Thanks everyone at the LHMB for all the helpful advice and tips. I'm about a third of the way along to the goal of having mid-back length hair of 45 -50cm. Today was very hot at 39 degrees celcius (height of summer here) and surprisingly I have found that since growing the hair out it actually keeps the scalp more protected from the heat and less hot. Last summer when I had really short hair I couldn't keep the sweat running off the face and being out in the sun wasn't much fun. I will post another update in another 3-6 months time.
Duncan
Great looking hair. Can't wait to see more pics as your hair grows longer. longhair511
Hi longhair511,
I'll try and not disappoint. Expect another Hair update around June/July.
Best,
Duncan
Wow nice progress you've made there, you're well on your way to become a longhair. Looking forward to your next update :)
Thanks Vincent, I think after completing successfully the first year milestone the 2nd year will be a little easier. Yours and other people's regular hair updates in the early days of my hairy adventures were an inspiration for me to keep growing.
Duncan
Hi Duncan.Your hair looks outstanding and your goal length will look very cool on you my friend:)I'm always baffled when summer approaches in my area and guys tend to shave their heads in a failed attempt at thinking they will be cooler in the hot weather.Like you said as a result their head sweats and I'm sure that gets in their eyes,etc.Speaking for myself I never had a problem with the summer heat, humidity and having long hair.Anyway your well on your way to one fantastic mane!Cheers
Mark
Hi Mark,
Thanks for the feedback and I am quite enjoying the wonderful sensation of hair bouncing on the head and flapping around as I walk making a natural fan from the heat. The next 6 months should see the end of the worst of the awkward phase which I'm enjoying trying not to get hair in the way of eating
Duncan (in Australia)
Hi Duncan,
It is great to hear from you, and thank you for sharing your progress with us. Your hair is coming along very well indeed, and it is thick and healthy. You should have no problem reaching any length that you wish.
Also 39 C is a little bit hot for me, I could use some of that summer weather here in snowy Nova Scotia!
Take care, and keep it growing.
(Also, thank you for your kind words about my update)
Hi David, Thanks for your comments. I'm hoping to grow to the length that you currently have your hair -possibly further depending on whether it's capable of reaching midback.
Keep warm.
Duncan
Awesome pictures Duncan. I really like the styling of your hair. Have you had any trims to get it to that shape? Also, it would be great to get a front view picture. You are making amazing progress!!!
VJ
Thanks for comments VJ. I have only had one trim in 12 months and that was an inch cut off by an over-eager hair-dresser a few months ago to tidy up the back a bit as it was looking kind of jagged on the ends a bit due to it being layered as it was growing out.
I finger comb the hair backwards from the face after a cool shower, let it air-dry, then comb it and the hair finds it's own natural parting.
My hair is pretty tough generally and doesn't have much of a problem with split ends, otherwise I use organic sulphate-free shampoo twice a week, use conditioner frequently. I wash the hair about every 2 days and the hair is naturally oily and I use jojoba oil twice a week on the ends of the hair to prevent less tangles. And plenty of TLC in between.
Here's a front view picture.
Duncan
Duncan,
I have to say that the style you have right now is one of the best I've seen for your lenth. Keep it growing brother and THANKS for the picture.
VJ
Wow, great update man, your hair is looking fantastic!!
keep growing and you will reach your goal for sure
Thanks for the support JMPAH. I'm hoping that in another 12 months my hair will be twice it's length now!
Best, Duncan
That's some good length you're getting,and I like the color too!It must be unbearably hot in Australia,heard the temperature is getting up to 45 celsius lately!Oo
Hi Rafael, Yes it's been pretty hot around where I live lately. The Dry Heat is OK but the humidity is the real killer. However being a natural optimist I am enjoying the faster hair growth I am currently enjoying due to the warmer weather. Your hair is looking great too and appears to grow fast! I'm thinking that in South America wher you live you do get warmer tropical weather most of the year around?
Best,
Duncan
looks real good Duncan, congratulations on the one year, its all down from here!!
I also found that having longer hair kept me cooler, and also the beard aswell, when I had a shaved head the sun used to cook me.
Cheers Dave
Hi Dave, I figured that after getting through the 1st year the 2nd year will be when the hair starts to take off on length!
After experiencing coping with the humid heat better with longer hair I will NEVER go back to having short hair ever again.
Your regular updates are always a pleasure to look out for.
Best, Duncan
Looking really good. Enjoy the summer temps, here in the midwest USA we're coping with heavy snow and ice.
Chris
Thanks for the support Chris. I just saw your update and see that we are both are around the similar stage more or less. Your hair will keep you warm around the ears and neck - and I look forward to seeing how your own mane of hair progresses in the next 12 months or so. PS feel free to send down some cold weather to Australia and I'll try and send some hot air over to the US.
