How long it took to nurse your hair back to health?

[CarLiTa]

When I joined this website, I looked around at all the Feature of the Month articles and these ladies obviously had already perfected their healthy hair regimes and DO have healthy hair since it's all long and stuff. Of course though, it didnt' start out this way for nearly ALL of us.

So, my question is, all of you who have achieved healthy hair (long or not, Feature of the Month or not) HOW DID YOU DO IT? and HOW LONG DID IT TAKE YOU?
The reason I'm asking is this. My hair is not as damaged as certain ppl on here when they started out *please don't take offense* but it's pretty DRY. It's not in tip-top shape but it's not SUFFERING, except from the dryness, which causes more breakage than I would like to see. So far, I've only been on LHCF for 31 days and my hair is doing better. Out of the 31 days, I've had only about 3 days of extreme breakage (up to 30 hairs at the most). I did one protein treatment and the day after was one of the days of extreme breakage. I'm just wondering how long it will take to get really healthy hair and how will I finally know that I have it. So please, do post your thoughts on this... I'm sure all other newcomers would like to know too

 

[Dolapo]

when i started, my hair was damaged from the use of a product with silicones and also from using of too much heat and not taking care of it in general. The main culprit was silicones though. And the first thing i learned was to clarify. I think it took my hair about 4 months to become healthy once again. I had to trim off my damaged ends gradually. I think ive been on here for six months now.

 

[jaded_faerie]

I just stopped doing things that were damaging to my hair...

1. using heat everyday
2. not wrapping my hair up with a scarf'
3. washing whenever
4. using products that were drying up my hair
5. and NOT any type of moisturizer on my hair
I also did not maipulate my hair from July to September, because i did not work and school was out, so i usually just had my hair in a doobie, and it thrived....

I would say it took my hair about 3 months to show signs of improvement, and 4 months for other people to compliment on how good my hair was looking

 

[another1]

I had lapsed from taking care of my hair for the past year. That's why I came back to the board. Recently, my hair was extremely dry, crunching every time I combed, and losing a ton of hair when it was wet. And I tell you, what I have been doing for the past three weeks has made a huge difference. People have noticed the difference it has made in such a short time.

Here's my quick 3-week fix (I don't know which things have helped the most):
1) drink at least 60 oz (3 bottles) of water per day
2) wash hair every 4 days with braidout
3) pre-poo treatment with castor oil on damp hair
4) deep condition w/ heat for 20 minutes every wash
5) vitamins
- 5,000 mcg biotin
- 1500 mg MSM
- 500 mg silica
- 1500 mg L-cysteine
- 1000 mg pantothenic acid

Again, I can't say which of these factors have helped the most. But in 3 weeks, my hair has drastically changed for the better.

 

[LadyZ]

It took me about 4 months to get better hair... I did the big chop .. . lost about 5 inches, from over protien use and not following up with moisture... I learned the hard way, by not knowing how to use products correctly :crazy: ... I am on my way to healthier hair one year later.... Oh well... ....

Hang in there...

 

[sharee]

hmmm interesting bumping for more responses.

 

[Angelicus]

Well I had damaged hair due to the fact that I was sleeping on it everynight without anything covering it. When i did cover my hair, it was with a COTTON bandana . In addition, I would manipulate it incorrectly when I was washing my hair. I didn't know how to style it so i just put it in an uncombed ponytail. My hair kept on breaking because I didn't know anything about protein either. I didn't use direct heat but my hair was so dry that it was turning into this orange color The hairdresser made it no better because she would cut and never tell me how to take care of it. Money was low so I couldn't go every week for a treatment.

I think i started taking care of my hair in 2003, and noticed a difference immediately (I think within 2 months) when I paracticed healthy hair habits and by October of that year my hair made a complete turnaround.

 

[ChosenbyGod]

Good thread!
Bumping for more responses....

