Techniques For Hair Growth And Length Retention

ajoke

Well-Known Member
Can we have a detailed conversation about techniques specifically? I tried looking for a thread that focused solely on techniques but I can’t find one.

Let me give you some background. I have reached the conclusion that using the right techniques is actually a key factor for hair growth and length retention.
It’s not only about what products you use and whether you use tools or not, but more about how you apply the products you use and how you handle your hair.

I have been on here for 10 years and was natural for 7 years, out of frustration particularly with lack of quick styling methods, decided to get my hair texlaed in 2017. That was a big mistake. My hair got over processed. I decided to start over again. Now two years in with my natural hair got to between shoulder and APL and I’m stuck again!

So I decided to take a webinar from a lady I follow on Instagram. The webinar was about healthy hair care techniques and it was an eye opener for me.

I realised I had a lot of knowledge from being on here, but the issue was with my technique for my own hair. DD has hip length hair so my applied knowledge works on her, just not on me, probably because of differing hair types.

For instance, I always wash my hair in twisted or braided sections. But I had to keep unbraiding washing and braiding back up. If i didn’t undo the braids, the braided part was never fully clean. But then that led to over manipulation of my hair plus an over long wash day. I learnt that you should braid your hair with loose roots so you can access your scalp. You then sort of squeeze and massage shampoo or conditioner into the braided part to ensure it’s clean too. I tried that last wash day and wow! The difference is clear. Definitely one I’m keeping.

Another thing I learnt in the webinar was about how to detangle by elongating to reduce hair loss. And again wow!


So ladies, what techniques are you applying to washing, moisturising, detangling and styling your hair that has made a difference. Please share. Looking forward to finally breaking length limit retention limits together with you.

Tagging some people who likely have good tips to share.

@Chicoro @Maracujá @Theresamonet @faithVA
@ElevatedEnergy @caribeandiva @sunnieb
 
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ajoke

Well-Known Member
Was the webinar in English? Even if it were not, I'd still be interested. Do you have a link? I'd love to see it. Even if it is no longer available, could you give the person's name, please?

@Chicoro It was a paid webinar, in English and no recording was shared.

Her Instagram handle is @enitanhaircoach
 

Chicoro

5 Year Shea Anniversary: Started Dec 16th, 2016!
Many people who joined were natural hair salon owners. It’s the small things about how you handle the hair or add the products that make the difference.

She's exactly right. The hard part is determining which small thing you, as an individual, are missing. I agree that technique is very important.

I think she is doing a great service.
 

Chicoro

5 Year Shea Anniversary: Started Dec 16th, 2016!
My process is for tail bone length hair. But, based upon what you have mentioned in your original post, there are things that I do that are so very subtle that I need to better amplify and accentuate.
 

Chicoro

5 Year Shea Anniversary: Started Dec 16th, 2016!
This is my Chicoro TailBone Length Technique:


Based upon your original post, I see that I need to go back and refine it even further. Thank you. Your post has helped me. Hope my repost below can help you, @ajoke !

https://longhaircareforum.com/threa...ir-in-protective-styles.808475/#post-23495089

Thread title: How to Care for TBL Hair in Protective Styles

Post #7



:wave: Hi @beingofserenity ,
So glad you asked...:jester: It's going to be long...

My observations pertain to hair that is squarely in the 4 range, or hair that looks like mine (3 range) and "acts" and grows like it is type 4 hair. I dislike hair typing but it helps to cut to the chase to get everyone one the same page quickly during a discussion.

