Random progress-ish pics (4a/b natural hair)

Rocky91

NYE side boob.
Hey, everybody! I miss seeing progress threads on the board so I’ll share some, though they are nothing particularly impressive.

I stayed away for the past year or some change and my hair was strugglingggg. I do think the culprit was hormonal birth control and stress, and it was pretty terrible, lots of breakage. I was barely grazing neck/beginning shoulder length at the beginning of this year. The photo with the heart face is around March 2020 probably two weeks before this whole city shut down, because unfortunately I don’t have many hair pics. It wasn’t on my mind. Anyways, that’s a blowout and some flexirods, I think. Not full length but some idea.

the lockdown forced me to slow down, which may have done me some good. I kept my hair braided (did them myself), got my diet back on track, and started running again.

I blowdried and flat ironed tonight to check out what’s going on and I’m pretty pleased. The photos in the robe are the result of that. There’s also a texture shot in there.

I think this is going to be last year actively paying attention to my hair, and then I’m gonna just chill on it. All I need is full APL or maybe grazing BSL as a lifestyle length and I’m happy. I need to focus my attention on other things, like getting back in shape. :yep:95EA80C1-34CF-4BC0-B60E-416F118E3F1F.jpeg782FC42A-5660-48F9-91B0-4052B26C1721.jpegE61BA9DA-2449-41AF-9D03-BD5A16808015.jpeg991FA22F-A61D-48DB-8DA0-F9E60E72819A.jpeg
 
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MzSwift

Well-Known Member
IA, your progress shows! And good for you for recognizing the issues and doing something about it. Sounds like you're on the right track.
And don't feel too bad about back to back PSing. Using plaits/twists under wigs as a low-tension PS between extensions or weaves is a great option. It helps to rest your edges and strands. I did that my first few years of HHG after my BC and made it to lengths I'd never reached before.

Sometimes, less is more. Just keep doing your DC and protein tx between sets and try not to leave them in too long. I think you'll be fine. GL to you! :)
 

Rocky91

NYE side boob.
IA, your progress shows! And good for you for recognizing the issues and doing something about it. Sounds like you're on the right track.
And don't feel too bad about back to back PSing. Using plaits/twists under wigs as a low-tension PS between extensions or weaves is a great option. It helps to rest your edges and strands. I did that my first few years of HHG after my BC and made it to lengths I'd never reached before.

Sometimes, less is more. Just keep doing your DC and protein tx between sets and try not to leave them in too long. I think you'll be fine. GL to you! :)
Thank you for those tips, I do remember that you did pretty hardcore long-term protective styling with clearly no adverse effects and lovely hair.

and doing my own hair has been amazing. I can take down every 4-6weeks without feeling like I just wasted my money on a broader.
 

MzSwift

Well-Known Member
doing my own hair has been amazing. I can take down every 4-6weeks without feeling like I just wasted my money on a broader.

Right! Saves so much time, money and energy. You can adjust the tension on your edges as needed, no combing with a fine toothed comb and you can do it on your own time.
And don't get me started on the Lazy Girl crochet method. I don't need a braider/stylist anymore. Cornrows for what?? Lol
 

Rocky91

NYE side boob.
Adding one more pic for my own personal documentation. I got my trim over the weekend and tried to do my lil daily bunning routine before virtual work this morning after my workout. Yea naw lol. My hair just isn’t long enough yet for it to be an effortless venture to bun and I just do not have time right now for the rigmarole in my mornings. So I’m going to do some passion twists since I have hair on hand in my stash already.

I did a DC, shampoo, and blow dry. My ends are super blunt right now, I love it. There was a smidge of length lost but I have nothing but trouble when I skip trimming at least every 3-4 months so it’s all good. Snapped a quick pic.E359C309-F6C9-4872-B4CA-87FB0D16BF3F.jpeg
 

beloved1bx

Well-Known Member
Hey, everybody! I miss seeing progress threads on the board so I’ll share some, though they are nothing particularly impressive.

I stayed away for the past year or some change and my hair was strugglingggg. I do think the culprit was hormonal birth control and stress, and it was pretty terrible, lots of breakage. I was barely grazing neck/beginning shoulder length at the beginning of this year. The photo with the heart face is around March 2020 probably two weeks before this whole city shut down, because unfortunately I don’t have many hair pics. It wasn’t on my mind. Anyways, that’s a blowout and some flexirods, I think. Not full length but some idea.

the lockdown forced me to slow down, which may have done me some good. I kept my hair braided (did them myself), got my diet back on track, and started running again.

I blowdried and flat ironed tonight to check out what’s going on and I’m pretty pleased. The photos in the robe are the result of that. There’s also a texture shot in there.

I think this is going to be last year actively paying attention to my hair, and then I’m gonna just chill on it. All I need is full APL or maybe grazing BSL as a lifestyle length and I’m happy. I need to focus my attention on other things, like getting back in shape. :yep:View attachment 463075View attachment 463089View attachment 463091View attachment 463093
Thanks for posting. This is good to see. I'm newly natural and even though I transitioned for about 17 months I was left unhappy with the state of my hair. I had a lot of shedding over the summer either due to hormone issues, stress, low iron or some combination of the 3. The one silver lining of being in quarantine / working remotely is that I haven't had to mess with my hair much. Hoping over the next few months to see the density return to my hair and some length and that I have great progress like you have.
 

Rocky91

NYE side boob.
Thanks for posting. This is good to see. I'm newly natural and even though I transitioned for about 17 months I was left unhappy with the state of my hair. I had a lot of shedding over the summer either due to hormone issues, stress, low iron or some combination of the 3. The one silver lining of being in quarantine / working remotely is that I haven't had to mess with my hair much. Hoping over the next few months to see the density return to my hair and some length and that I have great progress like you have.
Thank you! I also have to mention the nature’s bounty hair, skin, nails vitamins as a factor here. I have never really taken hair vitamins because I was always scared of the effect of high doses of biotin on my skin. These, however, have no adverse effect and I truly believe they have contributed to faster growth. I recommend them.

best of luck to you on your journey! :yep:
 
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