LADIES I HAVE GIVEN UP!!!

[Wolftrap]

I have given up on my quest for bra strap length hair. Nothing seems to be aiding in my growth. I have been using GNC Ultranourishair vitamins since January and I started B Complex about 2 months ago. I have been surging for about 5 months and starting using WGO 2 months ago and also have worn my hair faithfully in a bun for the past 2 months. I was going to get braids this past weekend but instead I said let me get a touch up and see if I have made any progress. To my disappointment I have made VERY LITTLE progress. The extra things I have been doing have not helped. My September to November results I might as well had been putting spit on my hair cuz all that extra stuff sure didnt' give me any growth. In 2 months it looks like my hair grew a 1/2 inch. and the previous picture before that I measured and it was the exact same length as before. So I have decided to get my hair braided in January but I am no longer actively on this quest for longer hair. If it comes it comes if it doesn't then it doesn't. So I am spending less and less time on teh Hair Discussion boards and more time in the other forums. So anyway ladies thanks for the tips and support on the hair thing maybe I will post some more pics a few months from now but right now I am no longer on this quest with you guys so no more vitamins, surge and whatever else I was dong. I posted new pics in my progress section but those will be the last for a lonnggg time.

 

[naptrl]

Be patient! You haven't done anything that you've been doing for THAT long. I think you've been watching your hair too much. You know the "watching paint dry" thing? I think you should get the braids so you don't see your hair for a couple of months and then take it down..You'll probably be pleasantly surprised! Don't be discouraged. You'll get there!

 

[webby]

First of all...relax.

Secondly, not to burst your bubble, but not EVERYONE has the capacity to grow long hair. However, it's important that your hair, regardless of length is healthy.

Back to the issue of length, are you doing something to your hair that has a negative impact, or is negating your growth? If you are getting big trims, rather than dustings, you may be cutting away all of your new growth.

Also, if your hair has been severly damaged, it could take a good while until you start to see significant improvements.

No quitting /images/graemlins/naughty.gif

 

[KAddy]

Wolftrap I am sorry that you feel this way. I am not going to try to persuade you to change your mind about your decision to end your quest. Have you seen any change in your hair aside from growth? I mean like healthier hair?

I don't think all vitamins work for everyone that is truly on an individual basis. Do what works best for you and maybe less is more. I know a few years ago (before I found LHCF) I was taking Biotin 5mg and Zinc and saw no results. So I just decided to take a regular multi-vitamin for health reasons (I don't eat very healthy) and then I just added biotin (800 mcg). Hopefully you won't leave us as we all enjoy the conversation too, even if you don't discuss hair.

 

[Nice]

Wolftrap /images/graemlins/cry3.gif /images/graemlins/cry3.gif,

I totally understand where you are coming from. However, I was always the one that believed that I could never reach bra-strap, not you. Please don't give up because, believe it or not, you keep me going (selfish, I know). Just be patient, get you hair braided like you said you would and I sure that you will see more progress /images/graemlins/kiss.gif

 

[Lorraine]

Stop it!

lol. We will have none of that talk young lady. Sometimes you can't see your own growth. We look at our hair everyday so it's hard to tell. Plus, just because you don't see length doesn't mean your hair isn't getting healthier everyday. What is your diet like? I can take all the vitamins I want but if I'm on a diet of chocolate and caffeine the vitamins won't worry. Please don't give up Wolftrap. It takes awhile to find a regimen that works for you.

 

[Wolftrap]

I'm not leaving the board. Just the hair forum. I haven't been doing anything negative to my hair. I have never been one to use heat so that is out. And of course no big trims for me I am careful about that. I do have very healthy hair though. My hair is very thin but that is just its texture but it is healthy no split ends or anything like that.

And yes Webby I have come to the conclusion that I am one of those that cannot grow long hair. I agree that not EVERYONE can have long hair. It took me a while to get to that understanding because I was so dead set on proving everyone wrong.

 

[AudraChanell]

I felt so bad reading your post. Continue to be good to your hair!! If nothing else it will be healthy, and I'd take that over length ANY DAY!!

 

[Carlie]

It saddens me that you are giving up so soon. /images/graemlins/frown.gif I think giving up after bunning for only 2 mths is a little to soon to say that you know it doesn't work for you. I hope you hang in there because I don't think you've given your hair enough time to do a 180 since making the changes w. the vits and buns. It seems your problem might be w. retaining the growth if you're needing touchups due to new growth but aren't seeing the length. How are your ends? Do you have problems w. breakage?

 

[Falon]

I think you just have to keep taking care of your hair and stop measuring it. I realized a while ago that neck to shoulder length doesn't take that long to reach but shoulder to bra strap is at least a years worth of growth. I measured the distance from where I am now (a bit past the shoulders) to bra strap...I need at least 9 more inches of hair...w/o set backs it will take at least a year to get there.

I was driving myself nuts measuring and measuring....so I have stopped. I am doing the right things so I am bound to see some results eventually. If my hair doesn't get to bra-strap then there isnt' anything I can do about that...but at least the hair that I have will be healthy. I have also stepped off of all the bandwagons...it's too expensive and time consuming.

