new thread
Hello fellow longhairs,
One of the things I've learned from this site is how to identify when a person is getting close to their "terminal length" (the maximum length that your genetics combined with age allows you to grow your hair to). And, well... I think I'm getting close to mine. June 21st of this year marks 7 years of growth for me (since I last had a short haircut, in Y2K).
Some of you might remember that I took this pic back in December. Oddly enough, my hair still looks approximately the same length now as it did then, --- other than maybe an inch or so longer, as far as I can tell.
You can also identify when someone is getting close to terminal length by how thin the hair is at the ends. My last professional hair trim was over 3 years ago, --- although I do regularly trim my own split ends (using the famous "search & destroy method" - lol). I find that if I don't keep up with trimming the split, broken, or otherwise damaged ends, that I soon have a terrible time getting a comb or brush through my hair without a lot of snags and snarls. It also feels just plain nasty, --- very dry, brittle, & scratchy if I get too lazy about that duty. Applying beneficial oils on the ends helps greatly; but splits do still happen with me (although I've found that the # of them has been greatly reduced, thanks to those oils).
Anyway, my guess is that I might be able to grow another inch or 2 longer; but I doubt much longer than that! We'll see...
- Ken in San Francisco
Hello Ken, I'm not sure if that's good news or bad. I'm not sure how long that you wanted it , but if you are nearing terminal you should count yourself lucky for the great mane that you have. I too think I might be near, I had a couple of months where it didn't seem to grow but then I got another 3 or 4 inches from the summer till now so you never know.
Thanks, Bohdi! Yes, I do count myself lucky, and am very grateful that most of the mane I was born with is still attached to my head (lol)!!
At the very minimum, I was hoping to at least achieve belt-length, --- which it pretty much is by now, for all practical purposes... But, another 3 or 4 inches would make me even happier! It's funny, but the longer my hair grows, the more I like it (with the exception of when I get behind in removing split ends). If in the extremely lucky chance that my mane would reach knee-length, my guess is that I wouldn't care to grow it much longer than that... Afterall, who wants to wake up in the morning, and risk tripping over their hair? (Lol!!)
Thanks again,
Ken
"...who wants to wake up in the morning, and risk tripping over their hair?"
I DO! I DO!
What he said!
Also, you adapt how you move, and your reflexes adjust so that you avoid that kind of painful action...tripping isn't so bad, it is the stepping on your hair and pulling it out when you try to move that is bad. trust me on this.
Hi Ken,
I hope you haven't reached terminal length, but I just wanted to say that you do have a fantastic mane regardless of whether or not you can get a couple more inches. Not many guys of our age could grow hair to their belt, I know I would be thrilled beyond words if I could do so.
I know I had the same thought at one point last year, and found some old staff pictures of myself to confirm this. I found some old pics of myself on my work computer (which I just posted in my photo journal over at the Long Hair Community), showing my hair in Dec. 2005, and again in late July 2006. There appeared to be no change in length whatsoever in 7 1/2 months! At that time I had no idea how to care for long hair, I ripped through tangles without giving a thought (no gentle finger de-tangling for me back then!), and even used a straightening iron DAILY on my tangled hair to smooth them out! There were broken hairs in the sink every day, I don't know why I was too stupid to stop, but I was hooked on the irons. In Sept., when I found the MLHH, I learned how to care for long hair, and stopped straightening immediately. My hair did indeed start growing again, and has grown considerably in the 9 months since last July, just from the change in my routine. Again, if I could achieve your length, I would be one happy guy!
All the best,
David
Thanks, David, --- the kind words are much appreciated!
Yes, most definitely good hair care will make a huge difference in how long one can ultimately grow their hair to. I've learned a lot of tricks from this board myself over the years; but ultimately it's a matter of learning about one's own head of hair and scalp, and what works best, --- and what to avoid. I've never tried any method or product for hair straightening (nor perming, for that matter). I've also never been tempted to alter the hair color that Mother Nature gave me (including the increasing amount of grey that's been saying 'hello' - lol)...
One thing I've done this time around in my growing journey (my first journey started in the early '90s, which I unfortunately cut off in Y2K) is that I've currently not been to a professional hair stylist in about 3 years. NOT that I'm "against" professional trims (quite the opposite, actually); but I made that decision for the sole purpose of seeing how much length my hair would max out to, if I went for as long as possible without them. Lucky for me, my up-close vision is excellent (unlike my need to wear glasses for distance), --- which enables me to very easily keep up with the "search & destroy" method of chasing after individual split ends. The other thing that helps that I didn't kow about before is the application of beneficial oils massaged in to the ends and lower portion of my hair. Kukui nut oil, Jojoba, Almond, or even Olive oil have seriously all helped cut down on the amount of splits i get in the first place.
I know some folks around here believe in water washes only, and that you can get additional length by giving up shampooing altogether; but for me, that just is not something I can even consider... I do a lot of gardening and landscaping jobs, --- as well as have a part-time cooking job, and occasionally teach Swing dance classes. I sometimes get things in my hair like mulch & manure, fertilizer dust, bone meal, peices of plant material, etc. So, I'm sure you can imagine that there's no way in hell I won't want to hit the shower after work, and thoroughly shampoo & condition my hair afterwards! If indeed I'll lose some extra inches I might gain by stopping shampooing altogether, so be it; but, in the meantime... it appears as if my mane is not *quite* finished growing at least a tiny bit more length!
All the best to you, David!!