My observations for many tail bone length women with afro-textured hair:
  1. Hair is rarely washed more than 1x per week
  2. Hair is washed in braids or twists or sections(one on one attention is given to either each section and/or each braid in that section). This one may seem obvious and well known. But the difference is that these women don't take all braids/twists out at once and combine the hair on a regular basis. Either they undo the hair and leave it in its own section, or they wash, condition and leave all hair in braids/twists. To detangle and comb out, they do one braid at a time, leaving the rest braided or twisted or sectioned but tend to not combine all the hair together.
    • Note: I overlooked this. I have always washed and conditioned my hair in braids. But after I detangled a section, I would combine it with the other sections. Hence, I would always need to use a comb to detangle it and get it back into sections. With these ladies, fingers are used more than the comb.
    • Also, I realized that I have been damaging my hair NOT at the detangling stage, but before, during my braiding and unbraiding. I pull and snatch my hair apart and the force or tension maximized at the ends of my hair causing tangling and breakage. I have been damaging my hair before I even began the detangling process.
    • For the first time EVER in my hair care process, I did not need to use a comb because I washed, oiled and conditioned my hair in braids. I carefully and gently undid a braid, while leaving the rest braided. I put in my leave in and gently re-braided that one braid. Surprisingly, the unbraiding/leave-in/braiding took a long time even without detangling with a wide, toothed comb.
  3. Hair is sectioned / done in sections-See detail above, point #1.
  4. Hair is stretched before it is styled (bantu knot, banded, heat stretched). Some women let there hair dry in
    • braids or twists
    • bantu knots
    • banded hair
    • put on rollers
    • Some women lightly blow dry
  5. Hair is kept stretched after it is styled (These ladies tend to gather their twists and pin around their heads or combine the twists creating some kind of stretching on the hair.)
  6. Shea butter is often used (protects hair and organic tissue like hair and skin from the break down of proteins on the exposed surface by the environment, specifically protects against the sun.) It may not be used throughout the entire journey, but during significant time frames or points in the journey (transitioning only, washing, sealant, etc)
  7. Extremely low maintenance styles (For me, low maintenance styles are not necessarily protective styles! I define low maintenance styles as those where the hair is manipulated as little as possible.)
    • Some braid or twist hair until it dries and leave it for three days to a week, then undo the hair to wear braid outs or twist outs until the next wash day.
    • Some leave the twists or braids in until the next wash day.
    • Some do up do's
  8. Specific daily hair end regimen (or frequent as in 2 or more times per week, ends given special attention)
    • Even if the entire braid or twist is redone , they tend to have a specific regimen for the ends
    • Ends are wetted or spritzed with water, an oil is added (Water + oil) (Usually castor oil or shea butter).
  9. Protective Styles (For "me" , protective style is determined by what you are doing with the ends of the hair. If the ends are not up and out of the air, I do not consider the style protective.)
    • Ends are twisted up, covered, tucked and/or kept from the air like Wanakee Pugh taught years ago
    • Hair ends or the entire head is kept covered or protected during the day and/or at night
      • Head scarves for night
      • Tucking or hiding hair during the day or night
  10. Trimming
    • Trimming done on a fairly regular basis
    • Trims tend to be done in braided or twisted styles (Unevenness not an issue as most of these women rarely or ever wear heat straightened hair styles)
  11. Time :timer: (2 to 8 year journeys. The average seems to be 5 years.)
That's all! It's enough, I know!

Edit: Forgot some form of protein is used whether be in a commercial product, treatment or DIY. Frequency depends on the head of hair.
 
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NaturalEnigma

Well-Known Member
Some techniques I have that I feel like has helped me hair grow.

1. Applying products to the mid point of your hair and ends first and then applying to the roots. The ends and mid point of your hair are older then your roots. I find when I apply products there first it’s gets more product making it stronger and more moisturized. I noticed it effects my entire head, becuase before when I used to moisturize and seal my hair I would put most of the product on the top of my hair putting whatever remaining product in my hands on my ends and my hair wouldn’t get that moisturized now with concentrating it at the mid point and ends my overall hair is super soft and moisturized. I saw this video and it confirmed that I need to concentrate more on my ends.
 

Chicoro

5 Year Shea Anniversary: Started Dec 16th, 2016!
Thanks ladies. I will read and get back with my comments. Pls keep the tips on techniques coming. I believe it’s the subtle things that are keeping some of us who seemingly have lots of knowledge from going beyond the plateau of shoulder/apl.

Ask @caribeandiva . She is our greatest success story in the Shea thread.

She and I also had an hour chit chat by telephone. I explained to her, the techniques I use. It's the process and techniques I've been doing for over 15 years. My information is everywhere.