 

[Jewell]

I took me one month to combat my hair's dryness. From beginning of March 05 to the beginning of April 05. Its been pretty healthy otherwise, but my new growth felt like a brillo pad! I started daily CO washing, using protein once a week, using hot oil treatments everyday (no longer works on my hair), and doing overnight oil treatments once a week before my weekly shampoo. It didn't take a month for the dryness to be completely gone, but the new growth became much more manageable, and my hair was shiny and soft.

 

[DangerouslyShy]

my hair was in really bad shape...you can check my growth progress album the first album pword is grow that is where my first set of pics are...

It was damaged from color, not moisturizing, doing nothing to my newgrowth when i stretched....Getting relaxers every 4 weeks...

I used heat everyday, never wrapped my hair, always slept on cotton sheets...

brushing while wet, i wore weaves but didnt do anything to my newgrowth or scalp while i was wearing them...

it was horrible...the color started breaking off my hair because it was dry...I started in October, and my hair is soooo extremely healthy right now...Im so happy with my progress...

I would say it took me from October to March to grow out my broken off ends, my edges, temples, regain thickness, and a little length...

hopefully now i can retain more length because my hair is at its healthiest state

 

[baglady215]

This IS a great thread...

I look at my hair as a work in progress. Since February of 2004, I have come a long way, but I have a long way to go as well. My main problem is dryness. I started out with hair that had not been taken care of, but I really didn't have that much damage. No real breakage. Just some dry hair and some underprocessed ends. Those ends are almost gone, and I'm learning how to keep my hair moist.

 

[onepraying]

Well I had damaged hair due to the fact that I was sleeping on it everynight without anything covering it. When i did cover my hair, it was with a COTTON bandana . In addition, I would manipulate it incorrectly when I was washing my hair. I didn't know how to style it so i just put it in an uncombed ponytail. My hair kept on breaking because I didn't know anything about protein either. I didn't use direct heat but my hair was so dry that it was turning into this orange color The hairdresser made it no better because she would cut and never tell me how to take care of it. Money was low so I couldn't go every week for a treatment.

I think i started taking care of my hair in 2003, and noticed a difference immediately (I think within 2 months) when I paracticed healthy hair habits and by October of that year my hair made a complete turnaround.

This is my hair testimony too. However, I was using direct heat and washing whenever. All kinds of stuff was done to it and God had mercy and it was able to bounce back a enough to "look cute". It was extremely unhealthy and just wouldn't "grow" past my shoulders. My hair, basically, had the potenial for greatness......

After being on the board for about 3 months I started seeing a difference. After 9 months my hair is shinier, fuller, and more moist. For me, it was learning the techniques (rollersetting, flat ironing, wrapping and washing) that has helped me on the road to healthy hair.

A good thing is not to get caught up in all the raves about products. Hair care can be overwhelming. The key is to find out what has worked on your hair and go with that. Find out what makes your hair too dry, or what strips it then find something that adds moisture. Get to know your hair and it's needs. Keep it simple.

 

[locabouthair]

I had lapsed from taking care of my hair for the past year. That's why I came back to the board. Recently, my hair was extremely dry, crunching every time I combed, and losing a ton of hair when it was wet. And I tell you, what I have been doing for the past three weeks has made a huge difference. People have noticed the difference it has made in such a short time.

Here's my quick 3-week fix (I don't know which things have helped the most):
1) drink at least 60 oz (3 bottles) of water per day
2) wash hair every 4 days with braidout
3) pre-poo treatment with castor oil on damp hair
4) deep condition w/ heat for 20 minutes every wash
5) vitamins
- 5,000 mcg biotin
- 1500 mg MSM
- 500 mg silica
- 1500 mg L-cysteine
- 1000 mg pantothenic acid

Again, I can't say which of these factors have helped the most. But in 3 weeks, my hair has drastically changed for the better.

was drinking the water for moisture?

 

[Ashee]

was drinking the water for moisture?

