12 inches in 12 months - 2014

fancypants007

Well-Known Member
Re: 12 inches in 12 months - 2013

Hello everyone, it's check in time. I promised a pic and here it is. It seems like my hair grew 3 inches and I retained all 3. I did my relaxer touchup which went very well and I used my Splitender to cut away the split ends, but I think I need to get a new blade. Anyhow, I'm happy with my results. I never kept a hair journey so I thought my hair did not retain length, but this pic proves to me that I can retain length. I always thought I couldn't. I didn't post a pic in June because I didn't see any difference from April pic that I posted when we first started this challenge, but I can certainly see growth now. Anyhow, I am so happy and thankful. Even though this is the norm, 3 inches, I know those inches add up to more and more. I have to share with you though, I made a huge mistake. My relaxer touchup went well, but I was so tired of putting my hair in that infamous bun and decided I want to flat iron my hair. Wrong, Wrong, Wrong. My hair did not like it and started breaking. I saw little pieces of hair and immediately I did a protein treatment which meant rewashing my hair. I think I stopped it, but I ask the question.... What is wrong with me! I almost messed up months of hard work, but lesson learned. I will be putting my hair in the infamous bun until I reach my hair goal. Now I have to work hard to make sure that my breakage stays under control. Anyhow, I know we all have been there and done that. I hope all of you will post progress pics or just tell us how many inches you achieved. Continue to stay focus and consistent with your regime and we will get there.

Please excuse my scrunched up homemade length tshirt.
 

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caliscurls

Well-Known Member
End of year update, back where I was in May but with much fuller and healthier hair. I'm glad it takes forever to flat iron otherwise I'd ruin all this progress doing it weekly! I'll stick to my blow dry or curlformers routine with protective styling. My hair will only be down for another hour or so then it's back in some kind a bun or side braid.
 

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fancypants007

Well-Known Member
Re: 12 inches in 12 months - 2013

End of year update, back where I was in May but with much fuller and healthier hair. I'm glad it takes forever to flat iron otherwise I'd ruin all this progress doing it weekly! I'll stick to my blow dry or curlformers routine with protective styling. My hair will only be down for another hour or so then it's back in some kind a bun or side braid.

Thanks for checking in. I'm loving your hair. Very nice. Why did you cut it. I'm so excited about going forward with this challenge and beyond. Now I know that I can retain length, it's exciting to me. I will be putting myself back on track and will try to be consistent and focus from here on out. I got good growth, but I slacked around the middle of November stopped eating healthy foods, taking my MSM, brewers yeast, protein drinks, etc. I was consistent with massage, inversion, and oiling scalp. These things are basics and contribute to good growth, but I just imagine what I could have achieved if I drank more water and ate healthy. Anyhow, I'm on a plan and will try to get more inches in the coming months. Way to go girlie. I'm proud of you and your accomplishment of thicker and healthier hair.
 

faithVA

Well-Known Member
Re: 12 inches in 12 months - 2013

Hello everyone, it's check in time. I promised a pic and here it is. It seems like my hair grew 3 inches and I retained all 3. I did my relaxer touchup which went very well and I used my Splitender to cut away the split ends, but I think I need to get a new blade. Anyhow, I'm happy with my results. I never kept a hair journey so I thought my hair did not retain length, but this pic proves to me that I can retain length. I always thought I couldn't. I didn't post a pic in June because I didn't see any difference from April pic that I posted when we first started this challenge, but I can certainly see growth now. Anyhow, I am so happy and thankful. Even though this is the norm, 3 inches, I know those inches add up to more and more. I have to share with you though, I made a huge mistake. My relaxer touchup went well, but I was so tired of putting my hair in that infamous bun and decided I want to flat iron my hair. Wrong, Wrong, Wrong. My hair did not like it and started breaking. I saw little pieces of hair and immediately I did a protein treatment which meant rewashing my hair. I think I stopped it, but I ask the question.... What is wrong with me! I almost messed up months of hard work, but lesson learned. I will be putting my hair in the infamous bun until I reach my hair goal. Now I have to work hard to make sure that my breakage stays under control. Anyhow, I know we all have been there and done that. I hope all of you will post progress pics or just tell us how many inches you achieved. Continue to stay focus and consistent with your regime and we will get there.