What was the thing that clicked for her that I told her during our hour long telephone conversation? I couldn't say.

She could never grow her hair beyond her collarbone for YEARS (her words). Now, in just 1.5 years she is on her way to bra-strap length.

Hey @caribeandiva can you do us the honor, please?
 
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Chicoro

5 Year Shea Anniversary: Started Dec 16th, 2016!



@caribeandiva
From post #2387 of the Shea Growth Challenge 2019 thread. Who would believe that she could never grow past collarbone length?

AMAZING!
 

Keen

Well-Known Member
Ask @caribeandiva . She is our greatest success story in the Shea thread.

She and I also had an hour chit chat by telephone. I explained to her, the techniques I use. It's the process and techniques I've been doing for over 15 years. My information is everywhere.

What was the thing that clicked for her that I told her during our hour long telephone conversation? I couldn't say.

She could never grow her hair beyond her collarbone for YEARS (her words). Now, in just 1.5 years she is on her way to bra-strap length.

Hey @caribeandiva can you do us the honor, please?
I don't post much but that thread also help me a lot. I feel like I finally figured out how to keep my dry hair moist. I was talking to my sister who who lurks here. We were joking how all this year we did not figure out dry hair was out problem. I mean we knew about moisture but didn't really learn how to keep our hair moist at all time. We are slow growers and our hair shrinks like crazy but just knowing how to "handle" our hair without fear means more than length.
 

ajoke

Well-Known Member
I don't post much but that thread also help me a lot. I feel like I finally figured out how to keep my dry hair moist. I was talking to my sister who who lurks here. We were joking how all this year we did not figure out dry hair was out problem. I mean we knew about moisture but didn't really learn how to keep our hair moist at all time. We are slow growers and our hair shrinks like crazy but just knowing how to "handle" our hair without fear means more than length.


Can you refer me to any specific posts that helped you? Or summarise what you learnt, because my hair keeps drying out tooo quickly!
 

Keen

Well-Known Member
Can you refer me to any specific posts that helped you? Or summarise what you learnt, because my hair keeps drying out tooo quickly!
It's the entire technique. I was actively following the thread when it got started. My ah ha moment started by doing henna gloss from that lady who makes fermented oil. I watched many of her video. There was a challenge for her oil but I can't find the tread. I would say my technique's came from her. The SB thread thought me about sealing moisture (I know LHCF 101). I used to not wet my hair in between washes because I didn't want to deal with the shrinkage). Instead I would wash more often. Now, I wash once a week. If I'm too busy, I just spray my hair with a tea and seal it with SB for that week. I don't use the fermented oil anymore. I use SB. I don't even whip the SB butter anymore... I still use henna gloss for every wash. I pretty much substitute the fermented oil with SB.

If I find that thread about the henna gloss, I'll post it.
 

caribeandiva

Human being
Ask @caribeandiva . She is our greatest success story in the Shea thread.

She and I also had an hour chit chat by telephone. I explained to her, the techniques I use. It's the process and techniques I've been doing for over 15 years. My information is everywhere.

What was the thing that clicked for her that I told her during our hour long telephone conversation? I couldn't say.

She could never grow her hair beyond her collarbone for YEARS (her words). Now, in just 1.5 years she is on her way to bra-strap length.

Hey @caribeandiva can you do us the honor, please?
I was so confused with these notifications I was getting. I was like: is this an old thread I posted in years ago and forgot all about? :lol: When you’ve been on here for 15 years you don’t remember all the threads you’ve posted in. :lol:
 

caribeandiva

Human being
What was the thing that clicked for her that I told her during our hour long telephone conversation? I couldn't say.
Thank you for that hour long conversation btw. I know you didn’t have to. What clicked for me was the importance of keeping my hair moisturized at all times. Before I was moisturizing my hair once a week and not sealing it in. :nono: I was following Youtubers and other long haired ladies who didn’t have the same hair type as me and was wondering why I wasn’t getting the same results. My hair is drier than most. @Chicoro and I decided to focus on alleviating the dryness. She told me about that Jheri curl juice and asked why the heck did I ever stop using it just because folks claimed it was giving them build up. Good point. I started moisturizing my hair EVERY DAY with S-Curl and sealing with whipped Shea butter. I noticed a difference almost immediately. My hair’s been taking off ever since. :yep: That and minimizing tangles by eliminating wash and gos and doing my wash day routine entirely in braids have been a game changer. But if I had to choose just one thing that made the biggest difference I’d say it’s the frequent moisturizing and sealing with Shea butter. Hope that answers your question OP. I haven’t read the original post yet so I don’t know. :look:
 

