Official Thread for Those with Afro-Hair Only - Ladies and Gents . .

I'm serious about growing my hair waste length. After relentless research I've come up with a hair regime. I'm excited. I will post pics over the course of next year.

Questions: I don't moisturise and seal with an oil. I just keep it simple and use coconut oil (cold pressed). Is this okay?

Is biotin worth getting? I'm already consuming multi-vitamin tablets.

She's a god-send: http://www.youtube.com/user/TheTruthisHair?feature=g-user-u

How is everyone doing with their hair journeys? . .Still going to plan? Or has it all gone to pot? ..

My hair journey is still going although I think my hair growth has slowed down a bit . . .I got sick end of last year, early this yr, and my hair took a major battering. It's still recovering but is much better. I've had a few trims throughout the year, so still @ BSL (Bra Strap Length). But I am thinking of now styling it in the new year . . .

I have added a few new products to my regime; Keracare, Ojon and Aphogee, but I use these very sparingly/as and when needed as they are quite expensive. But they work . .

The good news is, my hair is actually growing long, and I noticed this today when I stretched some hairs at the back and they reach down by my armpit! Just the first goal length I wanted.

The bad news is, the shrinkage is really bothering me. My natural texture length looks similar to this (picture isn't me):



I'm a bit bothered by it because I don't really feel like my afro looks that great on me tbh (not like hers does anyway, hers is pretty). I try to style it to look like a great afro style, but it just looks weird or messy and I end up always putting it into tied back styles like ponytails and buns. I'm always having to constantly stretch it out in braids and twists, and this takes so much effort and time, and even then it doesn't nearly reach my total stretched length. It'd probably be a very long time, if ever, before my shrunken hair ever looks properly long, and I dunno if I can deal with that.

I mean, look at this lady's hair (on the left). Hers is much longer than mine stretched, but the shrinkage is immense


I'm debating whether to relax it again or not, since I quite miss having straight hair and I much prefer the look of long hair on myself. I only went natural just to try it, and I find it OK but there's all the downsides I've listed. I've tried flat ironing a few times but I'm not very good at it and it also takes a lot of time and effort. So relaxed hair would probably be easier overall. Though, I just wouldn't want to regret it, since going from natural to relaxed is much easier and quicker than going from relaxed back to natural (if you want a decent hair length and not a teeny weeny afro).

I'm probably gonna get a weave installed soon just so I can hide my hair and hold off my decision a little longer. I'll see how things go

Has anyone here tried the Brazilian keratin treatment? I have really thick, bushy Arab hair and it takes me roughly 45 minutes straightening it.

Has the MSM helped?

Did you wrap your hair and leave it in for at least 3 hours a time? I usually completely soak my hair with it, sleep with my head tightly wrapped in a plastic bag and then rinse in the morning; I find it has a much greater effect than just washing it out after and hour or so cause it has more time for your hair to 'absorb all the goodness'

Anyone tried castor oil? Is it any good?

Good for thickening hair strands and suppleness and strength when I use it to seem.

Also a good for the scalp and cleanser for the face and keeps the skin there supple too.
I loves me some castor oil!

Oh ok I read that it is also good for eyelashes and eyebrows as well

Will it help with hair growth?

Yeah, with retention, in terms of the condition it can help to keep the hair in.
With thickness, mos' def.

Cool.

I'm glad I bought it.

How long until I see results? I'm trying to grow my hair, but I don't expect quick results overnight...

really feeling to try crochet braids, just need the time to put them in.

LOVE LOVE LOVE crochet braids. did them for the first time a while back....they're my new fav protective style.

yeah i put them in! Loads of people think it's my real hair..i hate when they ask me if it is or isnt LOL