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So what date exactly did you guys start growing the current length of hair you have now?
If we are including all of my hair total, then it would have to be September 2nd of the year 2000. On that date, I had it cut to a short bob above my chin. I grew that out to past my shoulders until June 7th of 2001, that's when I (under pressure to impress my prom date) stupidly agreed to shear off four whole inches of my hair. That made my parents and my classmates proud for sure, but as for me I regretted it the moment I looked at myself in the mirror. I hated it so much that in late August of 2001, I had my hair cut even shorter, taking off about 6 more inches on top and all over my sides thus layering my hair all over to give it a sense of style. I did this because I hated the cut I had in June so much that I was hair suicidal, I figured that its too short to put in a ponytail so I might as well just take everything else off. But seeing the tragedy I did to myself that day in late August of 2001 made me realize that I wanted more than ever to have long, shimmering hair cascading down my back. When I started my freshman year of college, I also decided that this would be the time for me to start growing the long beautiful hair I have dreamed of having since I was in kindergarten and admired the girls who already had waist length manes at the tender age of 5. And so the rest is all history!
I Started out my second attempt on growing longhair in October 2007,so that's 8 months of growth so far.
I hope all goes well! And please if you can't get out of serving your country, you can always immigrate to the States or any other country that doesn't have a mandatory army service. God Bless!
1957. "Exact date" lost to the ages.
My hair started growing the day I was born, or perhaps before as some babies do have hair already when born. I did, so I guess my hair started to grow before I was born, which was about 34.3 years ago. I stopped cutting it short in 2003.
My hair has been varying lengths over the years, but as for my last cut/trim, that would be August 21, 2007. Granted, at that time it was below my shoulders even then, but it was in September that I found here, and was inspired to just let it all go, let the dye/perm grow out and see where terminal is on me.
Its always great to meet the occasional gal here! Wow, color and a perm? Missy I'm glad your taking better care of your hair today, because at the rate you were going then you were headed for the typical fried, over-processed hair that 70% of women in America have today!
Yeah, I had been dyeing for 20+ years, but I got the perm in 2002. I realized pretty quickly there was weirdness, so since the grey bothered me more than the straight, I decided to keep up the dyeing but not the perm, but even with regular trimming and growth, the last inch or so has the tendency to sausage curl.
When I have a chance, I will get some pics to show my demarcation.
The last time I shaved my head was in May 2003, I believe. Then, toward the end of September that same year, I had a minor trim to neaten my hair before looking for a job. It wasn't until after that trim that I actually made the decision to grow my hair out, so 'the end of September' is the starting point I use. At first I wanted chin length hair, but when I reached that length I wanted to carry on. And so I am fast approaching 5 years with only maybe a dozen split ends trimmed off in all that time.
The 5 year goal was just something I threw out there about 3 years ago when I reached that stage where those around you realise you're actually growing your hair and not just being too lazy to get it cut, and began asking what my plan was. At the 3 and 4 year stages I was determined to ride the 5 years out and not break my trimless streak, but I think that come October I will finally trim my hair up to mid back or thereabouts. The longest point at the back is currently a couple of inches above my hamstring. I may go shorter depending on how I feel after the first trim; one thing's for sure though, it will feel very weird to end the streak as it is the last link I have to my teen/school days.
I just realised that last month was in fact my 4 year anniversary at this place. Time has really flown!
December 24, 2006. I was keeping my hair trimmed very close, getting it cut every two weeks. Around mid-Jan 07 I decided to start letting it grow out. I'm nearing the length I was planning on letting it grow out too but after finding the MLHH decided to keep going until ?? I had a short < 1/4" "touch up" trim in March 08 at the advice of my wife and a woman at our church that is a stylist (she did the trim). That was before I found the MLHH, where the advice is overwhelmingly against trims.
I've been reading most of the posts here over the last month and you all sound like a great group. I'd love to get to know all of you better.
JD
My last official haircut was on December 18, 2006, which makes almost 19 months of hair growing so far, but I got an unwanted trim almost five months ago on February 20, 2008. My decision on growing my hair was on March 11, 2007 (eight days before my birthday), which I almost already have three months of growth.