Please excuse my scrunched up homemade length tshirt.

Excellent growth and retention
 

faithVA

Well-Known Member
Re: 12 inches in 12 months - 2013

Not much going on here. I will take a pic this month but won't check in until the end of the challenge. I am doing daily moisturizing and still clipping off bad ends as I come across them. I don't have much length right now but hopefully week by week I will see a healthier head of hair.

I think I have the winter blahs. I know I need to get on track but I just want to get in the bed. I need to pull some strength from somewhere within and get on track with healthy living.

I will take pics this weekend and get them posted.
 

caliscurls

Well-Known Member
Thanks for checking in. I'm loving your hair. Very nice. Why did you cut it. I'm so excited about going forward with this challenge and beyond. Now I know that I can retain length, it's exciting to me. I will be putting myself back on track and will try to be consistent and focus from here on out. I got good growth, but I slacked around the middle of November stopped eating healthy foods, taking my MSM, brewers yeast, protein drinks, etc. I was consistent with massage, inversion, and oiling scalp. These things are basics and contribute to good growth, but I just imagine what I could have achieved if I drank more water and ate healthy. Anyhow, I'm on a plan and will try to get more inches in the coming months. Way to go girlie. I'm proud of you and your accomplishment of thicker and healthier hair.

Thanks fancypants007 :) the first two pictures are deceiving. If I'd flat ironed my hair either time it would have looked extremely thin. I went through a great deal of trial and error when relaxed and made quite a number of irreversible errors. This resulted in extremely tangle prone hair with ends that snapped. I'd go a few weeks thinking my ends were doing well and they'd snap off soon after. Bottom line is it was damaged. I tried saving the length but found the more I cut the better it looked and behaved.

Now that I've cut the damage out and have a more consistent routine it's thriving. 2014 will be great because now I can finally move forward with real retention while I transition back to natural. I also feel as if I better understand my hairs needs now.

I fell off my healthy living journey during the holidays too. Yesterday I told myself I would start back today, it really makes a difference in my overall feeling of well being and energy. It's like working out, sometimes it's hard to get started but once you do it feels great.
 

JustGROWwithIt

New Member
Hello everyone, it's check in time. I promised a pic and here it is. It seems like my hair grew 3 inches and I retained all 3. I did my relaxer touchup which went very well and I used my Splitender to cut away the split ends, but I think I need to get a new blade. Anyhow, I'm happy with my results. I never kept a hair journey so I thought my hair did not retain length, but this pic proves to me that I can retain length. I always thought I couldn't. I didn't post a pic in June because I didn't see any difference from April pic that I posted when we first started this challenge, but I can certainly see growth now. Anyhow, I am so happy and thankful. Even though this is the norm, 3 inches, I know those inches add up to more and more. I have to share with you though, I made a huge mistake. My relaxer touchup went well, but I was so tired of putting my hair in that infamous bun and decided I want to flat iron my hair. Wrong, Wrong, Wrong. My hair did not like it and started breaking. I saw little pieces of hair and immediately I did a protein treatment which meant rewashing my hair. I think I stopped it, but I ask the question.... What is wrong with me! I almost messed up months of hard work, but lesson learned. I will be putting my hair in the infamous bun until I reach my hair goal. Now I have to work hard to make sure that my breakage stays under control. Anyhow, I know we all have been there and done that. I hope all of you will post progress pics or just tell us how many inches you achieved. Continue to stay focus and consistent with your regime and we will get there.

Please excuse my scrunched up homemade length tshirt.

Wow ur hair looks great! Gorgeous hair. You are inspiring me! Can't wait til my hair is as long as yours!
 

Mskraizy

Well-Known Member
Re: 12 inches in 12 months - 2013

fancypants007, awesome check in your hair looks gorgeous!! So glad you caught that mishap early and not have to experience a setback. You're well on your way!!

caliscurls, your hair looks beautiful and so light and airy and swangy!! For some reason, "Colors of the Wind" is playing in my mind. lol Will you flat iron mine!?
 

caliscurls

Well-Known Member
Re: 12 inches in 12 months - 2013

fancypants007, awesome check in your hair looks gorgeous!! So glad you caught that mishap early and not have to experience a setback. You're well on your way!!

caliscurls, your hair looks beautiful and so light and airy and swangy!! For some reason, "Colors of the Wind" is playing in my mind. lol Will you flat iron mine!?