Duncan
Hair is an insulater, it insulates you from cold, it willl insulate you from heat too. Those buzzcut guys seem to always have sweat pouring off of them more that those with hair, as I have observed. Your hair is coming along just great, you should have no problems reaching your goal length.
Hello Carol, Yes I agree with you totally about the great insulation value of longer hair. This summer in Australia has been HEAPS more bearable then in the past when my hair was shorter and I for one will NEVER AGAIN return to having short hair. I'm giving myself 2 more years to reach my goal of mid-back length with a 1 inch annual trim in between each year. And if it does reach mid-back may even grow it longer. One step at a time though. Cannot count the chickens before they hatch and I have yet to discover if I am capable of long hair or not. This next 12 months should answer that.
I had a friend who had midback length hair who cut it recently and already they are sweating a lot more on their head then before the haircut.
Cheers,
Duncan
It looks to me like you are coming along very well. I agree; the first summer that my hair was longish (2005, when we had to deal with two weeks' worth of power outages), I faired very well compared to my short-haired relatives.
Keep it growing,
Tracy
Thanks Tracy, I will never go back to short hair again after enjoying more relief from the heat with longer hair. I naturally prefer the winter weather to summer as I like cooler times.
Best,
Duncan
Looking great Duncan!
Congrats on reaching a full year of hair growth.
We had ice, sleet and a low of -5 degrees Celsius here Dallas/Fort Worth in the US state of Texas. When summer rolls around here, we'll be seeing week after week of 35 - 40+ deg C days.
I have found that my hair and beard are comfortable and offer protection in both hot and cold weather.
- Oren
Hello Oren,
Thanks for your commments and I do think that your hair is one hell of a great mane there too. Nice and thick with waves in it - I'm really enjoying my hair now at 12 months then I did at 9 months now that it is at a good length (nearly 8 inches) and is now easier to style and manage. I'm really looking forward to the 2 year mark when hopefully my hair will be twice as long as it is now!
PS your hair will be long enough to wrap around like a scarf to keep you warm with!
Best,
Duncan
Your hair will be brilliant as it gets longer. Just the right thickness for headbanging.
Kevin
Hi Kevin, Thankyou for the support.
Yes to think in another 12 months time it would be double the length it is now. And more tangles too! All good things to those who wait!
Best,
Duncan
Excellent progress for just 12 months Duncan! Long hair suits you well.
No awkward stage for you!
Bruce
Hi Bruce,
I think the second year growing will be even better now the first 12 months has passed. Thanks for the support and all the best on your hair journey
Duncan
looking damn good Duncan congrads on one full year! imagine what another year will bring to you! :)
Hey Mark, Thanks heaps for the encouragement. Yes I'm excited to see what the hair will look like in another 12 months time when it's twice as long again. All the best to you my friend,
Duncan
Great mane you have got there Duncan, keep on growing it!
Hey Chris, Thanks a lot for the comments. I do hope you get recover soon with better health from you recent illness.
Duncan
"...I have found that since growing the hair out it actually keeps the scalp more protected from the heat and less hot."
You remind me of something from years ago:
I once went on a weekend trip to Daytona Beach and spent most of a day walking up and down it wearing only a swimsuit and sunglasses--*without sunscreen*. Before I realized what I'd done, I was burned and blistered so badly I had to go to a dermatologist for it and had to wear Spandex tights on my legs (not that I minded that) for a week or two because my jeans chafed too much. But there was one area that didn't get burned at all--the center of my upper back. Why? Because I had HAIR there. Hair--the ultimate sunscreen!
My Myspace page
Hi Panurge,
Yes I do agree that hair is the ULTIMATE SUNSCREEN. I like to wear my hair loose and yes I no longer have a sunburnt neck and I can totally relate to your experience on the beach. As the months go by I discover more and more positive attributes from having long(er) hair all of which keep me committed to pursuing the path of having long hair. I think it makes me look younger, and feedback from others have been overwhelmingly positive along with saving money on not going to the Hairdressers.
I hope to grow 50 cm to mid-back length at least. I am similar t you in that I also like you have used the Japanese Hair Straightening on my naturally wavy/curly/frizzy hair with some excellent results. Your website is cool too.
Best,
Duncan
Oh, hey--thanks for the compliment!
(I'll admit, the photos aren't that great (except for the ones where I'm *not* dressed up)--not that I'm not grateful, of course, or else I wouldn't have anything. There's one by a pro photographer, but I don't have her explicit permission to put it up. If you go to www.MarilynChen.com, click on "People" on the bottom row, put your mouse over the "01", then slide the mouse directly to the right unti "06" appears, you'll see a truly good shot.
My Myspace page