Chicoro

5 Year Shea Anniversary: Started Dec 16th, 2016!
Thank you for that hour long conversation btw. I know you didn’t have to. What clicked for me was the importance of keeping my hair moisturized at all times. Before I was moisturizing my hair once a week and not sealing it in. :nono: I was following Youtubers and other long haired ladies who didn’t have the same hair type as me and was wondering why I wasn’t getting the same results. My hair is drier than most. @Chicoro and I decided to focus on alleviating the dryness. She told me about that Jheri curl juice and asked why the heck did I ever stop using it just because folks claimed it was giving them build up. Good point. I started moisturizing my hair EVERY DAY with S-Curl and sealing with whipped Shea butter. I noticed a difference almost immediately. My hair’s been taking off ever since. :yep: That and minimizing tangles by eliminating wash and gos and doing my wash day routine entirely in braids have been a game changer. But if I had to choose just one thing that made the biggest difference I’d say it’s the frequent moisturizing and sealing with Shea butter. Hope that answers your question OP. I haven’t read the original post yet so I don’t know. :look:

@caribeandiva ,
You answered the question that was asked! Thank you for responding. So, as it relates to the Shea butter thread, both you and @Keen and I, found keeping our hair moist with water or a water based product, plus Shea butter in our hair, is a technique that has helped with length retention.

Thus, @ajoke,
The formula or technique that relates to Shea butter and retaining length for us (Carib/Keen/Chic)is:

Moisturized*/Wet Hair + Shea Butter Sealed On Top = Hair That Retains Length

*Moisture is NEVER, NEVER OIL. Oil lubricates. WATER moisturizes. Water is the only thing that moisturizes hair [in 'my' opinion]. SCurl is a water based, glycerin product. Therefore, it can be considered a moisturizer or considered a water based product that moisturizes, because the first or main ingredient is water. It is the water in SCurl that moisturizes the hair, not the glycerin.

I personally saturate my hair with warm water first. I tap my roots with gel. Then, I apply Scurl, then I apply my Shea butter.
 

ajoke

Well-Known Member
@Chicoro and @caribeandiva thanks so much. So let me see if I get the technique right: you take down your braids regularly and do the following. 1. wet hair with water 2. moisturise with scurl and 3. coat with Sheba butter.

Or do you leave the hair braided and apply the steps?

If you do that every day without washing in between, won’t the Shea butter of previous days prevent the moisturizer from penetrating? Or is that the purpose of the warm water, to dissolve the shea butter?

I happened to have scurl at home which I have not used in a while. I applied it this morning after wetting my hair. And then coated with butter. I will admit
My hair feels more moisturized than it has in a long time. I will start doing that daily and report back to you.
 
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charmtreese

Well-Known Member
Techniques that have help me retain my growth:

1. Using a plastic cap under my scarf at night to keep my scarf and pillows from sucking up the moisture/oil from my hair. (Tip: I place the plastic cap about 2 inches away from my edges, and then tie my scarf around my edges, securing the cap and keeping my edges from reverting)

2. I only wash my hair every two weeks, and I always pre-poo, wash in sections, finger detangle in section, condition in sections, and style in sections.

3. I normally only finger detangle, but when I do detangle with a comb it’s only on freshly washed, conditioned hair, after all leave-ins have been applied. I always start from my ends first, and I work in sections.

4. I style my hair in medium to small twists that are usually styled in some type of bun or up do.

5. I also use Shea butter and/or pomade containing castor oil as a sealant for my ends. My moisturizers are water based sprays and I always moisturize my roots and seal with a pomade or oil.