LOL, I'm actually better at doing other people's hair than my own so come on over Mskraizy ! :)
 

20perlz

Active Member
Re: 12 inches in 12 months - 2013

I have not posted an update in forever but I wanted to start 2014 off documenting my challenge progress for me (accountability:yep:).

So as far as growth in the months since I first joined this challenge...I have gained about 2 inches in 8 months...not good. I know. But better than no gain at all.

For the last part of this challenge, I want to gain as much as possible. So, Jan-May I am coming for 5 inches!!!

Here's my PULL IT OFF plan!

1. Will be taking a package of Viviscal vitamins that I never finished. I have one package (30 day supply)

2. Will be adding Dollar General Hair vitamins after that. I read that they were comparable to GNC.

3. Will be adding Omega 3s daily and eating either sardines or salmon daily. I already eat tons of nuts and veggies, including spinach.

4. Will go back to shampoo once a week...I have been cowashing almost exclusively for over a year. I was watching a girl on youtube who said that her hair didn't start growing until she added shampoo back in. For some people, sulfates are a friend I think.

5. Rollersets. When I was pregnant and full APL, I did rollersets twice a week just because I didn't have to think about it. Doing that til May every other week.

6. Baggying. GHE. This is newly working for me. I think its the only reason I got the 2 inches. Probably every other week.

7. Up my water game. Need to actually drink more than a glass a day :grin:.

That's it! And I will be posting. I haven't actually posted for years. So back from lurk status.
 

fancypants007

Well-Known Member
Re: 12 inches in 12 months - 2013

Excellent growth and retention

Thanks girlie, I really appreciate that. See this is why having support is sooo good, because we choose to focus on positive and not the negative. Thanks for not mentioning my mishap, because I did mess up, no question, but thanks for the encouragement!
 

fancypants007

Well-Known Member
Re: 12 inches in 12 months - 2013

Not much going on here. I will take a pic this month but won't check in until the end of the challenge. I am doing daily moisturizing and still clipping off bad ends as I come across them. I don't have much length right now but hopefully week by week I will see a healthier head of hair.

I think I have the winter blahs. I know I need to get on track but I just want to get in the bed. I need to pull some strength from somewhere within and get on track with healthy living.

I will take pics this weekend and get them posted.

It's all OK. I feel that way too and I think it effected me toward the end of last month because I slacked off terribly. Anyhow, you will get back on focus. I think your natural hair in your sig pic is soo pretty. Sometimes I wish I had natural hair because you can do so many things with it. Give yourself the time you need, but please don't become discouraged and give up. We are all in this together and we are there to support each other on the way. I'm cheering you on because I know you will have good length and hair growth at the end of this challenge, but the key is, we have to stay consistent and our efforts will pay off. Remember, we don't get something for nothing. We have to do our part. I'm supporting you, so stay positive and focus. Can't wait to see those pics.
 

fancypants007

Well-Known Member
Re: 12 inches in 12 months - 2013

Thanks fancypants007 :) the first two pictures are deceiving. If I'd flat ironed my hair either time it would have looked extremely thin. I went through a great deal of trial and error when relaxed and made quite a number of irreversible errors. This resulted in extremely tangle prone hair with ends that snapped. I'd go a few weeks thinking my ends were doing well and they'd snap off soon after. Bottom line is it was damaged. I tried saving the length but found the more I cut the better it looked and behaved.

Now that I've cut the damage out and have a more consistent routine it's thriving. 2014 will be great because now I can finally move forward with real retention while I transition back to natural. I also feel as if I better understand my hairs needs now.

I fell off my healthy living journey during the holidays too. Yesterday I told myself I would start back today, it really makes a difference in my overall feeling of well being and energy. It's like working out, sometimes it's hard to get started but once you do it feels great.