 

[Queenie]

I'm sorry to hear that Wolftrap. /images/graemlins/kiss.gif I think in time you will get there. Remember the tortise and the hare story. The only other thing I'd recommend is scalp scrubs, some ladies mentioned extra growth after these because they unclog the hair folicles. I've done a few, but I am uncertain if they have caused faster growth.

 

[Wolftrap]

[ QUOTE ]
It saddens me that you are giving up so soon. /images/graemlins/frown.gif I think giving up after bunning for only 2 mths is a little to soon to say that you know it doesn't work for you. I hope you hang in there because I don't think you've given your hair enough time to do a 180 since making the changes w. the vits and buns. It seems your problem might be w. retaining the growth if you're needing touchups due to new growth but aren't seeing the length. How are your ends? Do you have problems w. breakage?

[/ QUOTE ]

Nope I have no breakage problems. This is what really bothers me. I am getting like a 1/2 inch of new growth in 2 months. My hair is not shedding or breaking or anything. I have been on this quest since January. It is about to be January so in a hear I went from shoulder length to collar bone length. That seems ridiculous to me being that I have been doing everything short of praying to a hair god for some longer hair. LOL

 

[KAddy]

I too think you should give it more time and stop paying as much attention to your hair. The braids are a great idea. Maybe you could surge with the braids like many other ladies did.

 

[AudraChanell]

ITA!

[ QUOTE ]
I too think you should give it more time and stop paying as much attention to your hair. The braids are a great idea. Maybe you could surge with the braids like many other ladies did.

[/ QUOTE ]

 

[ubavka123]

I agree with whoever said that you are watching your hair too much. I compared your April pic with your most current and I definitely see growth. Of course you are going to get discouraged if you are watching month to month to month. That even drives me crazy!!!! I think that you should not give up, but I also think that your attitude towards just letting it happen is great! You just might be pleasantly surprised around the same time next year. I have felt like you many a time and then a few months down the road, when I start to see t hings happening, I am once again encouraged. Some of these ladies have phenomenal growth rates and that is largely genetic. Don't be discouraged because you are with the slow growers (myself included!). It is going to happen, girl, just you wait! And unfortunately, yes, we do have to wait. But if you stop watching month to month, you might feel better. Put your April pic and your most current side by side. Go on... /images/graemlins/poke.gif

 

[ChoclatePrincess]

First of all Wolftrap, love the avatar! Hollering @ putting spit on your hair, you crazy! I agree with Naptrl, maybe you should have put the braids in your hair so you won't go crazy taking pics of it every 2 months to see growth. If the products you are using keeps the hair you have on your head from falling out and it stays healthy then that's something to be happy about. If you still want to try to grow your hair try using different products, maybe what your using isn't working or you're not using it long enough to see results.

 

[jasmin]

Sometimes my hair growth looks like it skipped a month but that’s not true. I think the growth on me really shows every other touchup.

 

[cutebajangirl]

I think from your pictures that your hair does grow slowly, but it is obviously growing. I think you should braid it up and let it be for a long time. Watching it is just gonna make it worse. I also think that yes maybe everyone can't have waist length hair but I don't think bra strap is an unrealistic expectation for anyone who is healthy.

 

[lovelymissyoli]

You know what I think braids are a good solution for you. For one, you're no longer going to be focusing on how fast your hair is growing and secondly, they will serve as a protective style that you won't manipulate that much and will also help preserve your growth. Go ahead; take your break, but don’t give up, it takes time!

 

[aqualung]

[ QUOTE ]
No quitting /images/graemlins/naughty.gif

[/ QUOTE ]
Wolftrap, you haven't been on LHCF for a year even. My hair is fine and grows slowly too, so I have to enjoy the journey instead of putting my hair happiness on hold until I reach bra strap.

Enjoy what you've got, and give the length some more time.

 

[Faith]

Don't give up. I know how you feel. My hair only grows 1/4"/month. My hair was about 20" Feb 2003 and I'm only at about 25.5-26" for this Feb 2005 coming. I have only kept 6" in 2 years... Maybe you have the right idea anyways don't focus on it as much and before you know it you'll be over that hump. I have been thinking about giving up my quest for waist length hair as well and just letting it be. If it gets there it gets there...ya know /images/graemlins/kisses.gif It's not so much giving up as shifting your focus /images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[Keen]

[ QUOTE ]
You know what I think braids are a good solution for you. For one, you're no longer going to be focusing on how fast your hair is growing and secondly, they will serve as a protective style that you won't manipulate that much and will also help preserve your growth. Go ahead; take your break, but don’t give up, it takes time!

[/ QUOTE ]

I agree. Braids really help me not to be discourage with my slow growth. I am 16 weeks post relaxer and I have only 1 inch of new growth. Some places, even less then that.

