new thread
One thing I just cannot begin to understand is where all of this "Cutting," "thinning," "Even-ups," and "Trimming" talk is coming from when one wants to grow out their hair? It is just so simple. To obtain Long Hair you HAVE TO LET "ALL" OF IT GROW for a very long time by itself. All the above are counter productive, hamper the rate of time it will take you to reach your goal, and in the end have you really messed up.
Want long hair? Easy. Just allow it to grow. So simple. (Or have I missed something here that is a secret of which I know not?)
When really long, there may be a point at which a "trim" is necessary to keep the hair at the length (goal) you have set for yourself. Also the problem of "Split Ends" may likely have to be addressed at some point. But to "Snip," "Cut," "Thin-out," "Even-up" in the "early stages" is usually your best guarantee of failure.
Sounds like a simple solution to me, Justin. I agree with you.. just let it grow. I haven't had a trim, cut, nothing since I decided to let it grow out [March '04].
--Rick
"When problems seem complex, seek simple solutions."
You hit the nail on the head and it all rings true.
Okay wait for the next thinning tale!!!
John.B
I think its because of the misconceptions planted by many friends albeit well intentioned, or hairdressers that just wants more business so they tell you if you trim you grow faster.
Some of us want it to look decent every step of the way. Growing out from a normal male cut leads to uneven length... and that doesn't usually look good. Trimming is the solution.
Besides, a lot of us (including me) want the length to be even when it reaches our goal. I plan to get a trim when my hair is much longer, to even the length.
I can understand your positin, but, to be blunt, you and anyone who share's your point of view are only kidding yourselves if you think you're going to be able to maintain an even length without constant trims, even after reaching your goal. Hair, by its very nature, does not grow evenly.
My own hair is an inch or two past my waist at the tip in back. It reaches my belly button in front, and the locks that formed my bangs when I wore a crew cut have never grown past my chest. If I kept it trimmed to maintain an even length all around, my hair would only be around shoulder-length.
Trimming does nothing but delay hair growth while creating the illusion of healthy looking hair. If you want it long, don't cut it. It's as simple as that.
Yes and thinking about this, if we never cut our hair, it would grow from a nearly bald head. (at birth I mean, or whenever it starts growing)
yeah, well you have to understand that a lot of people may be growing their hair out for the first time and they really don't know exactly how to go about it. for something that may seem so very simple to you, one who has obviously achieved great success in this department, it can be quite different and foreign even to others. personally, i'd rather these questions reguarding such topics be asked so that they can be addressed by such expertise as yourself so mistakes and frustration can be avoided down the road.
Newbie wanting to grow their hair: "How do I grow it long?"
Experienced long-hair: "Don't cut it."
Even I understood that principle when I started growing mine. I didn't step foot in a salon for two years. Then Terminator 2 came out and I had it trimmed to resemble Ed Furlong's hair. I've since let it grow to terminal length and no scissors have touched my hair since 1998.
http://uk.askmen.com/fashion/trends_100/137b_fashion_men.html
what do you say to them about their advice on the awkward stage? Is it wrong? Thanks in advance.
It's not wrong, but it's not necessary, either. Bottom line, any type of cut - even a small trim - only prolongs the growing process.
A lot of men come here looking for ways to grow long hair fast. Trimming it does not help. Growing hair is not rocket science. Just don't cut it. Period.
It's amazing the things you guys can think about... My problem is that all theories seem to be true and make sense... To me it makes sense when you guys say that I can't trim my hair because I will loose lenght but it also makes sense to me when my mother tells me I should trim my hair if I want it to grow healthier... Anyways =P
I was eventually going to get a trim this weekend but I don't know anymore... First I never wanted a trim but I keep thinking how my hair would feel if I did get one... since I never did before... I don't know, I can't wait to reach at least waist lenght and I am half way untill there... Either ways, I feel really scared about the trim anuways because my bangs are still too short, and I know that despite of me explaining exactly what I wanted to my hairdresser she'd probably make a little mess on my hair. My feelings about my hair is that I love it so much that i just want it to be halthy and long, but I'm frightened that I may damage it while not cutting the thin ends and the splits...
