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My wife was getting her hair cut by a man that has been cutting hair for 25 years plus, what she calls a "Master Cutter", anyway I like the way he cuts her hair, colors, and styles it she told him about me wanting to grow my hair long and he said he could cut it in a way that would facilitate this. She told him how puffy it gets on the sides and that I have alot of hair. I guess he must be talking about layering the hair. I had thought about that opposed to an undercut since it isn't as drastic and it helps keep the wife off my case about growing it out. Anyone out there with any pro's and con's on the layering or could he be talking about something else?
Hello Woodman...
Welcome to mlhh.. Posting a current picture would help us see exactly where you're at right now. In the meantime; here is my experience. My wife at first really wanted me to keep my hair "shaped" up if you will. She too talked with her stylist about my attempt at long hair when I first started. And, like you, the stylist said he knew exactly the cut to give me and that it would, "grow faster" by keeping it trimmed.
None of this holds any water my friend. In my opinion; the only thing trimming does is prolong your final destination and put money in a stylist's pocket. I've had very very small trims in the back to keep my hair from becoming a "mullet" look and thats it. I'm now working on 14 months of growth..
The first few months are difficult; but once you get going and start seeing some progress ... it only gets better..
Good luck and keep us posted..
Be Blessed ....
Tristan
I appreciate the advice and I know that hair doesn't grow anywhere but from the roots and the trims doesn't make it grow any faster. I guess they were thinking more of the undercut style with layering the sides and keeping it shorter than the rest of the hair and letting it grow over the top of it eventually. I think my wife just don't like the poof that you either gel it back behind your ears or just let it fall over them. Thanks again and I've just started the journey again and back into the awkward stage the longest I've ever let it go is 1 year.
Trims are really good for one thing on a longhair: maintenance at a desired length. They inhibit the overall growth by the length cut off putting you back one month per half inch or so. And then you have uneven hair length still.
Once you reach your desired length, then go to the man and he may be able to style it in a more manageable style and you could go to him ad naseum to keep your hair at this length and layering.
Actually what I suspect he's talking about is not "layering" but actually removing the natural layers in your hair.
Unless your hair falls to all one length, then it is said to be "layered". The distance between the length of the hair coming from the top of your head, to the length of the hair coming from your neckline determines the "depth" of your layers. Typically this will amount to about a 6 inch gap if you are starting from a buzzcut. (See the picture above I prepared for Brandon - hope he doesn't mind me using his excellent hair as an example.
Reducing this gap as you grow out, by trimming up the lower layers can help you through the awkward stage as it will help keep your hair neater and less likely to flip outwards or go "poofy".
Of course there is no way that trimming will make your hair grow faster. But by adjusting the proportions you can give the illusion of longer hair. For example, make the lower layers shorter and the top layers look longer, let the lower layers grow longer and the top layers look shorter.
Sorted
Woodman,
If your wife and her stylist are supportive of your growing you hair, I would go with their advice, and then I would report the response to our community. They may very well know what they are doing, and if not we can offer some friendly support, but the most important issue is that you have support to reach your goals. I am sure they will be open to suggestions along the way.
Cal.
Thanks Cal that's what I've pretty much decided to do and I will update you on the outcome. Thanks for taking an interest.
Woodman