Long hair, no extras

[keepithealthy]

For me all the stuff mentioned here sounds like "extras" - frequent washing, protective styling, low manipulation, satin scarves, moisture/protein balance - I mean I do it but I still think its extra... with family members that colour and relax every 4weeks, flatiron, sleep with no head wraps all the time, with no regimen and have APL to waist length hair, what I have to do definitely feels "extra"

I would agree, I have had long hair most of my life (when I wasn't cutting it off) and I am sure I broke every hair rule I've learned here. I relaxed every 3 to 4 weeks and I only washed my hair when it was time to relax (i know nasty). I used grease, mineral oil, petrolium and any kind of shampoo and conditioner I could find (usually what came in my $7.00 perm box lol). I blow fried, flat ironed and curled all the time. I only recently began to cover my hair when sleeping. I cut my hair in a boy cut because of a bad relaxer and I was shoulder length in about a year.
Go figure?
I think it may be genetic because most of the people in my famiy have long hair.
But know that I've come in contact with lhcf I'm a changed woman! I'm transitioning to natual and learning good hair care as I go. So I am interested to see how what will happen to my hair now that I am learning to care for it properly.


These three abide, faith hope and love..but the greates of these is love

 

[yuriko]

It is pretty encouraging to hear that none of yall take megadoses of vitamins or growth aids. I really just want my hair to grow naturally. If it takes me 2 years to be MBL or WL then so be it.

My hair grew from SL to APL within 4 months of joining with just plain ole TLC, I hope I make BSL this year

 

[Angelicus]

I'm a product junkie and can't seem to use products or regimens consistently. It took fourteen months to get to my goal.

 

[Rei]

For me all the stuff mentioned here sounds like "extras" - frequent washing, protective styling, low manipulation, satin scarves, moisture/protein balance - I mean I do it but I still think its extra... with family members that colour and relax every 4weeks, flatiron, sleep with no head wraps all the time, with no regimen and have APL to waist length hair, what I have to do definitely feels "extra"

tbqh it all sounds really extra to me as well, however nobody in my family has long hair. It's just not in our genes. I think I have like one cousin who is apl, but the vast majority are either loced and long (but thats another story) or relaxed and SL. So I figure with genes against me, I need all the help I can get

 

[onejamifan]

Me. Have always managed to maintain relatively long hair with no extras (APL+). I purchased MT and used it for 2 weeks last spring and gave it up because it was too much hassle. Basically do what I've always done plus moisturizing my ends, which is new to me.

 

[PinkSkates]

Bumping this ...just because you ladies are speaking the hair-naked truth up in this thread!
All newbies should read this thread before hopping on expensive and sometimes unhealthy bandwagons!

 

[LynnieB]

Nothing special going on here.

Basically wash (with something), deep condition (with something), some common sense and a pair of gentle hands.

So far so good.

 

[Likeyouneverseenme]

I'm MBL and all i have done is cowash and detangle.

No growth aides, supplements, mixtures, herbs--i don't even eat healthy or work out!

Totally agree.
Your hair will grow. With a healthy diet and taking care of your body, I am sure your hair will be stronger, shinier etc.
But I live on a horrendous diet (poor student) and take no vitamins, supplements, nothing. And I don't exercise, still my hair is growing like crazy and I retain everything. All I do is co-wash and moisturize. Sometimes I go weeks and months without a DC..and my hair is still in great shape.

I think key is moisture and be gentle.
Your hair will grow, regardless of what you eat.

 

[Barbara]

I've been going to the salon every two weeks since I was in junior high school, so I left all the hair care business to my stylist. All I did was roll my hair every night, seven days a week--even on afternoon salon visits, I would walk in with curls.

People as well as strangers have always complimented me and asked for my regimen. I would give them my stylist's address and phone number, because I was totally ignorant about hair care. My stylist was amazed at how he would cut my hair every three months (for nine years), and it always grew back as opposed to his other customers. He just couldn't figure it out. It baffled him. I remember buying a jar of pomade, and it sat in my bathroom cabinet for two years. I just never oiled my hair . . . money just wasted.

When I started using Wanakee Verifen Complex, I realized that I wasn't doing anything special to it. Then on the other hand, some of the things that I was doing were beneficial for my hair--but I wasn't aware of it. I basically left it alone. Now I wear a satin scarf/bonnet, and I wear my hair in protective styles, and now I oil my hair thoroughly at least once a week—if I remember or have time.

 

[Vshanell]

Me. No growth aids but I do take vitamins....nothing extra though, just the regular.

 

[Vshanell]

For me all the stuff mentioned here sounds like "extras" - frequent washing, protective styling, low manipulation, satin scarves, moisture/protein balance - I mean I do it but I still think its extra... with family members that colour and relax every 4weeks, flatiron, sleep with no head wraps all the time, with no regimen and have APL to waist length hair, what I have to do definitely feels "extra"

How would low mani be extra?.....I mean you're not doing anything, lol

I don't do frequent washing or protective styles so for me personally that might be a little extra. Moisture/protein is just a must do.

 

[mariofmagdal]

I take supplements, I always have, not ever specifically for hair. I have always done protective styles with simple wash and condition. I am natural.

I have tried-sampled Sulu Max and the pet version of Megatek, but not enough to make a difference. My hair was already long when I attempted them.

 

[sonce]

How many ladies on here managed to grow long hair without all the extras...No hair vitamins or special supplements, no growth aids, no special shakes etc... just TLC?

I did. Judicious use of combs and brushes (meaning avoiding manipulation) was the key for me to grow and maintain long hair. I've never been able to take or use supplements and aids long enough to see any longterm difference. I bought supplements three years ago and they expired recently acquiring dust in my cupboard and barely touched. The various essential oils I bought are at least half full after years of having them. I just can't remember to use supplements and aids.

I would like to take supplements for a year and see if there is a difference in growth rate, the strength/softness of hair that grows in that period, or any other positive side effect. I think supplements can only help, but my experience is that they are not necessary.