new thread
First of all I would like to thank you all for supporting me through my journey,which has been really harsh due to family's and some friends disapproval,but I've learned my ways to deal with it.It's incredibly hard to find friendly,supportive,kindhearted people nowadays,and I find all that in this board-the main reason for me not to give up my locks.Thanks again guys,you rock!
As for the pictures,you might get a good first impression of my hair,as it looks straighter than usual,but the reason for it's ideal condition is that it is kinda wet yet,as I just got out of the shower.I treat my hair VERY carefully,meaning my hair routine is flawless(in my opinion),and I can't stand seeing one hair strand off place(yea,I know I'm crazy >.<).I shampoo and condition my hair every 2 days,and unfortunately chemically straighten my hair in a salon every 2 or 3 months,as it tends to get very dry and brittle if not conditioned deeply(curse my mom's genes),and I might iron the ends of my hair in 1 or 2 months to get rid of the tangle-mess(argh!).I will post more pics later,now I need to go and get some sleep -.-.Peace out guys,and keep it growin' and flowin' =).
Your hair looks mighty thick and healthy, Rafael. I think it's great you take really good and precise care of you hair, it's very important. We have the same wash schedule, haha, every two days :P Keep it growing for sure, it's coming along great!
Thanks Hegg,it's always great to hear from a metal head friend.Haha,that's sweet,didn't know you had the same schedule as me XD.I'll surely keep it growing until some godly force stops me.Peace out Hegg,all the best growing your hair out!=)
Stay Heavy!
Hi Rafael. I saw your hair, and it is coming along really nicely and it looks very healthy. As for hair care, I shampoo my hair every 4-7 days. I stay away from hair salons and such. My hair strands do frizzle around my hair, but I usually don't mind it. As for disapproval, most people don't mind, although my dad sometimes complain. I would suggest you stop going to the hair place and not use flat irons, but other than that, keep on growing and don't cut it. Your hair will thank you. :)
Regardless
Thanks man,and don't listen to your dad's comments on your hair,after all,he is just ONE person that disapproves it,and I get this kind of stuff all the time from my mom,stepfather,grandma,etc...
You can try joking with it at times to calm things down,as it works well for me here.Your hair is in excellent condition and I wish you all the best staying away from scissors-don't give in to your father's will,cause it will only show him how weak you are,and if you stand for your ideals strongly he will stop mocking you.Peace out my friend =)
Rafeal congrats on your one year anniversary. You have come a long way and have done very well your hair looks amazing due in large part to the good care routine. I'm sure Brazil is not too terribly longhair friendly which is no different than parts of the US. I'm glad to hear you have found ways to deal with peoples negative attitudes and comments. Your one of my favorite success stories thanks for the update.
Take Care
Kevin
Thanks for the kind words,Kevin,it means a lot coming from you.People here in Brazil discriminate A LOT against long haired male,especially if you're to get a job,then things start to get really complicated >.<.Glad to know you're fond of my achievement,it's always good to hear this kind of stuff,especially because it's not ALWAYS that I get it from people here XD.Thanks for being so supportive and friendly,and I wish you all the best,not only in your hair journey,but in life.Peace my friend =)
Looks great, Rafael...and congrats on your one year anniversary. I agree with you that it's nice to come here and get good feedback from everyone. Yours is looking great. Best of luck dealing with the hassles from others...the main thing is to make sure that you're happy.
Take care and keep it growin'!
Brett
Thanks,Brett,and I've created a very thick hide that keeps me away from getting my haircut because of other people's comments.BTW,your hair is looking awesome,and sometimes I wish I had mine like yours.Peace =)
Hey Rafael,
You have a nice beautiful head of hair there! Your care routine appears to have paid off!
All the best,
Duncan
Thanks,Duncan,I take care of my hair as it was a little baby XD.
Hi Rafael,
Congratulations on achieving one full year of growing, and your hair is in excellent condition with lots of shine, and you have come such a long ways! I am glad that you are hanging in there and sticking with your long hair journey, and rest assured, the rewards are well worth it!
Keep it growing,
David
Thanks for the kind words,David.Yea,I'm really looking for forward to get my reward =).Peace.
Congratulation, Rafael ! You past the "worst" phase (but I don't think it is as bad as it seems ;)) May your hair grow longer and longer !
Vivien
Thanks,Vivien,and that's what I'm hoping for =).BTW,I registered myself on the board and sent the profile pic,do I have to do something else before it appears in the messages I send?
The system isn't automatic. There is a man behind it. Once nuttidave will have proceed, there will be a photo in your post.
Ok,thanks,Vivien =).
