Slow growers unite 2014

Prettymetty

Natural/4b/medium-coarse
I am going to straighten and trim my hair next week on a beneficial lengthening day (Morrocco Method). I have been using liquid gold oil for almost 3 months so I should have some good growth since my last lc in September.

Right now I am rinsing my hair blue black so that my straight hair can be shiny. My natural brown hair is so dull looking.
 

Froreal3

haulin hard in the paint
I have been taking Manetabolism Plus for about a week now. I need to get more protein powder, so haven't taken protein for a week. But I've been keeping up w/my protein treatments every two weeks.
 

Prettymetty

Natural/4b/medium-coarse
Liquid gold has filled in my edges quite a bit.

It seems like I trimmed all my progress this year, but since the damage is gone I won't need any major trins for a while. Next year I want to retain an inch every 3 months.
 

snookes

Well-Known Member
I will hang out with you CharlieEcho. I don't know if I am a slow grower or a poor retainer but in the end, it still chalks up to short hair :ohwell:

Hair type: 4B

Did you ever have long hair as a child? No. I had APL hair when I had a curl :look:

How long have you been on your hair journey ? I would rather not say but a long time.

Was your hair damaged when you started your journey ? Yes

How long did it take you to get from where you were length and health wise to where you are now ? I am still in the same spot as when I started.

What are the hair issues responsible for impeding your growth ? My hair is extremely dry and my ends stay brittle. My hair has always been dry when I was a child, pre relaxer, when relaxed and now that I am back to natural. I have yet to find a moisturizing regimen to keep my hair healthy.

If you managed to turn your hair round, how did you manage it? Have not managed it.
How long is your hair faithVA?
 

ilong

God's Own
I am definitely a slow grower. I am able to accurately measure areas of my hair for growth factor and my hair growth is exactly half an inch per month. PRP treatments (last treatment was this month) definitely thicken my edges, which were thinning due to age. I am using Emu oil and folligen to treat my scalp and hopefully promote growth.


Hello Ladies,
Have any of you taken Viviscal? I started last month and decided to go ahead and do an Amazon subscription for them for a few months. I also started moisturizing my hair every day with distilled water and aloe vera juice + whatever moisturizing product I'm using at the time and have noticed a HUGE difference in the appearance of my hair. My twists are actually plump and shiny. I'm hoping this will curb breakage and up retention. Working out speeds up my metabloism so I'm going to do my best to keep it up. Like many of you, I'm lucky if I retain an inch or two a year. However, I have noticed my hair getting fuller, so maybe that's a plus.


@IronButterfly - I took Viviscal for 6 months, consistently and faithfully, in 2013. Results were very good, but I believe the results were due to the synergy of Viviscal with biotin, HSN supplement and topical growth aids. I started taking Viviscal again October 1, 2015 along with Phytophanere, HSN and Biotin. I am using different topical aids than I used in 2013, however, I am still hoping for great results. Excepting a modification of the topical growth aids, I plan to stay on this regimen until July 2016.
 

Smiley79

Well-Known Member
What's your current length? @Smiley79
I'm a little past sl. I damaged my hair with heat so I've not retained anything this year. I'm at the point I was last year and the middle of my hair is a mess, no more than 4 inches in a lot of places :(

I would say I'm near SL. I've been wearing safe protective styles over the past months, I plan to wash my hair and blow it out so I can begin the year with an assessment of the current state of my hair.
 

Prettymetty

Natural/4b/medium-coarse
Now that I have a length check shirt I don't have to worry about bra placement anymore. My goal is to retain 4 inches this year after 4 small trims.
 

bluediamond0829

Well-Known Member
I am a slow grower. I haven't checked in, in awhile. I just reordered Viviscal(the men's formula) without the Biotin in it. I CANNOT do Biotin for nothing in this world without cystic breakouts. This year I vowed to myself that I'm working on EVERYTHING(health, hair, body, skin etc)

Right now I'm using protective styling of half wigs to grow my own hair out. I remember Viviscal really being the only hair vitamin that I could take with no biotin that made my hair grow.
 

snoop

Well-Known Member
I haven't been taking the best care of my hair lately. I've been ripping knots out. :nono:
I'm going to try to do a search and destroy this weekend and dust my ends.

