new thread
Hi guys I just found this board yesterday and I've learned a lot just from reading the posts on the main page, but I could use some information from some of you long locked vets out there.
3 months ago I got my routine haircut (think army style, shaved on the back and sides with a little going on the top) and have been growing it since... although i'm VERY new to this, i want to emphasize that i'm serious about growing my hair out - i've never really done it before and i think now is the time to see what its all about (i'm getting into the corporate rat race after i graduate in december 2010, and i cant have an 'awkward stage' for interviews)
anyways, i've searched around on the internet and found some conflicting information that i hope you guys can help me with:
A. General Growth - For someone with straight hair (me), roughly how long until i can pull back into a pony tail? i know not having a picture up doesn't help, but a general estimate is fine
B. Trimming It - Some website say that every few months I should go get a half inch trimmed, to keep it somewhat neat, but is that really the path i want to take? if anything, i have a problem with the area around my ears and sideburns... but im not sure how keeping the edges short would translate once the hair really starts flowing
C. Treating It - Some sources say that not washing hair daily is optimal, because of the natural oils and whatnot, and then some sources say that washing and conditioning is necessary for the best looking results.... what do ya think??
Ok thats a lot, so i appreciate it if you've gotten this far.. i'll see what i can do regarding getting a picture up for reference...
- Will
Hair grows at c1/2" per month so work on 18 months plus from this length although you may get something half decent a sooner..
Just loose the scissors, clippers and their ilk. Hair does not grow long if you cut it. For sideburns if you decide to keep them (views are divided) then trim them and it is good practice to shave your neck - especially in the early stages when your hair is 'long' (to detractors) without you being a long hair yet.
Another ones where if you search here you will find views at all ends of the spectrum you have thought of and a few more besides. Do what you are comfortable with., gentle shampooing and regular conditioning are fine. Much depends upon your life style so if your hair is dirty, wash it - no one likes s a dirty long hair, if it is OK, then don't.
Thanks for your response
I know my questions were addressed (partially) in the FAQs, but you cleared it up a little bit more for me
enjoy the rest of your weekend
Hi and welcome to the board, Will.
Most people's hair grows anywhere from 1/4 in. to 1/2 inch per month. Straight hair seems to grow faster, it don't have all those curls to grow. I don't remember hos long it took me to grow to tail length but it seems most here say about 18 mths to 2 years (from short hair).
Trimming hair does not make it grow faster. Split ends are the only reason to trim it at all, before you get to your desired length. I think you have a ways to go before you have to worry about split ends.
I wash my hair twice a week and the only maintenance I do is use conditioner and take biotin, sometimes use olive oil. If I wash it more than that it gets dry and frizzy pretty fast.
Paul
Thanks for your helpfulness
Being that I'm a rookie in this long hair game, I didn't know whether or not there were "steps" involved in getting through the awkward stage(s)
I think I had imagined that every few months I could get a new hair style at the barbor that was both neat and longer than the last one
But reading these posts I think the truth is I just have to gut it out and make sacrifices until it looks like I have long hair on purpose. At the moment I just look creepy!! haha
I guess it doesnt help that i have a huge head!
Hi Will,
You've already gotten a couple of great replies; so, hopefully whatever I'll add might just give a small extra bit of insight on top of that...
First off, re. things like frequency of shampooing, trimming, etc., it all depends on how MUCH length you are ultimately aiming for. Example(s): since "Mega-longhairs" want the absolute maximum length humanly possible, most of 'em (myself sort-of included) will go to extremes in order to avoid and/or postpone trims, --- and similarly, mega-longhairs in most cases try to shampoo less often as well, or even go as far as to water-wash only (for various reasons too long-winded to explain in one brief reply here).
As one of the other guys who replied already said to you, "do what's comfortable for YOU!" (It would be a little premature for you to obssess over some of these issues right now anyway, since you don't have to worry about mega-length quite yet - LOL!!)
Personally, when I grew my own hair out (TWICE: once during the early '90s; then again after a devastating short haircut in Y2K), the first time I went in for a lot of trims; then the 2nd time growing it out, I trimmed very very little. They both will get you to your ultimate goal, --- just that going in for fewer or no trims will get you some mega-looooooong hair much much faster!
Clear as mud (LOL)?? Hope my comments have helped!
- Ken in San Francisco
thanks, i need all the help i can get!
im growing my hair long, but in terms of the specifics, i havent really figured it out yet
i think i just want to get to the point where i can do something with it, and not just have a big bowl of follicles sprouting from my brain
at this point im aiming towards a ponytail, but any kind of style can not come soon enough!!
You shouldn't be concerned with shampooing.condition all kinds of washes at 3 months growth... also just let it grow. Simple as that. Trims and over treating will just make it seem longer. In my opinion
You're right, and i know you're right, but i can't convince myself regardless!
Im 22, and going into my last year of college, so I don't mean to come across as vain, but I can't help but think that this process is temporarily coming between me and potential lady-friends
Thus, I wake up every morning hoping and wishing that some kind of miracle has occurred and big changes have happened over night!
Unfortunately, reality quickly sets in... but all of the help and support I've been getting has strengthened my commitment to hang tight until at least january 2010
thanks again
Will
Hair growth rates are different for different people, but it usually takes between a year and 18 months to grow long enough to tail. When it does get long enough to tie back, don't tie it too tightly or in the same place every time as this can lead to damage.
If you're growing your hair long, all trimming achieves is to make your stylist richer as the longer it grows, the more they charge to cut it. (When I first grew it out, my haircuts went from £10 to £25 when it got beyond collar length.) It also means it takes longer to grow. Trims make the awkward stage last longer. I'd suggest avoiding haircuts at all until you reach your desired length and then go back to a regular trimming regime. If your aim is to see how long it will grow, don't trim off half an inch all over to take out a few split ends. When your hair's long enough to get them, it's usually long enough to pull round so you can see them and cut them individually.
In the early days, until it's 6"-8" long, daily washing is fine. Just remember to condition it too, because how you treat it now is going to affect how it will look in two or three years' time. As it gets longer, you may want to cut down on how often you wash it and and you could start to use something like jojoba oil or coconut oil in addition to conditioner. It's also worth considering using a milder shampoo or conditioner only to wash your hair. That works well for some people, but not all. Another thing to watch out for is heat treatment and hairdryers. They can damage your hair quite badly, so be careful if you do use them.
My suggestion is you visit Bill's site it has lots of good info for a longhair and those growing theirs out.
Kevin
Bill's site
Fantastic
Exactly what I was looking for
Much appreciated