trying to grow out hair (should I trim?)
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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=765
Printed Date: July 30 2025 at 10:53pm
Topic: trying to grow out hair (should I trim?)
Posted By: Jenna
Subject: trying to grow out hair (should I trim?)
Date Posted: August 18 2003 at 2:58am
| I really would love to grow my hair out long, and I've been trying to for over a year. The problem is I used to bleach until a year ago when I stopped, so I've had to cut it more than usual to get rid of the damaged ends. Right now it's a couple inches below my shoulders, and for the first time starting to feel long and I'm loving it. The problem is, some of the ends are splitting, and I'm wondering if I need to get a trim. Will my hair become long sooner if I cut more often so I have no split ends, or is it okay if I leave them (they don't look that bad) and get my hair cut less frequently? Thanks! |
Replies:
Posted By: duke
Date Posted: August 18 2003 at 8:56am
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It would be good if you could just live with the splits, at least for awhile. However, I don't see your hair, so I wouldn't actually recommend doing so (I don't know how damaged it is or how quickly it gets damaged). What I would recommend is seeing if anyone (your boyfriend, a friend, your mom) would be willing to just trim individual ends for you for awhile (you could do this too) with nail scissors. Also, see if any salon would be willing to do this (it's called a dusting) or at least cut off no more than half an inch. I'm re-hashing a lot of previously given advice here...I strongly suggest you find a salon in your area that caters specially to long hair. Good luck and try to live with your natural color. Your hair will be healthier than if your dye or bleach (or, horror of horrors, perm) it. ------------- |
Posted By: Endlessnite
Date Posted: August 18 2003 at 10:52am
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Hello. You should definitely have the ends trimmed , but not too much! There is no truth to the myth that cutting hair will make it grow faster. I currently have waist-length hair & trimmed it while I was growing it out, about once every six weeks. (but you have to be sure that you are not cutting off all of the new growth ...) ------------- BR, Endlessnight |
Posted By: Jenna
Date Posted: August 18 2003 at 12:44pm
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Thank you for the wonderful advice. :) I had never heard of having a salon cut off just the split ends, so I'll definately look into that. My hair really doesn't look bad so I don't mind living with the ends, but I'm wondering if the broken ends could travel further up my hair and cause me to have to cut off a lot later. Here's another question. Does eating more protein cause hair to grow any faster? I'm sure it's not dramatic, but I'm wondering if there's much corelation. I'm a vegetarian so I don't eat much protein, but I could start eating more peanut butter, tofu, etc if I knew it could help. :) |
Posted By: uzma
Date Posted: August 19 2003 at 10:23am
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Dear Jenna I agree that trimming hair will not make it grow faster. However, I would suggest you remove the splits that are occuring - not at a salon but by snipping off only the split hairs yourself, or with the help of a friend. That way, you will maintain as much length as possible while removing the damage. I also suggest that you carefully examine the reason why your hair is splitting. Check your shampoo/conditioning/styling/drying routine and learn how best to care for your hair through the advice on this board. For example, are your splits occuring due to a lack of moisture? Are they a result of frequent blow-drying? Is your shampoo too harsh for your hair type? Are you conditioning/oiling appropriately? If you can remove the existing splits and take measures to prevent future splits, I think you will be on your way to achieving healthy long hair. With regard to dietary protein intake, the most reported standard measure of daily protein requirement in the UK is: 1 gram of protein for every kg of body weight (I weigh 55 kg so I eat a minimum of 55g of protein a day). I have found that exceeding this amount of protein by 10-20 grams, resulted in improved hair growth/ quality and reduced my hair fall rate. I guess the response of the body to increased protein is an individual thing, so this may not work for everyone. However, it is worth a try. Hope that helps. Best of luck in your goals. ------------- Uzi |
Posted By: princessmonica
Date Posted: August 19 2003 at 11:53am
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uzma what is kg? i weigh 95pds. i maybe wrong i think increasing protin in your diet does make a difference in the hair. ------------- http://www.msnusers.com/monicasanders - http://www.msnusers.com/monicasanders |
Posted By: enfys
Date Posted: August 19 2003 at 12:56pm