In general you need the water to flush out all toxins so that whatever you use from the inside out can work more efficiently.

 

[Tara]

Let's see I've been on the hair boards forever, but I'll say it's only been a good two years since I've really began to take care of my hair.

Here are some things I did:

*Found a regime and STUCK WITH IT. It was hard because I was a card carrying PJ, but once I found the Curly Gurl Method I stuck with that.

*Did deep conditioning alternating with moisture

*Stopped CUTTING every time I *thought* my hair looked damaged (Thanks Adrienne0914)

*Wore wigs, braids, and other "protective" styles for a while to leave my hair alone

*um...stopped using "grease", I like stimulating oils, it works for me

That's all I can think of for now.....

Oh yeah, MOISTURE MOISTURE MOISTURE, I like to use Worlds of Curls Gel, and then S-Curl Spray when I have braids

 

[another1]

In general you need the water to flush out all toxins so that whatever you use from the inside out can work more efficiently.

Drinking water is good for your overall health as well as your hair. I always knew the benefits but never did it. My diet is/was extremely poor (McDonald's and pizza every day). I was dehydrated, suffering from indigestion, and feeling sick all the time.

What I find helps me to drink more water is drinking bottled water at room temperature. I can't really drink it cold.

 

[Mariaat40]

I remember when I first joined a hair board - back when Black Hair Supergrowout was still in existience. My hair overall was mid neck length but it was dry and brittle, and the area at the crown was maybe two inches long. I remember writing one of the regular posters and asking why no one ever posted about breakage. She responded that they had learned what worked for their hair and breakage wasn't a problem for them anymore. Now *I* never even think about breakage. I've just learned healthy hair practices. It probably took about 6 months for my hair to really feel like it was really turning around.

 

[onepraying]

Let's see I've been on the hair boards forever, but I'll say it's only been a good two years since I've really began to take care of my hair.

Here are some things I did:

*Found a regime and STUCK WITH IT. It was hard because I was a card carrying PJ, but once I found the Curly Gurl Method I stuck with that.

*Did deep conditioning alternating with moisture

*Stopped CUTTING every time I *thought* my hair looked damaged (Thanks Adrienne0914)

*Wore wigs, braids, and other "protective" styles for a while to leave my hair alone

*um...stopped using "grease", I like stimulating oils, it works for me

That's all I can think of for now.....

Oh yeah, MOISTURE MOISTURE MOISTURE, I like to use Worlds of Curls Gel, and then S-Curl Spray when I have braids

You have made some GREAT progress Tara! Congrats!

 

[Ashee]

Drinking water is good for your overall health as well as your hair. I always knew the benefits but never did it. My diet is/was extremely poor (McDonald's and pizza every day). I was dehydrated, suffering from indigestion, and feeling sick all the time.

What I find helps me to drink more water is drinking bottled water at room temperature. I can't really drink it cold.

Yeah me too! I fill up my bottle in the early morning & let it warm up to room temp!
I end up killing about 2 liters without trying...
But if I'm drinking other things during the day, I try to drink the rest of my water at home...
I'm trying to make water the first thing I drink in the mornings also, but at 5am water isn't my first priority.... I'm trying to change that though...

 

[Queenie]

Mine had suffered from years of using drying products and lack of deep conditioning. One year ago I started my journey. It took 2-3 months for it to be healthy, but even now it is still improving and getting shiner and curlier.

 

[Tara]

OnePraying,

THANKS SO MUCH!!!!

I was just about to cut my hair prior to getting it flatironed because I thought I didn't make any progress (long story). Adrienne0914 is the one who convinced me not to cut before I actually had a chance to get my hair flat ironed out to see the length.

But now I'm back on my "hair grind" and will adhere to a strict routine for Spring and Summer. Well, strict for me anyway, lol!

P.S. I LOVE your hair,and I really enjoy your album!!

