Hey everyone!
I've been trying to grow my hair since 2005, but since my hair is very thick and curly, hairdressers kept strongly suggesting putting straightening chemicals in my hair so that it grows downwards, not outwards. At the time I didn't take care of my hair much either so even though it was longish in Mid-2006, I had to cut it off (that and my mum said I had to if I wanted to find a job). I didn't find a job in 2006 so my hair was basically shaved off for nothing. I was quite pissed. Every 4 months I continued going to trimming at hairdressers, this time without the straightening chemical, and eventually my hair started growing longer... but then in June 2007 I had to cut it to work at McDonalds (had no other choice, the owner herself said I had to shave it even though it was gelled flat and all under a hat). I soon quit my job there because it was too restricting, and since then have only trimmed my hair once last November. I'm not sure how much exactly the hairdresser trimmed off, but I guess it at 1/2 an inch so I'm not counting it as the start off date for my current growth period.
I've been on this site for a couple of months so far, reading threads and occasionally replying to some of them. But this is my first update thread. The end of February 2008 closed 8 months since I had to shave my hair. It wasn't exactly shaved, about 1/2 inch long in end of June 2007. But before finding MLHH, I had the false impression that to grow healthy long hair one has to trim it every 3 - 4 months, so it was trimmed about 1/2 inch in early November 2007, last. The hairdresser herself said my hair was very healthy and didn't even have split ends when I went (but she said it after she had cut it), so I said I could go a few more than 4 months every time without a trim. Then I found MLHH on NYE 2008, and realised how hair doesn't need trims for YEARS if it's kept healthy! And I think I really take care of my hair at least. So now no trims until I actually see bad ends. Supposedly my hair grew 4 inches since June 2007 (comparing with the average hair growth rate), but I'm happy because right now it's 11.5cm (4.5 inches) and that trim in November set me back by a month. Then again if it was 1/2 inch to start out with then my hair grew exactly 4 inches in the 8 months since it was cut off.
I wanted it 'grown-out-from-shaved' style, i.e. each hair on my head is the same length (natural layers), but after pulling off random strands a few weeks ago, I realised different parts of my hair are totally different lengths, and each hair isn't the same length like I'd have wanted. An example is that the very back bottom part of my head is 3.3 inches, while the hair at the back top of my head is 5.2 inches... and the front of my hair is 4.5 inches. But anyway. It will have to do 'coz I don't trust hairdressers so much anymore :)
Anyway. Enough blab. I can't wait for my hair to grow longer. I take care of it a lot; conditioning twice a week, never straightening it, washing it in freezing water, finger-combing gently... The only chemical was a semi-permanent darker dye I put in November 2007. And so far, so good. :)
Photo-time! Here you go: (just copy and paste the link in your URL bar)
http://s275.photobucket.com/albums/jj306/Shypii90/2008%20Hair%20progress/?albumview=grid
I think one side of my hair is bigger than the other because it's a bit longer at the top part :/
What do you all think?
Thanks for looking :)
Shawn
Shawn,
It looks fantastic! So healthy and full. I'm another curly guy and am just a bit ahead of you at nine months growth from a shaved head.
Keep growin'
Don
wow you have very curly hair my friend! but your middle stage is gonna be the worst dude itll probably take about 2-3 years to get long hair when its that curly but keep it growing and it will!
Hello !
That is going to look fantastic , please grow it really long !
Cya
It may not feel like it, and Mark is right, it will take a long time.
But you are going to look seriously awesome when your done.
Good luck friend
I can't believe that you're only 8 months into your growth. You seem to have an incredible growth rate.
Your curls look great, and yes, very shiny. I'm really looking forward to future updates. It's going to be really awesome.
Franny
My Hair Site