Hi Rafael.Hey no problem with the support from this end as I'm so happy you are sticking to your guns and keeping your hair.When I think back to when I first started growing my hair long I have to wonder how I managed to do it as back then there was no internet let alone a men's longhair board for moral support.Somehow I managed to pull it off and can celebrate over 20 years of being a longhair:)
Well it sounds like you have settled in on a good routine that works for YOU:)I too have to shampoo and condition my hair every other day otherwise it gets greasy and flat on top and looks crummy.Lately as the temps got much cooler my hair has been getting dry again and the ends are tangling a lot.So again I have to shift my product use to compensate for that.Anyway very cool post my friend as you are a great inspiration to all here:)Lookin' forward to more Rafael pics!!!
Mark
Thanks,Mark.Boards are really helpful in terms of support and tips,and definetelly can be of great help in times of need.Wow,20 years is a LONG time of growth Oo.My hair gets really dry and frizzy in cool weather also,as it is not used to it(I live in a tropical country),though I don't like sunlight and getting burns,it works well for my hair =p.It really made my day to know I'm an inspiration to you all,and I don't think I would have made it through awkward stage if it wasn't for you guys and your superb manes,they're all together a big reason I can look to before giving it all up.I'll try to post more pics later,as I'll be busy this next week studying for tests and stuff.Thanks again,Mark,and I'm looking forward to your next hairy updates,they're super.Take care my friend =).
Rafael, Your hair looks great! Two years is not that far away and think you will have an awesome mane as it continues to grow. Do know that you have great folks who support you here at mlhh. Keep it growin and flowin!
peace, jonalbear
Thanks,Jonalbear,and I have no plans of cutting my hair before I've reached at least mid back.The thing about my hair is that it is really thick,dry and hard to control,so I might iron the ends in a month or 2,just so I don't have to spend hours in front of the mirror fixing it.Cya round =)
Wow, that's a lot of progress for only 1 year.
I don't think you started from a buzz cut, right?
I was saying that your hair did look straighter than usual.
Be careful when straightening it; you may get damage and have to cut off some lengtb in the coming months :(
Keep it up however.
Is shampooing and conditioning every 2 days necessary? I only shampoo once a week, and condition 2 - 3 times a week.
Shawn
Thanks Shawn,and I did not start off from a buzz cut,but with very little hair on my head.Until now I have not ironed my hair,but I've straightened it with just chemicals,though I'm planning on ironing just the ends in a month or so,as my hair is very thick and hard to control.After 2 days without washing it,my hair tends to get really greasy on the top,and dry in the ends,due to it's thickness,so I feel it is really necessary to shampoo my hair and condition it deeply with an oil repairing set every 2 days.I also use a lil bit of jojoba oil in the ends,to reduce dryness.Peace up =)
Congratulations, Rafael! You have made some wonderful progress over the past year, and it will only continue to get better. Take care, and keep it growing. =D
-James
Thanks James,and that's what I'm hoping for,but the ends of my hair are getting worse instead of getting better =/.I like your new hairstyle very much,shoulder length will always be a great length for one to have.Cya round =).
Your hair is looking good despite torturing it with chemicals and ceramic irons. I would recommend just letting it grow natural, even if it has waves and curls. If you plan on maintaining your hair at no more than shoulder length you can probably continue using straighteners on it. You will need to trim off the damaged ends every 2 or 3 months. If you want to grow it past your shoulders, you will have to lay off the straighteners.
BTW, How wavy/curly is it without chemical straightening?
Scott
Well,I haven't used flat irons yet on my hair,but I'm bout to in a month or so.Naturally my hair isn't that curly,but what makes it wavy is the fact that it is very dry,reason why I do chemical straightening sessions.
Congratz on the big one year milestone.
Your hair has gotten very long and looks very good.
I'm glad the board helped you so much.
Thanks Vincent,and your hair looks awesome too and I'm envious of it's color and shine.In a world where discrimination against oneself for personal choice is constant,help from you folks is of great help and encourages me not to give up no matter what.Of course,seeing so many people with all kinds of hair is incredibly motivating too.Peace up and stay heavy.
Your Metal head buddy =)
Awesome update Rafael! Your hair's past your shoulders now and looks fantastic!
-Phil
Thanks,Phil,and I hope I can get to mid back length before someone chops it off(army,skinheads,college veterans or discriminators in general).Take it easy =).
Hey Rafael, that was a great update. Your hair looks really nice straight but I'm sure it looks good natural as well. You have come a long way...your patience is worth it indeed. Congrats on your achievement thus far.
Cheers,
Max