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Hi everyone - how are you?
I'm a +/- 8 year lurker. I'm growing my hair out for a second time (I'm at 8 months now) - The first time I got to 15 months and I had to cut it for work - this time I'm sticking to my guns.
I have exceptionally thick hair and it grows fast but it comes at a price - I get split ends despite using natural shampoos and conditioners - no heat and towel drying and basically obsessively following the rules.
I'm going to go for a split-end clean up but my hair is just getting long enough to tie to back (half tail) and I don't want to lose that option. In your experience - how long can you leave split ends before they start to slow growth. At the moment mine aren't terrible - but they're definitely getting worse.
My plan is to get to 1 year and then trim but I'm scared I'm slowing my growth by not removing the damage now. If I do trim now though, then I'm back in the awkward phase for an extra few months.
Thanks everyone :)
Hi Pooky - I'm no expert on hair, but I cannot imagine how anyone's scalp could possible "know" if the end of the hairs are splitting or not (unless it split all the way up to the scalp). So, I would not think that it would affect the rate of growth, just the appearance.
Thanks for all the advice everyone :) I also questioned how split ends can slow growth considering that hair is dead, but apparently the ends break off faster than hair can grow - unfortunately most of the information out there is contradictory - so I will be following Ken's advice and holding off. A female friend of mine suggested I only trim if my hair doesn't grow at all over a month long period.
Thanks again everyone.
P.S Ken - I used to have a profile on the site, but after some hacking and the resulting paranoia, I keep a low-profile online these days. I might post a picture in the future if I build up the balls, but for now I'm going to remain a lurker. I do remember you though ;) - you chatted to me years ago.
I can't remember the handle I used to use here? It might have been 'Loonybin' but I could be wrong.
Hi Pooky,
Delay delay delay... no reason to have to "hurry" and get that trim, as split ends generally do NOT tend to slow down the rate of one's hair growth.
Although everybody's hair is different (I know a few lucky people who have never even experienced split ends, for example), split ends usually stay split AT THE ENDS ONLY -- although it is true that the split can travel a bit further up the hair shaft, I've never heard of it splitting far enough to reach all the way up to your scalp!
The bad news about split ends is that it not only can make your hair look & feel drier, "scratchier", and less soft & smooth-feeling to the touch; but it can also catch and contribute to snarling and snagging, contributing to ripping and breaking even more hairs whenever you brush or comb. But this sort of problem doesn't usually happen until your hair gets much much longer than you describe your hair to currently be.
A photo would help; but generally-speaking, without seeing any pic of your hair, my guess is that you are worrying too much. Just let it be. For a little while longer, probably it will be just fine for at least another year, maybe even closer to 2!! THEN, once you are definitely past the worst of the awkward stages, go have a professional trim if you feel it will help; but please go to the best salon in town -- an experienced hair stylist (especially one who specializes in long hair) is worth the extra price and a generous tip!!
- Ken