Thanks for that thorough explanation. I know how you feel. Maybe that's what I need to do, cut away my dead ends. How often did you cut them away, once a month, every wash day, etc. I almost made an irreversible error too when I flat ironed after my touchup, and even though I used protein treatments, I still saw more than usual hair fall which I know was breakage. I also had the mishap in April after relaxing my hair, I put braids in 2 weeks after touchup and I got breakage on the front sides of my hair. I cleansed my hair using rhassoul clay and I followed it with henna treatment this past weekend and the breakage seems now to have stopped. I determine this based on wet and dry comb. I wet combed and only a few strands was in my comb and the same this morning when I combed it which was semi dry. Hopefully, it has stopped. I think I want to start trimming away these dead ends, so please share your method. Thanks
 

fancypants007

Well-Known Member
Re: 12 inches in 12 months - 2013

Wow ur hair looks great! Gorgeous hair. You are inspiring me! Can't wait til my hair is as long as yours!

Thank you. Wow, I never would have thought that my hair is gorgeous but I'm glad it's motivating you as well as others to stay focus and consistent. You know yourself that we can't preach do this and that, if we're not doing it ourselves. I try to stay on track, even though the last few weeks in December I slacked off very badly. But I still got good results that I'm happy with. I'm trying harder, but I tell you styling my hair is the most difficult because you get tired of those same ole styles. Anyhow, hopefully, I will find something new in a protective style. I love Kimmeytube's styling tutorial on twists and banana clips. If only I can get my hair in twists that will stay put. I'm going to experiment this weekend to see what I can do. Thanks again for encouragement.
 

fancypants007

Well-Known Member
Re: 12 inches in 12 months - 2013

fancypants007, awesome check in your hair looks gorgeous!! So glad you caught that mishap early and not have to experience a setback. You're well on your way!!

caliscurls, your hair looks beautiful and so light and airy and swangy!! For some reason, "Colors of the Wind" is playing in my mind. lol Will you flat iron mine!?

Thanks for your support and girl thank you for feeling my pain. Sometimes, I think it may take a long time to correct the errors we make but I am up on it in trying to keep it under control. I remember something that Wankaee said.... we cannot prevent breakage from happening, but we can try to keep it under control. I think about her words often. But I have to take responsibility, this was my own fault. Anyhow, I'm not going to continue to beat myself up, because I've learned my lesson. I WILL NOT be flat ironing again for a long time.
 

fancypants007

Well-Known Member
Re: 12 inches in 12 months - 2013

I have not posted an update in forever but I wanted to start 2014 off documenting my challenge progress for me (accountability:yep:).

So as far as growth in the months since I first joined this challenge...I have gained about 2 inches in 8 months...not good. I know. But better than no gain at all.

For the last part of this challenge, I want to gain as much as possible. So, Jan-May I am coming for 5 inches!!!

Here's my PULL IT OFF plan!

1. Will be taking a package of Viviscal vitamins that I never finished. I have one package (30 day supply)

2. Will be adding Dollar General Hair vitamins after that. I read that they were comparable to GNC.

3. Will be adding Omega 3s daily and eating either sardines or salmon daily. I already eat tons of nuts and veggies, including spinach.

4. Will go back to shampoo once a week...I have been cowashing almost exclusively for over a year. I was watching a girl on youtube who said that her hair didn't start growing until she added shampoo back in. For some people, sulfates are a friend I think.

5. Rollersets. When I was pregnant and full APL, I did rollersets twice a week just because I didn't have to think about it. Doing that til May every other week.

6. Baggying. GHE. This is newly working for me. I think its the only reason I got the 2 inches. Probably every other week.

7. Up my water game. Need to actually drink more than a glass a day :grin:.

That's it! And I will be posting. I haven't actually posted for years. So back from lurk status.

You're right, some inches are better than no inches so be proud of your accomplishment. Your plan sounds very good. I'm going to start doing cowashes once a week and hopefully during rhassoul clay treatments once a week. Rhassoul clay has improved my hair tremendously and I'm loving it. Please keep us posted on your progress.
 

faithVA

Well-Known Member
Re: 12 inches in 12 months - 2013

I'm getting back on track with my vitamins and my smoothies. I started walking again tonight. And I am eating better. I am moisturizing and sealing my hair at night and baggying. I am wigging it by day. My ends are pretty dry so I'm not retaining but I will try to dust this weekend and eliminate this breakage.
 

