too much, you just lose your new growth. If your hair is split, you need to get the splits removed because they climb up the hair, causing you to need to have even more taken off later. If you're having too much breaking right on the ends, you can still grow it long, but you will probably have to be more careful. Be careful not to do things that damage or break it more, and use some jojoba or coconut oil on the ends to keep it moisturized. (If you only use a drop or two, your hair absorbs it and it won't make it look greasy or get on your clothes...if it looks greasy, you used too much). Conditioners with lots of silicones in them (anything that ends with "cone" in the ingredient list) can cause breakage too. ------------- Making metal barettes/concord clips hair safe, long hair style how to: http://alonghair.wordpress.com |
Posted By: korsakovhatt3
Date Posted: October 19 2004 at 3:30pm
If you really want long hair, don't give up. You can help to prevent split ends by never brushing your hair when it's wet. Use a wide tooth comb instead and start combing at the ends. Try to avoid blow-drying as well. Letting your hair dry naturally is best. I also swear by Shea Butter. It keeps my hair in great condition -- I rarely see any split ends. Good luck on achieving the look you want. ------------- My user name is WAY too long. Just call me Juliana. :-) |
Posted By: DaveDecker
Date Posted: October 19 2004 at 6:00pm
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So akasara... have we convinced you not to give up? ------------- |
Posted By: akasara
Date Posted: October 19 2004 at 6:49pm
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I will keep trying and pay special attention to keeping it as healthy as possible along the way. I bought some jojoba oil and shea butter today. I'm really glad to hear that snipping the individual split ends is not doing more harm to my hair. I thought maybe the picking through it in search of the splits was causing stress even though I try to be very gently. I am also glad to hear I'm not the only one who has the patience to do this... Thanks for the support!!! I know my hair will never be as strong and thick as I'd like, but I feel inspired to give it more time. |
Posted By: DaveDecker
Date Posted: October 20 2004 at 5:19pm
Yay! You can do it, akasara... we're rooting for ya.  Use a sharp pair of scissors for those split-end trims. Dull scissors can actually make the situation worse. I got my Tweezerman from the hairboutique marketplace and I love 'em... and they are quite affordable. [not intending to be a pitch, just a favorable testimonial for which I was not/am not being paid]. ------------- |
Posted By: Bob S
Date Posted: October 21 2004 at 3:44pm
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I echo Dave. I'm rooting for you all the way. No way do you *need* frequent trims, akasara. My wife has gone 9 mos. now w/o trimming, her hair is fine and at her waist, and looks stunning. Good luck, Bob ------------- |
Posted By: Unregistered Guest
Date Posted: October 21 2004 at 7:28pm
| hey bob can you post a pic of your wife''''s beautiful long hair. |
Posted By: Nicole Z
Date Posted: October 24 2004 at 12:43pm
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Even though your hair is shorter now, getting into good habits now will help prevent damage down the line and you will be better able to retain your length and volume as your hair gets longer. One thing that will help is if you learn how to put your hair up with smooth hair toys and metal and glue-less ponytail holders. I'm not certain how long your hair is at present, but if you can, wear your hair up as much as possible. And, before showering, remember to thoroughly detangle. In the shower, be certain you're not piling your hair on top of your head and condition only from the ears down. If you need to shampoo your length, run the shampoo down your hair (you really only need to shampoo your scalp though). Hope this helps! ------------- My hair is almost to my knees (~50") and continues to grow longer. Rather slowly these days, but that's ok - it's still *growing*. |
Posted By: korsakovhatt3
Date Posted: October 24 2004 at 3:12pm
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Good advice, Nicole Z. Your photo is evidence that you're definitely doing something right. As for trims, I agree frequent trims are not necessary. I get a trim about once a year now. When I was a university student (totally broke) I went years without a trim and my hair always looked healthy. ------------- My user name is WAY too long. Just call me Juliana. :-) |