I also discovered at new year's that under the shower stream I'm able to stretch my hair even further than when it was just damp. I'm a lot closer to WL than I thought!:yay:

 

Prettymetty

Natural/4b/medium-coarse
I haven't had the time or energy to give my hair the tlc it needs. I haven't been washing or moisturizing as often as I should and as a result I've had some breakage.

I have been very consistent with my vitamins and inversions though. Once I get my breakage under control I can start using sulfur oil again.
 

DarkJoy

Bent. Not Broken.
I haven't had the time or energy to give my hair the tlc it needs. I haven't been washing or moisturizing as often as I should and as a result I've had some breakage.

I have been very consistent with my vitamins and inversions though. Once I get my breakage under control I can start using sulfur oil again.
Why wait? Does the sulfur dry ypu out or increase breakage? Im always for keeping the growth rate faster than break rate by any meansnecessary :lol:

For my own update im plugging along. Still 1/4" a month unless I remember my vitamins AND drink a small lake of water. I remembered the vitamins about 25% of the time. Have been doing great with the water and Im finally seeing enough roots to do a henna today. Last henna was 6 weeks ago :nono:
 

Prettymetty

Natural/4b/medium-coarse
@DarkJoy at first I thought the breakage was from sulfur touching my ends (not on purpose). I think the dryness and breakage was from not moisturizing and just spraying my ends with Chi Keratin mist. I'm back using sulfur oil and I stopped using the Keratin mist for a while.
 

Prettymetty

Natural/4b/medium-coarse
I'm still using sulfur oil a few times a week. My edges are growing nicely and overall my hair feels thicker. I trimmed 1/2 inch last week which is half the growth I got this quarter.

April-June I want to retain a whole inch so that means I need to keep my ends thick so I can trim less next time.
 

Froreal3

haulin hard in the paint
So my nape made 12" I really can't believe it. I want another 1/4" for it to be really true. :lol: I will keep doing what I've been doing. My new goal is now 13" by August. I think that I will try to do some long term protective styling this summer and fall to get my to the 13" Not sure what I will do yet. Possibly do some twists in my own hair w/just a little added hair....not sure....
 

charmtreese

Well-Known Member
We need a slow growers unite 2016. Having fine type 4b hair that grows at a snails pace is a struggle, but the key is retention. I have tried just about ever topical growth accelerator and nothing seems to make my hair grow any faster. However, I’m still slowly growing. I’ve been doing the following to help retain all of my slow but steady growth and it seems to be helping:

1. Low Manipulation – I keep my small/medium twist in for about 2 weeks and I only wash once every 2 weeks. If I take my twist down a few days early, I wear twist outs and pineapple at night (NO retwisting!!)

2. Protein – Since I’m a slow grower with fine hair I use a protein treatment or a reconstructor with every wash.

3. Scalp sprays – I use products dedicated to scalp health daily.

4. Shampoo – to keep from clogging hair follicles, I use shampoo with every wash. I alternate shampoos and do not mind sulfates, a clean scalp to me is very important when it comes to hair growth and health, and since I always DC with heat I can get the moisture back. But I can’t risk having clogged hair follicles.

5. Hair Vitamins – I faithfully take my Phyto vitamins and iron pills. I may switch up my other supplements, but NEVER my hair and iron supplements.

6. Hair oiling – oiling my hair just works for me. So, during the week I use different oils on my ends and scalp. Penetrating oils help condition my hair while my heavier oils help seal and decrease knots on the ends of my hair.

7. Products specifically for split ends – I use products specifically geared towards eliminating and preventing split ends. I have found using products such as this on the ends of my hair a few nights a week keeps them from knotting and splitting.

8. Baggie/protect hair at night – I use a plastic bag nightly on my hair. I do not cover my hair line with the plastic cap, I scarf the edges, and then tie wrap it all up in a silk scarf or bonnet. For me the plastic cap keeps my product from being sucked up by the scarf and pillow case. Also, it keeps my hair from drying out. Because I baggie, I rarely have to use moisturizers. Just oil and or serums.

9. Search and Destroy – Anytime I do happen to find a SSK or fairy knot I cut it. Anytime I see a split, I cut it. However, I only trim my hair twice a year.

10. Finger detangling – Duh, everyone knows what this is and why it’s useful.

11. Consistency – I may change up my products, but I NEVER change up my techniques. I stay very consistent with my regimen. I prepoo with coconut oil only, wash with shampoo or shampoo bar, protein treatment, DC, LOCG, and twist.