 

[Wolftrap]

[ QUOTE ]
I agree with whoever said that you are watching your hair too much. I compared your April pic with your most current and I definitely see growth. Of course you are going to get discouraged if you are watching month to month to month. That even drives me crazy!!!! I think that you should not give up, but I also think that your attitude towards just letting it happen is great! You just might be pleasantly surprised around the same time next year. I have felt like you many a time and then a few months down the road, when I start to see t hings happening, I am once again encouraged. Some of these ladies have phenomenal growth rates and that is largely genetic. Don't be discouraged because you are with the slow growers (myself included!). It is going to happen, girl, just you wait! And unfortunately, yes, we do have to wait. But if you stop watching month to month, you might feel better. Put your April pic and your most current side by side. Go on... /images/graemlins/poke.gif

[/ QUOTE ]

Ok here is April and current side by side. I did it. I do see a small amount of growth from these months. That makes me feel a little better. I am still going to lay off the hair journey though. I think I am making myself crazy

 

[DangerouslyShy]

dont give up mama i feel your pain sis...

I have probably set myself back a year by all the trimming of my ends...Im trying to get rid of the color in my hair...it was a little past shoulder length when i first started out than i cut it to shoulder length...than to just below my chin last month...so i have a LOOOOOONG WAY TO GO, but I just try to work what i have so my hair can grow and do its thing...dont measure...what i do is i put weaves in my hair...

since Im not bra strap yet...lol I put some bra strap lenth hair or waist length hair in my head so i can pretend...but the thing is no one knows...!!

and by doing that my hair is protected...being moisturized and given all the nutrients that it needs so it can grow...i get more growth when my hair is in cornrows and im wearing a weave when i wear my own hair...because i have the hand in hair syndrome and cant keep my hand out of my hair...

so this helps...i dont manipulate it...dont over brush or comb it....no heat is being put on it....except for a little part of my hair that I keep out...


Dont give up mija....please...be positive you will get the results your looking for be patient you have to when your dealing with your hair

 

[ubavka123]

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
I agree with whoever said that you are watching your hair too much. I compared your April pic with your most current and I definitely see growth. Of course you are going to get discouraged if you are watching month to month to month. That even drives me crazy!!!! I think that you should not give up, but I also think that your attitude towards just letting it happen is great! You just might be pleasantly surprised around the same time next year. I have felt like you many a time and then a few months down the road, when I start to see t hings happening, I am once again encouraged. Some of these ladies have phenomenal growth rates and that is largely genetic. Don't be discouraged because you are with the slow growers (myself included!). It is going to happen, girl, just you wait! And unfortunately, yes, we do have to wait. But if you stop watching month to month, you might feel better. Put your April pic and your most current side by side. Go on... /images/graemlins/poke.gif

[/ QUOTE ]

Ok here is April and current side by side. I did it. I do see a small amount of growth from these months. That makes me feel a little better. I am still going to lay off the hair journey though. I think I am making myself crazy

[/ QUOTE ]

Not bad, see? Another six months from now it will be even longer. Anyway, I totally respect your choice. Before LHCF, I thought my hair would not grow longer, so I gave up for several months. In the Spring, when I joined this board, I was given a shot of hope, because my hair had grown so much while I wasn't watching it. I joined LHCF because it was time to take it to the next level. I think, that after a little breather and not constantly watching, you will be back on your journey. /images/graemlins/smile.gif I like what Faith called it: a shift in focus! Nothing wrong with that! /images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[GoingBack]

Wolftrap,

You have made some progess. Not everyone can grow 2 inches in a month. We have the same hair type and my hair doesn't grow all that fast either. I'll tell ya what, how about we both join the no checking length challenge and just concentrate on keeping the hair healthy for now. Maybe we can check the length at the end of the spring/beginning of summer.

Does that sound good to you? I really don't want you to quit. Just think about it /images/graemlins/kiss.gif

 

[MizAvalon]

Ok, maybe I am crazy, but judging from those pics, the growth rate seems about right. I mean, how much growth did you really expect to get in 6 months? ITA agree with what everyone else has said about not watching your hair so much and giving it more time. I think you're just expecting too much too quickly. Also, maybe it is true that not everyone can have long hair, but IMO bra-strap hair isn't long and there's no reason that anyone taking care of their hair can't have it.

 

[ChocoKitty]

Wolftrap: Please don't give up. I read somewhere that average head of hair grows to be about 28" long. Anything beyond that length is hereditary. Just keep you hair healthy as you've already been doing. You'll definitely get to your goal in time! Remember health before length. /images/graemlins/kiss.gif

 

[SUPER SWEET]

Dont give up yet... get the braids and see what happends. Do you clarify your scalp and hair? Have you considered new products? Just wait until next year this time you'll see the diffrence. /images/graemlins/kiss.gif

 

[KinksnCurlz]

**I haven't read all the responses **

Girl... stop playing. Don't give up esp. not now. As long as your hair is healthy, it will grow. Don't take pictures so often - every 4-6 months is enuf. The more you 'watch' ur hair, the more discouraged you will be.
How long have you been on the 'healthy hair band wagon'?