JustGROWwithIt

New Member
I've been really consistent the last few weeks with my hair and can't wait to see some growth! Currently I am wearing corn rows under a wig. I have had them in for 2 weeks and will leave them in for another 2 weeks. I cowash once a week and DC under my steamer once a week. I moisturize every other night and and oil my scalp nightly and massage. I also have been taking Hairfinity vitamins for about 6 weeks. I'm hoping for an inch a month!
 

nyunyu

New Member
Hey a girlies,

I haven't forgotten to do update photos, lots of stuff goin on at the moment and I haven't even travelled back for work yet.

My hair is still in braids, I moisturize and seal daily with neutrogena triple moisture leave in condish and grapeseed oil and water mix I found comercially made by loreal, it's been working ok so far. I curl all the ends under with a single perm rod before I tie my hair with a silk scarf.

I was deep conditioning twice a week, but things got hectic, so it's back to once a week for now. I do this with my braids in, and redo the braids after they've airdried and been moisturizer and sealed.

Gosh I really hope I see some length after this, lol, cuz I can't say I'm a huge fan of the braids.

I had a set back when I tried Cassia in the first week of December. Maybe I had too much new growth? It matted severely, soooo dry!!!!!! I cried and cried lol cuz I had to cut out huge matted sections, it came to about 3 handfuls of hair lost, and I had to trim. Sigh, learning is a pain in the.... Uzzimi, lol

I will say however my hair does feeel much stronger than before and it was less fragile when detangling, so yes I'd try it again but!!!! I'll do it on flat ironed hair, and use the tresseme naturals moisture conditioner. I threw every conditioner at my hair for days my hair just laffed at me. In fact it still feels so different to what I'm used to. And thats when I said I'm putting it in small braids and I'm not taking them out for a while,I lost too much hair, I couldn't bare to loose any more.

I'm scared to see it after the relaxer, cuz id love length, but I don't want it to look thin, so Im praying hard. My fiancee was so supportive through it all, helped me trim etc, and he says it doesnt look thin, he could be biased though lol.

Yeppers I'm looking forward to keeping up this hard work, sticking to my regime and listening to my hair. Hopefully I'll be able to post a pic in about 2weeks max!

Have a great day!
 

candie19

Well-Known Member
Re: 12 inches in 12 months - 2013

My fiancee was so supportive through it all, helped me trim etc, and he says it doesnt look thin, he could be biased though lol.

I love it! I need to put this type of man on my vision board. :grin: The men I've dated love to see and feel the long hair but don't understand the set backs that come with it. Their solution to a set back- "Just cut it. It will go back. Can't you get some weave in the meantime?" SMH
 

faithVA

Well-Known Member
Re: 12 inches in 12 months - 2013

Hey a girlies,

I haven't forgotten to do update photos, lots of stuff goin on at the moment and I haven't even travelled back for work yet.

My hair is still in braids, I moisturize and seal daily with neutrogena triple moisture leave in condish and grapeseed oil and water mix I found comercially made by loreal, it's been working ok so far. I curl all the ends under with a single perm rod before I tie my hair with a silk scarf.

I was deep conditioning twice a week, but things got hectic, so it's back to once a week for now. I do this with my braids in, and redo the braids after they've airdried and been moisturizer and sealed.

Gosh I really hope I see some length after this, lol, cuz I can't say I'm a huge fan of the braids.

I had a set back when I tried Cassia in the first week of December. Maybe I had too much new growth? It matted severely, soooo dry!!!!!! I cried and cried lol cuz I had to cut out huge matted sections, it came to about 3 handfuls of hair lost, and I had to trim. Sigh, learning is a pain in the.... Uzzimi, lol

I will say however my hair does feeel much stronger than before and it was less fragile when detangling, so yes I'd try it again but!!!! I'll do it on flat ironed hair, and use the tresseme naturals moisture conditioner. I threw every conditioner at my hair for days my hair just laffed at me. In fact it still feels so different to what I'm used to. And thats when I said I'm putting it in small braids and I'm not taking them out for a while,I lost too much hair, I couldn't bare to loose any more.

I'm scared to see it after the relaxer, cuz id love length, but I don't want it to look thin, so Im praying hard. My fiancee was so supportive through it all, helped me trim etc, and he says it doesnt look thin, he could be biased though lol.

Yeppers I'm looking forward to keeping up this hard work, sticking to my regime and listening to my hair. Hopefully I'll be able to post a pic in about 2weeks max!

Have a great day!

