Apl Naturals Get in Here

Pharmgirl247

New Member
A comment was made to me last night. I'm approaching my 2 year mark and I will probably be apl. The family member said "your hair should be longer cause you been natural longer and my hair is almost apl". This person went natural after as a result of my encouragement. Her hair is in the 3 family.
So I want to ask your hair type and what length was your hair at the 2 year mark. For me I'm a 4b but my hair use to grow quickly when I was relaxed. It would have taken me 1 year to reach apl relaxed. I know everybody has different growth rates I'm just curious. I think kinky hair grows slower than looser textures.
 

13StepsAhead

Well-Known Member
A comment was made to me last night. I'm approaching my 2 year mark and I will probably be apl. The family member said "your hair should be longer cause you been natural longer and my hair is almost apl". This person went natural after as a result of my encouragement. Her hair is in the 3 family.
So I want to ask your hair type and what length was your hair at the 2 year mark. For me I'm a 4b but my hair use to grow quickly when I was relaxed. It would have taken me 1 year to reach apl relaxed. I know everybody has different growth rates I'm just curious. I think kinky hair grows slower than looser textures.

I think the looser your hair texture is, the easier it may be for you to retain length hence the reason it seemed that your hair grew longer while relaxed. IMO texture has nothing to do with growth rate.

ETA: hair grows at different rates (as you stated) so I don't think it would be fair comparison to look at different textures.
 

faithVA

Well-Known Member
Although its possible to be APL in 2 years, from most of the post I have read it varies and seems to be longer than that. There are people who grow less than 1/2" avg per month but retention is probably the biggest factor.

Just enjoy your progress so far. APL in 2 years is good.
 

knt1229

Well-Known Member
I don't think texture has anything to do with it. You should enjoy your progress and your hair. As long as it is healthy and you are retaining length then that's all you can ask for. It's not a race or competition. Don't let her words get next to you or make you doubt your progress.
 
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a_shoe_6307

New Member
I'm 3B/C & I'm not at my 2 yr mark, but after a yr I am APL. I think last time around I cut my hair off at 2 yrs I was probably MBL. But I think that has more to do with the fact that I am a fast grower than my hair type. That being said I retain more when I'm either protective styling or flat ironed. I think that is only because I manipulate my hair less during those times & because of it I experience less breakage.
 

SmilingElephant

Well-Known Member
I don't think texture has anything to do with it; I think it depends on the person. Not everyone's hair grows at the same rate.

I have 14 months worth of natural hair right now and my hair is only 1-2 inches away from APL. But I've seen a lot of others on here reach APL in 2 yrs.

Either way just keep growin that hair girl! It's not a race. It's a journey. :yep:
 

Damaged but not out

Well-Known Member
I'm a 4a/b at the 16 month mark, had a 7 month transition.

Today I got my hair flat ironed, I'm 2 inches away from full APL. I've had 3 trims since my BC most recently a 1inch trim in May.

No i don't think hair texture dictates hair growth. Yes i do believe looser textures have an easier time at retention. When relaxed it was easier for me to retain growth even with bad hair practices( dyeing, bleaching,excessive heat etc).
 

tberry2688

New Member
2 years post relaxer? or 2 years post BC? I am 2 years and 7 months post relaxer and I am a couple inches past APL. I'm pretty sure I was right at APL 2 years post relaxer. I am mostly 4a with some 3c. I think you are on track, i wouldn't worry about her comments
 

Chameleonchick

Well-Known Member
I don't know how long my hair is when not in twists, but when I hit my 2 year mark WITHOUT having a relaxer I was not at APL. My 2 year mark for being natural is coming up in November. I am hoping to be APL by the end of next month though.
 

My Friend

New Member
Did you both have the same length 2 years ago? Did you measure with a ruler? Do you both do the same exact regi? Do you both wear the exact same styles at all times? Too many variables to compare :spinning:

Keep in mind...hair grows 6 inches per year :yep: some a little more, some a little less. The goal is to keep at least 6 inches. If you are retaining less, maybe you'll want to work on it :spinning: if your retaining more, bottle it and sell it :lachen:
 

mEmYSELFaNDj

Well-Known Member
Everybody is different. I do not believe growth rates are determined by hair type. And depending on your starting point, APL in two years is great progress dont worry about what others have to say.
 

Eluv

Active Member
I asked this question when I was natural and I got nada.

Well now I'm transitioning back to natural and by measuring my new growth it's pretty obvious on MY head that my 3c section grows at a faster rate than my 4a/b section.
 

AuNaturalMaMa

New Member
Height plays a role, how many inches of hair you had after BC, shoot even the size of your head...lol. At the same time "I think she's just trying tot toot her own horn. She really shouldn't me comparing cause there are a zillion factors that could come in play.

To answer your question directly I'm a various type 3 and one year after my BC(I had about 1 to 3 inches on my head shorter in the back longer in the front rhianna cut) and at one year I was def. Not @ apl. I'd say more like a year and a half I was apl maybe even 2 years.
 

