Grow It Long 2025 Challenge!

[GettingKinky]

I’m getting bored with my buns. And I’m starting to see a few broken hairs when I take them down. I think maybe my spin pins are getting old and the two spirals are starting to spread apart. I wonder if that causes them to damage the hair. I’m going to try a new set of spin pins and see if the broken hairs stop.

I have a beach trip coming up so I will keep wearing buns until at least the end of June and then I will rethink my hair plans.

 

[yaya24]

Tomorrow makes 3 weeks in these braids.

Super easy so far. Trying to decide how I am going to tackle washing my scalp only. I feel like washing the length will result in tangles and annoyances lol.

My new growth is already growing out (as expected)..since I'm still using my DIY scalp sprays and oil. Hopefully I can get a full 8 weeks from these w/o looking too crazy.

I didn't do my 6 big braids last night, so I do have some frizz with the boho pieces today. Thankfully all my plans are inside my house for the day.
I'll be sure to braid them today with some water/ a dash of oil & maybe some mousse.

 

[CoiledOrchids]

sprayed my braids with kaleidoscope x da brat braid spray followed up with yo favorite wrapper mousse and oiled my scalp with castor oil

keeping these braids in until I'm ready to take them out.

I'll be washing my braids this weekend

 

[GettingKinky]

I used my Cecred reconstructing mask for the second time. This time I didn’t try to detangle while it was in my hair since it has zero slip. I followed up with my normal Briogeo conditioner. It was fine but I don’t think I’ll repurchase it once I finish this container. I prefer the Briogeo Don’t Despair Repair Mask.

 

[GGsKin]

I’m still in my extension twist bob style (used human Afro hair). I got round to washing my hair on Saturday after many weeks. I was putting it off because this hair tends to slip a lot when wet. The shampoo was very much needed, and I followed up with a balancing protein con and a moisturising con. I had so much slippage that I had to redo every single twist on my head, but it allowed me to properly layer my leave-in, and oil my ends before retwisting.

 

[GettingKinky]

I’m on an island vacation and spending a ton of time in the ocean and in the pool. My plan to keep wearing spin pins buns fell by the wayside because the buns do not hold up to swimming. Yesterday I put my hair in 2 side ponytails and I noticed a bunch of broken hairs along the part. I have NO idea how this happened. Since I rarely wear my hair parted down the center it could have been like this for some time. Maybe even the spin pins are doing this. I’m sad about this but luckily it won’t show when I wear my hair in its normal styles.

But I do want to figure out how it happened so I can prevent it in the future. This picture isn’t so good but I circled all the area with the broken hairs. If anyone has seen something like this before let me what caused it for you.

 

[yaya24]

...
But I do want to figure out how it happened so I can prevent it in the future.

View attachment 505106

I had a situation like this, but it was before the hair boards. For me it was due to tight ponytails/ braids and it happened overtime. Definitely not your situation.

Give that section extra TLC.

I hope someone can chime in with some advice and solutions.

Enjoy your island vacation ♡

 

[25InchesStarting'25]

I’m on an island vacation and spending a ton of time in the ocean and in the pool. My plan to keep wearing spin pins buns fell by the wayside because the buns do not hold up to swimming. Yesterday I put my hair in 2 side ponytails and I noticed a bunch of broken hairs along the part. I have NO idea how this happened. Since I rarely wear my hair parted down the center it could have been like this for some time. Maybe even the spin pins are doing this. I’m sad about this but luckily it won’t show when I wear my hair in its normal styles.

But I do want to figure out how it happened so I can prevent it in the future. This picture isn’t so good but I circled all the area with the broken hairs. If anyone has seen something like this before let me what caused it for you.

View attachment 505106

Hugs!, sorry this happened, I think its the Spin pin

Good news is that it'll likely be hidden with almost any hairstyle you wear since its in the middle

I would stop using the spin pin for minimum 6 months, ideally a year, if the hair is growing out without breakage, you have answer

Have a fun and relaxing vacay!

 

[Angel of the North]

@GettingKinky I'm so sorry to hear and see your breakage, it's an awful experience, especially when you're actively taking good care of your hair. I actually had to look up spin pins to know what you were referring to. Years ago, these were looked at as more protective than hair bands.

I have these, I used to use them regularly for my buns, they never caused any issues for me, that's not to say that they are not what is causing the breakage. When I looked them up, I noticed that the original brand was nowhere to be seen, they all seem like dupes. So I'd expect them to not be the same, or as safe as the original version, at a glance, I didn't think much of the material they were made of.

From the way I remember inserting the spin pins, I'd expect there to be breakage in more than just the area in your pic, or even at the point where the pin stops, which would be more the top of your hair and not the middle.

Is this something that you've just noticed, but that could have occurred some time ago? Do you part your hair down the middle or in quarters to wash, moisturise etc? I only ask this, as it might help you to pinpoint the time the breakage occurred. How you protect your hair at night while sleeping? Do you use bonnet/scarf/silk Pillowcases?