6. I snip/dust my ends as needed when twisting Or styling.

7. I rely on my hands/fingers a lot to detangle, to style, to see how smooth my ends are and if I need to add more moisture, SB, or feeling for ssk at the end of my twist.
 

Chicoro

5 Year Shea Anniversary: Started Dec 16th, 2016!
Italicized is @ajoke comments and the blue comments are my comments [Chicoro]

  • So let me see if I get the technique right: you take down your braids regularly and do the following. 1. wet hair with water 2. moisturise with scurl and 3. coat with Shea butter.-Done 1x per week. It is not done daily. I re-braid my hair weekly which is one time per week. My hair is not re-braided daily. Yes, hair is taken out, 1 braid at a time. I apply Shea butter 1 time per week to my hair, from root to tip. I do not unbraid, put in water and Shea and re-braid. I take out my braids, put in bantu knots, wet with water, Scurl and gel. Then, I go back to the first bantu knot, coat it with Shea butter and braid it. Then, I repeat with the rest of the bantu knots.

  • Or is that the purpose of the warm water, to dissolve the shea butter? The purpose of the warm water is that I don't like COLD water. The hair is re-wet to make it more pliable, to make it softer, so that it does not BREAK when I handle it. The goal is not to melt or remove the Shea butter. The goal is to keep the hair moist. The Shea butter on top of afro-textured hair holds in the moisture (water) of the hair. The water does not evaporate as fast, from the hair, with the Shea butter. The goal is to keep afro-textured hair moist and protected. Shea and braids are the product and vehicles that help with this.

  • I happened to have scurl at home which I have not used in a while. I applied it this morning after wetting my hair. And then coated with butter. I will admit. My hair feels more moisturized than it has in a long time. I will start doing that daily and report back to you. Before you wet your hair was it washed? Was it braided? Was it detangled? Was it breaking? With afro-textured hair, it's not just enough to put a product in. There is no magic product, not even my beloved Shea butter. It's really about authentically embracing and accepting your hair, and getting to know your own hair. To know your hair, it is important to know the answer to the following. How are you styling your hair? How are you treating the ends of the hair? What do you use to wash your hair? What do you use to condition your hair? Do you use protein or not? Are you caring for and protecting the ends of your hair? How often does your hair like to be washed? What is your attitude when you touch your hair? How do you feel about your hair? All of this, and more impacts the hair and determines whether it will thrive or not. Lastly, it is important to document your process with pictures and text.
 
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ajoke

Well-Known Member
Techniques that have help me retain my growth:

1. Using a plastic cap under my scarf at night to keep my scarf and pillows from sucking up the moisture/oil from my hair. (Tip: I place the plastic cap about 2 inches away from my edges, and then tie my scarf around my edges, securing the cap and keeping my edges from reverting)

2. I only wash my hair every two weeks, and I always pre-poo, wash in sections, finger detangle in section, condition in sections, and style in sections.

3. I normally only finger detangle, but when I do detangle with a comb it’s only on freshly washed, conditioned hair, after all leave-ins have been applied. I always start from my ends first, and I work in sections.

4. I style my hair in medium to small twists that are usually styled in some type of bun or up do.

5. I also use Shea butter and/or pomade containing castor oil as a sealant for my ends. My moisturizers are water based sprays and I always moisturize my roots and seal with a pomade or oil.

6. I snip/dust my ends as needed when twisting Or styling.

7. I rely on my hands/fingers a lot to detangle, to style, to see how smooth my ends are and if I need to add more moisture, SB, or feeling for ssk at the end of my twist.


Thanks great tips.
 

ajoke

Well-Known Member
Italicized is @ajoke comments and the blue comments are my comments [Chicoro]

  • So let me see if I get the technique right: you take down your braids regularly and do the following. 1. wet hair with water 2. moisturise with scurl and 3. coat with Shea butter.-Done 1x per week. It is not done daily. I re-braid my hair weekly which is one time per week. My hair is not re-braided daily. Yes, hair is taken out, 1 braid at a time. I apply Shea butter 1 time per week to my hair, from root to tip. I do not unbraid, put in water and Shea and re-braid. I take out my braids, put in bantu knots, wet with water, Scurl and gel. Then, I go back to the first bantu knot, coat it with Shea butter and braid it. Then, I repeat with the rest of the bantu knots.

