I need some regimen help
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Category: African American Hair
Forum Name: African American Hair
Forum Description: Devoted to the special needs of African Americans.
URL: https://talk.hairboutique.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=46585
Printed Date: August 02 2025 at 2:26pm
Topic: I need some regimen help
Posted By: xyra
Subject: I need some regimen help
Date Posted: September 03 2006 at 3:05am
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I'm currently 20 years old, but growing up I always wanted to have long hair. In 2004 my hair was below my shoulders (about a couple of inches), but throughout all those years I had been getting relaxers every 8 weeks. Last year I decided to try a new look with long layers. The stylist messed my hair up. My hair only touched my shoulders, and some spots are still uneven. It has shown some progess, because the back of my hair goes a tiny bit past my shoulders, but not by much. I really want to grow my hair back out, and longer than it was before. My last relaxer was about 10 weeks ago. Now, in the past my hair would have been out of control at this point, but I've been washing it regularly once a week as well as conditioning it for 30 minutes. I have yet to get a hair dryer or heat cap, so I just double up on the plastic caps, and just recently started putting a hot towel over it. I wash it during the evening and let it air dry during the night, then flat iron it the next day. I will admit my hair is the healthiest it's ever been, especially for not having a relaxer in 10 weeks. I don't even think I needed them in the first place now.
Anyway, what my question is, what else can I do to start to stimulate growth? I'm surprised by doing something as simple as what I've been doing has left it so healthy looking, so I know it has the potential to grow with time. I do moisturize daily as well and take multivitamins. I even tried some emu oil just for the heck of it, and even though it left my hair really soft, I started noticing breakage around my roots so I stopped. I just need to find a simple yet effective regimen, since I work and go to school full time, so my spare time is limited. I know I've read to stay away from any heat (I usually curl my hair with a ceramic curling iron everyday), so does anyone know of any hair styles that I can maintain without heat?
Any input would be greatly appreciated, and sorry this was so long. My dream goal is to have hair to the middle of my back. I always thought it was impossible, but after coming here, I know now that it is possible.
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Replies:
Posted By: sakura07
Date Posted: September 03 2006 at 7:16am
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Hmm one thing that I think would help is to treat your hair like fine lace. Be gentle with it. Dont get fustrated and make the comb go through it, gently detangle the knotty spot, etc.
How do you wear your hair? you could try protective styles or just low mataince/touch hair styles. Buns, braids (like normal braids or extentions) updos are great too.
I would also say experiment and leanr the ins and outs of your hair. so you know what works and what doesn't. Find products that work for you as well as other things such as deep treaments and oils if you like.
umm I can't think of anything else at the moment but If i do I will let you knw.
Oh yea, by the way Welcome to the boards and happy growing!  ------------- |
Posted By: Pokahontas
Date Posted: September 03 2006 at 10:40am
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It sounds like you are doing a really good job. I don't think you mentioned doing protein treatments so you might want to try doing those. I do them monthly and they help to strengthen the hair. Always follow up your protein treatment with a moisturizing conditioner. Also, heat can really do some damage so make sure you're using a heat protectant every time you use it and I think you should cut down on curling your hair everyday. Since you flat iron weekly try curling it after you flat iron and then pin curl or roll it nightly to maintain the curls. This will help you cut down on your heat. HTH ------------- |
Posted By: xyra
Date Posted: September 03 2006 at 12:03pm
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Thanks for the ideas. Sakura07, I usually wear my hair down and curl it so it flips out a little bit. I used to wear curlers a lot when I was younger, and never really delt with curling irons, so that's probably why my hair was able to grow back then. I should have kept that up and not even bothered with getting it cut. I did braid my hair in four sections last night and let it down today so I won't have to curl it. It doesn't look too bad,
so that's one thing I can do.
And Pokahontas, I've never tried a protein treament on myself, so I will have to try that. And I haven't been using a heat protectant, so that's another thing I need. I would try and go natural so that I don't have to use any heat, but my hair gets so out of control that I wouldn't even know what to do with it. But I will try curling like you said and see how it comes out.
Thanks again! I wanted to try hair growth products at one time, but I don't really trust them and I don't want to experience the consequences of them. I'm just going to have to remain patient. Hopefully I can post some updates in the future with pics of my actually growing again:)
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