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A kilo is about equal to 2 pounds. I think that being more healthy all round helps your hair, and also if you do more exercise, because it increases blood flow to your scalp, your hair grows quicker and in better condition. Hope this helps! ------------- http://www.myspace.com/waltzin_with_the_open_sea - http://www.myspace.com/waltzin_with_the_open_sea Ah-ha, a place I can soon add hair pics...once I do some |
Posted By: Jenna
Date Posted: August 20 2003 at 3:27pm
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I found a new stylist who says she has long hair herself, so hopefully she'll be qualified and understanding. Also she charges $35 which I'm not sure if it's high or average. I don't live in California in a suburban area and this is kind of a trendy salon, so maybe it's okay? I very well know the reason why I have split ends but I don't think it'll change anytime soon. ;) I have kinky hair which I don't think flatters my face as much as straight (maybe it will be different when longer), so I use a flat iron every other day. I'm going to invest in a ceramic iron soon so hopefully this will be healthier than the metal kind. Does anyone here know of a hair product to protect against heat damage? I don't blow dry, just use a flat iron. Thanks again to all the very helpful people. :D |
Posted By: Laine1998
Date Posted: August 20 2003 at 4:00pm
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A kilogram is 2.2 lbs. I learned that the hard way. I got 3 kilos of carrots for 3 Euros in Holland at a market. I had over 6 lbs of carrots to carry around. We ate like 3 out of the bunch..go figure. ------------- |
Posted By: DaveDecker
Date Posted: August 24 2003 at 5:25pm
Oh Laine, that is so funny. I can imagine you lugging around 6+ pounds of carrots. Someone must have thought you had a very hungry pet to feed.  Jenna, I have heard that there are products you can apply before using the straightening iron which help reduce the detrimental effect the heat has on the hair (although I can't remember what the product is named). That said, even using such products will not prevent damage caused by the iron. It is very difficult to grow long healthy hair while using a hot iron on it. What is your goal length? I'm curious what you mean when you say you found a new stylist who says she has long hair. Do you mean that you got a reference and talked with her on the phone? Regardless of where a stylist works (trendy salon or not), it's important that they do what you want. I'm sorry you feel that your "kinky" hair doesn't flatter your face as much as straight hair. I'd bet the unstraightened hair looks good on you. Maybe someday you'll come to appreciate its natural wave/curl. Endlessnite, I don't believe I've seen your posts here before. Welcome!  ------------- |
Posted By: Endlessnite
Date Posted: August 25 2003 at 6:44am
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Thank you, Dave , I am new here. I 've only posted a few times using Endlessnite and Endlessnight.(why those 2 different spellings, whos knows??!) ------------- BR, Endlessnight |
Posted By: dianefromcanada
Date Posted: August 25 2003 at 11:19am
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Hello Jenna: I had a long hair stylist once that explained to me the importance of trimming the split ends. She used the pantyhose theory. Not sure if it is correct or not but to me it makes sense. According to her if we don't deal with the split ends it tends to travel up the shaft. What I do know is when I do deal with the split ends I am not fighting as hard to brush my hair. The other question you had was about protein. What I am aware of so far is that protein tends to prevent your hair turning grey sooner than it should. Good vitamins and biotin I have been told by another long hair woman that is the only way to go especially the B's which fights stress. YOu might want to retrict your use of hot irons and blowers. |
Posted By: Jenna
Date Posted: August 25 2003 at 11:37pm
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Hi Diane, thanks for the explanation. I had a theory like that and was afraid it could be true, so I'm glad I got the ends trimmed. Even though I'm very much missing the extra inch (it makes a difference when your hair isn't long ) it does look healthier. Also the stylist used biosilk therapy on my hair, which made my hair much silkier and softer than it ever was before. Does anyone else here use biosilk? It is supposed to protect your hair from everything all day.
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Posted By: Jenna
Date Posted: August 25 2003 at 11:59pm
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Hi Dave, The stylist did work out as I hoped. She had really nice midback length hair and did a really careful job. I've always loved the look of straight silky hair, and maybe it's just because I wasn't born with it. I think long wavy or curly hair looks beautiful too, but I don't like my hair short and wavy. Personal preference I guess, but since it makes me much happier to straighten I don't mind spending the extra 10 minutes to style. And I'm hoping to eventually grow to about BSL. |