hello all, I would appreciate some experienced opinions-

I just want to say I LOVE long hair!  My problem is: My hair seems to never grow past a certain length, and I honestly believe certain areas seem to be growing noticeably faster than others.

My hair history: I have fine, wavy hair that I have always felt is neither thick nor thin, although my stylists and other people are always remarking I have a "lot of hair" for how fine it is. When my hair was virgin, it was probably bra-strap length at its longest but by my choice. Now, when I want it longer it just refuses to grow past a certain point. I am fastidious with conditioning and using good products, never blow-dry but I do heat style with a curling iron 1 to 2 times a week. I also color my level 6 natural color to a level 8 or 9. I have always had trims every 8-10 weeks and I might add, with an overzealous-trimmer of a stylist. Overall my hair is healthy, shiny, very soft, but probably only 5 inches past my shoulders at its longest point, with the front and top layers slightly shorter. The hair around my face grows much slower, and in the back, the middle section of my hair would be probably almost an inch shorter if I did not get regular trims to even it out to match the sides. Is it just going to be impossible for me to grow my hair long because I color it? Is it possible for areas of hair to grow faster than others? Is it just appearing to not grow because of breakage? Should I prolong the time in-between trims?  Someone out there, please take a moment to answer my inquiries, I would greatly appreciate it.

(1) You might be having too much trimmed off. Hair grows 1/2 inch per month, and if you overzealous hairstylist is taking off more than that, then you won't see any difference in length.

(2) It could also be breakage. You've got two things going against you: dye and heat. Only you would know whether you have breakage, because you can tell by looking at your ends. I would suggest you look about 1-2 inches upward from the actual trimmed ends. Are they tapered? Are they fuzzy?

(3) The hair around my face almost never gets longer. Or it grows slower than the hair in the back. I believe this is common for two reasons: (a) terminal length could be shorter for hair around that area (b) more friction from grooming could produce a shorter lifespan for that kind of hair.

HTH

Anais

Thanks Anais-

Sure do appreciate your feedback.  I think I am just one
of those unfortunate folks who can never grow a long mane of
lustrous hair. Must run in the family, but the weird thing is I have
hair similiar to my mom's hair NOW, but when she was my age
and into her thirties she had a waist-length, full, chestnut,wavy
hair. The kind of hair that truly defined the beautiful hippies of
the 70's!! Now however she cannot grow it but a few inches
past her shoulders without it looking thinner toward the ends.