new thread
hi guys, i've been checking out this site for a while & like the vibe here, so i finally decided to post. i've been trying to grow out my hair all my life it seems:), but this time its definitely for keeps. i'm currently about collarbone/shoulder length when straightened and ear/neck length in it naturak kinkycurlynappy state. i started from a shaved head, and have been growing it for 2 years 10 months. my goal is to at least waist length (straightened or twisted), but really after that i want to see how long it can go. i usually wear my hair either in twists or yarn braids. i've included some recent pics from my hair album:
flat ironed hair (used maxiglide on length, fhi platform on roots)
natural hair braidout
natural hair wet -- i have mad shrinkage, well over 50%:)
twists -- near the start of my journey
thanks,
hhg
tkj25
link to my fotki -- hair site
Hope you do decide to keep it long. It looks great!
jeffrey
thanks jeffrey! i'm definitely not cutting my hair again, lol. it takes too long to grow out. your looks amazing by the way -- shiny & healthy -- i can't wait to get to that length
tkj25
Hey, tkj25. Welcome to MLHH. You're hair looks really cool. Hope you meet your goals. Keep it growin' and flowin'.
TLH
thanks for the welcome! your hair looks cool too. i'm going to do my best to grow at least 5 inches this year. my hair grows slow:) hopefully i'll end up somewhere around apl (arm pi length) by next january.
tkj25
Your hair looks great man!
Peter
thanks peter!
Hi tkj25! Its cool that you finally decided to post to the board as it really is a great group of guys and of course a few gals.Your pics are really awesome and its interesting how different you hair can look depending how you style it.I kind of like the straight look of you hair even though flat ironing is a no no.Certainly don't want to damage your hair.Otherwise I'm with you all the way on going for waist length as that would look great on you.So please do stick around here and post as often as you can.Its always nice to see new faces and hair:)Cheers my friend.
Mark
hi mark,
my hair is ... unique to say the least:) it can be a monster to tame sometimes, lol, i have mad shrinkage. yes flat ironing can be damaging, but i've learned to do it safely & still keep my natural texture intact. thank god for ceramic irons!:) i usually wear my hair in individual braids or twists. i only straighten it a few times a year to trim & check the length. your hair looks great. love the length & texture! thanks for the note!
tkj25
Hi tkj25,
I just looked at some more of your hair pics from your photo album and am amazed how creative you are with your hair:)There aren't many guys here who can sport so many different styles but you make it look easy.You should consider registering as a regular user in the future as you would be a great addition to the membership here.Also I noticed you are from New Jersey too as we have a few Joisey longhairs on this board:)Have a great weekend my friend and watch out for snow!Cheers
Mark
Hi tkj25, welcome! It looks like you have a lot of fun with different styles, all looks fantastic! Keep it growin'!
Bruce
hi bruce,
thanks for the welcome. i like to have fun with my hair. if you're going to have it, you might as well learn to enjoy it:) you've got a nice head full of healthy hair too.
tkj25
http://public.fotki.com/tkj25/
Hi ! Welcome here, and thanks for sharing such beautiful hair photos. It's not common to see afro hair as long as yours, but you seem to manage these nice curls perfectly :)
Bye
Vivien
hi to you too vivien!
thanks for checking out my pics:) afro hair tends to be very dry, so it can break easily from improper care. but thanks to books, the internet & groups like this, i've learned to care for my hair, and find like minded, supportive, individuals in the process.
how long have you been growing your hair? it's looking quite nice in your avi?
tkj25
http://public.fotki.com/tkj25/
Hi tjk25,
Welcome to the hyperboard, and I am glad that you have joined our community, and shared your photos with us. You are blessed with a great head of thick hair, and we look forward to supporting you as you grow it longer!
Welcome aboard,
David
aww thanks david:)
i'm glad to be here. your hair & photo album are great! you've got more picture than i do, lol, and i can be a picture-taking-mess.
http://public.fotki.com/tkj25/
A hearty welcome. Your hair looks great and appears to be in good condition. Be careful with straightening it to avoid damage. Curly hair is fragile. I know well due to having curly hair in my beard, and yes, it is fragile. It all has to do with the structure of the hair.
Curly hair is like a ribbon, which makes it very narrow in one axis and wide in the other axis. This is easy to verify. It is nearly impossible to roll a strand of curly hair between your thumb and fore finger.
Straight hair is round like a piece of wire. A strand of straight hair will easily roll between your thumb and fore finger. Straight hair is less fragile than curly hair.
Anyway, your hair looks great. Just be sure to treat it gently if you want to grow it really long.
Another option that does not require straightening is dreadlocks. Dreadlocks can be grown to insane lengths, like 4 feet or more.
Scott
hi scott!
thanks for the welcome & the advise on straightening -- believe me i know how fragile afro-curly hair can be. so i usually wear it twistted or braided -- good protective styles. your hair is crazy long! if i can get even half of your length, i'd be sittin' pretty, lol.
thanks,
tkj25
http://public.fotki.com/tkj25/
Very nice!
Curly, afro type hair can be a real challenge and test of patience to grow out long. Congratulations on your achievement!
Welcome to the board,
- Oren
thanks oren!
yes it can. but once you get the basics down -- moisture, moisture, moisture:)-- afro hair is very manageable. thanks & you have great hair!
tkj25
http://public.fotki.com/tkj25/
Well it looks like it's coming along nicely and in good shape.
I might add what nice white teeth you have, what's your secret?
Welcome to the board
Kevin
thanks kevin! it's getting there. i'll be glad when i have hair as long as yours. great job! don't do anything special for my teeth. just tom's of maine whitening toothpaste & good teeth genes, i guess:)
http://public.fotki.com/tkj25/
Hi tkj25, welcome to the MLHB. I enjoyed looking at your hair history in the photo gallery - I particularly liked the picture of your long micro-braid look which is my personal favourite picture of your hair. And it's great too that someone with your hair type has joined up as very few guys on this site have Afro hair so it adds some more spice to the variety of long hair types here. Also I think you have taken great care of your hair over the years and it looks great. I too have straightened my hair using the Japanese method with great success.
Best regards,
Duncan Roy
thanks for checking out my album duncan! glad i found this site. i usually wear my hair in long brhair aids. they're a great protective style - akin to locs. afro when loose loves to curl in on itself & form knots, if you're not careful. so i find braids & twists make my hair much more manageable. love your thick, shiny hair too. tkj25
http://public.fotki.com/tkj25/