Again, my growth is not astronomical, but it’s consistent with its slow self!!!
 
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faithVA

Well-Known Member
So my nape made 12" I really can't believe it. I want another 1/4" for it to be really true. :lol: I will keep doing what I've been doing. My new goal is now 13" by August. I think that I will try to do some long term protective styling this summer and fall to get my to the 13" Not sure what I will do yet. Possibly do some twists in my own hair w/just a little added hair....not sure....
:yay: Congratulations
 

faithVA

Well-Known Member
We need a slow growers unite 2016. Having fine type 4b hair that grows at a snails pace is a struggle, but the key is retention. I have tried just about ever topical growth accelerator and nothing seems to make my hair grow any faster. However, I’m still slowly growing. I’ve been doing the following to help retain all of my slow but steady growth and it seems to be helping:

1. Low Manipulation – I keep my small/medium twist in for about 2 weeks and I only wash once every 2 weeks. If I take my twist down a few days early, I wear twist outs and pineapple at night (NO retwisting!!)

2. Protein – Since I’m a slow grower with fine hair I use a protein treatment or a reconstructor with every wash.

3. Scalp sprays – I use products dedicated to scalp health daily.

4. Shampoo – to keep from clogging hair follicles, I use shampoo with every wash. I alternate shampoos and do not mind sulfates, a clean scalp to me is very important when it comes to hair growth and health, and since I always DC with heat I can get the moisture back. But I can’t risk having clogged hair follicles.

5. Hair Vitamins – I faithfully take my Phyto vitamins and iron pills. I may switch up my other supplements, but NEVER my hair and iron supplements.

6. Hair oiling – oiling my hair just works for me. So, during the week I use different oils on my ends and scalp. Penetrating oils help condition my hair while my heavier oils help seal and decrease knots on the ends of my hair.

7. Products specifically for split ends – I use products specifically geared towards eliminating and preventing split ends. I have found using products such as this on the ends of my hair a few nights a week keeps them from knotting and splitting.

8. Baggie/protect hair at night – I use a plastic bag nightly on my hair. I do not cover my hair line with the plastic cap, I scarf the edges, and then tie wrap it all up in a silk scarf or bonnet. For me the plastic cap keeps my product from being sucked up by the scarf and pillow case. Also, it keeps my hair from drying out. Because I baggie, I rarely have to use moisturizers. Just oil and or serums.

9. Search and Destroy – Anytime I do happen to find a SSK or fairy knot I cut it. Anytime I see a split, I cut it. However, I only trim my hair twice a year.

10. Finger detangling – Duh, everyone knows what this is and why it’s useful.

11. Consistency – I may change up my products, but I NEVER change up my techniques. I stay very consistent with my regimen. I prepoo with coconut oil only, wash with shampoo or shampoo bar, protein treatment, DC, LOCG, and twist.

Again, my growth is not astronomically, but it’s consistent with its slow self!!!
If you start the thread people will follow.
 

Royalq

Well-Known Member
Slow and steady wins the race. I grow 3.5-4 inches a year. This june makes me 5 years natural and im currently clocking in at 16 inches of hair. I should grow another inch by the time my nappyversary rolls around. I just focus on retention, moisture, and being gentle. My goal is 24 inches. I should be there in 2 years. Going to start my year braids protective style (every other year i go into box braids for a year. 1 year bix braids, one year out). Im also getting nursing school so i might actually be in braids for 2 years.
 

IronButterfly

Well-Known Member
Going on month 5 with the Viviscal, but I haven't worked out in months so I think my metabolism is slowing again. However, my roots are thickening up beautifully. I have noticed a marked decrease in shedding even if the growth process has not sped up. My hair falls wonderfully on my shoulders when straightened now and a little past them. Still, my hair is thin and that's genetic, but I'm grateful to have some hair. Both my mother and grandmother were bald at my age. However when I wear it in it's natural state the shrinkage makes it look nice and thick. I've been bunning a lot lately so that may be helping with retention.
 

Prettymetty

Natural/4b/medium-coarse
I started finger detangling last week and it's a game changer for my hair. I had little to no breakage and very little shedding. I think my hair will thicken up first and then the length will follow. I have about 1/2 inch of growth since February 23 when I lightened my hair. I'm inverting this week so I might have a full inch by the end of this month.
 
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