new thread
Hello everyone... First time poster, here...
Also, first time 'grower', so please bear with my ignorance.
I've been thinking of letting my hair grow out since I was a teenager. At 14/15 years old, when the 'wild' boys at school started letting their hair grow long, idolizing longhair bands like AeroSmith and Guns N' Roses, I never had the courage to let it grow myself.
And now, already in my 30s, despite being something that appeals to me greatly, it's become something that actually worries me. Why?
I've always had a 'LOT' of hair. But with age, stress, and a couple of minor health issues, it has become really really thin and, whenever it grows past 2.5 / 3 inches, it hits a very annoying 'awkward phase' and I can't help but cut it and gel it back to look decent.
Which also pushes me to that itching question of "Should I even bother?" or "Is long hair good for me?"
I've been snooping around online forums and even this board for a possible solution that would allow me to finally let my hair grow out, perhaps down to shoulder level, or a bit longer.
Is there any solution to strengthen my hair, and let it grow healthy?
Any help, advice or suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
Thank you.
- Gon -
get on u tube , there is alot of info on many of the things your concerned about on there. for me i just recently got out of the awkward stage at 2o+ months, meaning all one length and able to put it all into a ponytail in back without any hair hanging loose. also checkout littebird long hair.com
I would suggest posting a photo so we can see what your hair looks like.
It can be tough to really want long hair and feel like your hair doesn't measure up. Often times, though, we can be our worst critics. I think you should give it a try. If not now, when? Sometimes gels can make hair appear fuller if you allow them to set and then brush your hair through. My favorite during the awkward stage was Loreal's melting gel.
It seems you have some 'born longhair' in you and many of us in that group don't feel happy until we've grown our hair out. I encourage you to do so.
The greatest regrets people have are not usually about what they did, but what they didn't do. You'll never know until you try.
Best,
Val
tis' better to have loved and lost (long-hair) then to have never loved or experienced (long-hair)
Duncan
Hey Gon,
Welcome Bro!
We are kindred spirits. We are both longhair wannbes.
I will not speak to the issue what to do to strenghten your hair. I'll leave that to another longhaired bro who has more knowledge in that department. I will say that you've come to the right place for advice and encouragement. I can provide you with plenty of encouragement.
You are a longhair, bro. From your post you've admired guys with long hair and you began to let your hair grow at least once before. You are a longhair, bro. It is part of who you see yourself to be. Let your hair grow, bro. It will look "messy" as you go through your awkward phase. Shorthairs may make comments and slurs about your "messy" hair. If you cut it you will not feel happy about yourself because your know that you are a longhair and you let external pressure from someone else to cut off a part of who your self image says you are. The awkward phase and the comments about our hair is part of the price we longhairs pay for our hair. As your hair grows and you realize little milestones in your journey to becoming the actual longhair who you are celebrate those milestones. Celebrate when you can bite your own hair, when you can touch hair from both sides of your head under your chin, when your hair covers your eyes. Celebrate the day when you have enough long hair at the back of your head to put it into a small ponytail. Celebrate the feel of your hair slapping you in the cheek when you turn your head quickly. Celebrate brushing your hair out of your face. Celebrate the feeling of your own hair on the back of your neck and as it begins to touch your shoulders. Even if your hair looks "messy" during the awkward phase, think about how beautifully awesome it is going to look when you have enough volume that it will fall nicely down the sides of your head and over your shoulders. Our shorthair brothers neither know or understand these experiences; don't let them rob it from you.
We're here for ya, bro.
God bless you!
Raymond
Hey everyone
Thanks for the replies and encouragement.
I'm leaving a few pics here to show you how my hair is, right now... sorry for the crappy quality.
This is my length 3 months after I last had it cut. As it grows, it starts getting really thin, especially at the top, and gets messy easily, but its also really oily and if I don't wash it every day, it starts looking really grungy and nasty... like I fell in a bucket of cooking oil.
Suggestions?
I can't help you on the thinness of your hair other than to say I have very fine hair that lacks bulk. You just have to learn to work with what you have. The messy look just goes with growing it out. There will be days where you'll hate how it looks, but try to stick it out as there will also be days where you'll love it.
As far as being oily goes, I had really oily hair when mine was about your current length but as it grew longer it became less and less a problem. I can now go nearly a week without shampooing, which was unthinkable when my hair was short.
--Dale
Another pic to show off how thin my hair gets on top
First, I'd like to say welcome to the board, Gon. You'll find that this place has a great wealth of information and will help to give you strength to tough it through those bad hair days.
The first thing that came to my mind when I say your picture was:
Thin? Seriously? You have extremely thick hair from what I can see! The spot in the middle you are talking about seems to just be where your hair parts. It's completely normal. You have absolutely nothing to worry about. We are our own worst critics when it comes to personal appearance.
I, like you, had extremely oily hair when it was short. Not shampooing for a day was absolutely out of the question. Now, after about 2 years of growing, conditions have greatly improved. As your hair grows longer, the oil has a chance to travel down your hair shaft instead of building up on your scalp, which will give your hair length a healthy shine. You may also notice that your scalp will itch and flake less (it did in my experience). I can now go much longer without a hair wash, and find that it behaves better if I do.
When your hair grows out it WILL be unruly for a time, typically starting at around your 3 month picture and going until 1.5 years or so. You seem to have wavy hair so it will probably be tougher for you but stick it out! Your hair will look awesome long, I guarantee. I wish sometimes I had some waves and body instead or pin-straight hair, but the grass is always greener as they say...
Best of luck,
-Dan H.
Well I'm no expert but it looks fine to me. Like Dan said we are our own worst critics. There might be a teeny bit of thinness in the very middle on top but the rest is very thick and healthy looking. The spot on top is barely noticeable even if it is something, I don't think you should worry about it. I think your hair will look great if you let it grow out, you just have to be patient. Like Dan also said you will be in store for a lot of bad hair days where you'll want to cut it during the "awkward stage". I've been growing for about 1.5 years now myself and it's just now getting to be a lot more fun and less embarrassing (referring to the unruliness of the growing stage), and as it gets longer I'm sure it will continue getting better, so just stick it out and it'll be worth it.
And if that little spot still bothers you once it gets longer (it shouldn't) you can always just do like Fabio and brush it sideways instead of parting straight down the middle.
I wouldn't say your hair looks thin on top at all. It probably looks like that because the weight of your hair as it grows longer pulls it flatter and you're just not used to it yet.
As for looking greasy and untidy, yes, it will do for a while, probably until you reach the 18-month mark, or about nine to ten inches long. If it's greasy, I'd suggest brushing your hair rather than washing it immediately. You'll be surprised at the difference that makes to the look and feel of it. It also makes sure the ends stay in good condition as it prevents them drying out so quickly and makes the hair that little bit more manageable. There isn't much you can do about the look of your hair while it's growing out apart from put up with it. Personally, I got through that stage with a combination of wax, gel and baseball caps. Other people use hair straighteners, and I must admit I was tempted too, but that can cause damage to the hair which you'll probably regret later.