- Ken
Hi again David,
I forgot to add that I have at least CUT DOWN on the frequency of shampooings, --- recently I've been averaging about twice a week, sometimes even going for as long as 5 days without a thorough shampooing. In-between times, I do water-washes only, as well as conditioner-only "washes". The other thing I'm a firm beleiver in is a thorough dry-brushing (which I do on days when either I don't have time to get my hair wet, or if my scalp is itchy, and i want to wait one more day to thoroughly shampoo). Besides stimulating the scalp (which brings blood to the surface to nourish thae hair roots), this ritual also helps distribute the scalp's natural oils down the hair shaft (where it needs it most). I just have to be careful whenever I start my brushing routine by finger-combing any snarls out; and then starting to brush out the ends, first, --- followed by eventually getting around to long, full scalp-to-ends strokes. There's nothing more invigorating to start off the morning in that way, I always say!
Hope I didn't drone on & on too much, David... I guess I just felt like getting up and typing in the middle of the night tonight (lol)!!
Take care,
Ken
Hi there, Ken,
Thanks so much for all your tips! In fact, I don't think you're droning on at all. I know that I have a tendency myself to wake up at 1 or 2 AM sometimes and DO admit that I like to fire up the computer at that hour if I can't sleep, see what's happening on the MLHH and sitting down and typing away!
Your hair care routine sounds a lot like mine, two shampoos a week (one which is a clarifying shampoo to remove buidup from conditioner) and CO washes on the other days, plus one or two days where I do nothing except brush/comb. (My job is an indoor lab job, however, the only reason I can get away with this). I have never tried WO, although it certainly works for Trolleypup, I don't think he even uses any shampoo at all, I could not get away with that! I brush my hair occassionally, but only when thoroughly dry and detangled first, it certainly brings out extra shine when I do. My worst tangles are ALWAYS in the AM, bedhead takes it toll! I hope I can eke out some more length by taking the best possible care of my hair. Belt length may be unrealistic, but I am certainly going to try for it.
Here's to at least a few more inches on that mane of yours!
Take care,
David
Wearing a sleepcap has helped the morning tangles a lot for me...even if I just stick it in the cap without putting it up or anything. Of course, your vanity will suffer...even if you get a more "manly" colored cap from TenderHeaded.com.
Your hair looks great!! My terminal length is waist and even then it is getting too thin to be pretty. Good job growing.
My hair has gotten so thin in the last few years I just got it out last summer. Now i'm miss my hair so much I would like to grew it back but don't know if it is think enough. What should I do?
Hi, Ken. First of all, Considering your age and all(no offense;-)) You have accomplished something that not everyone has been able to in their entire life. Including young people!!!!. Including Tom Cruise!!!....Anyhow... You have a beautiful mane regardless of its length(LOOONG!!).Also, Like some say...... Its not the quantity that matters, its the quality.... :-)
Hey Ken
If you are nearing Terminal I think you have still done great and your long hair looks fabulous! I know that you are still 39 (Just like Jack Benny) and that I am about double that (LOL) but we have both managed to do pretty darn good all things considered.
My own hair at present seems to be just below waist level.......in fact I cannot tell if it has even moved lower in the last 5 months! If this be terminal for myself...so be it. I am happy with what I have. One thing however, the tips of the hair are still not thin...........but this may be WELL DUE to a dusting trim (the 2nd in 4 years) that make the ends of the hair appear non-wispy?
IN any event, what you have attained I would hardly call a "Buzz-Cut." :-0 !!!!!!!! FAR from it. :-)
My best to you always.
Justin~
Only one way of finding out.
Keep growing!
I figured out that taking pictures of wet hair best illustrated the actual amount of thinning towards the ends. Dry hair fluffs out and camoflages the thinness until less than 10% of the strands remain.
The confirmation for me was when I trimmed a few inches off, and it grew back at 1/2" per month until it reached the original length and stopped.
side note: quite a number of people who do WO do it because their scalps hate products and shed more then they S&C...I don't think that infrequent gentle S&C is going to do much harm to the actual hair...and it is balanced on the WO side by the usually more frequent manipulation of the hair.
Your hair is great. I wish I would have not cut mine last summer. I don't know if I could ever get it long again. Keep growing. It fits you well.
Hey Ken, your hair looks great, and you may still get a bit more length. There are supplements which may help.
I take MSM for joint health, but it is great for hair too.
I take saw palmetto for prostate health, but it is also excellent for hair health.
You might give these a try to gain some additional length.
Absalom
hi Ken,
I'll just reiterate what the others have said and say that,even if terminal is near for you,what you've attained so far is nothing short of breathtaking.although I do believe you'll be able to grow at least 3 more inches of hair(your ends don't look thin to me).take care!! ^_^
-Jacob
Hey Ken,
Don't look at achieving terminal length as the thwarting of a journey; look at it as having completed one! We all get there eventually, and hey man, you have arrived!
From now on your hair won't change much. It will just be a part of your body that is the same every day like your hands are. One of the comforting things about reaching terminal is that you won't be thinking (i.e., fretting) about your hair much.
Congratulations! You started out at zero in 2000. Now in 2007 you are at 100%!
Bill (who should be talking, since now he has a growing beard to fret over)
Your hair might just surprise you. lol
I sat at 40" for at least a few years and thought that was it.
Then all the sudden it started growing again. Got 6 more inches, but recently trimmed that off (Hoping for bettter ends). When I measured it again 30 days later, it had grown the average 1/2".
Read what you said about hair changing as you get older too and I definitely agree. Mine's not half as thick as when I was young and grows a LOT slower. But, at least it's still growing. =o)