I'd be starting with a process of elimination. Products/ingredients that your hair doesn’t like/new products, tension from braids, heat, detangling, too much moisture/protein. That section of your hair will need an extra dose of TLC while you get it back on track.

 

[GettingKinky]

@Angel of the North
This is something I just noticed, but it could have happened awhile ago. I very rarely wear my hair parted in the middle.

I agree with you I can’t quite figure out how spin pin would cause damage in that section of my my hair. And the ones I have are the original from goody. They are very hard to find now, but I got most of mine a long time ago.

I do split my hair into 4 sections when I condition and detangle. I guess I should pay more attention when I’m doing that. Since I do split it fairly close to the center.

 

[pikkonoloidlee]

End of Feb to now. Post trim.

I didn't get my hair as straight but it's summer and I'm not planning to make this last anyways. I feel like my hair seems more full at the longest lengths but it's hard to tell when it's fluffier.

I'm just glad I made it through the last few months and didn't go bald.

 

[yaya24]

I made 6 weeks in these braids yesterday.

I have another pool party tomorrow ... then they are coming out

 

[GettingKinky]

I’m back from my island vacay. My hair is dry and super tangled. I’m going to prepoo and detangle with my Aussie moist. Then I’m going to see if I have any other areas of breakage like the one I shared a few days ago.

 

[faithVA]

I’m back from my island vacay. My hair is dry and super tangled. I’m going to prepoo and detangle with my Aussie moist. Then I’m going to see if I have any other areas of breakage like the one I shared a few days ago.

Hope you had a wonderful vacation. So sorry you are having the breakage issue. But I'm glad you have a positive attitude towards it and I know you will have a great plan of attack to handle it.

 

[yaya24]

My sister said I should try get an extra 2 weeks with the braids..so take them out at 8 weeks.

I'll play it by ear. Scalp feels fine. Hair is still getting TLC and washes. The waves are no longer as wavy but thats ok. Foam with large Braids will fix that. I've just been throwing them up in a loose bun.

Braids have been so easy. I would definitely get them again next year.

Click to make bigger:

 

[yaya24]

Finally getting around to straining this batch of infused oils that I started on 5/17/25. I have another batch that I started the same day that I'll continue to let infuse until I need it.

Inside: coffee/fenugreek/burdock root + MCT oil.

I'll mix in various essential oils, vitamin E, castor oil and some MSM crystals in 2oz bottles before applying/ giving it away to friends & family.

Before shaking

After shaking

Cheesecloth to strain
(
After 1st strain. I also strained it a 2nd time - not pictured

 

[SmilingElephant]

 

[Angel of the North]

My sister said I should try get an extra 2 weeks with the braids..so take them out at 8 weeks.

I'll play it by ear. Scalp feels fine. Hair is still getting TLC and washes. The waves are no longer as wavy but thats ok. Foam with large Braids will fix that. I've just been throwing them up in a loose bun.

Braids have been so easy. I would definitely get them again next year.

Click to make bigger:
View attachment 505236View attachment 505238

Your braids look great! I agree with you, it's so easy with this style, I kept mine in for 7 weeks, I think next year I will keep it between 5-6 weeks. You're right to play it by ear, I do think with braids, it's a little more difficult to accurately assess what's going on with your hair.

 

[ScorpioLove]

I’m on an island vacation and spending a ton of time in the ocean and in the pool. My plan to keep wearing spin pins buns fell by the wayside because the buns do not hold up to swimming. Yesterday I put my hair in 2 side ponytails and I noticed a bunch of broken hairs along the part. I have NO idea how this happened. Since I rarely wear my hair parted down the center it could have been like this for some time. Maybe even the spin pins are doing this. I’m sad about this but luckily it won’t show when I wear my hair in its normal styles.

But I do want to figure out how it happened so I can prevent it in the future. This picture isn’t so good but I circled all the area with the broken hairs. If anyone has seen something like this before let me what caused it for you.

View attachment 505106

My issue was due to sewins and that was where the circular braiding pattern started. Ended up with a bald patch that finally started growing. Not your situation at all but I think at the end of the, it’s just repeated stress in that area.

 

[Angel of the North]

My issue was due to sewins and that was where the circular braiding pattern started. Ended up with a bald patch that finally started growing. Not your situation at all but I think at the end of the, it’s just repeated stress in that area.

I always have my hair braided back and then the length of plaits folded back towards the front of my head. This makes the weave lie flat and doesn't stress that middle part of the crown.

 

[yaya24]

I have about 25 braids left to take down. This upcoming Friday would have made 8 weeks, I'm good.

I started early this morning, and have been slowly taking them out (and detangling as I go) throughout the day.

So far no major breakage or shedding.
Thank God