:bighug: Sorry for your set back. Glad you have a positive attitude about it though.
 

fancypants007

Well-Known Member
Re: 12 inches in 12 months - 2013

I'm getting back on track with my vitamins and my smoothies. I started walking again tonight. And I am eating better. I am moisturizing and sealing my hair at night and baggying. I am wigging it by day. My ends are pretty dry so I'm not retaining but I will try to dust this weekend and eliminate this breakage.

I knew you would come around. It sounds great. Sometimes we have to get tough with ourselves if we want to achieve those goals. We don't want to be too tough, but if we need to slack, don't slack for too long. I'm glad to hear you are back on track. This winter weather is something else. I too had to change up my regime because my hair was not responding to the oil and butter, it still was dry. So I added some Curl Free Curl activator and my hair soaked it up. No more dryness. I'm sure you will get your breakage under control just like I did. Keep consistent in doing what you're doing.
 

fancypants007

Well-Known Member
Re: 12 inches in 12 months - 2013

I've been really consistent the last few weeks with my hair and can't wait to see some growth! Currently I am wearing corn rows under a wig. I have had them in for 2 weeks and will leave them in for another 2 weeks. I cowash once a week and DC under my steamer once a week. I moisturize every other night and and oil my scalp nightly and massage. I also have been taking Hairfinity vitamins for about 6 weeks. I'm hoping for an inch a month!

You go for it! Consistency is the key and we all need to do this if we want results. Your hair is going to thrive under that wig while your hair rests in cornrolls. Stay focus and encouraged and positive. We are all in this together to get increased inches. I hope you get your 1 inch this month. I'm cheering you on!
 

fancypants007

Well-Known Member
Re: 12 inches in 12 months - 2013

Hey a girlies,

I haven't forgotten to do update photos, lots of stuff goin on at the moment and I haven't even travelled back for work yet.

My hair is still in braids, I moisturize and seal daily with neutrogena triple moisture leave in condish and grapeseed oil and water mix I found comercially made by loreal, it's been working ok so far. I curl all the ends under with a single perm rod before I tie my hair with a silk scarf.

I was deep conditioning twice a week, but things got hectic, so it's back to once a week for now. I do this with my braids in, and redo the braids after they've airdried and been moisturizer and sealed.

Gosh I really hope I see some length after this, lol, cuz I can't say I'm a huge fan of the braids.

I had a set back when I tried Cassia in the first week of December. Maybe I had too much new growth? It matted severely, soooo dry!!!!!! I cried and cried lol cuz I had to cut out huge matted sections, it came to about 3 handfuls of hair lost, and I had to trim. Sigh, learning is a pain in the.... Uzzimi, lol

I will say however my hair does feeel much stronger than before and it was less fragile when detangling, so yes I'd try it again but!!!! I'll do it on flat ironed hair, and use the tresseme naturals moisture conditioner. I threw every conditioner at my hair for days my hair just laffed at me. In fact it still feels so different to what I'm used to. And thats when I said I'm putting it in small braids and I'm not taking them out for a while,I lost too much hair, I couldn't bare to loose any more.

I'm scared to see it after the relaxer, cuz id love length, but I don't want it to look thin, so Im praying hard. My fiancee was so supportive through it all, helped me trim etc, and he says it doesnt look thin, he could be biased though lol.

Yeppers I'm looking forward to keeping up this hard work, sticking to my regime and listening to my hair. Hopefully I'll be able to post a pic in about 2weeks max!

Have a great day!

Sorry to hear about your mishap. I had a similar problem when I used Cassia several months ago. My hair did not like it. It was dry and I too experienced some breakage. I will not be using it again. I don't have this problem with henna and I thought that Cassia was like henna but without color. Anyhow, you're right about learning those painful lessons. It hurts because it's hard work to grow our hair. I'm sure you are up on the breakage to stop it in its tracks. I'm glad you're hair benefited in that you have stronger strands. I bought some Loreal conditioner and Tressemme too yesterday and I'm going to use them mixed together with other conditioners as a prepoo mask before I wash. It's nice when our mate supports us. My husband doesn't, but he does take pictures of my hair when I ask him too, even if it is with grumbling at times. Anyhow, stay consistent and pamper that hair for the next several months. It will reward you in return with positive results.
 
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