new thread
I put together a web page on my site showing my hair pictures from years ago when I started growing my hair out (link below). You can see that my hair length reached shoulder length after a couple years and stayed there. My hair seems to very brittle and breaks easily (especially on the sides and top). I work in a semi-professional engineering facility and like to keep my hair in a ponytail. Years ago I read that wearing your hair in a ponytail will help protect it if it's tied correctly. I also read that I should use hair bands without metal and tie the hair when it's dry. So, I wash my hair at night and then in the morning when it is dry I finger comb the tangles out of it and tie it 3 times with 2 hair bands (not too close to the scalp so it's not too tight) and then wet it again to slick the hair back. I hope I'm not stressing my hairs and if I am please say so. My hair should be down to my butt by now...but it's not. Am I doing something wrong or is this a genetic thing I have no control over?
Picto hair history
You have the same problem as myself, your terminal length is about where you are now :(
Hi Kid !!
...and Welcome !!
It sounds to me like you are doing everything right for your hair. I have been growing (i.e., not cutting) my hair for about the same amount of time as you and have about the same length. I am a bit older (like about a half century ! gasp!) and my hair is somewhat thin (read 'shiny") on top, but it is also fine hair such as your. We may be just about at our terminal length. (Mine is still lengthening, but slowly) Don't fret, your mane looks great !
Keep us posted....I would like to see a photo of your ponytail.
Thanks for Sharing
Walter White Tail
Here's another page I just made with a ponytail picture.
Ponytail picture
Greetings,
Thank you for sharing these photos. I understand how frustrating it can be to feel that you have reached terminal length, when you would really like waist length hair or longer. Rememember, that genetics does play a role on the ability to grow super long hair, but the best possible hair care also helps.
However, try not to get discouraged that you cannot grow it longer. One of our members, Randy, was sure he had reached terminal length a couple of years ago, after spending several years of growing only achieving a length barely to his shoulders. He changed a couple of things in his routine (I cannot remember the exact details, perhaps he will stop in and comment), and now his hair is mid back and still growing!
I have a few suggestions, and all are to help reduce breakage.
1. You have curly hair, which is the weakest hair type. You are probably doing this already, but try to handle your hair as little as possible, and only finger comb, or at the most, a very wide toothed comb. Never brush curly hair. I think you mentioned in your post that you finger comb, which is a good thing.
2. Hair is most fragile when wet, so handle VERY carefully at that time, and dry carefully. Also, try not to sleep with wet hair, since it can become tangled more easily when wet, and more damage can be caused that way. Also, be sure to tail only when thoroughly dry.
3. Curly hair tends to dry out more easily, and when hair is dry, it is damaged more easily. You can reduce the frequency of shampooing (perhpas as infrequently as twice a week) to allow your hair to retain its moisture better, and ALWAYS use conditioner after washing. You can also do "conditioner only" washes on the days when you do not shampoo. Also, a SMALL amount of a beneficial oil (jajoba, sweet almond, or olive oil are 3 examples), applied after you rinse out the conditioner, can help. You can also use a leave in conditioner instead of the oil, which helps reduce tangles.
Hopefully, with a lot of TLC, you can achieve a longer terminal length than you think you have now.
Hope this helps,
David
it sounds like I should conditioning more frequently. I condition about once a week....lately it's been more like never since it's too cold to stand around wet with conditioner (I like to leave it in for ~ a minute before rinsing). I'll look at putting oil in my hair and a leave in conditioner.
I think a lot of it is genetics, though. I started getting gray hair when I was 25 and now see my younger brothers experiencing the same graying in their 20s. My finger nails are also real brittle and break all the time (I don't gnaw at them) so I keep them short. Or maybe it's diet...should I be eating something to keep my hair strong?
Marty
Hey "Kid"
What a transformation, you look great with that "Jesuslike" hair. Look forward to reading your "conversion" story. Being a life-long happy atheist I find it very interesting...
Keep it growing, you look great.
Cheers,
Max
Thanks for the compliment...bet Jesus never had a problem with damaged or fragile hair like me, though. oh, my name's Marty, BTW-I forgot to sign my post (is there a signature option here now?) I was an atheist for 19 years-maybe we have some of the same ideas.
I used to frequent this board a lot back in 2000...I think Vic ran the board then. I like the new feature here now of being able to search through the archives...do you know if it's possible to edit your own post?
Marty
Hey Marty, sorry, don't know about the editing your own profile question, but I'm sure Bill would know... LOL on your comment on Jesus not having damaged hair...wonder what his hair looked like in real life??? I'm sure we do have similar ideas on a number of fronts. Be good to discuss that in another setting.
Cheers on your hair progress. The long hair suits you. Happy that you are happy!
Max
on behalf of the site i would like to welcome you to our great community my friend! hair looks great man def taking of it i can tell well talk soon bro, Mark