  • Or is that the purpose of the warm water, to dissolve the shea butter? The purpose of the warm water is that I don't like COLD water. The hair is re-wet to make it more pliable, to make it softer, so that it does not BREAK when I handle it. The goal is not to melt or remove the Shea butter. The goal is to keep the hair moist. The Shea butter on top of afro-textured hair holds in the moisture (water) of the hair. The water does not evaporate as fast, from the hair, with the Shea butter. The goal is to keep afro-textured hair moist and protected. Shea and braids are the product and vehicles that help with this.

  • I happened to have scurl at home which I have not used in a while. I applied it this morning after wetting my hair. And then coated with butter. I will admit. My hair feels more moisturized than it has in a long time. I will start doing that daily and report back to you. Before you wet your hair was it washed? Was it braided? Was it detangled? Was it breaking? With afro-textured hair, it's not just enough to put a product in. There is no magic product, not even my beloved Shea butter. It's really about authentically embracing and accepting your hair, and getting to know your own hair. To know your hair, it is important to know the answer to the following. How are you styling your hair? How are you treating the ends of the hair? What do you use to wash your hair? What do you use to condition your hair? Do you use protein or not? Are you caring for and protecting the ends of your hair? How often does your hair like to be washed? What is your attitude when you touch your hair? How do you feel about your hair? All of this, and more impacts the hair and determines whether it will thrive or not. Lastly, it is important to document your process with pictures and text.


Thanks for the detailed breakdown Chicoro and your patience. Just to say about the daily moisturizing, I was referring to caribeandiva. She said she has really dry hair and moisturizes daily. I would like to try that as well, because my hair is really dry and that’s the main issue I’m having.

My hair is literally parched, and I’ve done all the right things, I have clarified, used protein, deep moisturizing treatment on a regular basis. I drink tons of water and other fluids. I eat a balanced diet and drink smoothies. I take my vitamin B complex ( thanks for that tip by the way, since you advised me it’s become a staple). I also started a course of probiotics recently. Our water is hard, which is why I got the shower filter. So I’m suspecting my hair is just dry and I need to suck it up and moisturize regularly.


In terms of styling, I have my hair in cornrows or twists that i make myself. Sometimes I wear a wig. I try to tuck my ends in. i snip any knots or scraggly ends regularly. I love my hair and I’m determined to get it right. I just need to identify what I’m doing wrongly. About three years ago I threw in the natural towel because of the same issues I’m facing now and immediately the Tesla’s mix touched my head I regretted it. Now I’m fully natural again and grown out to a good shoulder length. Hair is strong but just Uber dry.
 

GettingKinky

Well-Known Member
The technique I recently learned that gives me excellent hydration (which I think is the key to length retention) is “squish to condish”.

I’ve tried so many things in search of hydration (LOC, MHM, Shea butter, oil rinsing, curl refresh spray) and this technique has worked wonders for me.

Squish to condish finally clicked for me when I used waaaay more conditioner than usual because the pump on my conditioner stopped working. They key to this technique is to use lots of conditioner and lots of water. Since that day I’ve had shiny, bouncy, hydrated hair that has swing.

I think the key with squish to condish is that I’m finally getting enough water in my hair. My hair feels so heavy when I get out of the shower because it’s so full of water.

At this point LOC or Shea butter would probably work better for me than they did before because I have more moisture to seal in, but I’m a wash n go girl now and this technique has given me the hair of my dreams.


These 2 links explain the technique the science behind it. I’m a HUGE fan and a 100% convert. I can or recommend it enough.

http://www.thereoncewasacurl.com/blog/squish-to-condish


http://science-yhairblog.blogspot.com/2018/08/conditioning-technique-squish-to.html?m=1
 
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