Oh well =S I guess I'll keep doing the "search and destroy" sessions this summer and we'll see... In three months I'm be 2 years away from my last haircut... and eventually I'm noticing some good growth and improovements on the drynes... Maybe you guys are right and I should just let things go =)
That's why I say you're terrible... you just made my mind away from the hairdresser again =P
Thank you =)
Then don't trim it.
Okay. It IS a simple concept. And I realize that any trim of any length will slow down the growth process for very obvious reasons. But, for me, my goal isn't to "even" my length. I only want to lose the layers that I had cut into it the last time I had it cut short. As everyone agrees that "thinning" is a bad thing since it removes weight from your hair and therefore can prolong the awkward stage, this is the reason I want to gradually have the layers in my hair taken out in order to add weight back into it. However, I have no plans on having this done until my hair reaches a point which I can actually classify it as long since right now it's at the in-between stage and neither short nor long. And when I do have anything done, it will only be a small amount (absolutely no more than a 1/2") at a time so that I don't set myself back too much. And then I will wait another two or three months before I have another small amount taken off.
when i startedout i asked about thinning and such andof course was advised against i (thanks guys!!)i wanted it pureley becuase i didnt like how it looked. Now i dont want anything done to it until it reachesmy goal . Although admittedly ive already had 2 trims becuase of split ends since i started in sptember 2005 becuase of doing the wrong things with my hair but hey im learning and thanks to you guys a lot faster!
There's no single right way to grow hair especially when there are so many people here to give advice how to get the benefits of whatever methods a man chooses. There are so many reasons a guy could want to avail himself of scissors along the way and the first reason is self-image. If a person thinks he looks sloppy untrimmed there is no reason in the world he should have to be that way as long as he knows trims will merely take longer. I'd say that is a trade off with more advantage than disadvantage, particularly if they also have to consider the effect of wild growth on their partner, employment, and public perception.
Elizabeth
Thats a very good answer ;0)
"I'd say that is a trade off with more advantage than disadvantage, particularly if they also have to consider the effect of wild growth on their partner, employment, and public perception."
Very well said. Hair will still grow with very small trims to keep it neat. I grew my hair to waist length in 3.5 years with trims every 8 weeks.
For so many men, it seems like length is more important than healthy, nice looking hair. And this I believe is the major contributing factor for most of society not accepting long hair on males. (This is just my opinion, but a very firm opinion of mine.)
Ok, let's get one thing straight. Hair is neither healthy nor ill. It's dead. It dies the moment it grows out of the root. That leaves "nice looking" as the only thing that can result from trimming, besides shortened hair. Grats on acheiving waist-length in under four years. The average head of hair takes about 5 years to reach the waist. Guys who want long hair fast should avoid trimming.
Nice looking hair doesn't come only from trimming, it is also a natural result of hair left uncut. Same for healthy, there is such a thing since chemically fried and heat damaged crunchy hair that breaks off is certainly not healthy by any standard but it can be on either trimmed hair or cared for untouched heads. Actually, I see healthiest hair as hair that doesn't need to be trimmed to remove damage. Healthy hair isn't damaged in the first place.
Elizabeth
One thing I just cannot begin to understand is where all of this "Cutting," "thinning," "Even-ups," and "Trimming" talk is coming from when one wants to grow out their hair? It is just so simple. To obtain Long Hair you HAVE TO LET "ALL" OF IT GROW for a very long time by itself. All the above are counter productive, hamper the rate of time it will take you to reach your goal, and in the end have you really messed up.
It seems to me there are reasons to sit on either side of that debate.
If the ob ject is simply get it long, fast, then you are right.
If one desires to be more fashion-conscious through the process, then it may be worth the cost in time for them to maintain a neat appearance while growing it.
As for myself, I have had exactly one trim in just over two years of growth - when one side was distinctly longer than the other, and at 16 months or so, I was finally getting past the awkward stages. Did it impact my overall length as of today? Yes. Was it worthwhile? I believe so.
At the length I've achieved, I wouldn't dream of thinning, layering, undercutting, or anything like that. If another trim would help to keep it looking neat, then I'm not opposed to it.
-m
Whats wrong with 'evening up' your hair? It made my hair look neater and it didn't seem to mess up as much. Trimming is useless though unless you have really bad split ends.