Regardless
Regardless, PLEASE NEVER trim your hair at all unless only you yourself want to. Do not be pressured into doing it by other people, I just went through this as you know with that job I was telling you about, and I decided not to take that job because I will not cut my hair. I love your curls the way they are right now, keep growing!
The first time was April 29th, 1975. The day I got out of the Army. Attached is a photo from about late 1976 or early 1977 after it grew out a bit.
peace, jonalbear
Aww that's an adorable old photo of you! You looks so smiley then! I'm proud that you served our country, and more happy that you came home alive and safe. Again I half wish I was alive in the 70s, long hair on men was in fashion then!
/
That would be exactly one week after I started growing mine.
I grew my hair to shoulder-length for the first time around 1978 or so.
I have had long hair for most of the time since the '70s, except for five years from 1999 thru 2004 - I started growing the hair I have now in June 2004.
- Oren
I half wish that I was alive in the 70s. I could have been part of the longhaired movement back then and it would have been fashionable to do so!
October 2005, haven't done anything with it since then, I've been meaning to cut off my split ends and I was meant to do it for the last few weeks and would you believe I lost my scissors! Is that a sign? xD
Cillian there are no accidents in life. I'm serious about that. Keep growing! Split ends are not the death of long hair, I know you've see my back photo and as you can see, I was able to achieve waist length precisely because I held on to my own split ends. I haven't trimmed at all even in more than one year, my last trim was July 9, 2007. So I have kept every inch that has grown in this past year!
Thanks for the word! I'm thinking I might never cut them now as I reason that nature should be able to take care of them if I take care of my hair, they'll fall out eventually sure and new un-split hairs will take their place!
Hi Eric,
I remember the exact moment I decided to start growing my hair. It was while I was (painfully) having my hair sheared down to a number 1 buzz cut. It was a case of "I never want to have to do this again". It was somewhere around the middle of October 2001, which is why when I post updates they are always "somewhere" in October.
Neil
I know exactly what you mean. My hair is me, so I mark off on my calendar exactly when I reach different milestones with my length or how I want to style my hair for a certain occasion.
Interesting topic Eric.
I've grown my hair long many times. I grew it first when I was in 6th grade until it was about chin length, then I had to cut it (went to Catholic School, very strict lol). Then I grew it out again sophomore year back in 2000 to "Cobain" length; kept it there for a few years then shaved it off to a crew cut. Then senior year I grew it passed my shoulders; cut it to a Beatles-style cut. Then again when I was 20 to mid back, cut it to Beatlesish cut again. One more time to lower back from Jan/2005-Jan 2008 and then cut it shorter in layers (like Johnny Depp in Secret Window) after panicing about it looking like crap because of MPB that seemed to set in. FINALY I have it growing back now, it's about 4 inches passed my shoulders onto my back; I'm taking Propecia to ward off the MPB which is actually working as I see new hairs growing back under my bangs/forehead and this time I'm either going for belt or terminal...hopefully I am able to get it that long ; )
-Phil
So I see you go through cycles of growing it out and then cutting it again. I understand, sometimes we all strive for a change. I am glad that this time around, you are going to grow all the way to full length. Keep growing bro!
My last full haircut (#2 on the sides, #4 on top) was two or three days before my retirement from the Navy, July 12th of 2003. So last Wednesday or Thursday was my five-year mark. Since then the only thing I've had was a couple of mild trims to clean up the ends a bit.
Jim
I'm great to hear that you also served our country Jim! Congrats on retiring and achieving your 5 year growing mark! Keep on growing!
First time 'round Apr 2007 - Dec 2000. This time I had my last business cut in Oct 2005 Yeah!
Bruce
You have grown very fast in just 3 years Bruce! I'm sure you'll reach your desired length in no time!<3
I told my hair stylist in November 2000 that I was going to grow it. It took about 3.5 years to reach my waist.
I started growing it about 8 years ago and having hair for many years I justed to have longhair. Looking back I wonder how I never started at an earlier age, but you are never to old.
Cheers,
John.B