 

[Poohbear]

I really can't say that I didn't have healthy hair before I joined this forum. I took pretty good care of my hair beforehand; I just wanted it longer after I cut it short in Oct 2003...

Once I joined LHCF Apr 2004, I tried so many products (conditioners, leave-ins, moisturizers) and techniques (airdrying, protective styling, washing more often, no heat) but I find myself going back to what I used to do... using less products, washing my hair less, and blowdrying my hair after I wash it.

The bad things that I would say that I did to my hair in the past was allowing my mom to relax my entire hair shaft and using curling irons everyday. Now, it's been over a year since I've used curling irons and I don't relax my hair anymore (I'm going natural). My hair is healthier in that it's thicker and stronger than it's ever been. So it took about 6 months to get my hair back in shape.

 

[sugaplum]

Great Post.

Before I jined the forum I was over lapping my perms, greasing my scalp every other day, brushing and combing excessivley, using ruber bands & using hair products that were high in detergent.

I started eating write, taking vitamins, exercising, using moisturzers, no more grease on the scalp, using more home remedies and mixtures, and stretching out relaxers.

I wore wigs non-stop for a year and the clips on the side ripped the sides of hair out!! :shcoked: So all in all it took about 4-5 months get my hair healthy. Thank you Long Hair Care Forum.

 

[CarLiTa]

i'd like some more responses, lol... about the protein *light protein* treatments, do you think I should do them every week, to get my hair to stop breaking?

I'm also wondering if putting eggs in my hair once a week is a good idea. Right now, I have some egg in my hair for my bi-weekly wash. I'm thinking of using the Aphogee 2 minute Keratin Reconstructor on Sunday for my other wash, is that ok???

I also used a lot of oil on my hair these past two days. I realize that my hair needs to be wet to be able to absorb the moisture well, or rollerset, but I havent done that in a month and probably wont be able to now, with the new growth either way. So yeah, I spritzed my ends and I used a mixture of olive and shea butter oil and it made my hair feel quite nice but i still need to stop the breakage. It really isn't much, but I would like to see much less.

 

[Ashee]

i'd like some more responses, lol... about the protein *light protein* treatments, do you think I should do them every week, to get my hair to stop breaking?

I'm also wondering if putting eggs in my hair once a week is a good idea. Right now, I have some egg in my hair for my bi-weekly wash. I'm thinking of using the Aphogee 2 minute Keratin Reconstructor on Sunday for my other wash, is that ok???

I also used a lot of oil on my hair these past two days. I realize that my hair needs to be wet to be able to absorb the moisture well, or rollerset, but I havent done that in a month and probably wont be able to now, with the new growth either way. So yeah, I spritzed my ends and I used a mixture of olive and shea butter oil and it made my hair feel quite nice but i still need to stop the breakage. It really isn't much, but I would like to see much less.

I use my Emergencee & Elasta QP Breakage Control interchangably every week.
I've seen a lot less breakage little by little. I just really moisturize after each treatment.

 

[Kitkat]

Before I joined LHCF my hair was 'tow up. It was always thick and was pretty long when I was a child, but I did everything wrong to it you could guess.

- greased my hair with low quality and mineral oil products? Check.
- permed every 4 weeks using no-lye relaxer? Check.
- washed my hair every few weeks with poor quality shampoo? Check.
- sleeping on cotton pillowcase without silk or satin scarf? Check.
- used Pink Oil? Check. So I had greasy hair that was dry.
- had no understanding about conditioners, so used protein conditioners without moisturizing follow-up? Check.
- used a curling iron every day on dirty, dry, breaking hair? Check.

Sometimes I'm amazed I have any hair on my head at all.

LHCF helped me turn things around. After a few months on the forum and getting my hair back into shape I started getting compliments. Without this forum I'd probably be stuck in the vicious cycle of poor hair habits and wonder why my hair was short and breaking.

I'd definitely recommend using light protein every week. Good luck in getting the breakage under control.

 

[kgard7777]

bumping for more responses