new thread
Hey Everyone
Im new to the website, and have been attempting to grow my hair out since the seventh grade!!! unfortunately, my mom/dad dont like long hair, and have made me get it cut several times per year. I am currently a sophmore in high school (16 years old) and have been slowly receiving less flak about it. However, i am definately a hair growing newbie and have ABSOLUTELY no clue how to start. Over the years, the stylists who have cut my hair have told me to "thin" it or to "layer" it, both of which have made it difficult to grow effectively. This has messed things up quite a bit. Over the years, i have thought of numerous questions that i need answered.
1. Is there a particular way to shampoo/condition your hair? How do i know what shampoo/conditioner to use? What meathod of drying is best?
2. How often should i shampoo/condition? If i go any longer than once daily my hair looks so greasy, it looks like i have been swimming!!! (this is not exaggeration). If im showering, and do not need to shampoo that particular time, should i get it wet?
3. How often should i get my hair cut? The hair stylists say once a month or once every 6 weeks.
4. Should i ever get my hair layered or thinned? Why or why not?
5. I am in a class in school that requires swimming 3 days a week. How do i minimize or avoid chlorine damage?
6. My hair isnt straight, nor curly. Its sort of wavy, but not really. haha. If i dont do a specific morning routine, it becomes poofy. What type of hair do i have?
7. What other things besides shampooing and conditioning can i do to mantain healthy hair?
Thank you to all who have advice for a new brother in hair-growth!!! haha
Austin (sinergy22)
Welcome sinergy22! Glad you found us.
Wow...........so many questions at once.........but all just so normal ones for a beginner. No problem. :-)
May I suggest that you click on "Links" at the top of the main page and read the 4-part thesis by Bill Choisser about growing out ones hair. This will answer a whole ton of questions for you.
Again, welcome to the Hyperboard. Great to have you here.
I agree with Justin. Go to the Links page and many of your questions will be answered (and you'll learn even more). The 4-part article was very informative. As for some general answers though:
1. There's no perfect shampoo/condition method for everyone. Experiment, find what works for you, and expect what works to change as you gain length and external conditions (weather, swimming, etc) change.
2. How often you shampoo is also up for experimenting. I used to have to do so daily, but as my hair has gotten longer I only shampoo every-other day. When I shower on the off-days, I do have to get my hair wet for it to behave that day.
3. Trims are up to you, but I would just skip cutting your hair for a while. Trims certainly don't improve growth rate or anything silly like that, and stylists are notorious for getting carried away.
4. I would skip the layering and thinning. Both will leave you with shorter strands of hair that will take even longer to reach a ponytail or other restraint. Also, beware of anyone who tries to convince you to thin or layer your hair since it's often an attempt to get you back to short hair.
5. No idea on the pool thing.
6. Welcome to wavy hair! Like every hair type it's a blessing and a curse. :-) Just be happy for what you have and don't try to change it because that can cause damage. The poofyness is just part of the awkward phase, and there's really nothing to do but wait it out. I'm about six months in with wavy hair and I've found that as long as I keep the brushing to a minimum it doesn't get REALLY poofy...just moderately poofy.
7. Maintaining healthy hair is mostly about what you DON'T do to it. Stiff gels/hairspray, curling/straightening irons, bleaching/dying, and hot blowdrying can all be damaging to your hair. Also try not to towel it too roughly after showering. Comb carefully so as not to rip through snags (you may even want to finger-comb first), and in general just treat your hair as gently as possible. Remember, you need your hair to last for years now, not just months.
Welcome Austin, and good luck with the growing process! If you think of it, post a picture sometime so we can see where you're starting from.
Mouse
thanks for your feedback! i read the pages on long hair, and i now think im ready to get started!
Here are some pictures of my starting point. Any advice is more than welcome!!!
Austin (sinergy22)
The Pics!!!
http://s128.photobucket.com/albums/p167/sinergy22/?action=view¤t=100_3804-1.jpg
http://s128.photobucket.com/albums/p167/sinergy22/?action=view¤t=100_3805.jpg
Awesome hair! Its going to look really cool when it's long. How long was it when you started?
Mouse
It was a buzz cut about 1/4 of an inch all the way around. gross. lol
but what about the back? i have been told that i need to bring the back up, as it looks like a grown out mullet. (which by the way, happened to me this summer when the stylist heard that i wanted it long, but my dad didnt want it in my face. hahahaha)
Personally I think it looks fine, but ultimately it's up to you as to whether or not you get the back trimmed. The biggest challenge is finding a stylist you can trust to ONLY trim a little off the back and not get carried away. Definitely don't touch the rest of it, especially the bangs.
And the best way to keep it out of your face in the long run is to let it grow long enough to tuck behind your years or stay in a ponytail.
Mouse
Hi Austin,
your hair is perfect for growing it long - stick to it! You really look good already, and you'll look absolutely phantastic by the time you graduate!
You got the most important pieces of advice already - and Mouse explained some very important things.
- trimming and layering for length is like practicing intercourse (avoiding a shorter word here) for virginity. Both are a logical No-No! NEVER layer it, and DON't trim it during the next 18 months! (Well, if something bothers you about your hair, just post a picture and get some free advice here)
- Use conditioner instead of shampoo. You can always do that after swimming and showering. This way you minimize the damage due to chlorine - since you won't be able to avoid chlorine completely. Consider a leave-in conditioner.
All the best, and happy growth!
Hans-Uwe