Afternoon all! Im a newbie! I got a recommendation for this site from another site i use called handbag.

I am a long suffering hair grower - pleased to meet you all!

Here is my story in short,

I used to have have hair down to about halfway down my back. I got it cut up to just past my chin  about 3.5 years ago.

You won't beleive how little it has grown - it is JUST past my shoulders! And thats in 3.5 YEARS! It just doesn't grow at all and i really need your help guys!

I think my hair is actually quite damaged. I straighten it every day  and have lots of split ends but every time i have it trimmed it grows back to where it was before the cut, and i get split ends again so i end up having it cut - therefore going back to square one!

I use a heat protector which i apply on towel dried hair but this is only about two times per week as i dont need to wash my hair a lot.

What would you all recommend so as to start treating my hair with respect (!) and getting it to grow!

The other day i was straightening and a part of my hair went really frizzy and felt like straw! I knew then that it was so damaged and i needed some help.

Ihope you guys can help.  Thanks for listening.

Sounds like your stylist is cutting off any new length you get because the straightening is damaging it. 

Forever, my hair used to be at that 'above the bra-strap' length of hair, and I was convinced that it could never get any longer.   Then I decided to stop going to professional stylists and lo and behold.  My hair in the back is now a little past my waist.  I trim it myself (there are some tutorials here on this site that can help).  Granted it might need some professional shaping at the moment, but it looks all right.

How does one straighten their hair?  Is it similar to a curling iron or something?  Maybe you should go au natural and take it easy on your mane.

And how bad or numorous are these split ends?  Contrary to what some stylists say, you do not have to automatically get two inches chopped off when the occasional split end appears.  As long as your hair does not get that dry fuzzy look on the ends, you should be okay.  My hair is thick, but fine in texture.  The wrong brush can cause split ends.   Be sure you use the correct and least damaging tools on your hair.

Try some intensive conditioning treatments on your hair and invest in a good shampoo and conditioner.  One of the best conditioning treatments I had done on dry winter fly-away hair was a heat-triggered clay treatment.

Some people have slower growing hair than others.  Do you eat a balanced diet?  If not, supplement your intake with a vitamin.  That will help the health of your hair and it might make your hair grow faster.  A co-worker of mine once took liquid collodial minerals and she told me both her hair and nails started growning faster. 

Thanks for your replies.

Well starting from yesterday i abandoned my straighteners! Tyranna - to straighten hair you use flat irons which cause just as much damage as curlingtongs. I use them at least once per day so thats not good! My mum cut my hair yesterday and she didnt take too much off - just the ends so i have officially began my 'i want my hair long campaign'!!!

Today i have my hair curly, which i dont like particularly much so i need some tips as to what else i can do without using my straighteners???

I had it au natural last night and its awful - really 'big' and wavy. And not nice wavy either - horrid wavy!!!

What is the best comb / brush to use?

And also, whats the best shampoo and conditioner? I used just conditioner yesterday as i heard that was meant to help growth. Is that right?

I know im new but i really need your help and support in growing my hair...

Thanks for your reply.

I used to use F.A.S.T shampoo and conditioner but found this really doesnt work so use Avon products. I use a gel to get my curly hair and also hairspray. Ialso use Aussie 3 minute miracle once per week which is a deep conditioner.

I have been told using gel every day is bad and wonthelp it grow. Is this true? What other styles can i do other than curly and straightening.

I want to get jojobo oil and also cammomile but dont know where to get these. Any ideas?

Hey - i looked on Amazon and its $18.

I am not sure which cammomile oil to get though.

I think i will look in Crabtree and Evelyn store first as it seems a bit pricey on Amazon.

My hairspray is a can spray. Does it make a difference whether i use a can or pump spray then?

What can i use to get rid of buildup?

Im sorry for all the quesitons. Im just trying to find the best way to care for my hair so it can grow healthy and long, and quickly!

Nothing wrong with big and wavy hair.  And the longer your hair gets, the less curl it will have because the length will weigh it down.

But if you want to manage the curl factor right now, I really don't think cool blow-drying would be too damaging to it with a little mousse as a styling aid.  I tend to blow-dry style my bangs (lol, or else I would look goofy).  And you can also start playing around with up-dos, braiding and pony-tails as well to manage your hair volume.

You can use tools to style your hair - even heated ones.  But one a daily basis they can damage, as you found out.  And sometimes there are alternatives.  I once found a set of steam rollers which were less damaging than the hot electric ones. 

Your comb and brush type probably depend upon your hair type.  And some people can get away with finger combing even.  I have thick fine hair and if all I did was finger-comb - it would be nothing but one giant rat's nest - lol.  Comb it loosely (or none at all if you can get away with it) while wet.

I prefer soft-plastic tipped brushes over the thick bristel ones.  Sometimes it is hard to find a soft enough brush because a lot of plastic brushes are quite stiff.

I like Biolage hydrating shampoo and conditioner.  Not sure what can make hair grow faster except maybe specific vitamins or something.  But check out the shampoos/conditioners at a local salon.  Sadly, the more costly salon products really are better than the cheaper store-bought ones.

Thanks for your replies - you are really helping me with trying to grow my hair healthily!

I have decided to buy the coconut oil as its only 99p and the jojobo oil is over £10. Iv heard they do pretty much the same job so hopefully the coconut oil will work well!

I am also going to look for a decent comb and a claryfying shampoo. I also need to find a decent shampoo and conditioner to use with every wash!

PurpleBubba - i have never heard of the vinegar rinse before! Do you put actual vinegar that you use for food on your hair?! Whats this meant to do?!

I havent used my straighteners for 4 days now - that is a record for me! I want to use them saturday night as im going out and my hair does look better straight. Do you think using them once per week with heat protection spray will be ok?! Its certainly better than using them every day i guess...

I have spent ages looking through - i have read every page on this long hair support forum! But i thought i'd post my own post to get some support and to get to know you all as you all seem nice!

Thanks for that vinegar recipe. I will try that - maybe tonight.

Im sorry - i didnt realise this was an American site - just assumed it was a British site! haha