Curlykale

New Member
yeah height and even the length of your neck! I have a long neck and it took me a while to reach shoulder length.
 

cbanks67

New Member
I was Apl for a long time because I was not protecting my hair enough. As soon as I started paying attention to my ends more and wearing more protective styles. I've seen a lot of growth. I finally hit BSL after making some changes. I think you have to just love your own personal journey. Growing hair is like a new hobby. There is so much to learn and try.
 

sweetlaughter

Well-Known Member
OP I think everyone has some good advice for you. There are a lot of factors like regimen, height, and distance that play into this. There really is no clear cut answer. Maybe your cousin transitioned for a while before the BC. Maybe her hair just grows fast. Maybe you have a long neck.

But whatever the case may be one thing is for sure. The more time and energy you spend worrying about her head is gonna take away from you taking care of your own head.
 

Nonie

Well-Known Member
I'm 4B. I don't have a clue when I hit APL...or when it is I'll leave APL. :giggle: Part of the reason for this is I'm not always checking progress. I prefer to forget about it and let my hair surprise me. So for all I know, it might've taken 3 years to get to APL from 3 inches, because it was in April 2010 while taking a photo to show shrinkage that I noticed that my nape was at APL. 3 years before that in Feb 2007, I had just been a little under 3 inches.

Hair growth doesn't depend on texture, but retention might. And retention itself isn't dependent on just texture but also haircare practices. Also growth is dependent on one's health and that person's assimilation of nutrients for their delivery to hair follicles.

OP, the way to enjoy your hair is not allow yourself to compare it with anyone else's--or pay any mind to anyone who does. As knt1229 said, this is not supposed to be a race. And you're better off enjoying your hair at whatever length you find yourself because you'll soon be beyond it and it'd be a shame to have to cut your hair (and expensive/time-consuming to have to weave) just so as to enjoy a shorter length you didn't realize could be so much fun coz you missed it while busy looking at other heads.
 

Qtee

Member
I'm 3b/C..I will be at the 2 yr mark in Sept and I'm at BSL now..I'm hoping to be almost MBL by the time I reach 2yrs..
 

MyAngelEyez~C~U

Well-Known Member
I'll be 2 years post relaxer on 10/3/11, and I BCed down to 2"in the front, and 3-4" in the back 13.5 months ago. I'm currently about 1.5" from APL in the back. Everybody's growth is individual to themselves, and if I sat around comparing my growth to other folks growth, I'd be depressed n miserable, LOL. Focus on your hair, retention and growth and tell your cousin to focus on her own.
 

mzteaze

Pilates and Yoga Kinda Gal
OP, hair growth is strictly an "eyes on your own paper" deal. There are factors that people don't consider such as diet, health and lifestyle habits. For some women of color, even operating at a 90% score in each field, they may still find that their growth and retention rate is less than the average 0.5 inches a month.

Honestly, for peace of mind, don't waste time comparing your length of time as a natural and growth rate to the next person. Spend more time working out a routine that allows you to achieve realistic, attainable goals catered to your growth and retention rate. It helps to take pictures occasionally (or on schedule) to prove yourself that you are on the right track. Don't let others rain on your parade.
 

Evolving78

Well-Known Member
i am a tightly coiled 4a and i am at the 17th month mark. i cut all of my hair off into a low fade around Mid to the End of January of last year. i don't believe my hair grows fast either. but i believe you are on track. you can see my progress from December 2010 til June 2011. i have since made it to APL. i have major shrinkage and tangling issues as well.
 

Shadiyah

Well-Known Member
A comment was made to me last night. I'm approaching my 2 year mark and I will probably be apl. The family member said "your hair should be longer cause you been natural longer and my hair is almost apl". This person went natural after as a result of my encouragement. Her hair is in the 3 family.
So I want to ask your hair type and what length was your hair at the 2 year mark. For me I'm a 4b but my hair use to grow quickly when I was relaxed. It would have taken me 1 year to reach apl relaxed. I know everybody has different growth rates I'm just curious. I think kinky hair grows slower than looser textures.

I mean don't you just hate that when a chemical seem to grow your hair faster but in the end you have to end up cutting it off because you got so much damage from using that chemical well that's in my case anyway.
at 2 yrs I don't remember where I was I would have to go and look at my growth pics and I am sorry that I didn't before posted but I know I was past shoulder but it has been 2.5 yrs since my last chop and I am just now getting to apl but I was bald. oh forgot I am 3b
 
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Uniqzoe

New Member
Sounds like you have done a great job at retaining length. Sure others may retain more or have hair that grows faster than yours but by no means does it sound like you've had a major setback or growth retardation.

My last relaxer was two years ago this month and I cut my remaining relaxed ends off this Feb and I am grazing APL. And trust me I am not a fan of protective styling so I'm sure I could have possibly retained more. The worse thing we could possibly do is constantly compare our hair to others be it length or texture cause you will simply drive yourself nuts. HHG!
 
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