new thread
Hi, I wrote a post a couple of months ago that my hair seemed to have stopped growing.
Well, it hasn't grown much since (1/2 inch since Feb) and now I think it has stopped altogether. The only thing growing are my bangs, which are shorter.
Problem is, I'd need at least another year's growth to give my thick hair the weight to neaten it up and keep it flat, without having to use products.
If I've reached terminal this early (at 3 inches below shoulder), then it's going to mean a lifetime of gel, oil and hair ties, and I don't know if I want to do that.
I'm giving my hair until the end of the year, regardless, but if nothing's happened by then, I may have to cut... or perhaps I can get extensions but most of you warn against those...
Anyway, I'd like to hear your opinions on all of this.
Thanks
p.s. I promise that if I do have to cut, it WON'T be a conservative hairstyle(!)
That your hair has actually STOPped growing?!
Are you measuring your hair accurately?
Sometimes curls or developing waves can make hair appear shorter.
What I do is I pull the ends straight and hold it down, then measure the distance between that and my armpit. As I say, my bangs, which are shorter than the rest, are still growing, as is the shorter layer which I have.
Hi,
Premature hair-length termination may be caused by excessive hair loss. This in turn might be the result of insufficient nutricient to provide your hair with the necessary vitamins and minerals for healthy growth. It may also be due to hereditary factors (which may be hard to rectify!).
First, you could try and observe your daily hair loss rate. A normal head of hair loses about 100 to 150 (max) per day. The no. of hairs lost per day is inversely correlated to your terminal hair-length (which also depends on your hair density, or the no. of hairs per sq. in. of your scalp). Seek advice if your hair loss is above the 150 mark.
Secondly, enrich yourself with vitamins B & C and minerals like iron & phosphorous. There exists several health supplements OTC that are very good for hair maintenance. Biotin, Hair Formula 37 (or HF37), Shen Min and Ultra Hair... to name a few. They could be easily obtained from GNC or such.
Thirdly, if your doing dormant work and seriously lacking in exercise, go out more! Get your weekly dose of exercise - 3 times per week, 20 mins each time. It improves blood circulation, especially needed for healthy hair growth.
Fourthly, check your stress level. Unusually high and perpetual stress could lead to abnormal hair growth. The hair-length could be stunted and hair quality affected.
Finally, check your shampoo, conditioner and water source. You might be using one with poor quality, or might even be allergic to your shampoo and conditioner. Check your water source whether if it's loaded with lead and mercury or other impurities. Do regular clensing of your scalp with clarifying shampoo and conditioners (maybe fortnightly or monthly). Do not scratch your scalp too hard whenever you shampoo, it will pull all your hairs out.
That's all I could think of. Good luck in your hair care and hope everything would be fine for you soon. Wishing upon you to have a great and luxurious head of hair in no time.
Thanks for the good advice.
Maybe lack of excercise and stress are what's causing it (I always thought that the only effect stress had on hair was to make it fall out and that's not really happening).
Well in my opinion, it may also be the oil and gel causing it, I mean it's a lot of chemicals in there and they do damage hair. I don't get any gel/oil in my hair and I condition/shampoo every other day and my hair never stopped growing.
I have very thick wavy 18 inch long hair.
My gel contains only xanthan gum and purified water, the oil is pure, cold-pressed coconut oil.
How about pulling your hair straight down and using
a measuring tape or ruler to more accurately measure your progress?
I can do that but I can't see it making any difference. My armpit's always going to be in the same place, right?